2012 SR5 towing setup advice please

[Blooze]

My wife and I picked up a 2012 SR5 with the tow package the other day and have a few questions about towing our fairly new to us popup with it. Bear with me please

Our popup is a 2008 Jayco 1206. It's fairly large at 19' long when folded down and 3450 GVWR. Tongue weight is 300-350lbs depending on how the front is loaded. We currently have pulled it a few times with our single cab 1500 Sierra 4WD with no sway or problems on the stock hitch to very close destinations within 15 miles or so. We just purchased a Prodigy P3 brake controller for it as well before we really take it anywhere.

First of all, it looks like the only place to mount the P3 is on the left lower side of the dash because of the shin airbag. I just love drilling holes in my dash that I can't repair if I go and sell it down the road, but it is what it is. Is there an alternative location that may be better?

Second, does this setup need a WD hitch? The 1206 has a fairly long tongue on it and really pulls nicely behind our truck. My only concern would be sagging the rear end of the 4R because of the weight.

Does anyone think a tranny cooler would be in order, or should we tow it a bit after getting everything else set up and see if it want to heat up any?

And last and least, any recommendations on tire pressure beyond the factory 32lbs? I can run the 35lbs on our truck and it looks and rides pretty good.

 

[ShooterF16]

Hello and welcome. There are quite a few people who tow and write posts about their experience on this forum. Keep reading and you'll find them or use the Google.

I tow a 23" Skyline, 3200lbs. I just got done with my 2nd trip across the country (this time from Las Vegas to NY). I've been fairly impressed with how well it tows. I've installed a transmission cooler, Airlift 1000 airbags (helper springs), Scan Gauge II, Prodigy P3 brake controller, Bilstein 5100 shocks, and use a weight distribution hitch. So far my only problems have been the airsprings; twice one of the pair has split. No one else I've heard of has had this problem so maybe I got a bad batch or over inflated them (although I've stayed within the posted limit).

I mounted my brake controller on the bottom of the steering column with a large patch of Velcro. This way I can reach it easily if I encounter trailer sway (knock on wood, hasn't happened yet) and can easily remove it when not in use.

I use and recommend a weight distribution hitch. You can read other forums on the purpose of a WD hitch and their importance. At a minimum, it helps alleviate some of the sag you will encounter.

I have load C rated tires (about the same as stock) and always inflate them to max allowable when towing. I'm usually carrying my wife, 2 kids, dogs and "stuff" when I'm towing. Underinflated tires are a major cause of blowouts, especially when carrying an increased load. So I just go most conservative and pump them up to the max allowable and try to avoid problems. Double check what it says on the side wall and what it says in the owners manual.

Anecdotally, I think one of the most underrated improvements to towing has been the Bilstein shocks. The truck definitely has less extraneous movement with them and hugely improves the ride when not towing as well, not to mention cures the excessive brake dive.

Anyway, welcome and have fun with your 4runner and trailer!
Nate

oh yeah, and tow in "S" to keep it out of 5th gear.

 

[G8RB8_12SR5]

I also tow. I have a Keystone Passport Elite 23RB its 26' long with tongue (23' liveable) and weighs in at 4800lbs. I also went with the P3 and have it mounted to the left side of the dash just below the switches and above the airbag. If I had though about it more I would chosen a better location but I like being able to reach with my left and steer with my right. I can also glance left at the screen and see it and it's not lost in the dash lights. The AirLift 1000 kit is by the far the most clutch mod to go with since it will minimize sag and help with handling. I also have a pro series weight distribution hitch. The setup works quite nicely and I've towed it through 6% 7 mile grades of Siskiyou pass and other smaller passes from Seattle to San Fran (800 miles) and it handled great.

 

[barryhiram]

The AirLift 1000 kit is by the far the most clutch mod to go with since it will minimize say and help with handling.

Just wanted to add my 2 cents, G8RB8_12SR5 is spot on with AirLift mod. We pull a 14’ utility trailer with two ATV’s (1,500 lbs) with a fair amount of tongue weight, truck definitely squats when loaded. Addition of airbags (aired up) brought truck back to level. I also added AirLift’s Load Control, basically an onboard compressor, pressure gauge w/bleeder value, and low pressure solenoid. What’s nice about setup is you can add or lower air pressure on the fly. Also, if air pressure drops below 5 psi, low pressure solenoid turns on compressor to inflate back to 5 psi, which is a major cause of airbag failure (under inflation).

Since my trailer didn’t come equipped with trailer brakes, I added them (truck brakes stop truck, trailer brakes stop trailer), when choosing a brake control, I too didn’t want to drill hole in my dash. Hopkins offers InSIGHT Flex Mount brake control that’s modular. It has three components, Flex-Display, Flex-Control, and Smart-Box. Setup is perfect for those who don’t want to drill holes in their dash panel!

Smart-Box can be mounted anywhere (as long as it’s facing forward), located left front of center console.


Flex-Display fit nicely in lower storage compartment (drilled one hole to run wire, though it’s out of sight). Upper section has air pressure gauge, bleeder valve (just above AUX port), and power switch to the right (to inflate, momentary rocker switch wired to ignition). Cover can still be closed......out of sight, out of mind.


Flex-Control (slider), removed factory knockout, then ran wire through hole. Setting adjustments are located on both sides of slider.

 

[Blooze]

Thanks everyone. Looks like we have a few things to think about. I know the 1206 is known for it's straight-line pulling. Not a lot of complaints I could find about sway with this particular trailer. We will just have to see. Looks like the air-springs might be a good option though with the soft suspension.

We are going to be pulling a little U-haul 5x8 trailer about 1100 miles soon taking my son back to college with all his stuff, so we'll see how it does with the stock setup.

 

[Blooze]

One more thing. It's going to need a new pair of sneakers as well pretty soon. Any suggestions with the towing requirement we have?

I've seen some mention of the Duratracs (E rated, C seems to get spotty reviews due to the sidewall blowouts), Revo2's (rating - ?), and the Toyo Open Country.

Most of our driving is pavement, but being 2WD and the occasional snowstorm we drive when back in Kansas I'm thinking an AT tire would be best.

 

[G8RB8_12SR5]

One more thing. It's going to need a new pair of sneakers as well pretty soon. Any suggestions with the towing requirement we have?

I've seen some mention of the Duratracs (E rated, C seems to get spotty reviews due to the sidewall blowouts), Revo2's (rating - ?), and the Toyo Open Country.

Most of our driving is pavement, but being 2WD and the occasional snowstorm we drive when back in Kansas I'm thinking an AT tire would be best.

I'm actually in a similar place and replacing my tires in a few weeks. I spend a lot of time on pavement (drove 800 miles from Seattle to San Fran on Sunday actually). I'm planning to go with Cooper Discoverer AT3s stock size in load C. There's several threads about them. They get great reviews and are aggressive enough for most situations you might encounter and they get good marks for snow from what I've read (@1engineer can attest) and plan to have them to get to our snowshoeing spots this winter.

 

[Blooze]

Well, took it in to Discount Tire to fix a slow leak and the tire had a bead that was basically barely hanging on in a 4" spot. So, I replace all 4 tires with Michelin LTX M/S2's in LT265/70R17 with the E load rating. I've had passenger tires on SUV's and tried to trailer with 80-90% loads and they were always handled a bit weird even at max pressures. Load E is way overkill I know, I know, but they didn't have any C or D rated tires in the size I needed. They set the pressure at 35psi because they said would give me the best ride unloaded and to tke them to 40-45psi when loaded, but I just got off the phone with Michelin and they said 50psi@2470lbs for my 4runner. The Toyo chart said my OEM size was rated at 2205lbs @32psi (derated by 1.10 from 2425lbs for being passenger tires) and the LT single version requires 45psi to be at a 2255lb capacity.

Since I'm heading on a 1100 mile trip I think I need to adjust the pressure up a bit.

 

[SoCal147]

First of all, it looks like the only place to mount the P3 is on the left lower side of the dash because of the shin airbag. I just love drilling holes in my dash that I can't repair if I go and sell it down the road, but it is what it is. Is there an alternative location that may be better?

I modified my control wiring by cutting and splicing two wiring units together to double the length. I then mounted my P2 on top of the dash next to the driver side pillar. I used self adhesive Velcro.

I don't believe WDH are compatible with the newer Forerunners.

 

[T4Rife]

Just test-towed Jayco 1206 with 2014 SR5

Hey Blooze,

It's a coincidence that we have the same trailer. I've towed it with at 2009 Tacoma (good), a 2007 F150 V8 (easy), and now a 2014 4Runner. I just took it down the road for new trailer tires yesterday, and it's clear I'll need some new equipment.

The trailer towed and handled fine. I couldn't get the ball mount pin through the receiver unless I flipped the mount over. The trailer rode a bit high, and I doubt that is a safe setup. I'll be purchasing a new locking pin and/or ball mount soon.

I'll probably get a WD hitch, and maybe airbags. I plan to install the brake controller before a trip up to Flagstaff from Phoenix this weekend. Looking forward to seeing how the 4Runner handles the steep hills.

I'll let you know.

Chris

 

[T4Rife]

This inSight controller set up is great! Have you had a chance to try it out?

 

[barryhiram]

This inSight controller set up is great! Have you had a chance to try it out?

Installed last summer, works great! We trailer almost every weekend....so yah, I've had a chance to try it out...........hahaha



Sure would like an enclosed 16 footer :eyebrows: