Another First Time Towing Experience

[Blabel4runner]

I recently bought an 03' 16ft Baja Toy Hauler and took it on it's first trip. Some specs:

Dry Weight: 4400 Lbs
Tongue: 500-750 estimated depending on load
55 gallons of water in tank
One 220 pound motorcycle
300 pounds of firewood (estimated)
Miscellaneous gear: ???
Load distribution with single friction sway bar.
Prodigy Brake Controller
McKesh Mirrors

We towed about 900 miles through windy desert and steep mountain grades.

I would estimate that I towed 5500-5700 pounds when it was loaded on the way up there.

It handled pretty darn well. It got pushed around in the heavy wind but not any more than I see other tow rigs. Everytime it would sway, it would correct itself right away. I never felt unsafe. The power was great as I was able to pull 50-55 up the grade out of Bishop, CA (Highway 395) which, for those that know is a really gnarly hill.

Gas mileage ranged from 6-10MPG depending on the wind and how heavy my foot was. Best tank was around 11 but that was going 55MPH. It dropped when I brought the speed up to 60-65.

When the Black and Grey tanks were full at the end of the trip it increased the tongue weight significanty and I had to crank down the bars one more chain setting. When I would brake at lower speeds it would push down on the rear end.

The McKesh mirrors are worth every penny. You could do without, but certainly not safely. THey make all the difference in the world when changing lanes and backing it up.

So, the 4runner does a really good job for what it is and it will certainly get us by for a couple of years when we can upgrade to a more capable tow vehicle. Looking forward to the next desert season!

Thought I'd share this info cause this site helped me when setting up my rig.

Here are two pics, one hooked up and one unhooked:

 

[juneau92]

Very nice setup you have there. Thanks for posting! I love to see photos of those of us who tow. Campsite looks really nice. I'm taking my trailer on a five week journey starting this week.

 

[Blabel4runner]

Thanks. Can't wait to use her again.

 

[RamThis]

If you're towing that much weight with your 4Runner, you need to add an auxillary transmission cooler. It's alot easier than you think, it just goes inline with one of your cooler lines that run to the stock cooling passage in the radiator.

I put one on my 2000 Ram, its a 28,000lb GVW dual air passage auxillary cooler, I think it was a B&M brand, and bought it from Jeg's. I hard lined it in with stainless tubing and aircraft AN fittings, but it doesnt have to be that fancy. Simple transmission cooler rated hose and some clamps with barbed fitting will function as well, just not as aesthetically pleasing.

Heat kills transmissions faster than anything.

I've towed my 18.5' Cajun Fish/Ski with my half ton Ram at 70-80 MPH, in OD, up and down steep hills on the interstate, pulled over for gas, felt the tranny cooler, and it was barely more than warm to the touch, like hot bath water temp.

There is no one single better mod you can do for your transmission to extend it's service life than to give it the most cooling you possibly can. :

 

[trd2001]

I haave an 18 FT Tahoe that I tow with my 4runner. The best thing you could do is add airbags. I did on mine, and it helped bigtime, and it dont bottom out in the rear to much. Is that Mamouth Area? I was there not to long ago.

 

[trd2001]

If you're towing that much weight with your 4Runner, you need to add an auxillary transmission cooler. It's alot easier than you think, it just goes inline with one of your cooler lines that run to the stock cooling passage in the radiator.

V8 models have an aux tranmission cooler. Its a small one though.

 

[Blabel4runner]

The problem with airbags is I'm afraid if I got to that point, the tongue weight would be too much for the capacity of the 4runner. It is 700 pounds. The tongue on my trailer is 500 plus pounds (weighed with a scale before I bought it with the sellers quad in the front). So I am assuming when the gray and black tanks are full I'm already close to the 700 capacity. It didn't bottom out at all during the trip. The guy at the trailer place was against airbags (when using load distribution).


We camped near June Lake, it was a great spot to ride the bike around and we unhooked and traveled to all the cool spots in the area.

 

[trd2001]

That a valid point. My toy hauler had a 750 lb tounge weight. I added the airbags, since i did not like how it squated, and the head lights point up at night. I found i put 30 psi in the bags, and 3 links on the bars, and it works great. I added a Sway control i bought at camping world, and it like night and day.

My water tank is also in the front of the trailer, so it add more tounge weight when full. I have a heavy honda generator I place in middle to balance it out.

My worst gas milage was 5mpg, comming from Glamis with a 30 mph head wind. The tranny was 2nd and 3rd the whole time.

Here is my portable out house

 

[Koz]

Air bag/suspension reduces fatigue of the coils or leafs, transfer weight and also provide better handling, steering, braking and lowers the nose. Of course they need to be rated for the load. Not only are they widely used on tow vehicles (all four corners), they are now being installed on the TTs themselves. It helps going over poor roads and the trailer can be lowered for easy access. More and more RVers are finding out how they make a big difference. I can

 

[Blabel4runner]

Cool thanks for the info. I'm definitely not looking forward to those headwinds coming back from Glamis. That happens to be about 80 percent of the time!

 

[wazzuFreddo]

I think one of these would be cool but in costs more than the dang truck did :bash:

I guess it is the Costco tent and air matress that cost all of $90 for now. I don't want a TV camping anyhow :bigok: