camper towing question.

[imprttuner88]

Couple of quick questions.

1) I am going Oct. 3-5 to VIR to the GT Live event and my wife and I are contemplating renting a travel trailer or large pop-up and taking it from Wilmington, NC to VIR which is about a 3 1/2 hour drive (~200 miles) and camp out in the infield for the event. My question is what is the weight limit realistically I should pull. I do only have a V6 2wd with a standard Uhaul hitch for the V6/V8 4Runner. I am no stranger to towing trailers as I have three lawnmower/atv trailers myself.

2) Of these options below, would these be viable safe tow options? If these are equipped with trailer brakes I will be promptly getting a brake controller to install on my truck.

Choice #1

Choice #2

 

[racedirt1]

The pop up would be a much easier tow. Not only is it much lighter it doesn't create anywhere near the wind resistance the TT (travel trailer)would. I pull my 3,000 lb. pop-up all over wtih no problem. (Going 350 miles next weekend) Also remember that the infield most likely will NOT have electric hook up, so unless you are bringing a generator for a/c the pop up should be better because you can open up all the canvas and get some air moving through there.

If U-haul installed your hitch I would double check the mounting bolts, they have a terrible reputation in the r/v world.

Hope this helps, let us know what you decide.

If you have any questions about the pop-up I shuold be able to help.

 

[Bowtie3]

Didnt see what the weight was on any of them. But I do know the 30ft trailer is to big and heavy. I dont see any problems towing the pop up though.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

:iagree: with the other responses. The weight of the 30ft is listed as 4200lbs which means you're close to the 5000lb with water, gear etc. If it was a 5000lb pop-up I would say no problem. The wind drag on the 30ft trailer would be obnoxious and that combined with being at 5000lb makes me think it might be a bit much.

Think about towing your ATV trailer at 70mph. If you use a standard utility trailer with a stand-up, one piece mesh ramp you know how hard that trailer pulls, even empty, for it's weight. Take the gate off and strap it the floor and the T4R doesn't even know it's there, even at 70. I'd gladly tow a low, smooth 4000lbs rather than a 1500lb areodynamic train-wreck any day of the week.

The pop-up is the way to go and should you ever want a 4000-5000lb boat your T4R would do that fine. The big box that is the 30ft camp trailer is probably best left to the V8's for anything longer than a low speed, cross-town re-position.

:cheers:

 

[imprttuner88]

the travel trailer weight 4200. Thanks for any and all input. I don't have much experience with campers, my wife is very interested in getting one and trying it out. If all goes well we may even get one for ourselves to use with our two boys. I am personally leaning towards the pop-up and was def. planning on bringing my generator!

Oh, and if you don't mind me asking, what kind of pop up camper? I don't even know were to begin in knowing what brand to lean towards etc.....

 

[racedirt1]

If you are bringing a generator it may get loud in the pop-up, but then again everybody around you may be using one also. Don't really know.

As far as what mfg. of a pop-up, the jury is out on that.

Look at these 2 forums for ton's of information.

www.popupexplorer.com (I am a moderator on there "Frank Drebin" is my screen name as well as racedirt1)

www.popupportal.com (racedirt1)

Good luck and happy camping!!

 

[charlier180]

Personally, I would not even consider towing the 30ft trailer with a 4Runner unless the 4Runner was equipped with a weight distributing hitch, dual cam sway control and a brake controller. The 30ft trailer is VERY, VERY Susceptible to sway from cross winds or a passing tractor trailer. If the weight in this trailer is not balanced properly then you also face the trailer starting to bob up and down when you hit bumps on the road.
You also need a GOOD set of TOWING MIRRORS. The mirrors on your 4Runner are USELESS when towing a trailer as wide and as long as the 30ft trailer.

The pop-up trailer does not have these concerns due to it's size, weight and wheelbase.

Also, if you have not towed something large before you should know it take PRACTICE. Road construction areas have narrow lanes to contend with.
Turnpike toll plazas get more narrow when you are towing an 8.5ft (102 inch) wide trailer. Finding gas pumps that are accessible when your rig is 48ft+ long (4Runner and trailer) can be a challenge. All of the above and more make towing for the first-timer more of a risk than many people realize or acknowledge.

Bottom line is.. If you want to save yourself money, headaches and stress rent the pop-up trailer.

BTW, I tow an 8.5ft wide, 20ft long, enclosed car trailer (weight about 5,500lbs) with my V8 4Runner. So I do have some experience when it comes to towing.

 

[peter78]

Personally, I would not even consider towing the 30ft trailer with a 4Runner unless the 4Runner was equipped with a weight distributing hitch, dual cam sway control and a brake controller. The 30ft trailer is VERY, VERY Susceptible to sway from cross winds or a passing tractor trailer. If the weight in this trailer is not balanced properly then you also face the trailer starting to bob up and down when you hit bumps on the road.
You also need a GOOD set of TOWING MIRRORS. The mirrors on your 4Runner are USELESS when towing a trailer as wide and as long as the 30ft trailer.

The pop-up trailer does not have these concerns due to it's size, weight and wheelbase.

That is excellent advice. Also, you need to add weight to the figures in your example. I have a Jayco 10X camper and it weighs 1500 pounds, I can put in 600 pounds of camping stuff in the trailer, that makes it 2,100 pounds.

The two examples you gave, the Jayco 1207 weighs 1,800 pounds, I would guess you could add 800 pounds of stuff, that makes it 2,600 pounds, plus all the stuff in your car.

Now, the second one, 4,200 pounds which by the way, seems way low for a 30 foot trailer. I am sure you could add 1,200 pounds in the camper and that would bring it up to 5,400 pounds. Bottom line, the 30 foot camper is way too big for your rig.

The two biggest problems with the pop up is, it has no bathroom, you have to use the facilities. The second is, it folds down, the refrigerator is cut in half, usually good for sodas and left overs. There is no place to leave your clothes. A real camper is way nicer, but way too big. Maybe a 21 footer may be a good size for your 4Runner, if you want a real camper.

 

[imprttuner88]

all outstanding advice. I really appreciate all the real world tips and whatnot. I am not a stranger to towing large trailers as I pull the High School bands 26ft enclosed trailer all the time to shows with the county 02' F250 7.3l. I was more curious about the abilities of my truck. I think for this trip we are going to go the pop-up route. This is a big test ultimately for my wife! She has agreed to try the whole camping thing out because she knows my two boys (4 & 7) enjoy tent camping with me. I am hoping this is a precurser to me getting the go ahead to purchasing one of my own. I have been looking for a long time at around a 21' type TT or even going a bit more all out (price wise) and go with a Trail Manor style pop up. Again thanks for all the great advice and "real world" examples.

 

[racedirt1]

I hope the camping bug bites, we do about 40 nights a year. I can't think of a better way to spend true quality time with the family.

No bills to pay, no lawns to be mowed, no "running out to go shopping" crap. Just kick back and enjoy. My kids (almost 3 yrs. and 5 yro) love it. They ask me all the time if we are going camping this weekend.




:bigok:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

all outstanding advice. I really appreciate all the real world tips and whatnot. I am not a stranger to towing large trailers as I pull the High School bands 26ft enclosed trailer all the time to shows. I was more curious about the abilities of my truck. I think for this trip we are going to go the pop-up route. This is a big test ultimately for my wife! She has agreed to try the whole camping thing out because she knows my two boys (4 & 7) enjoy tent camping with me. I am hoping this is a precurser to me getting the go ahead to purchasing one of my own. I have been looking for a long time at around a 21' type TT or even going a bit more all out (price wise) and go with a Trail Manor style pop up. Again thanks for all the great advice and "real world" examples.

Sounds like a great time, hope she likes it. I always thought these folding hard trailers were cool. I have never used one, don't know if they're any good but they look cool... I was looking this brand/design over at a RV show and I liked them.

http://www.chaletrv.com/ then click "Products" to 'Chalet Folding Travel Trailers'



:cheers:

 

[peter78]

I hope the camping bug bites, we do about 40 nights a year. I can't think of a better way to spend true quality time with the family.:bigok:

I went camping last week at the Smoky Mountains. It poured down on Saturday and I was glad I was in a camper instead of a tent.

Camping is a lot of fun and you meet some great people too. If imprttuner88 goes camping he should have a great time.

 

[racedirt1]

Here is my pop-up in the background.

 

[imprttuner88]

Very nice looking! 3rd gen and PUP!

 

[peter78]

Here is my pop-up in the background.

Wow, you have a super deluxe pop up with a slide out, it looks like a Fleetwood or Coleman. Mine is nice, if your coming from a tent, but yours looks pretty slick. Oh, nice 4Runner too.

We are going to Fort Desoto in FL. this November for a week, which by the way is one of the nicest campgrounds I have ever seen.

 

[racedirt1]

Thats a nice pup you got there yourself Peter. I have a 2000 Fleetwood (Coleman) Fairview. 2 king beds, slide out dinette, a/c, furnace, 3 way fridge. I picked it up for 5k back in '05 and have used it a lot.

I have heard a lot of good things about Ft. Desoto.

I am driving about 350 miles each way next weekend to take the family to this.
http://www.balloon-fest.com/

We are staying at an ACE (Army Corp of Engineer) campground at nearby Carlysle Lake. Should be a great time.

 

[peter78]

Thats a nice pup you got there yourself Peter. I have a 2000 Fleetwood (Coleman) Fairview. 2 king beds, slide out dinette, a/c, furnace, 3 way fridge. I picked it up for 5k back in '05 and have used it a lot.

I have heard a lot of good things about Ft. Desoto.

I got mine in 2005 also, the funny thing about it is, I was so excited about it having air conditioning. I took it out West in June of that year and at the gate of Yellowstone Park it started to snow. It turns out the air conditoner had a heat strip and could produce heat. I didn't know it had heat when I bought it, but I am sure glad it did.

Also, Fort Desoto has a special section just for pop ups and tents. It has really great beaches and what is so weird, it is run by the local county, it is not a State or a Federal park. I take our canoe and go to a out of the way beach.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_Desoto.htm

 

[charlier180]

all outstanding advice. I really appreciate all the real world tips and whatnot. I am not a stranger to towing large trailers as I pull the High School bands 26ft enclosed trailer all the time to shows. I was more curious about the abilities of my truck. I think for this trip we are going to go the pop-up route. This is a big test ultimately for my wife! She has agreed to try the whole camping thing out because she knows my two boys (4 & 7) enjoy tent camping with me. I am hoping this is a precurser to me getting the go ahead to purchasing one of my own. I have been looking for a long time at around a 21' type TT or even going a bit more all out (price wise) and go with a Trail Manor style pop up. Again thanks for all the great advice and "real world" examples.

No problem. Sharing information is what forums like this is all about. Good to see that you have towing experience so you know what you are getting into.

Speaking of real world information I forgot to mention in my last post the kind of MPG you can look forward to when a 4Runner tows a fairly large and heavy trailer.
Obviously the MPG numbers vary with engine type (V6 or V8), size and weight of trailer, terrain involved (flat, hills, mountains) and driving style.

Best case MPG I have had towing my loaded trailer
has been 9-10 mpg (relatively flat). Worst case MPG was 6.95 (hills & mountains). Your mileage may vary.
In theory the V6 may have to work harder than a V8 in a 4Runner towing senario.
That could mean the MPG with a V6 will be less than one might expect when towing a big trailer.

For many the difference in fuel costs might not matter especially for a shorter trip. When one starts towing 1000-2000 miles in one trip the fuel costs do start to add up. That I know from experience.

 

[mangus7175]

I'm actually in the market for a trailer for my family and I really liked the HiLo trailers and the Hybrid Trailers....they look really nice - might be something worth looking into.