RV Towing w/V6 Sport

[PA08T4R]

I did a search and from what I read on other threads, towing a 30 foot RV that weights 5000lbs is not good. I'm in the market for a RV that will be at camp most of the time. However, every now and then I would like to be able to travel with it.

I had a 95 Tacoma with the 4 cylinder and when I towed a 3800lb RV it was horrible. The RV weighted more than the truck so it was difficult at best to keep on the road. It was not an enjoyable trip.

I was wondering if any of you have experience, good and bad, pulling a RV with a V6?

If so, what was the size and weight of the RV?

What would you recommend as a "comfortable" size and weight?

Any feedback, advice is greatly appreciated.

PS had it up in the mountain snow over the weekend and very impressed with capabilities. Much better than my 95 Tacoma. Went everywhere I wanted it to go.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I did a search and from what I read on other threads, towing a 30 foot RV that weights 5000lbs is not good. I'm in the market for a RV that will be at camp most of the time. However, every now and then I would like to be able to travel with it.

I had a 95 Tacoma with the 4 cylinder and when I towed a 3800lb RV it was horrible. The RV weighted more than the truck so it was difficult at best to keep on the road. It was not an enjoyable trip.

I was wondering if any of you have experience, good and bad, pulling a RV with a V6?

If so, what was the size and weight of the RV?

What would you recommend as a "comfortable" size and weight?

Any feedback, advice is greatly appreciated.

PS had it up in the mountain snow over the weekend and very impressed with capabilities. Much better than my 95 Tacoma. Went everywhere I wanted it to go.

I tow but not boxy campers. Most of what I tow is lower and more aerodynamic but in the weight range. (I am in flat Florida though.)

1) The 4.0L and the 4cyl Taco are two different animals. The 4.0L/5Speed combo is incredible. I've been up in 4500lb range a few times and it handles it very well even at highway speeds. I also tow with a '03 F350 dually, 7.3L PSD, 4.30 gear and a Bully program and an '06 Cummins Dodge 3500. I am impressed with the V6 T4R. I don't claim for a second that it pulls like the 7.3L or the Cummins but I do know what a strong tow vehicle feels like and I do know the T4R tows better than the numbers would indicate. It's more stable, smoother and more powerful than I would have guessed.
2) Tell the dealer you'd like to 'rent' or test tow a similar sized/weight used rig for an afternoon so you can draw your own conlusion.
3) Look through this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34573 It'll let you know who has what and you can search them by username to read about their rigs (or PM them).

The search on this site is sketchy at best. The search works very well if searching by username or using this Google trick: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43046

Good luck!

:cheers:

 

[trey99ek]

I don't think there is anyway you are going to get a 30ft camper going. My parents have a 30ft camper and on hills it labors their F150. Now I would love to hear some info this as well. I was looking into campers, but ultralight's and some newer pop-up styles.

 

[peter78]

I have not seen a 30 foot camper that weighs 5,000 pounds. I have been looking at a bigger camper and I saw a 27 foot that weighs 5,850 pounds and I told the salesman that I was thinking on getting a new V8 4Runner and he said that was too small. It may tow it according to the charts, but you need a bigger vehicle. If you tow a big trailer with a 4Runner the salesman said it will knock you around, you may tow it, but you would have to go only 45 or so.

I am now thinking of a 20 to 24 foot trailer, which still might be too big, but it can be done.

Also, when a trailer weighs 5,000 according to the builder, it may weigh well over that, then you need some options, then add things in it, which can be thousands of pounds. The salesman who was the owner of the company selling the rig, said a Tundra or Sequoia would be better.

I think another opinion on this might be from a good forum for RV's. Those people know what it takes tow a trailer.

http://www.woodalls.com/cforum/index.cfm?site=WPD

 

[Uneek]

From what I recall reading with members who do a good amount of towing, it's not the (lack of) power on the 4Runner, but the 4Runner's short wheelbase. I believe RV.net was a good resource and there's one member who did tow quite a bit with a RV trailer. He has a great setup with the Hensley Arrow sway control device. Hopefully, he comes across this thread and can offer some advice.

 

[PA08T4R]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

I normally test drive anything I buy for at least a day to see just how it rides/runs so I will do the same with this. I just wanted to get an idea of what I should be looking at, size and weight wise.

I do plan on looking at some of the RV forums for advice. Just have not had a chance. This "work thing" seems to take up too much of my time!

Look forward to any other comments or suggestions.

TS

 

[CJ3Flyr]

...some newer pop-up styles.

We have a dealer near my home that I drive by all the time. They have some very trick looking 'A' frame looking trailers that collapse for towing. They have real windows, awnings the whole deal. When folded they are lower than the T4R's roofline which, in my experience, indicates that they should tow well. The bigger models have brakes and the ability to use WDH w/sway control etc.

The biggest one is pretty damn big!

I'll try and note the brand if you like.

:cheers:

 

[NCSCOTT]

I seem to remember a couple post years back that stated if you added an Aux Trans & Engine Oil cooler, a proper Weight distributing hitch (not weight carrying like the factory V-6 is) and a electronic brake controller the 4th Gen V-6 would be capable of 7000lbs towing.

IMHO if I were to tow up to 5000 lbs I would change the hitch to the weight distributing type since it has more attachment points on the frame.

This is not Gospel!!!! I am not suggesting that is a good idea.

Same frame, same tranny & t-case (05 and up) same rearend, same brakes as the V-8s. So I could see where it might be possible.

03 & 04 V-6 had a 4Speed Tranny and had a deeper rearend
V6 3.909 vs V8 3.727. The 5 speed tranny has a much deeper 1st gear than the 4speed. 4sp 2.804 vs 5sp 3.520. I think the first gear more than makes up for the difference in the rearend gear.

I can't see where 24 HP and 40 ft/lbs torque is going to make or brake towing an extra 2000 lbs. If you are looking at the older hp/trq ratings it is 25 HP & 48 ft/lbs torque. These are the increase over the V6 numbers. SAE ratings went into effect in 2006. These are VVTI V8 & V6 numbers.

Non VVTI V-8 would be (Old Bulk HP/Torque ratings) +10 HP to the V6 over the V8, and +38 ft/lbs torque to the V-8 over the V6 for 03s & 04s.

 

[progress4m]

I can't see where 24 HP and 40 ft/lbs torque is going to make or brake towing an extra 2000 lbs. If you are looking at the older hp/trq ratings it is 25 HP & 48 ft/lbs torque. These are the increase over the V6 numbers. SAE ratings went into effect in 2006. These are VVTI V8 & V6 numbers.

Non VVTI V-8 would be (Old Bulk HP/Torque ratings) +10 HP to the V6 over the V8, and +38 ft/lbs torque to the V-8 over the V6 for 03s & 04s.

It is not just a number you need to look at, but also a torque curve: 4.7 L V8 has incredibly flat torque curve, it will give you 270 ft/lbs at around 1000 RPM and that what will make a huge difference how it will tow.
IMHO 4500Lbs is about a comfortable limit for 4Runner with V6.

 

[PA08T4R]

CJ3Flyr, thanks for the info, but I want a solid wall RV. For my use a collapsible is not practical.

Also trying to avoid making alterations, additions to the 4R. Not that I'm against that or can't. It's because everything I get into seems to take twice as long and cost at least twice as much. I really want to stay within the capabilities as it is now.

Still would like to here from anyone that has the V6 and pulled a RV.

Anyone?

Anyone?

TS