007Tacoma
New member
It looks like an R-Vision Trail-Lite 23RB. My parent's have on that they tow with their 2005 SR5.
Towing experiences with your 5th Generation
- Thread starter dsir56
- Start date
It looks like an R-Vision Trail-Lite 23RB. My parent's have on that they tow with their 2005 SR5.
Trail Wonka
New member
Yes that is exactly correct! It is 23' long and has a dry weight of 4100 lbs. you can get them a little smaller or a bit larger with pop outs but then you are out of the 4Runner weight limits. Ours is already pushing it. We camp light. Last two times out I weighed the trailer loaded and was right around 4700. We love it, but because it is so light everything is kind of flimsy inside. But no problems after 3 years and 8000 miles.
tournapart
New member
Thanks guys. The research of others here has helped me much more specifically understand weight distribution and the differences between the 4th and 5th gen 4runners.
crankycodger
New member
Real-world unbraked towing capacity
I'm looking to pick up a 6x10 or 6x12 enclosed cargo trailer, most of which are single axle and do not have trailer brakes. The weights on these seem to run 1000 to 1300 or so pounds, and I wouldn't think I'd load it with more than 1200-1400 pounds or so. So let's say total weight in the 2500 pound range, 3000 tops. What are your thoughts on pulling this with my 2016 Limited without trailer brakes?
Looks like the owner's manual wants you to have not only trailer brakes but also sway control at 1655 pounds if I'm reading it right but having towed a fair amount in my lifetime I'd say that is an abundance of caution. Although probably with heavier duty vehicles, I'm sure I've towed 5000 pounds and more over the years unbraked with no trouble.
I'd appreciate opinions from those of you who have experience towing with a 5th gen 4runner.
I'm looking to pick up a 6x10 or 6x12 enclosed cargo trailer, most of which are single axle and do not have trailer brakes. The weights on these seem to run 1000 to 1300 or so pounds, and I wouldn't think I'd load it with more than 1200-1400 pounds or so. So let's say total weight in the 2500 pound range, 3000 tops. What are your thoughts on pulling this with my 2016 Limited without trailer brakes?
Looks like the owner's manual wants you to have not only trailer brakes but also sway control at 1655 pounds if I'm reading it right but having towed a fair amount in my lifetime I'd say that is an abundance of caution. Although probably with heavier duty vehicles, I'm sure I've towed 5000 pounds and more over the years unbraked with no trouble.
I'd appreciate opinions from those of you who have experience towing with a 5th gen 4runner.
OregonTrail
Member
I have a 2011 Trail and tow my boat all the time, weight is about 2500-2600 lbs depending on how much gear I have loaded. Never had a problem with it, tows & stops just fine.
1engineer
Moderator
It's never a BAD idea to be over-prepped for towing. Trailer brakes and WD hitch would be at the top of the list for me. Towing "comfortably" is a big thing for me. Never know when that emergency brake situation will occur, or whatever other variables you'll encounter out there. Do it right, and tow in comfort.
My father-in-law is in the opposite side of the spectrum. His (6x12 enclosed) trailer is always overloaded by 30% of max weight. Shocks are blown on his tow rig (from bottoming out with all that squat), I'm sure payload exceeds GVWR as well. It's unnerving watching him tow. I know he gets sketched out on some of the big mountain descents. That kind of stress, I don't need, just to save a few bucks. He's already narrowed that "savings" gap from now having to buy new shocks. He's an old farm boy, though, so nothing I can say gets through.
crankycodger
New member
With or without trailer brakes?
OregonTrail
Member
crankycodger
New member
Thanks, and that's a fine looking rig!
AdventureMan
New member
Is that a 2017 Airstream Sport 22 Bambi? That is the exact rig I am planning on getting one day. How well does the 4Runner handle it, and did you add any other equipment (Airlift, Trans cooler, etc.) besides the hitch?
Yes you are correct. 22FB. 4runner pulls it just fine. No other equipment was added other than the hitch. Airstreams are a little easier to tow due to the aerodynamics and low center of gravity.
]]
I have a 3900 lbs trailer with a boat on it . total weight is about 3500 lbs. I purchased the double axle trailer and sold the single axle which it had . much smoother less stress on the vehicle.
you hardly know its connected.
I haven't tried the Firestones on the T4R but I had them on another vehicle to deal with constant load (not towing) and I blew them on both sides. Like not a tiny hole, I mean obliterated. On one side my mechanic made the air line a bit short so it was really hard to air up correctly. With the low low pressures that are recommended you really need a bike pump. I will say they replaced both bags but I wasn't about to put them on again...
As for towing with the T4R, I've towed a Benderup Single Horse trailer featuring inertia brakes with my wife's Off the track Thoroughbred in it several times. You feel it, and when he moves you definitely feel it! Never felt like a struggle but it wasn't ever 'easy' either....
Would a tandem axle at these weights/size tow considerably better or not?
LargeOrangeFont
New member
I towed my 23' boat with the old 4th gen 2wd V6 easily. I'm hoping the new 5th gen I just got tows as well or better. The boat and trailer are probably ~4800#.
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Sig_Fan_55
New member
Am I just lucky or are you guys having to extend the 7 pin on your trailers too? I have had to do it on both my pop up camper and my 19" hybrid camper. Both times I had to do it in automotive store parking lots just to get them home. I have since found a 4' extension cable that I can use in case I need it for other trailers but ended up rewiring both trailers.
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007Tacoma
New member
I had to do that for my boat and my utility trailer.
Still new to this forum, and new to being a Toyota 4Runner owner... but have plenty of experience towing with a smaller SUV.
My former 2005 Nissan was rated at 5000 lbs towing, 265 Hp, 284 ft-lbs of torque. The trailer weighs 3993 lbs empty, but with the options. Pushing 5K when fully loaded. It had no problem pulling the weight, no signs of sway, and plenty of reserve power. But I did turn O/D off to keep the RPMS in the power band. There was a lot of armchair quarterbacking on the Nissan forums regarding whether it could tow a trailer like this.
I towed this camper many times, and put 90K on the odometer before buying a larger tow vehicle as we wanted to haul more stuff (hence my handle).
I used a Prodigy brake controller, and a properly configured Equalizer hitch. Notice that my vehicle was level, as was the trailer.
The 4Runner has the advantage of a longer wheelbase, but the HP, torque, and tow rating are very similar to my previous vehicle.
I have no doubt the 4Runner will tow AT LEAST as well as the Xterra. I will be using it in the future to tow this same camper. I'll be buying the brake controller this weekend.
As for the "80% Rule", there isn't one. It's netlore. You won't find it in your owners manual. The safety margin is already in the manufacturer's figures. This has been discussed ad nauseamon the motorhome forums. If 80% is your fuzzy feeling figure, more power to you.
And those who say a gasoline engine isn't good for towing, ugh. My F150 is rated at 11,100 lbs of towing, and 1810 lbs of payload capacity. All with a 5.4L V8 gasser. That's a 1000 lb golf cart in the bed.
And when I had a 36' 10" Class A motorhome, towing a Jeep, it had a V10 gasser. Google F53 chassis to see the most popular RV chassis.
So just as before, I'll be towing near the rated capacity, with the addition of a brake controller and a weight distributing hitch. Expect to see pictures in the near future...
My former 2005 Nissan was rated at 5000 lbs towing, 265 Hp, 284 ft-lbs of torque. The trailer weighs 3993 lbs empty, but with the options. Pushing 5K when fully loaded. It had no problem pulling the weight, no signs of sway, and plenty of reserve power. But I did turn O/D off to keep the RPMS in the power band. There was a lot of armchair quarterbacking on the Nissan forums regarding whether it could tow a trailer like this.
I towed this camper many times, and put 90K on the odometer before buying a larger tow vehicle as we wanted to haul more stuff (hence my handle).
I used a Prodigy brake controller, and a properly configured Equalizer hitch. Notice that my vehicle was level, as was the trailer.
The 4Runner has the advantage of a longer wheelbase, but the HP, torque, and tow rating are very similar to my previous vehicle.
I have no doubt the 4Runner will tow AT LEAST as well as the Xterra. I will be using it in the future to tow this same camper. I'll be buying the brake controller this weekend.
As for the "80% Rule", there isn't one. It's netlore. You won't find it in your owners manual. The safety margin is already in the manufacturer's figures. This has been discussed ad nauseamon the motorhome forums. If 80% is your fuzzy feeling figure, more power to you.
And those who say a gasoline engine isn't good for towing, ugh. My F150 is rated at 11,100 lbs of towing, and 1810 lbs of payload capacity. All with a 5.4L V8 gasser. That's a 1000 lb golf cart in the bed.
And when I had a 36' 10" Class A motorhome, towing a Jeep, it had a V10 gasser. Google F53 chassis to see the most popular RV chassis.
So just as before, I'll be towing near the rated capacity, with the addition of a brake controller and a weight distributing hitch. Expect to see pictures in the near future...
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