SeattleMike
New member
There are oil cooling lines running from the transmission to the radiator, but I don't remember an extra cooler when I had the front fascia off.
Towing experiences with your 5th Generation
- Thread starter dsir56
- Start date
legrandice
New member
We tow our boat around all summer with no problems. The 4runner tows much better than the Trailblazer it replaces. More HP/TQ would not hurt when towing, but I prefer the fuel economy savings.
New Trailer
Just picked up this Starcraft 175RK Hybrid trailer Wednesday. Towed home from dealer using factory hitch 120 miles at 60 MPH, averaged 14.0 mpg according to computer. Not bad since I usually average ~20.5 mpg. Trailer weighs 2970 empty, had a full water tank so the actual weight was 3220 lbs. Installed a weight distributing hitch and that changed the 2.5 in sag to only 1 in. Tongue weight is about 460 lb.
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_o4BA-jNM6qI/TI0v_Lt9KII/AAAAAAAAARw/juEVLI9kE-Q/s800/DSC_2507.JPG"
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_o4BA-jNM6qI/TI0v_6ccuxI/AAAAAAAAAR0/oOgKQ_EiCbI/s800/DSC_2508.JPG"
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_o4BA-jNM6qI/TI0wA80n-TI/AAAAAAAAAR4/iAGMkWU09uk/s800/DSC_2509.JPG"
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_o4BA-jNM6qI/TI0wCG_KGiI/AAAAAAAAASA/6CBv5VJf9c4/s800/DSC_2510.JPG"
Just picked up this Starcraft 175RK Hybrid trailer Wednesday. Towed home from dealer using factory hitch 120 miles at 60 MPH, averaged 14.0 mpg according to computer. Not bad since I usually average ~20.5 mpg. Trailer weighs 2970 empty, had a full water tank so the actual weight was 3220 lbs. Installed a weight distributing hitch and that changed the 2.5 in sag to only 1 in. Tongue weight is about 460 lb.
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_o4BA-jNM6qI/TI0v_Lt9KII/AAAAAAAAARw/juEVLI9kE-Q/s800/DSC_2507.JPG"
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_o4BA-jNM6qI/TI0v_6ccuxI/AAAAAAAAAR0/oOgKQ_EiCbI/s800/DSC_2508.JPG"
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_o4BA-jNM6qI/TI0wA80n-TI/AAAAAAAAAR4/iAGMkWU09uk/s800/DSC_2509.JPG"
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_o4BA-jNM6qI/TI0wCG_KGiI/AAAAAAAAASA/6CBv5VJf9c4/s800/DSC_2510.JPG"
It is a new 2011 Model. I ended up paying 15,795 +DMV & Tax. I used a quote I had from RVDirect.com as a bargaining tool. I ended up paying what it would have cost me to buy it from RVDirect.com and get it to California from their dealership in Iowa. We're looking forward to getting out and using it.
Tom
Clemsonfan15
New member
It's good to see some people camping on this forum.
Any reason you went with a trailer like that instead of a pop up? I've never liked the campers where you have to climb over the table to get in a bed. Does that model have any slide outs?
Titanpat57
Senior Member
Congratz on the camper tbwill...nice truck too!
Did you get the E range tires when you switched your shoes out?
Thanks, Pat
Did you get the E range tires when you switched your shoes out?
Thanks, Pat
No slide-outs on this model. there is another floor plan in this same size that has a regular dinette and a small sofa, but they both fold down into beds suitable only for children. The U-dinette makes a full width bed, so I can sleep 6 full size people if necessary. Most of the time it will be only my wife and I so we can use the back bunk if we don't want to climb over the dinette. There is a 60"x80" bunk at each end that pops out. We looked at pop-ups also, but the full bathroom (toilet, sink, separate shower) and full kitchen (sink, 3 burner gas range, oven, microwave, hood and 5.5 cu ft refrigerator with freezer) proved too tempting
Thanks, no I bought the "C" range T/A's, did not feel the need to go to "E" range tires, these seem heavy and stiff enough.
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
We tow our boat around all summer with no problems. The 4runner tows much better than the Trailblazer it replaces. More HP/TQ would not hurt when towing, but I prefer the fuel economy savings.
I always laugh when someone with a boat worrys about fuel economy. Boats are about the most fuel inefficent things there are.
36bound
New member
For those in the market for a lightweight, easy-to-tow, roomy and uniquely versatile camper, you might want to check out a camper called an "Aliner". What's unique about the Aliner is that it offers many of the best benefits of both a hard-sided camper and a fold down camper.
Like most campers, they come in various sizes and configurations. Ours, the "Classic" is larger enough for two adults and two Labrador retrievers (or children) to comfortably spend extended amounts of time in. You can get these Aliners completely load, including a shower/toilet; or you can can them quite modestly equipped. Our is loaded, except that we have an outside shower (works well for rinsing down the dogs). Loaded down with enough gear to take a cross-country trip, an Aliner will weigh right around 2,000 pounds and have a tongue weight around 180-200 pounds. And because, in their towing configuration they are considerably more aerodynamic that a hard-sided unit, they really lend themselves to smaller and mid-sized towing vehicles like our 4Runners.
I think that most people would agree that the primary benefit of a hard-side camper is that once you pull over and park somewhere, you are essentially, instantly"camping". No need to disconnect a hard-sided camper from the tow vehicle; no worries about leveling a hard-sided camper for a quick overnight's rest. Just pull over and enjoy a convenient night of rest. Well, you can do the same thing with an Aliner because it can be set up or taken down in less than 1 minute. And this is not an exaggeration. So you get the ease of towing associated with a lightweight popup camper (again, perfect for our 4Runners), and the convenience of "instant camping" associated with a hard-sided camper.
My wife and I have been camping for nearly twenty years and to say that we've "been there, done that" comes pretty close to describing the variety of ways that we've camped in that time. From the perspective of an experienced, camper/hunter I can tell you that this Aliner comes pretty close to being a perfect camping unit for today's six cylinder engines.
Just FYI...
Nash 17C
2800lbs dry
420lbs tongue weight
Set the hitch up so the rear is sagging 3/4 inch and the front 1/2 inch.
Filled loaded with battery 2 30lbs propane tanks and 45g of water.
using a Prodigy P3 brake controller as well.
Only drove around for about 30 mins as it was mothers day and I needed to get home. It drove really nice you definetly feel the weight but it was better than I was expecting, my driveway into my back yard is about a 25 degree incline and gravel, it took a pretty heavy foot to get it up the hill.
2800lbs dry
420lbs tongue weight
Set the hitch up so the rear is sagging 3/4 inch and the front 1/2 inch.
Filled loaded with battery 2 30lbs propane tanks and 45g of water.
using a Prodigy P3 brake controller as well.
Only drove around for about 30 mins as it was mothers day and I needed to get home. It drove really nice you definetly feel the weight but it was better than I was expecting, my driveway into my back yard is about a 25 degree incline and gravel, it took a pretty heavy foot to get it up the hill.
Towing with 5th Generation 4-runner
I have now towed with my 2011 4-runner several times without issue. I have a 2014 Heartland NorthTrail 21fbs. It weighs 4700 empty. With my stuff loaded and the upgrades it is most likely over 5000 lbs. I have installed the Firestone air ride bags that go in the rear springs. I run them at 35psi which is the max. I also have a Blue OX 10,000 lbs WD hitch. The hitch weight is at about the 500 lb max. I also run with a 75 lb Kayak on the roof of the car and can load the back end with fire wood. The car pulls the trailer with some effort but goes into over drive if I keep it at 55 to 60 MPH. It will pull steady at 70 mph but stays in 3rd gear and uses more fuel. It can climb hills and keep up well. Two lane roads, I get snarled at sometime but that's not my problem. I installed the airbags only after attempting with only the WD hitch. using the hitch alone puts to much torsion on the car hitch and can bend it. So I added the bags. This set-up does the job well.
I have now towed with my 2011 4-runner several times without issue. I have a 2014 Heartland NorthTrail 21fbs. It weighs 4700 empty. With my stuff loaded and the upgrades it is most likely over 5000 lbs. I have installed the Firestone air ride bags that go in the rear springs. I run them at 35psi which is the max. I also have a Blue OX 10,000 lbs WD hitch. The hitch weight is at about the 500 lb max. I also run with a 75 lb Kayak on the roof of the car and can load the back end with fire wood. The car pulls the trailer with some effort but goes into over drive if I keep it at 55 to 60 MPH. It will pull steady at 70 mph but stays in 3rd gear and uses more fuel. It can climb hills and keep up well. Two lane roads, I get snarled at sometime but that's not my problem. I installed the airbags only after attempting with only the WD hitch. using the hitch alone puts to much torsion on the car hitch and can bend it. So I added the bags. This set-up does the job well.
Attachments
G8RB8_12SR5
New member
Looks good. I towed my Passport Elite 23RB (4800lbs loaded) with just a Pro Series 10k WDH with sway control and had 3" of sag and while it wasn't perfect got me where i needed to. Just added Air Lift 1000 air bags to mine before I towed again also at 35psi which is max and had only 1" of rear sag. Agreed it makes a definitive difference and definitely a must have for anyone that tows that much weight. The thing I noticed most was the eliminated extra bouncing after going over bumps which helps it feel more planted and controlled, not blinding oncoming drivers is an added plus
Bimmer-Bob
New member
Nice!
Thinking about doing the Firestone bags on my SR5. Did you install them yourself? If so, were you able to fit the bags through the coils with the springs in place, or did you have to disassemble the suspension a little?
