Towing experiences with your 5th Generation
- Thread starter dsir56
- Start date
WakeDreams
New member
I towed a 6x8ft landscape trailer with a 4x4 electric golf cart and a 4500 generator for 4 hours with mine. It will impact your mpg for a while, but other than that it towed just fine.
I also towed a Sea Ray Sport 195, for about 2 hours and I will advise just using 4th gear for most of your trip to keep it under better control. I never felt out of control as far as the weight, braking ability, or take off speeds but it certainly wasn't my Tundra. So total score = not to bad, but not that great either.
I also towed a Sea Ray Sport 195, for about 2 hours and I will advise just using 4th gear for most of your trip to keep it under better control. I never felt out of control as far as the weight, braking ability, or take off speeds but it certainly wasn't my Tundra. So total score = not to bad, but not that great either.
Adding air bags isn't going to help your squirrely steering. Adding rear spring rate simply increases the ride height of the rear suspension. It doesn't transfer any meaningful load to the front axle.
You need to either reduce tongue weight or add a weight distributing hitch to fix correct for inadequate front axle load.
WakeDreams
New member
I would add the airbags and the weight distro hitch. If you keep the rake of the rig level or close to level it will help more than not. The weight distro hitch is specific for stopping the trailer from "wagging"
Scojat28
New member
I've got airbags (w/wireless air) and use a weight distribution hitch as well; sag/nose pitch hasn't been an issue at all. Would recommend the combo to anyone planning on towing with a 5th gen. For reference, our TT is 4300 lbs empty, we probably push 5000 outfitted, depending on length of the trip.
Attachments
Towing a jayco cAmper
I have recently bought a jayco 212qbw camper with a dry weight of 4140 lbs and am seriously considering a 2016 sr5 premium to tow it with. Would love feedback from some of you professionals... Just planning on towing it 90miles through small ozark hills... Any help is greatly appreciated...
I have recently bought a jayco 212qbw camper with a dry weight of 4140 lbs and am seriously considering a 2016 sr5 premium to tow it with. Would love feedback from some of you professionals... Just planning on towing it 90miles through small ozark hills... Any help is greatly appreciated...
motioneffects
New member
Towing 8 hours to VIR.
Did very well and got 16mpg planning for hills.
Steady 75mph the whole way no issues.
Nice trailer. :thumb: and of course the e36 M3 and Mcoupe. What does the aluminum trailer weight, if you don't mind me asking?
I want to say 1500-1700 lbs? I'm not sure, it's borrowed.
My buddy has a steel open deck and it's about the same weight (with M coupe)
I also installed a brake controller to make easier work of braking. I cannot imagine it without it!
itsdchz
New member
About 4200lbs dry weight... Don't want to think about the real weight when loaded. Have taken it on two trips thus far, one being through mountain passes, highway and snow. Glad to say it did very well. Airbags, weight distribution hitch, heavier duty springs, keep me with minimal sag. I'm pretty much at, or slightly above, the stock tow limit, and surprisingly tows better than I thought. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should, I get it. But I'm still plenty safe and in control on the road. It's definitely felt on the bumps and curves.
Looks like there is still hope for me. I'm considering towing track cars to HPDE, but seems like I'd be at or slightly above the towing capacity limit.
Load would consist of:
3200 lb car
100 lbs of tools/spares
300 lbs of humans
2000 lb UHAUL trailor and towing devices
Does anyone know what is actually limiting the truck to 5,000 lb capacity? Is it the strength of the motor, transmission, frame, tire load etc?
Just trying to figure out what is needed to increase the towing capacity of the truck so I can tow safely. The last thing I want is to lose control of a truck carrying my family and race car along with the truck.
I've never owned a truck before and am reading about weight distributing hitches, airbags, brake controllers, transmission coolers etc.
I'd be towing 200 miles each way with some portions of that being uphill/downhill freeway sections and hilly San Francisco.
How much money should I set aside to get the truck set up properly for this? And do any of you using the 4Runner as a tow rig still have the capability to do light off-roading without swapping parts out from the tow setup?
Thanks,
Ken
Load would consist of:
3200 lb car
100 lbs of tools/spares
300 lbs of humans
2000 lb UHAUL trailor and towing devices
Does anyone know what is actually limiting the truck to 5,000 lb capacity? Is it the strength of the motor, transmission, frame, tire load etc?
Just trying to figure out what is needed to increase the towing capacity of the truck so I can tow safely. The last thing I want is to lose control of a truck carrying my family and race car along with the truck.
I've never owned a truck before and am reading about weight distributing hitches, airbags, brake controllers, transmission coolers etc.
I'd be towing 200 miles each way with some portions of that being uphill/downhill freeway sections and hilly San Francisco.
How much money should I set aside to get the truck set up properly for this? And do any of you using the 4Runner as a tow rig still have the capability to do light off-roading without swapping parts out from the tow setup?
Thanks,
Ken
1engineer
Moderator
You can't increase the limit. Factors:
Brakes
Frame
Suspension
Tires
And most important, the issue of having an accident pulling too much of a load and the poor house you will be in when the guy you hit sues you.
Toyota picked a number. You have to live with it... or not. Your choice.
I have a coleman travel trailer 2900 dry. About 3800-4000 loaded up and i tow with a WD hitch and sway bar. You will definitely need both of those items to tow this trailer safely. i have driven home in some serious wind storms and if i didn't have both those items the trailer would be in a bush somewhere. You can get a combo kit on e-trailer.com. I got the pro series rated to 10k and i think it was a few hundred dollars but definitely necessary . When your driving around town you will know that its there. When you get to speed on highway you will barely notice it only when the transmission keeps downshifting.
gamester5
New member
About 4200lbs dry weight... Don't want to think about the real weight when loaded. Have taken it on two trips thus far, one being through mountain passes, highway and snow. Glad to say it did very well. Airbags, weight distribution hitch, heavier duty springs, keep me with minimal sag. I'm pretty much at, or slightly above, the stock tow limit, and surprisingly tows better than I thought. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should, I get it. But I'm still plenty safe and in control on the road. It's definitely felt on the bumps and curves.
Disclaimer - I am a complete nub when it comes to towing....
It looks like you have the same 3" lift as my runner, my question is do I need to get an adjustable receiver? I have a Toyota receiver with 2" ball but was not sure with my 3" lift if it would hold the trailer to high...
NauticalWheeler
New member
Thanks for the feedback on towing. As a prospective 4R buyer and sailboat owner, towing is an important consideration.
I used to have an '05 4runner Sport Edition AWD with the 4.7l V8. Loved that truck...should never have sold it. It towed utility trailers with dirt bikes and my 2K lb boat (just shy of 3K lbs with trailer and accessories) with ease.
Sounds like a newer 4runner would not do as well, but still do the job. Come on Toyota--bring that V8 back!!!
I never needed anything special to tow our boat, even long distances (trailer does have surge brakes). I think it's because the V shaped bow cuts into the wind and the shape is pretty aerodynamic, reducing the potential of wind induced sway. Well, that and the right tongue weight. An RV has much more windage to create sway from gusting winds.
I used to have an '05 4runner Sport Edition AWD with the 4.7l V8. Loved that truck...should never have sold it. It towed utility trailers with dirt bikes and my 2K lb boat (just shy of 3K lbs with trailer and accessories) with ease.
Sounds like a newer 4runner would not do as well, but still do the job. Come on Toyota--bring that V8 back!!!
I never needed anything special to tow our boat, even long distances (trailer does have surge brakes). I think it's because the V shaped bow cuts into the wind and the shape is pretty aerodynamic, reducing the potential of wind induced sway. Well, that and the right tongue weight. An RV has much more windage to create sway from gusting winds.
