Towing experiences with your 5th Generation

[MNBighead]

I just installed the Timbren Suspension Enhancement System on my 2016 4runner. Local shop recommended it over air system.

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I also have Timbrens installed and they work great and I can definetely tell a difference.

 

[DubeGrpArchitek]

I also have Timbrens installed and they work great and I can definetely tell a difference.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Very excited to hitch up and see the difference

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[DubeGrpArchitek]

Hitched up trailer. Only dropped 1.5 inches and stopped once the Timbren system made contact with the frame. First pic unloaded and second one showing compression

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[honda99ex]

I also have Timbrens installed and they work great and I can definetely tell a difference.

Hitched up trailer. Only dropped 1.5 inches and stopped once the Timbren system made contact with the frame. First pic unloaded and second one showing compression View attachment 247155View attachment 247156

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Real interesting. Definitely seems less complex and failure prone than the airbags. I assume it would have to be a solid axle setup though... Please review further as you put more mileage with them on!

 

[zonzin]

My Camplite tows like a dream. On flats and downhills I hardly know it's there. On uphills, I can feel it give the 6 a run for it's money. It weighs in at 2000lbs dry thanks to the all aluminum construction. Wife and I love it.

 

[RyanEJ25]

Towed my boat a few days ago and towing is ok. I have posted before with my 20ft open trailer loaded about 5klbs. This weighs maybe 3500lbs but torque isn't there. I wish V8 option was available but I think my lift and bigger tires hurts also.

 

[Donkey]

A three-hour trip this past weekend. Lots more gear, another dog, and water. At the pump 12.5 MPG. Trans temps climbed when in stop and go hilly traffic but were fine. Inadvertently found some steep and twisty roads (thanks google) and 15% inclines. No issues, plenty of power. I forgot it was even back there most of the time.

Fastway e2 hitch is amazing, highly recommended if you are towing a camper - weight is returned to the front axle, ride height is normal, no kick and no chance of sway. I added more weight in the back and in the camper so I do need to add a bit more spring to compensate but that is simple.

This is after a series of 10-15% inclines, 45-55mph speed limits:

 

[joehadams]

Just got my 4Runner in January so this will be it's first season towing the boat. 22ft Mako cuddy cabin with a 250hp engine and a full 110gal fuel tank. Sitting around 4,800lbs (I think). It's not a very long drive to the boat ramp, maybe 3 miles through town. Im just anxious to see how it does on the boat ramp.

Considering airbags to level out the ride. Thoughts?

 

[calcrc]

honda99ex this looks like a nice setup. I have towed stuff with the Runner Stock and Upgraded.

Airlift 1000 is one of the best Mod's I did. Thanks to Mister Antman !

Now I want 305's Tiny KO2's or ..... and Go Fishing.

 

[zcruiser]

This is after a series of 10-15% inclines, 45-55mph speed limits:

Side question: What display is that?

 

[calcrc]

joehadams Get it Yes. Also drive it on 3rd or 4th in S Drive Play with it and feel your engine ! Have fun.

 

[Donkey]

Side question: What display is that?

Ultraguage MX. I was curious about transmission temperatures and did not want to use an app.

 

[Bob22222]

Has anyone done any serious towing with your 5th gen. V6 and factory hitch?

I want to buy an Equal-I-Zer weight distributing hitch to tow my 20' camper; it has an empty weight of 3600 lbs and a GVWR of 4950 lbs. I figure it'll be about 4500 lbs loaded. 500 lb hitch weight.

I can't find anything in the new owners manual that says not to use a weight distributing hitch with the factory receiver (rated for 5000 lbs.)

Also, has anyone found decent extended towing mirrors?

Thanx

I don't know what kind of roads you plan on travelIng but you might want to keep in mind that weight distribution system are for smooth roads. The are very hard on the tow vehicle on anything close to a bumpy road. Even speed bumbs and drainage dips become an issue.
I too am one that does not like to push capacity. Personally I stay under 40% with my 04 sport rated at 7000 lb for tow I won't go over 3000 lb. But that's me.

 

[b407driver]

A three-hour trip this past weekend. Lots more gear, another dog, and water. At the pump 12.5 MPG. Trans temps climbed when in stop and go hilly traffic but were fine. Inadvertently found some steep and twisty roads (thanks google) and 15% inclines. No issues, plenty of power. I forgot it was even back there most of the time.

Fastway e2 hitch is amazing, highly recommended if you are towing a camper - weight is returned to the front axle, ride height is normal, no kick and no chance of sway. I added more weight in the back and in the camper so I do need to add a bit more spring to compensate but that is simple.

This is after a series of 10-15% inclines, 45-55mph speed limits:

Which R-Pod is that, and what is the weight when loaded with gear and water?

The RP-180 is the only other trailer we're still considering (in addition to the Lance 1475) after punching numbers for days.

 

[Donkey]

Which R-Pod is that, and what is the weight when loaded with gear and water?

The RP-180 is the only other trailer we're still considering (in addition to the Lance 1475) after punching numbers for days.

It is an 182g. Camper weighs 2990 empty, ~3300 loaded for the weekend, possibly slightly more since I first weighed it. We travel with 1/3 of a tank of water for pit stops/etc, when full the tank weighs about 250 pounds. We are very happy with it, fits our family of 4 perfectly. The only regret is not getting one sooner.

We looked at Lance also, the 2185 was over double the price and was pushing the weight limit - it was very nice though!

The rear garage/outdoor kitchen is a great feature, I would suggest looking at the 183g. Same basic floor plan as the 180 but adds the rear garage area. Lots of great choices, you pretty much can't go wrong!

 

[ffdawson]

Hey y'all...
Here's my setup. 2014 SR5 w/riderite air bags and Bilstein Shocks.
2013 Lance 1685

Tows well, airbags are a big help, as it squats pretty good without them inflated. She is slow in the hills, and a good headwind will make you feel like you're stuck in mud... but it gets the job done and hauls the kids, dog, gear and trailer...

So part 2 of this post, on our last trip out I managed to yank the trailer plug out of its socket, destroying the stock 7 pin/4pin connector. Looking it up, the part #82169-0w020 is around $390 from the stealership, around $200 OEM parts online... but then there's the $20 part from e trailer.com that says it plugs right in to the factory plug...

https://www.etrailer.com/t1-2014_Toyota_4Runner.htm

Wondering if anyone has had experience with a situation like mine? Any thoughts on the aftermarket plug? I always tend to trust OEM Toyota for wiring etc but at a 10/1 price difference I feel like it's worth a shot at the e-trailer part. After all it's a pretty simple part right?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Brandon_Reed]

I've bought a bunch of stuff from Etrailer over the years, everything they've sold me has been solid. They offer tech support that actually knows their products too if you contact them.

 

[ffdawson]

I've bought a bunch of stuff from Etrailer over the years, everything they've sold me has been solid. They offer tech support that actually knows their products too if you contact them.

Thanks for the tip. Ended up buying the 7 pin connector from them. Will report back results...

 

[tarrdaddy]

My landscaping trailer is 2700 unloaded with about 1500 pounds of gear. I came from a full size ram 1500 hemi. I feel lost without it. But the runner pulls it fine. I just need a trailer brake controller

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[snorola]