Towing Pop Up Camper 4.0L V6

[Hewbtron]

I recently purchased a High Wall Camper (Flagstaff HW27SC) and will be driving 500 miles next week to pick it up (OK to IA). After doing some more research I am worried about how well my 4Runner will pull it. I bought my 2012 4Runner used and it came with Cooper Discoverer ATP 285/70 E1 Load tires on it. I haven't driven a 4Runner with smaller tires before so I have nothing to compare it too but it does seem a little sluggish because of the tire size. Has anyone here towed something in the 3500-4000# range with 285/70 tires with a 4Runner that can share their experience? Would you guys recommend switching to a smaller tire size before I go and pick it up? I am also worried that with all of the extra weight I might run into problems with the tires rubbing in the wheel well. I am regretting my decision to buy such a heavy camper now after reading some of the forum posts here and on other websites.

I will be getting a weight distribution hitch, sway bars and a brake module installed when I pick the camper up as well.


Weights
4Runner towing capacity: 5000 lbs
Camper UVW: 2806 lbs
Camper GVWR: 3779 lbs
Camper Hitch Weight: 279 lbs

Thank you for any inputs/advice.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Pop-up tent trailer

...

I will be getting a weight distribution hitch, sway bars and a brake module installed when I pick the camper up as well.


Weights
4Runner towing capacity: 5000 lbs
Camper UVW: 2806 lbs
Camper GVWR: 3779 lbs
Camper Hitch Weight: 279 lbs

Thank you for any inputs/advice.

Good questions. I don't have all the answers but I have towed a few trailers. I hope you get some useful replies.

Your tire size is wider with taller than stock profile. That shouldn't hurt you, except in acceleration and stopping, with or without the trailer. Check the load rating for the total rear end weight. I think your post says these are E rated.

You may want taller springs with more load capacity to even out the ride height.

I am interested in a small tear drop trailer that weighs around 1000 lbs. But the pop-up tents look nice. A friend of mine has a pop-up tent that weighs about the same and he's hauled it with his 3rd gen' 4Runner for a number of years. He has big tires and a substantial lift on his rig.

 

[meltdown]

I would not swap tires out. You won't win any races for sure. Keep the transmission out of 5th and you should be just fine.

 

[Titanpat57]

Did you even bother to search???

In the same Gen, spanning 5 years, there's has to be at least ONE thread on...

-Towing

-Lack of engine power

-bigger tires

There's no way you searched anything. ..plenty of folks have towed much more aggressive loads...so do your your homework.

-

 

[vanion2]

There was another thread here asking about the same thing.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/198167-trailer-sway-suggestions-2.html

One one of the pages Granth shows his 5th gen pulling the exact same pup and it looks like it riding just fine.

I also have the same pup (2016 model) and my 3rd gen pulls it just fine but I have to use a WDH to level it. Stock springs will work just fine. Maybe add an Airlift kit in the rear coils for better balancing control. Or do as DesertCanyons suggested and get stiffer springs. Your call.

 

[Hewbtron]

Thanks for the replies! I will keep the bigger tires on and see how it pulls.

 

[Diver Deuce]

Sigh I guess I'll chime in...

Hi, below is my TE with my 7x16 trailer.



Here's my weight ticket. Keep in mind I have modded my TE with Aux transmission cooler, Airlift 1000 air bags, electronic brake controller, and EAZlift weight distribution hitch. Take your time, stay out of 5th gear.

 

[77Bronc]

Hey, I am real new here, don't even own a 4Runner, but browse here every evening to see what is new and what people are doing...but I have to say your response to the OPs question is a little out of line, you sound like the people over on Smipershide...

If you don't like the question, don't reply...

I thought it was a great question...and BTW, the search here is not that easy, and I am a real smart fellow, I research techinical data for a living.

Did you even bother to search???

In the same Gen, spanning 5 years, there's has to be at least ONE thread on...

-Towing

-Lack of engine power

-bigger tires

There's no way you searched anything. ..plenty of folks have towed much more aggressive loads...so do your your homework.

-

 

[Titanpat57]

Hey, I am real new here, don't even own a 4Runner, but browse here every evening to see what is new and what people are doing...but I have to say your response to the OPs question is a little out of line, you sound like the people over on Smipershide...

If you don't like the question, don't reply...



I thought it was a great question...and BTW, the search here is not that easy, and I am a real smart fellow, I research techinical data for a living.

Well I knew there'd be some mamby, pamby PC apologist coming along to make fin excuses for someone not doing there homework....

That didn't take long now did it?

If you don't own a godamn 4runner, than go back to the scrapbooking page where you belong.....asshat

 

[wfo9]

You are running 285s on the stock suspension? If so, that is a bit unusual. Those will typically rub without a little lift and some trimming (but that is usually just in the front). An easy fix for the rear squat (if that becomes a problem) is airbags. Cheap and easy to install.

Overall, it should be able to do it without much trouble, but it it will have to "work" for it depending on the grade.... The low profile of the trailer and under 3k should make it pretty easy compared to what many other have done.

 

[Diver Deuce]

^^ agreed. Airbags will help level out your truck if you're squatting in the rear. You shouldn't have to do much else if you are only towing 3000ish#.

 

[Granth77]

Congrats on the HW. We have the same model. Now, I'm all stock, but it does do a considerable squat when loaded and hooked up. I'll be installing airbags soon to compensate. I also have a friction sway device, but it was mainly for cheap insurance, as it stays planted and straight behind the truck.

The pop up tows great. I keep my speed between 65-68 and I still average 17 mpg.


Grant

 

[vanion2]

Keep in mind, fully loaded the HW27SC will weigh around 3800#. But that's fully loaded. Don't carry water and empty your grey/black water tanks before heading home and you can save yourself a lot of weight (and reduce chances of sway from sloshing water).

And don't forget to have fun.

 

[77Bronc]

Well I knew there'd be some mamby, pamby PC apologist coming along to make fin excuses for someone not doing there homework....

That didn't take long now did it?

If you don't own a godamn 4runner, than go back to the scrapbooking page where you belong.....asshat

Blow it out your ass, your reply made my day, kind of figured I would get this reply from someone

I did not know owning a 4Runner was required to belong or comment on a community forum, did you do your homework?

77Bronc(o). This is my ride...back at ya

BTW looked at your off-road camper page, very nice, I am impressed, I am designing one now, for the 4Runner I am getting ready to purchase

 

[Titanpat57]

Blow it out your ass, your reply made my day, kind of figured I would get this reply from someone

I actually had a f'in Snickers bar....so I'm feeling much better thanks..

I did not know owning a 4Runner was required to belong or comment on a community forum, did you do your homework?

It is required...until you get a 4Runner you have no rep here....I don't make the rules...

77Bronc(o). This is my ride...back at ya

Sounds sweet, love the older Broncos

BTW looked at your off-road camper page, very nice, I am impressed, I am designing one now, for the 4Runner I am getting ready to purchase

Thanks, and if you need a hand, or I can help let me know

 

[77Bronc]

Thanks, and if you need a hand, or I can help let me know

:cheers::cheers:

 

[darrylj]

If you don't own a godamn 4runner, than go back to the scrapbooking page where you belong.....asshat

"Posted from my Xbox 360 Headset"

 

[kittyhawksurf]

There was another thread here asking about the same thing.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/198167-trailer-sway-suggestions-2.html

One one of the pages Granth shows his 5th gen pulling the exact same pup and it looks like it riding just fine.

I also have the same pup (2016 model) and my 3rd gen pulls it just fine but I have to use a WDH to level it. Stock springs will work just fine. Maybe add an Airlift kit in the rear coils for better balancing control. Or do as DesertCanyons suggested and get stiffer springs. Your call.

OMG, you referenced my thread! Can I get a cookie? :guitar3:

 

[Titanpat57]

"Posted from my Xbox 360 Headset"

I put it out there Liverlips...I had a Snickers, and was fine...

Welcome to like 5 days later......