Towing (revisited)

[pickerdd]

I'm considering buying a new (to me) Airstream trailer (23 foot FB Flying Cloud). The GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of the trailer is 6000 pounds. I have a V8 4WD 4Runner. I currently pull a 5000 pound travel trailer (a Fleetwood Avalon).

Is this too much weight for the 4Runner?

Thanks,

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Technically no but be careful... Is the 6000lbs a dry weight? (Duh, I just re-read your post. You asked about GVWR:bash: ) Do you jam the 4Runner full of stuff?


The most appropriate question, rather than is 6000lbs too much, is will the rig come in under 12,000GCW (gross combined weight)? That 12k number means you, fuel, gear, passengers, water tank in the trailer full etc. For some reason Toyota chose to omit this info in later 4th gen manuals.

I offer that assuming you're using a WDH and not exceeding 7000 (or is it 7300 )trailer weight...


The following pic is courtesy of another member here, I forget who but thank-you
:cheers:

 

[racedirt1]

I currently pull a 5000 pound travel trailer (a Fleetwood Avalon).

I thought the Avalon was a pop-up, around 3,800 lbs. dry?

 

[pickerdd]

I thought the Avalon was a pop-up, around 3,800 lbs. dry?

Yes, that's correct for dry weight, but the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is 4,600 lbs, so I was a little high. When you add in gear and such in the trailer it's pretty close to 4600 pounds.

 

[pickerdd]

Technically no but be careful... Is the 6000lbs a dry weight? Do you jam the 4Runner full of stuff?

The most appropriate question, rather than is 6000lbs too much, is will the rig come in under 12,000GCW (gross combined weight)? That 12k number means you, fuel, gear, passengers, water tank in the trailer full etc. For some reason Toyota chose to omit this info in later 4th gen manuals.

I offer that assuming you're using a WDH and not exceeding 7000 (or is it 7300 )trailer weight...

Chris,

I have a 4wd V8, so my max trailer weight (including cargo, etc...) is 7000 pounds. The current trailer weigh is a little under 5k pounds loaded up with maybe 400 pounds in the truck including the wife and I and all our stuff junk.

I'm using a Hensley Arrow sway control system and the weight distributing hitch that came on my truck from the factory (as part of the tow package).

Thanks for the info on the combined weight ratio. so, for the 12k pounds we need to calculate everything including the truck itself, is that correct?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Thanks for the info on the combined weight ratio. so, for the 12k pounds we need to calculate everything including the truck itself, is that correct?

Correct. IIRC the curb weight of a T4R is just under 4500lb to about 4700lbs (V6, 2wd SR5 - V8, 4wd Limited). Curb weight, IIRC, includes a 150lb driver, half-fuel and all other fluids and OE equipment.


It sounds like you have first class towing gear and the new-to-you trailer will be great fun and easily managed by your 4Runner. Post some pics if you get it:yesyes:

 

[Houston]

anything is possible

 

[gm350reratliff]

anything is possible

LOL! Hmmmm, a little overloaded? How did it tow?

 

[pickerdd]

anything is possible

wow! That 4Runner has some serious towing mojo!

 

[pickerdd]

It sounds like you have first class towing gear and the new-to-you trailer will be great fun and easily managed by your 4Runner. Post some pics if you get it:yesyes:

Chris,

Thanks and I'll definitely post photos and my experience towing the trailer if I'm able to buy it.

Thanks!

 

[Houston]

LOL! Hmmmm, a little overloaded? How did it tow?

That was just the beginning. This is one of the things that inspired me to get a 4runner. My friend drove this from North Carolina to Texas with these two cars and all of his belongings (bed was strapped to the roof). He drove at 65-70mph with no problems. Hard to see in the picture but it has a travel trailer torsion bar set with the heaviest (thickest) torsion bars you can buy that permit 1400lbs of tonque weight and 10000lbs gross (the 4runner was said to be capable of 5,000 MAX LOL) Dumb yes but it did do it, the trailer has amazing brakes, all were done just before he made the trip. All terrain tires were all that he could find in 15'' with the proper load rating, there is 1/2 inch clearance between the front and rear trailer tire. I believe he averaged 12-14mpg at almost full throttle the whole way in 4th gear.

 

[gm350reratliff]

That was just the beginning. This is one of the things that inspired me to get a 4runner. My friend drove this from North Carolina to Texas with these two cars and all of his belongings (bed was strapped to the roof). He drove at 65-70mph with no problems. Hard to see in the picture but it has a travel trailer torsion bar set with the heaviest (thickest) torsion bars you can buy that permit 1400lbs of tonque weight and 10000lbs gross (the 4runner was said to be capable of 5,000 MAX LOL) Dumb yes but it did do it, the trailer has amazing brakes, all were done just before he made the trip. All terrain tires were all that he could find in 15'' with the proper load rating, there is 1/2 inch clearance between the front and rear trailer tire. I believe he averaged 12-14mpg at almost full throttle the whole way in 4th gear.

Holy cow! Thats a long way to drive like that! Glad your friend made it. Thats one tough runner! Thanks for the pic.

 

[Houston]

Holy cow! Thats a long way to drive like that! Glad your friend made it. Thats one tough runner! Thanks for the pic.

he hauled crap metal 30 miles round trip a dozen times, loads varying between 9,000-13,000lbs The tires were load range E at 80psi and they looked like they were a little low lol.

 

[pickerdd]

Well, I did it. I bought an Airstream trailer. It's a 1971 23' Safari. I considered buying a newer trailer or possibly a new one (when my 2 kids graduate college in 3 years), but this one poped up and was very affordable and in great condition, so we drove up to MO to check it out and towed it home to Marietta, Ga. It towed just as well as our old Fleetwood Avalon. The little AS weighs about 5k pounds and has 2 axles. I'm excited!

I'll post a few photos tonight or tomorrow.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Well, I did it. I bought an Airstream trailer. It's a 1971 23' Safari. I considered buying a newer trailer or possibly a new one (when my 2 kids graduate college in 3 years), but this one poped up and was very affordable and in great condition, so we drove up to MO to check it out and towed it home to Marietta, Ga. It towed just as well as our old Fleetwood Avalon. The little AS weighs about 5k pounds and has 2 axles. I'm excited!

I'll post a few photos tonight or tomorrow.

Sweet:bigok: I'll watch for you as I go between home in Acworth and work at Dekalb-Peachtree. Ah, the joys of 75 and 285...

 

[pickerdd]

Sweet:bigok: I'll watch for you as I go between home in Acworth and work at Dekalb-Peachtree. Ah, the joys of 75 and 285...

Yeah, we have wonderful roads and no traffic is Atlanta. ;^)

Thanks again for your excellent advice and information!

 

[socrates50]

Good for '07 V6 2WD?

CJ3Flyr--do you know if the numbers on this chart are good for an '07 V6 T4R?

Technically no but be careful... Is the 6000lbs a dry weight? (Duh, I just re-read your post. You asked about GVWR:bash: ) Do you jam the 4Runner full of stuff?


The most appropriate question, rather than is 6000lbs too much, is will the rig come in under 12,000GCW (gross combined weight)? That 12k number means you, fuel, gear, passengers, water tank in the trailer full etc. For some reason Toyota chose to omit this info in later 4th gen manuals.

I offer that assuming you're using a WDH and not exceeding 7000 (or is it 7300 )trailer weight...


The following pic is courtesy of another member here, I forget who but thank-you
:cheers:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

CJ3Flyr--do you know if the numbers on this chart are good for an '07 V6 T4R?

IIRC those labels were deleted in '06. Mechanically there's no difference '05 through '09 and no reason they shouldn't apply as a guideline for what's possible & reasonably safe.

 

[Ridger]

Congrats on the purchase... perhaps you can pop in and post updates as you can more experiences with pulling that trailer weight.

I love these towing threads as I continue my research into trailers for a future upgrade from my pop-up and love to hear what peopel are towing with their V8 4Runners and what experiences they have had dowing so.

I don't want to over due it, but I also would like to get a decent size so I don't end up getting something and wanting to upgrade again.

 

[socrates50]

So far, so good.

Congrats on the purchase... perhaps you can pop in and post updates as you can more experiences with pulling that trailer weight.

I love these towing threads as I continue my research into trailers for a future upgrade from my pop-up and love to hear what peopel are towing with their V8 4Runners and what experiences they have had dowing so.

I don't want to over due it, but I also would like to get a decent size so I don't end up getting something and wanting to upgrade again.

Ridged and CJ3Flyr--just wanted to update you on my towing experiences so far with my 07 V6 and the new EDGE M21. As I said earlier the car has a frame mounted hitch and I'm using an Equalizer brand WDH. The trailer comes in at around 4K pounds including the hitch tongue, and the vehicle doesn't seem to be having too much trouble with it. I have been tempted to go for a V8 model in something, but the chart CJ3Flyr posted only showed a 600 pound difference in towing capacity between the 6 cyl. and the V8(did I read that right?). I haven't done any hill roads yet and I guess that's my concern--if I start up a large hill am I going to be slugging along at 30 mph uphill? Any comments would be appreciated.