Towing with 2006 V8 Sport

[jarodjohns]

I posted this in the General Discussion under a camper thread I found but thought I may get an answer quicker in the 4th Gen Forum.

Anyone towing with the XREAS system? I have a 2006 V8 Sport. Just sold our 2016 Coachmen Clipper 17FQ and only delivered it a few miles behind the Sport so I have no real towing experience with it.. I had a 2016 F-250 with the 6.7L diesel when we bought the camper so I did not buy any kind of Weight Distribution or AntiSway hitch as the F-250 never even knew the trailer was there. No matter the wind or hills or anything.. We sold the 17FQ in hopes of upgrading to a new Aspen Trail 25BH or 2710BH but would like to know about towing with the XREAS system. I purchased new suspension off a 2017 Tacoma Sport so I have the front and rear shocks I could put on if the XREAS is not good with towing.. Also will have to invest in a weight distribution hitch with Anit-Sway I'm sure...


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/102879-post-your-camper-17.html#post2929083

 

[fast325it]

I tow all the time with my 2006 4 Runner V8. It did have XREAS at one time but has been replaced with Bilsteins/FJ springs and now Monroe “OEM”. I pull a 24 ft 4 place enclosed snowmobile trailer and it does just fine. It’s been a while since I replaced the XREAS, but I don’t recollect any significant differences while towing in having or not having XREAS.

 

[Fern]

Weight of the trailer?

 

[unevolved]

I towed a CTS-V on a uhaul trailer (probably over 6k pounds) with no problems when I had XREAS.

 

[jarodjohns]

Weight of the trailer?

New one will be around 4500 - 5000 lbs...

Thanks everyone for the replies.. They are much appreciated as i'm in between on keeping this 4runner or finding a pickup..

 

[Powder_Hound]

You might want to add some airbags to help level your load as the stock springs won't like the added weight. I had a spacer lift and pulled a 3000 lb PUP and had a fair amount of sag. The air bags fixed the issue and motor had no trouble pulling. I've upgraded to a OME/Toytec lift and with a weight distribution hitch I have no issues pulling a 5000 TT through the mountains of Colorado. It'l be the springs that give you any issues vs. the XREAS struts.

 

[jarodjohns]

You might want to add some airbags to help level your load as the stock springs won't like the added weight. I had a spacer lift and pulled a 3000 lb PUP and had a fair amount of sag. The air bags fixed the issue and motor had no trouble pulling. I've upgraded to a OME/Toytec lift and with a weight distribution hitch I have no issues pulling a 5000 TT through the mountains of Colorado. It'l be the springs that give you any issues vs. the XREAS struts.

What brand of hitch do you use? I knew I should have hopped on the wagon for the Bilstein suspension package and upgraded it all..

 

[ElZilcho]

I have a Curt MV WD hitch and it works well for my purposes. I would not recommend mixing airbags and a WD hitch as they work towards cross purposes. A properly loaded trailer with a properly set up WD hitch will not sag, even on stock springs, unless you are over tongue weight or there is a suspension problem. I don't use sway control but don't have a strong opinion on it either. There are two kinds of sway. The uncomfortable but not particularly dangerous, Cross-wind/passing truck "sway" (which sway control CAN mitigate)... and the really dangerous kind, an oscillation caused by excess speed and an improperly loaded trailer (which sway control CANNOT mitigate). The first type can initiate the second, but is not the cause and "sway control" can't fix it.

XREAS won't be a factor.

 

[Terminator03]

You might want to add some airbags to help level your load as the stock springs won't like the added weight. I had a spacer lift and pulled a 3000 lb PUP and had a fair amount of sag. The air bags fixed the issue and motor had no trouble pulling. I've upgraded to a OME/Toytec lift and with a weight distribution hitch I have no issues pulling a 5000 TT through the mountains of Colorado. It'l be the springs that give you any issues vs. the XREAS struts.

Please elaborate more on the airbags, if you don’t mind. Like what brand, difficulty to install, etc. Someone mentioned air bags as an option for me in another thread since I carry a lot of tools in the back of my truck for work and the rear sits about 3/4” lower than the front as a result. I have zero experience with them, or how the affect ride, handling, etc., but I’m kind of intrigued now seeing them mentioned as an option in this thread.

 

[Fern]

I run toytec super flex.
While towing a trailer or loaded down with camping gear and bikes it sits level. But it does have a good amount or rake when unloaded even with the front end lifted 2"+.

 

[Powder_Hound]

What brand of hitch do you use? I knew I should have hopped on the wagon for the Bilstein suspension package and upgraded it all..

I ran airlift 1000 and they worked great.
https://www.airliftcompany.com/vehicles/toyota/4runner/2004/4-wheel-drive/#l

Firestone is another brand that works well too.

 

[Powder_Hound]

Please elaborate more on the airbags, if you don’t mind. Like what brand, difficulty to install, etc. Someone mentioned air bags as an option for me in another thread since I carry a lot of tools in the back of my truck for work and the rear sits about 3/4” lower than the front as a result. I have zero experience with them, or how the affect ride, handling, etc., but I’m kind of intrigued now seeing them mentioned as an option in this thread.

I ran airlift 1000 and they worked great.
https://www.airliftcompany.com/vehicles/toyota/4runner/2004/4-wheel-drive/#l

Firestone is another brand that works well too.

These go inside the rear springs and essentially act as “helper springs”. The install is pretty straight forward if you’re mechanically inclined.