I think you should be just fine with that size trailer & load. Not sure about leaving it in 4, but it may be advisable. I pulled that size trailer with a regular cab, 4 cyl. Taco and it pulled beautifully, so I'm sure the 4Runner will handle it easily.
Towing with a 5th gen
- Thread starter Thebeastlives
- Start date
I think you should be just fine with that size trailer & load. Not sure about leaving it in 4, but it may be advisable. I pulled that size trailer with a regular cab, 4 cyl. Taco and it pulled beautifully, so I'm sure the 4Runner will handle it easily.
Cymon
New member
I feel anything under the 70% threshold should be fine. We did 7,200 miles this summer from South Florida to Yosemite and back with our Taxa Cricket. It’s about 2,500lbs loaded, plus we had the 4Runner loaded with 2 adults, 2 kids, a dog, bikes and probably 2-300lbs of gear in the back (fridge, food, recovery gear, etc...). I am still on the OEM suspension after almost 90k although airbags in the rear springs were the best $100 I’ve spent on the 4Runner.
The 4Runner towed like a champ, including over 300 miles off-road. Definitely tow in 4d and I would say under 3,500lbs is the sweet spot for our vehicles. You do have to go in with the realistic expectations that if you are towing anything, keep it under 70mph and just enjoy the ride. Of course the more aerodynamic the trailer the better as well.
The 4Runner towed like a champ, including over 300 miles off-road. Definitely tow in 4d and I would say under 3,500lbs is the sweet spot for our vehicles. You do have to go in with the realistic expectations that if you are towing anything, keep it under 70mph and just enjoy the ride. Of course the more aerodynamic the trailer the better as well.
Attachments
TontoM3
Member
I’ll be going from Missouri to South Florida here next week with a 6x12 uhaul and the Smokey mountains in between. Loaded with a one bedroom and random stuff. I’m used to towing with a 2500 HD with boats behind it a few hundred miles so this will be different but not undoable, let you know how it goes.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
TontoM3
Member
That’s an awesome camper! How did you go about putting airbags in the rear? Any write ups you would recommend?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’ve got a write-up on here for my install of Firestone Coil-Rite airbags. As mentioned, it’s the best $85 you can spend if you’re towing.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Cymon
New member
This one is pretty good...
Toyota 4Runner Air Bag Suspension Kit - aka Air Lift (Install and Review)
TontoM3
Member
I’ll be heading to Nashville tomorrow with a 6x12 dual axel enclosed trailer. The first three hours from Lake of the Ozarks to STL was ok minus the 20-30mph gusts. Tomorrow from STL to Nashville will be more telling as I re loaded it to be a little more front heavy. I did not have time to install the air ride in the rear but so far it seems ok on the highway
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Did you go 44 or 70? Just curious as the terrain is a bit different.
I’ll be heading to Nashville tomorrow with a 6x12 dual axel enclosed trailer. The first three hours from Lake of the Ozarks to STL was ok minus the 20-30mph gusts. Tomorrow from STL to Nashville will be more telling as I re loaded it to be a little more front heavy. I did not have time to install the air ride in the rear but so far it seems ok on the highway
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Load equalizing hitch
If you are towing any trailer and not using a load equalizing hitch you are missing out on the best addition you can get. Load equalizing hitches are by far the safest and best way to tow and once you use one you will never go back. Electric brakes and a good hitch will enhance your towing experience.
If you are towing any trailer and not using a load equalizing hitch you are missing out on the best addition you can get. Load equalizing hitches are by far the safest and best way to tow and once you use one you will never go back. Electric brakes and a good hitch will enhance your towing experience.
Last edited:
TontoM3
Member
I went 54 to 70, parents live just outside town and country to it’s faster that way and terrain is way more friendly that 42 to 63 to 44. If I was in the old tuned Mazda3 the latter option is much more fun!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
TontoM3
Member
I went 54 to 70, parents live just outside town and country to it’s faster that way and terrain is way more friendly that 42 to 63 to 44. If I was in the old tuned Mazda3 the latter option is much more fun!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
TontoM3
Member
Ended up going from Nashville to Ft Myers today and may I say... I will need some up grades next time! For sure a different hitch system, and trailer. That uhaul box sucked. 4th gear a lot of the way through the smokies and if you want to muster any MPG keeping it 65mph is the way to go. Just enjoy the ride like a few have said a s pull over when you can to see some cool sights!
Ps: Don’t even think about using cruise control haha
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ps: Don’t even think about using cruise control haha
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
zcruiser
Senior Member
I towed this camper a handful of times last year (sold it this year). The trailer was 2900 empty, and I had less than 200 lb. of gear in it, so I was well below the 3500 gvwr of the trailer. It was always a chore to pull. Most of the issue was cross-wind, but it didn't handle it as well as I thought it should. I had an anti-sway weight distributing hitch, which didn't seem to help any. Always seemed underpowered and felt as though I was towing beyond the 5k rating even though I was far from it. I would definitely not be afraid to tow with it occasionally, but not on a regular basis as would be the case with a camper.
Picked this up in March. Towed less than 1,000 miles so far but it does fine. Not fast, but as they say “nowhere to go and all day to get there.”
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Similar threads
