Trailer Towing w/ X-REAS Suspension

[MarkS]

I recently made a ~500 mile trip in my '05 Ltd. V-8 w/ X-REAS pulling an enclosed 5x8 motorcycle trailer (using the factory trailer hitch/receiver) and found that the truck seemed to "porpise" quite a lot whenever it was on less than perfect pavement (even expansion joints on the interstate seemed to upset things a bit). The gross trailer weight was about 1400 lbs and the toungue weight was about 125 lbs.

Curiously, pulling the exact same set-up on my previous '03 Ltd. V-8 w/o X-REAS proved much more satisfactory w/o little or no adverse reaction to the trailer.

Has anyone else has similar problems pulling a trailer w/ X-REAS? Or perhaps Toyota has softened things up too much on the later model years?

 

[khaug]

Hi Mark.

I frequently do long tows of a 4,000# trailer (Porsche 911 on a lightweight tandem-axle open trailer) with our '03. Our 'Runner has X-REAS and rear air suspension. I honestly couldn't ask for a more delightful tow rig - no complaints at all!

Michigan has a couple of stretches of Interstate that are so choppy that even the softest cars will beat you to death. Could something similar cause your problem?

One other thought comes to mind: Is your trailer tongue level when you're towing? I know from past experience that towing with a trailer that isn't level can be problematic. Between the air suspension and the factory hitch, ours is perfectly level.

Our prior tow vehicle was a '98 4Runner, to which I added Air Lifts to level the load. This also did a good job, but was much more stiffly suspended than our '03, which is Cadillac-soft by comparison.

Good luck on finding the cause - sounds like it isn't very pleasant to tow right now.

 

[hossmaster]

I would have to say that your trailer either wasn't leveled enough or you need to move some more weight up to the tounge. Did you trailer wander about behind you. I love towing with my Runner with xreas, except i need to get the airbags.

 

[Koz]

Sounds like you don't have enough tongue weight, as hossmaster stated. Since the trailer is so light you may need to put 15 percent on the tongue. Approx 210 lbs. Also, make sure you are level.

Koz

 

[Spider5]

Check your tire pressure's.