Travel trailer towing

[jpgade13]

I towed a 16’ jayco with my 4Runner the other week and it towed perfectly fine I do have a transmission cooler as well as a trailer brake, for good measure I did the tundra brake upgrade and installed air springs in the back. The trailer came in at 2500 lbs but I honestly would like a bigger trailer some where in the 21’ 3200 -3500lbs range anyone have any experience with towing a larger travel trailer

Also is there any additional towing equipment I should have and what advantage would it give me

 

[C.Rocks]

Following along, wondering the same

 

[giguchan]

Hey,
I'm not going to be much help in this but one word of advice... just because you can "pull it" doesn't not mean that you're doing it safely. In addition to this forum i suggest visiting some of the camping forums as well.
Best of luck.

 

[Toy2play]

I towed a 16’ jayco with my 4Runner the other week and it towed perfectly fine I do have a transmission cooler as well as a trailer brake, for good measure I did the tundra brake upgrade and installed air springs in the back. The trailer came in at 2500 lbs but I honestly would like a bigger trailer some where in the 21’ 3200 -3500lbs range anyone have any experience with towing a larger travel trailer

Also is there any additional towing equipment I should have and what advantage would it give me

The numbers you mentioned, are they loaded or unloaded? How far are you planning on towing? Type of terrian you will be covering? I tow a pop-up trailer loaded probably around 3k lbs and I personally wouldnt want to tow anymore than that on a regular bases. I've done all the mods you've done and I'm supercharged, smaller pulley with 7th injector. I do have a lift, some protection, bigger tires, but I'm regeared with 4.88s.

If you're pushing close to 3800-4k lbs loaded, I personally wouldnt do it unless it's mostly flat terrian. Supercharger would help, but at the very least i would have a way to monitor transmission temperatures. If you are okay with getting poor MPG and going slow on anything that has an incline then you technically could do it.

My personal opinion is that these runners cant tow anywhere close to 5k lbs on a regular basis like it's suggested. I would even say it's no where near 4k lbs.

Edit: I should add I might be a little more biased because I am surrounded by mountains here in Utah and regularly have to fight the attitude and inclines.

 

[rightyouareken]

FWIW, I had a 2011 Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab Long Bed 4x4 with the 4.0L V6 and towed a rented 21' Lance 1685 travel trailer (16' floor, 21' overall, 3500lb dry, 5500lb gross) a few times in the Seattle area and once from Seattle to Yellowstone.

Specs here: Lance 1685 Travel Trailer - If you're looking for more living space and storage the 1685 was made for you.

It worked fine around the Seattle area, but the trip to Yellowstone convinced me that it wasn't something I wanted to subject the truck to on a regular basis. On the freeway at ~60mph the truck woudn't go into 5th gear ever, and on passes it was hunting between 2nd and 3rd constantly. I was running my scangauge and the trans temps were often creeping into the ~220-230F range. When going through the flats headed east in Montana, we ran into a ~40mph headwind and basically were pegged in 3rd just trying to keep ~55MPH (in an 80MPH zone).

And that truck had a lot more power than the 3rd Gen 4Runner, an extra gear in the transmission, and a much longer wheelbase. I wouldn't recommend it on a 3rd Gen 4Runner unless you're just sticking to flats or within a few hundred miles of home.

I ended up trading to a 2012 F150 5.0L and bought a 27' trailer and it was night and day more comfortable and relaxing and took the passes with ease.

 

[jpgade13]

I would be pretty much flat here in Southern California but I would like to venture into the mountains and up to Yellowstone. The weights I mentioned were unloaded. I’m trying to wait till a decent ev truck comes out but I know I will have to travel work as an electrician I keep seeing these so called ultralight trailers perhaps I should wait ( I probably won’t) or stick to the smaller trailers thanks for the info

 

[giguchan]

That Lance.... They sure do make a nice trailer.
I towed a Jayco P/U with my 3G.. never left Long island basically flatland. I never had any real issues. Once i got on plain and with a good tailwind- we were both on our way. I could tell the P/U was back there and even with the Cooler she rain warmer than normal..Air Cond? Never tried it. I have a jetski now and even during the best of times i knew the ski is back there.. I also have one of those small plastic Bass boats... that seems to tow fine. I love to camp so when it comes time to get another trailer i might have to start looking at a new Tow Vehicle.. I hate Chevy's but i have kinda like the 14' Tahoe. I dont think i'll ever be able to afford a NEW Lance trailer. The one you rented is just a tad too big for me. I mean i dont think they get much smaller.. The next size small might suit me. Stop by this site.... they always have some good info.

iRV2 Forums

 

[Toy2play]

I would be pretty much flat here in Southern California but I would like to venture into the mountains and up to Yellowstone. The weights I mentioned were unloaded. I’m trying to wait till a decent ev truck comes out but I know I will have to travel work as an electrician I keep seeing these so called ultralight trailers perhaps I should wait ( I probably won’t) or stick to the smaller trailers thanks for the info

I too would love to get an EV truck. I'm hoping to make the jump to an EV in the next 5 years, car or truck. If I knew that I was going to be towing, I would have gone with the 4th gen 4runner with the 4.7 V8. I've spent way too much money on my 3rd gen so I'll just keep it for my overland trips and hopefully find a better rig for towing down the road.

If you are comfortable towing your current trailer you towed then I'd stick with that for the time being. Unless you really want to go bigger then I would seriously consider a different rig.

 

[jpgade13]

I too would love to get an EV truck. I'm hoping to make the jump to an EV in the next 5 years, car or truck. If I knew that I was going to be towing, I would have gone with the 4th gen 4runner with the 4.7 V8. I've spent way too much money on my 3rd gen so I'll just keep it for my overland trips and hopefully find a better rig for towing down the road.

If you are comfortable towing your current trailer you towed then I'd stick with that for the time being. Unless you really want to go bigger then I would seriously consider a different rig.

I too have put way too much money into my 3rd gen it’s like a sick obsession I bought it for 1200 with a salvaged title and just kept fixing the issues but it’s still cheaper than a new truck payment now all body damaged fixed painted upgraded interior is new I just can’t stop����