What Can You Tow With The 04

[4runninsac]

We are thinking about buying a travel trailer this summer and was just woundering, What is our weight limit when it comes to these things. We have gotten conflecting stories about the weight. And I was just told by someone in a store parking lot that we don't need the Brake control system installed cause we already have one on the truck. We find the plug, he said we just need the unit ??? The one we're looking to buy is a ( Rockwood mini lite- model 1808 ) can someone look at this and help us out? We have the 2004 S/E v6 2wd, no load level. What do you think?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Some may poke fun at you with that sig. That is the nicest, kindest thing I have seen in a while, good for you! :bigok:

The T4R should have no problem whatsoever. The only thing I'd suggest is freshen up the trans fluid, it won't hurt a thing and transmissions take a beating when towing something with a lot wind resistance.

I found this data for the 1808:
Weights
Axle Weight : 2464lbs (1,117.65kg)
Dry Weight : 2572lbs (1,166.64kg)
GVWR (Standard) : 4532lbs (2,055.68kg)
Hitch Weight : 132lbs (59.87kg)

If you stay within those load ranges and keep the T4R reasonably loaded you should have no problem. I suspect that hitch weight could vary a good bit based on trailer provisioning.

I'm guessing you'll carry 800-1000lbs of water, provisions etc making your average towed weight around 3500-3600lbs which is well within the T4R's capability.

You are pre-wired for the brake controller. You just need the box. If you'll take the time to read the setup directions the Prodigy controllers are awesome!

:cheers:

 

[4runninsac]

Thank..Whenever I look back she is always there, to make sure I don't fall...I'm in love with her and not ashame of it...

We had plan on towing it with empty water tanks and felling them when we stop. The trailer comes with a filteration system for the drinking water, and it will just be weekend get aways mostly. So we was lite loads, with a Weight Distribution Systems and swaybar. Ii this over kill ?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

The weight distrubuting hitch (WDH) is an expense. Provided you stay under 200-300lbs in the T4R luggage and under 350 on the trailer tounge I would think it'd be fine without. The trailer tongue weight starts at 132lbs so that shouldn't be too hard.


I would try it without the WDH. If the trailer bounces the T4R all over the place or you have excessive rear end sag then consider the WDH or rear airbags. (I could make a good arguement for either approach.) To add the WDH after the fact isn't any harder than adding in the beginning.

You guys are going to have a blast! :bigok:


:cheers:

 

[4runninsac]

What about the swaybar ? We found one for less then a 100.00, so we don't need this 700.00 kit they say we need?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

The sway reduction device is a good thing. I'd probably go for that...
:cheers:

 

[4runninsac]

Ok thanks a lot Chris for all your in put.

 

[charlier180]

What about the swaybar ? We found one for less then a 100.00, so we don't need this 700.00 kit they say we need?

Is the sway bar you found for $100 a dual cam sway control setup? If not, you should look into something like this:

http://www.reese-hitches.com/products/Dual_Cam_High_Performance_Sway_Control,26002

I use the following setup with my 4Runner and 20ft enclosed car trailer. http://www.reese-hitches.com/produc...istribution_Hitch_Kitwith_Trunnion_Bars,66074

This setup has provided a rock solid towing experience even in cross winds, head winds and tail winds of 30-40+ mph.

Don't make the mistake that others do when they skimp on the proper towing equipment.
If that equipment prevents one from having a towing accident isn't that money well spent????

 

[4runninsac]

Charlie are you running a Weight Distribution Hitch ? Do you have any pictures of your trailer hook up ?

 

[charlier180]

Charlie are you running a Weight Distribution Hitch ? Do you have any pictures of your trailer hook up ?

Yes, I am running the weight distributing hitch. My V8 4Runner came standard with it.

Sorry, I do not have a photo of my setup.

I use the Strait-Line Weight Distribution Hitch Kit (1,200 lb) with Trunnion Bars, Reese (Part Number:66074)

http://www.reese-hitches.com/categories/All_Reese_Weight_Distribution_Hitch_Kits,109

Just a reminder... The V6 4Runner usually comes with a "weight carrying" hitch.
It is NOT the same hitch setup that is standard on the V8.
You should not use the "weight carrying" hitch with the "weight distributing" equipment on the trailer.

 

[4runninsac]

I not sure if i'm getting it right, so we can just tow the trailer with the towing package we have standerd on there now? And just add a sway control system? Cause we don't have the Load Level Unit.

 

[charlier180]

I not sure if i'm getting it right, so we can just tow the trailer with the towing package we have standerd on there now? And just add a sway control system? Cause we don't have the Load Level Unit.

If your V6 4Runner has the "weight carrying" hitch on it that came from the factory as a option, you cannot just add a sway control system to it in most cases.
Reason being, in most cases, sway control systems REQUIRE the use of a weight distributing system.
The weight distributing system used on the trailer requires that the tow vehicle has a weight distributing hitch on the tow vehicle.

Because of those requirements, it is not wise to mix and match a "weight distributing" system on the trailer with a "weight carrying" hitch on a tow vehicle.

There might possibly be some sway control systems on the market that can be used with a weight carrying hitch on a tow vehicle.
The dual cam systems I mentioned earlier in this thread do REQUIRE a weight distributuon system.

The following is a link to an FAQ on this subject. It might be worth your time to read it for more information.

http://www.etrailer.com/faq_weightdistribution.aspx