Who pulls a 2 axle trailer with their V6 4x4?

[Martinjmpr]

Currently we have a medium sized (5' wide) teardrop we pull with the 4runner. Seems to do fine. Costs me 2 - 3 MPG but otherwise no problems. I do have an external tranny cooler and a Scangauge II to monitor trans temps.

We've been thinking about upgrading to a bigger trailer, though. Our current teardrop weighs about 1,000lbs or so (haven't weighed it since we did a lot of work but that's a fair guess.)

Anyway, we're looking to upgrade to a small travel trailer. I'd like to keep it to 1 axle to keep weight down. I would prefer to stay under 1500lbs but that may or may not be feasible depending on what we find. Oddly enough, larger trailers are less expensive on the used market - probably because they're in less demand. I really don't want to switch my tow vehicle, I really like the 4runner.

I think the V6 is rated to pull up to 5,000lbs but there's no way I'd pull a heavy trailer like that on a long trip. Even 3,000lbs seems excessive. I might do it if I was just hauling a car across town but not on a long trip with lots of up and down hills.

So I'm wondering, who out there regularly pulls a large 1-axle or medium sized 2 axle trailer with their V6 4x4 4runner? And how does it do on long pulls through the mountains? Do you have brakes? How much does your trailer weigh?

My transmission got very hot coming up out of Death Valley. Not hot enough to kick on the "trans temp warning" light, but it got up to 260 which is the highest I've ever seen it. Fortunately as soon as we got to the top and started back down it cooled off.

 

[ebg18t]

Yep. Our travel trailer is 3900# with dual axle. Pulls it just fine. I have electric brakes with Prodigy P3 controller.

 

[cmoua]

I am considering a light weight travel trailer for my 05 V6 4Runner. Would be interested to hear more from others who pulls similar weight (3-5K pounds) travel trailer.

 

[nevada]

Currently we have a medium sized (5' wide) teardrop we pull with the 4runner. Seems to do fine. Costs me 2 - 3 MPG but otherwise no problems. I do have an external tranny cooler and a Scangauge II to monitor trans temps.

We've been thinking about upgrading to a bigger trailer, though. Our current teardrop weighs about 1,000lbs or so (haven't weighed it since we did a lot of work but that's a fair guess.)

Anyway, we're looking to upgrade to a small travel trailer. I'd like to keep it to 1 axle to keep weight down. I would prefer to stay under 1500lbs but that may or may not be feasible depending on what we find. Oddly enough, larger trailers are less expensive on the used market - probably because they're in less demand. I really don't want to switch my tow vehicle, I really like the 4runner.

I think the V6 is rated to pull up to 5,000lbs but there's no way I'd pull a heavy trailer like that on a long trip. Even 3,000lbs seems excessive. I might do it if I was just hauling a car across town but not on a long trip with lots of up and down hills.

So I'm wondering, who out there regularly pulls a large 1-axle or medium sized 2 axle trailer with their V6 4x4 4runner? And how does it do on long pulls through the mountains? Do you have brakes? How much does your trailer weigh?

My transmission got very hot coming up out of Death Valley. Not hot enough to kick on the "trans temp warning" light, but it got up to 260 which is the highest I've ever seen it. Fortunately as soon as we got to the top and started back down it cooled off.

how much weight does the extra axle add? I cant see that extra axle adding enough weight to outweigh(pun? lol) the advantages.

a dual axle trailer will typically tow MUCH nicer than a single axle. the weight is distributed better, plus you have the advantage of trailer brakes.

we have a small camp trailer, but I havent towed it yet. its a single axle...that's what keeps me from wanting to use it.

 

[Martinjmpr]

how much weight does the extra axle add? I cant see that extra axle adding enough weight to outweigh(pun? lol) the advantages.

Uh, no, sorry, I should have been more clear.

It's not that the axle adds weight, it's that as a rule, 2 axle trailers are bigger and thus heavier than single axle trailers.

Single axle trailers OTOH tend to be smaller and thus lighter.

I'm thinking that for the two of us, a 15' or smaller trailer would be more than adequate, be easier to tow and be more economical. 2 axle trailers seem to run 17' or more.

 

[Riseagainst]

Uh, no, sorry, I should have been more clear.

It's not that the axle adds weight, it's that as a rule, 2 axle trailers are bigger and thus heavier than single axle trailers.

Single axle trailers OTOH tend to be smaller and thus lighter.

I'm thinking that for the two of us, a 15' or smaller trailer would be more than adequate, be easier to tow and be more economical. 2 axle trailers seem to run 17' or more.

I tow a lot for work single axles, double axles, triple axles, goosenecks, 5th wheels.
With a double axle the weight capacity is higher so by having two axles the trailer can carry most of the weight so you don't overload your hitch. because our hitch capacity is 700#.
So the only reason a double axle would benefit you is if there is too much weight on the hitch. BUT you also have more weight pushing you and pulling you so it's a balance. Do you choose to have a heavier trailer pushing you/pulling you? Or do you choose a little more hitch weight?
Generally a double axle will ride better than a single axle. the singles will bounce more on the hitch creating a clanking noise on the hitch.

Because I tow entirely with my diesel truck I couldn't make a recommendation with experience from towing with the t4r.

BUT if you choose a double axle and use electric brakes definitely get a prodigy brake controller.

 

[nevada]

Uh, no, sorry, I should have been more clear.

It's not that the axle adds weight, it's that as a rule, 2 axle trailers are bigger and thus heavier than single axle trailers.

Single axle trailers OTOH tend to be smaller and thus lighter.

I'm thinking that for the two of us, a 15' or smaller trailer would be more than adequate, be easier to tow and be more economical. 2 axle trailers seem to run 17' or more.

if it were me, id get the smallest dual axle trailer I could find.

how much heaver is the 17' dual, over the 15' single?