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Would you tow this camper?

Discussion in 'Towing' started by wtjl240, Mar 3, 2017.

?

Would you tow a camper with this setup?

  1. Yes

    7 vote(s)
    26.9%
  2. No

    13 vote(s)
    50.0%
  3. Dingleberries

    6 vote(s)
    23.1%
  1. Mar 3, 2017 at 5:53 PM
    #1
    wtjl240

    wtjl240 [OP] New Member

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    Hi everyone,

    My wife has a 2008 SR5, V6 with a 5,000 lb rated hitch on the back. We have a 19 foot camper with a dry weight around 3,800 lbs. We don't really have that much cargo as we stop at the store right before the campground. The 4Runner currently does not have a transmission cooler (will purchase if this will tow it). I have a Prodigy P3 brake controller and weight distribution hitch for the camper.

    So my question is... would you tow this camper/weight comfortably with this setup? Am I missing something? I'm trying to compare what her 4Runner doesn't have that my Tacoma does.

    We don't normally go more than 150 miles or so from Middle Tennessee to East Tennessee.
     
  2. Mar 3, 2017 at 9:02 PM
    #2
    Palerider

    Palerider New Member

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    I would not use the 4Runner for that large/heavy of a trailer. No bags at the rear, breaks are to small, front wheels will not give you the steering needed in emergency situations.

    My rule of thumb is to have you tow vehicle rated twice as much as the trailer. Tundra, no problem, has the rear end, the brakes and the motor necessary to pull a 4,000lb trailer.
     
  3. Mar 4, 2017 at 5:50 AM
    #3
    wtjl240

    wtjl240 [OP] New Member

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    This is the info I was looking for. Thank you. I guess we'll either be keeping the Tacoma for towing it or trading the camper in for something smaller.
     
    Palerider[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Mar 4, 2017 at 6:19 AM
    #4
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    i'll play devils advocate here because I've towed over the v6's limit before. As you can expect, the issue isn't really power and to be honest steering didn't concern me much, but braking definitely did. I won't say you'd be totally fine in all potential scenarios, but I think you could tow it with pretty good confidence
     
    Husky Driver likes this.
  5. Mar 4, 2017 at 8:23 AM
    #5
    JBTRD

    JBTRD As usual, saying something stupid

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    I have moved a 8k trailer before, across the camp site for hunting season, but brought it up with a tundra before, the power is there, but the brakes and steering not so much, i think you would be okay, but if you are going on long trips i would rather have a bigger truck.

    IMG_3400.jpg
     
  6. Mar 4, 2017 at 7:54 PM
    #6
    Palerider

    Palerider New Member

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    I'd play it safe. Keep the taco for the trailer. I've seen many a camper jack knifed in the ditch because the tow vehicle was not capable.
     
    inocoma likes this.
  7. Mar 4, 2017 at 11:07 PM
    #7
    tenguns

    tenguns New Member

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    Towed a 5200 lb boat +trailer from VT to California with my v6. Was like a Castor oil commercial on some of the big hills and the trailer for my 23 foot center consile had brakes. Beats up your engine on the big pulls of the trip but it was what I had. Stopped at night and stooped in Nebraska to fish Lake McConaughey and Flaming Gorge for a few hours. Iowa, a little in Wyoming and from Vegas to the coast I thought would bust my right, but nope! So, while all that's been said is true, just know your limitations. Trip to VT =3.5 days. Trip towing boat West took 4.5 days. 65-70 most of the way. Towed well. Nice and level, new brakes and tires but for a 6 cylinder, worked for me
     
  8. Mar 5, 2017 at 5:42 PM
    #8
    MTgirl

    MTgirl Moderator Staff Member

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    I would say no.
    Stick with an RV that claims to be "half ton towable"
    I've been thinking about getting a small camper as well and I think the heaviest I'm comfortable towing is around 2500 dry. I have a lot of mountains to get over no matter what.
     
    jgcaps, inocoma and Palerider like this.
  9. Apr 12, 2017 at 5:54 PM
    #9
    wtjl240

    wtjl240 [OP] New Member

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    Update: Survey says?!? No. I took it for a test drive and it did fine towing it but even with a brake controller, the rear end bounced up and down when trying to stop. There's no way I'd tow this camper more than 30 minutes from the house.
     
    Palerider likes this.
  10. Apr 24, 2017 at 8:43 PM
    #10
    jbrandt

    jbrandt New Member

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    Brakes won't be an issue if the trailer has brakes. Given the weight of the trailer you mention, it should.

    My experience is that the 4Runners don't deal as well with tongue weight as the pickups (coils squish easier). So you might consider airbags.

    For some perspective, though, I've been towing a ~2200lb trailer with my 3.4L Taco double cab for several years. It does just "fine" to a point... My friend had a giant pop-up he towed (over 3k lbs) and he never really complained.

    I just picked up a 2017 SR5 4Runner as my new daily driver, and to tow the trailer on long hauls. I made the switch for a few reasons, one being the added power of the 4L will be a welcome sight. My trailer didn't come with brakes, but I plan to retrofit them at some point since I have a brake controller, and with all the driving/camping I do in the mountains, it will certainly help preserve my truck brakes.
     
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  11. Dec 18, 2018 at 1:30 PM
    #11
    Roberge01

    Roberge01 New Member

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    Up here in Ontario, Canada I tow a Keystone Hideout 175LHS which is 3200lbs dry. Fully loaded I would guess I am over 4000lbs (never brought it to a scale). I have a weight distributing hitch and a brake controller. Seems to tow well for me, not tons of power but if you really step on it you can make a pass with enough room. I am thinking of putting airbags for the next summer camping season just to assist with the hitch.Camper.jpg

    Camper.jpg
     
  12. Dec 19, 2018 at 6:49 AM
    #12
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    The problem with a 4Runner is that it doesn’t have enough wheel base when you start getting up in the heavier weights, so that trailer will push it around in bad weather, steep hills, and emergency situations. The 4Runner actually has better brakes than a Tacoma, and a superior engine over 3rd gen Atkinson. As long as you’re within the limits engineered by Toyota, you’re ok, in theory. A rough wheel base guide is minimum of 120”.
     
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  13. Dec 19, 2018 at 10:50 AM
    #13
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

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    i will most likely be towing my 20' CC about 90 miles one way in january. its pushing 3k lbs w fuel and the trailer is about 1k more is my guess. The trailer doesnt have brakes though. the trip is completely flat with the exception of going over one bridge. Ive taken it back and forth to the ramp multiple times and its done great.
     
  14. Dec 19, 2018 at 11:32 AM
    #14
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Yup, she'll do it, alright, Toyota's are tough. Probably the best way to increase your safety and the safety of those that will share the road with you, is to put brakes on your trailer. The thing about brakes is that you don't need them until you need you need them. Unfortunately in your case, PrettyGoodSam, when that happens you're gonna' be SOL.
     
  15. Dec 19, 2018 at 11:37 AM
    #15
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

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    I agree. I have been looking at swapping out my trailer for one with brakes but wont be able to do that until I bring it back from where it is :/
     
  16. Aug 18, 2019 at 2:51 PM
    #16
    MountainMan

    MountainMan New Member

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    There is a body shop about a 1/4-mile from my office. Saw a fresh wreck being hauled in the other day, so I zoomed in with the security cam system to check it out.

    Way too much trailer for the vehicle towing it. The tow vehicle was a Ram 1500 quadcab pickup and the trailer was a Jayco 35' RV that weighed around 7500lbs. I'm sure the trailer was within the weight limits of the Ram, but it was just physically too big. It was windy that day and basically the wind got the trailer moving and it just overpowered the pickup.

    I love my 4Runner, but I don't think I'd tow anything over 16' with it.

    Here's the wreck...

    RVcrash1.jpg
     
  17. Aug 18, 2019 at 3:24 PM
    #17
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    I was behind a big trailer being towed. The guy had firewood strapped to the back and it came loose. Firewood was rollin down the highway! We finally caught him in traffic, let him know. He still kept going I think he secured it shortly after....
     
  18. Aug 18, 2019 at 3:26 PM
    #18
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    We were in a F350 towing a 230 to the bay about 80mph and the tire blew off the boat trailer, rolled right by us!! Never found it....
     
  19. Aug 19, 2019 at 5:10 AM
    #19
    Palerider

    Palerider New Member

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    Wind can be a powerful thing. I've seen 18 wheelers on their side on I-40 near Amarillo. The truck may have been adequate for the tow, but you've got to pay attention to the weather. We have an F-350 dually and a 40' 5th wheel. Almost lost it on I-0 on the Penesacola bridge in a horrible Gail that came out of nowhere.
     
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  20. Apr 27, 2021 at 11:41 AM
    #20
    harms

    harms New Member

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    I just bought a 19 ft camper that weighs around 3000lbs. We pulled it home with our 4Runner. Seemed to pull fine even without stabilizers or sway bars although I plan to get them. Was able to run about 65-66. Hitting 70 seemed to start swaying just a little bit but felt comfortable at 65
     
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  21. Apr 27, 2021 at 2:21 PM
    #21
    brownersd

    brownersd You are the weakest link, buh-bye!

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    So, for shits and giggles, when I had my 2003 V8, my partner and I had a 32' travel trailer weighing in at 7,000 lbs. We would usually use an Armada to tow it, but I decided I wanted to bring it home before we went camping one weekend. It towed just fine. The problem is, even with a weight distribution hitch and electronic trailer brake controller, when the wind hits the side of that trailer, your 4runner is going to be all over the place. I was smart enough to do a "test run" on some back streets for about 4 miles, but couldn't imagine what it would have been like at 55mph on the highway. The 4runner doesn't have the wheelbase for it, and the trailer controls you. Any sharp manoeuvers will more than likely make you and the trailer end up in a ditch.

    A 19" at 3800 pounds may be ok, but it's getting close to pushing the limit.

    Cheers,

    Sean
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2021
    Diverman62 and ImJimJo like this.
  22. Apr 27, 2021 at 5:46 PM
    #22
    Moon Landing

    Moon Landing AFFTC 1967/68 Eddies Air Patch

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    Towing tip. Never go off/down a hill/grade faster than you climbed it. fwiw
     
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  23. Apr 27, 2021 at 6:57 PM
    #23
    alittleoff

    alittleoff New Member

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    And people, don't forget towing mirrors. If drivers around you can't see your mirrors, you can't see them.
    If I was a LEO and didn't see proper mirrors, I'd impound your junk no matter what BS story you gave me.
    That might be harsh but, safety safety safety.
     
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