1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Towing a 3600lb travel trailer

Discussion in 'Towing' started by Diverman62, Sep 10, 2023.

  1. Sep 10, 2023 at 5:53 PM
    #1
    Diverman62

    #1
    Diverman62 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2023
    Member:
    #35623
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 4runner blue
    Looking at purchasing a travel trailer
    About 3600 lbs any suggestions for making a safer and enjoyable experience
     
    Diverman62, Sep 10, 2023
    #1
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  2. Sep 10, 2023 at 6:11 PM
    #2
    Thatbassguy

    #2
    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,827
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    Welcome to the forum!

    Is that dry?

    That's probably going to have a heavy tongue weight, so I'd try not to load a lot of weight in the cargo area.

    Tow in S4, and keep your speed around 65 MPH or less. Take your time and increase your following distance.

    Also, get a good brake controller.
     
    Thatbassguy, Sep 10, 2023
    #2
    kolter45, Bob, Diverman62[OP] and 1 other person like this.
  3. Sep 10, 2023 at 6:13 PM
    #3
    steelevo

    #3
    steelevo Not so new anymore...

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2022
    Member:
    #29845
    Messages:
    2,285
    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2023 4Runner TRD Pro Solar Octane
    Welcome
     
    steelevo, Sep 10, 2023
    #3
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  4. Sep 10, 2023 at 7:20 PM
    #4
    Dabigono

    #4
    Dabigono Just Joined

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2018
    Member:
    #8196
    Messages:
    3,821
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner
    Welcome from SoCal
     
    Dabigono, Sep 10, 2023
    #4
    Diverman62[OP] likes this.
  5. Sep 11, 2023 at 2:04 AM
    #5
    Toy4X4

    #5
    Toy4X4 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2020
    Member:
    #15580
    Messages:
    6,976
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    Vehicle:
    2020 Offroad Prem. 4-runner
    RevTek 3" front- 2" rear leveling, JBA uca's, LED interior lights, Cooper 275-70-17 AT3 LT
    Welcome from Wisconsin! What Thatbassguy said will keep you out of trouble.
     
    Toy4X4, Sep 11, 2023
    #5
    Diverman62[OP] likes this.
  6. Sep 11, 2023 at 4:23 AM
    #6
    JET4

    #6
    JET4 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2018
    Member:
    #8147
    Messages:
    3,703
    Gender:
    Male
    Southeast, Va.
    welcome
     
    JET4, Sep 11, 2023
    #6
    Diverman62[OP] likes this.
  7. Sep 11, 2023 at 5:17 AM
    #7
    Ironguy

    #7
    Ironguy New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2019
    Member:
    #12421
    Messages:
    6,493
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ralph
    Bisbee AZ
    Vehicle:
    2020 Black 4Runner Venture 1967 FJ40 Land Cruiser
    New pine scent hanger, new sun shade
    Welcome from Arizona!
     
    Ironguy, Sep 11, 2023
    #7
    Diverman62[OP] likes this.
  8. Sep 11, 2023 at 5:59 AM
    #8
    BgBmBoo

    #8
    BgBmBoo New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2020
    Member:
    #15793
    Messages:
    216
    Kansas
    I'd look into a good weight distribution hitch with sway control as well. Otherwise Thatbassguy pretty much summed it up.
     
    BgBmBoo, Sep 11, 2023
    #8
    Diverman62[OP] likes this.
  9. Sep 11, 2023 at 8:06 AM
    #9
    Steely123

    #9
    Steely123 What's the new trend? I'll do it!

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2022
    Member:
    #27323
    Messages:
    2,737
    Gender:
    Male
    Georgetown, TX
    Vehicle:
    2018 4runner SR5 premium
    Welcome
     
    Steely123, Sep 11, 2023
    #9
  10. Sep 11, 2023 at 8:22 AM
    #10
    MoreOutdoors

    #10
    MoreOutdoors New Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2023
    Member:
    #33163
    Messages:
    23
    Vehicle:
    2020 Off Road Premium
    Confirm the listed tongue weight of the trailer. For our trailer it is 450 lbs which is more than the 10-15% of trailer weight rule of thumb a lot of people use. I second the brake controller and weight distribution hitch comments.
    I’ll add that we added airbags a few months after we first got our trailer and the increase in stability and ride comfort was noticeable.
     
    MoreOutdoors, Sep 11, 2023
    #10
    Diverman62[OP] likes this.
  11. Sep 11, 2023 at 8:36 AM
    #11
    Nubes

    #11
    Nubes Toyota Addict

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2022
    Member:
    #30260
    Messages:
    168
    Gender:
    Male
    TX
    Vehicle:
    2023 ORP
    So far everything that has been said has been spot on. Don't get in a rush. Tow in S4 and your MAX speed is going to be 65MPH and down to about 40MPH on steep grades and probably about 60MPH most of the time. I installed a RedArc trailer brake controller since the install looks factory and I won't hit my knee on it every time I get in/out. I also run an Andersen weight distribution/sway control hitch. I chose it for a few reasons: 1. You can backup with it connected unlike some other WDH's out there. 2. It doesn't squeak and make a racket when driving through the campground. 3. It is more compact and lighter than most other WDH's. I also installed an additional transmission cooler to keep the trans temp in check as it got too hot for my liking on my first short trip with it. Not sure if I need them and I keep forgetting to check my height when loaded, but I am also contemplating some Timbren bump stops. I prefer the idea of the Timbrens over air bags due to the simplicity and not having to air up or down.
     
    Nubes, Sep 11, 2023
    #11
    Diverman62[OP] likes this.
  12. Sep 11, 2023 at 10:01 PM
    #12
    DesertSurfer

    #12
    DesertSurfer New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2023
    Member:
    #33284
    Messages:
    1,015
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2024 T4R ORP w/KDSS Underground
    Ditto what Thatbassguy said, I always shop for food near my destination, 1/4 tank of water for drive then fill up at campground and go through trailer and take out unneeded stuff the wife has loaded (don’t tell). Welcome to the forum!
     
    DesertSurfer, Sep 11, 2023
    #12
    Diverman62[OP] likes this.
  13. Sep 12, 2023 at 12:28 PM
    #13
    kolter45

    #13
    kolter45 Inferno Pro & 4.0 Tacoma

    Joined:
    May 7, 2022
    Member:
    #26975
    Messages:
    578
    Gender:
    Male
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    Inferno Pro & BRM Sport
    kolter45, Sep 12, 2023
    #13
    Diverman62[OP] likes this.
  14. Sep 12, 2023 at 1:51 PM
    #14
    RumHamRunner73

    #14
    RumHamRunner73 Dead on with a zero

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2022
    Member:
    #29771
    Messages:
    2,318
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Philip
    Oakboro, N.C
    Vehicle:
    2022 4 Runner Limited. Blizzard Pearl
    RumHamRunner73, Sep 12, 2023
    #14
    Diverman62[OP] and kolter45[QUOTED] like this.
  15. Sep 12, 2023 at 2:44 PM
    #15
    Nubes

    #15
    Nubes Toyota Addict

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2022
    Member:
    #30260
    Messages:
    168
    Gender:
    Male
    TX
    Vehicle:
    2023 ORP
    This is one of the videos I watched to get an idea on the install:
    https://youtu.be/7P_nsUpisoE?si=6lgoLI9GguE_BEX8
     
    Nubes, Sep 12, 2023
    #15
    kolter45 likes this.
Register FREE to Reply!
To Top