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Towing with a 5th gen

Discussion in 'Towing' started by MTgirl, May 16, 2016.

  1. May 16, 2016 at 8:31 PM
    #1
    MTgirl

    MTgirl [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    So I've been shopping around for a small travel trailer. Been thinking for a while that it might be time for a few more creature comforts out in the woods.

    I've been trying to shop by weight more than anything else but am I over thinking this? I travel over a lot of mountain passes here in MT and it concerns me that I'm going to kill Runner if I try to tow too much up some of the steep grades that I see around here. I don't want to get super crappy gas mileage either. I've been mainly focused on trailers with a max. weight of 2600# but am currently looking at one that's about 2900#.

    Trailer weight rating is 5000#. Max GCWR (T4R+trailer+everything else) is 11300#

    My Runner's curb weight is 4675# (2012 SR5 4x4, stock, factory tow package). Dry weight of the trailer is 2900#, max cargo is 600# so all together I'm going to be anywhere from 8000# to 8200# depending. Well within the 5000# and 11300# limits.

    So many decisions....just looking for some real world input from other owners. What do you tow?
     
    Smalllake and Blue-Road-Bill like this.
  2. May 18, 2016 at 7:05 AM
    #2
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    you won't have issues in terms of performance or accelerating/maintaining speed in my opinion. ive towed at/over my limit with my 4th gen and the problem was never getting going, always stopping. the trailers youre looking at almost certainly have electric brakes, and if you equip your 4runner with a brake controller you should be fine. I wouldnt worry too much about it since it is far inside the limit
     
  3. Jun 17, 2016 at 9:32 AM
    #3
    Thomcanora

    Thomcanora New Member

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    Electric trailer brake controller; moved location of trailer wiring hookup
    Any WD hitch or extra sway control needed? Thomcanora
     
  4. Jun 18, 2016 at 7:09 AM
    #4
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    it can only help but i wouldnt say its necessary at that trailer and gross weight
     
  5. Jun 18, 2016 at 3:34 PM
    #5
    Thomcanora

    Thomcanora New Member

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    Electric trailer brake controller; moved location of trailer wiring hookup
    Many thanks Ethan a good and helpful site. In August we are travelling appox. 5000 km to BC.
     
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  6. Jun 19, 2016 at 5:59 PM
    #6
    MTgirl

    MTgirl [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    Definitely getting a brake controller, lots of ups and downs in this area!

    I plan on getting one....still shopping around...
     
    alittleoff likes this.
  7. Jul 1, 2016 at 12:37 PM
    #7
    Thomcanora

    Thomcanora New Member

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    Electric trailer brake controller; moved location of trailer wiring hookup
     
  8. Jul 1, 2016 at 12:44 PM
    #8
    Thomcanora

    Thomcanora New Member

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    Electric trailer brake controller; moved location of trailer wiring hookup
    Towing an Rpod 177 maybe 3300 # loaded. Have added E2 WD hitch with 4 point sway control. Can't feel it back there and all rides as one. Zero sway at any time. Gas mileage is terrible. Tow at 55-60 mph. Even worse in mountains.
     
  9. Nov 17, 2016 at 7:26 PM
    #9
    blade4runner

    blade4runner New Member

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    20160907_123641.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Nov 27, 2016
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  10. Nov 17, 2016 at 7:35 PM
    #10
    blade4runner

    blade4runner New Member

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    20170116_141306.jpg 20170116_141306.jpg 20161117_161535.jpg 20161117_161535.jpg 20161127_161539.jpg 20161127_161539.jpg I have five trailers that I switch out for whatever job needs done, pickup truck bed, loging trailer, four wheeler trailer ,camper and boat.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2017
    mrmike7189 and jr15642 like this.
  11. Nov 25, 2016 at 11:05 AM
    #11
    JBTRD

    JBTRD As usual, saying something stupid

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    I am looking for a pickup truck bed trailer you build it or buy it? I wanna go to a salvage yard and buy a old pickup in somewhat good shape and convert the bed to a trailer.

    OP dont worry about weight to much get some weight distribution hitch and sway bar with trailer brakes you will be fine, i move a 8,000 lb trailer around all the time. I would not go that high, i have a tundra to tow it but i can move it from storage to a spot for hunting which is up and down hills.

    IMG_3401.jpg
     
    arnette64 likes this.
  12. Nov 26, 2016 at 11:15 AM
    #12
    El Mamito USMC

    El Mamito USMC New Member

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    ok guys question: when i tow. ill stay in manual all the way to 4th or i can keep it on D ? is a 16X8 heavy duty trailer.. for a rzr and atv
     
  13. Nov 27, 2016 at 1:21 PM
    #13
    blade4runner

    blade4runner New Member

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    You are going to want to stay out of overdrive stresses to the drivetrain will eventually damage the transmission my 12 has an Overdrive override button that you can put the vehicle in Drive and it will not shift into overdrive I'm not sure if yours has that option
     
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2016
  14. Nov 27, 2016 at 1:31 PM
    #14
    blade4runner

    blade4runner New Member

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    I built mine out of a Dodge bed and fiberglass cap, frame was an old camper with heavy duty cast u-shaped axle and Springs stripped to the floor. And ended up weighing 780# and I routinely Haul 2000# in it.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2016
  15. Nov 28, 2016 at 6:23 AM
    #15
    JBTRD

    JBTRD As usual, saying something stupid

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    Nice that is what i plan to do, i am searching the yards to find one i good condition, preferably a yota bed that is not too badly damaged but most of the junk yards have totaled from rear end collisions
     
  16. Jan 16, 2017 at 9:20 PM
    #16
    blade4runner

    blade4runner New Member

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    20170324_115605.jpg
    The wooden trailer abused for over 30 years
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2017
    Palerider likes this.
  17. May 29, 2017 at 2:04 PM
    #17
    blade4runner

    blade4runner New Member

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  18. Apr 15, 2019 at 11:05 AM
    #18
    powerwagon896

    powerwagon896 New Member

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    Best medium duty tow rig I ever had prior to the 2019 T4R.

    [​IMG]

    I hope the T4R can at least come close. The 2016 Highlander was lacking in power compared to the 5.7 Hemi.
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  19. Apr 15, 2019 at 2:22 PM
    #19
    alittleoff

    alittleoff New Member

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    I've just done a couple of up-and-back trips to MT. from So. Cal. dragging a 6x10 enclosed trailer w/e-brakes. 99.8% of that drive is in S4. S5 was only good for long down hills and pretty much useless in the flats. Gas mileage was 11-15 loaded and 13-16 dead heading back. The weight of the loaded trailer was unknown both times, but suffice to say well under the limits. Air-Lift air bags are in my future though. It's not too much of a dog going uphills like Cajon Pass or Baker Grade, I can hold it between 40-50 mph. At Stateline it's back up to 70 mph, S4 in the flats all the way to MT. 80 mph is a bit too much for my tender ass tho.
    I also drag around a home built "trash" trailer w/e-brakes. It rides on a Dexter 3 1/2", 3,500# axle. The wheel bolt pattern matches my built TJ, 5 on 5.5. The bed is a well abused and under loved '85 Toyota. It's literally had tons of rocks and logs loaded on it for Adopt-A-Trail (3N93, Holcomb Cr.) work and in need of a rebuild.
    My next trip will be with my 14' car carrier. Hopefully I will have the air bags on before that trip. I don't tow it with the Jeep on it because it would be close to 7,000#.
     
    BestGen likes this.
  20. Aug 14, 2019 at 12:00 PM
    #20
    Duffy32

    Duffy32 New Member

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    This is an older post, but thought I'd ask anyway. What type of brake controller did you get for your 4-Runner? I have a 2010 Limited, 5k towing capacity as well and am also thinking of getting a travel trailer. Something small, 16 to 19 ft, within my towing capacity. I've been researching, and learning, since I'm new to towing, but am curious what you purchased and what others think on this topic.

    Thanks..
     
  21. Aug 14, 2019 at 12:29 PM
    #21
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    I have this one. Plugs right into the factory wiring. Works great.

    https://www.etrailer.com/multi-prod...868&HHYear=2016&HHMake=Toyota&HHModel=4Runner
     
    oldtimer and Duffy32[QUOTED] like this.
  22. Aug 14, 2019 at 12:39 PM
    #22
    Duffy32

    Duffy32 New Member

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  23. Aug 15, 2019 at 9:06 AM
    #23
    4x Old Guy

    4x Old Guy New Member

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    One thing that is huge in controlling a trailer is how it’s loaded. The tongue weight (how much weight of the trailer is resting on the tow vehicle) needs to be 10% to 15%. If the trailer weighs 5000 lbs, the tongue weight should be 500lbs-750lbs. Too little (thinking you’re being nice to your runner) and the trailer will want to skate all over the place. Too much, and the trailer will shove the back of your runner all over the place. The further from the ideal tongue weight you get, the less effective any sway control becomes.

    If you have the weight balanced properly and the tow vehicle sags in the back (less weight and therefore less traction on the front wheels), get an equalizer hitch. This will shift some of that proper tongue weight to the front wheels.

    https://www.etrailer.com/faq-how-to-determine-trailer-tongue-weight.aspx
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2019
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  24. Aug 15, 2019 at 12:35 PM
    #24
    4x Old Guy

    4x Old Guy New Member

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    Reduced MPG while pulling a travel trailer is more about aerodynamics than weight. Rate of acceleration from a stop or pulling up a hill MPG is affected by weight. However, once the mass is rolling, wind resistance is the demon. Resistance increases by the square of the speed.

    https://www.mpgforspeed.com/

    Here’s an example of how much wind resistance increases with speed. While learning to drive an 18-wheeler, I was going down a long grade at 60mph, I had to repeatedly keep braking in order to maintain 60mph. My buddy who was teaching me (and was familiar with that road) told me to let it go up to 70. As I did, the wind resistance increased. As it hit about 67, it just sat there and I hardly had to touch the brakes the rest of the way down the hill.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2019
  25. Sep 19, 2019 at 12:19 PM
    #25
    new to 4runner

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    I have a 22ft forest River fsx. Dry weight 3100 loaded max 3900.
    Pulls the hills in Minnesota between 65-70 with typical no troubles. Gas mileage around 10 mpg for all my trips.
    I have e2 wd hitch. Would pull cross country with this little engine that can

    When I went shopping I bought on weight.

    B74A9622-1D2A-4419-B8A4-D861F17EE475.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2019
    DRobs, Smalllake, mrmike7189 and 4 others like this.
  26. Sep 19, 2019 at 2:13 PM
    #26
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    nice setup
     
  27. Sep 19, 2019 at 9:23 PM
    #27
    alittleoff

    alittleoff New Member

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    What kind of extended mirrors are you planning?
    And what brand of brake controller are you using?
     
  28. Sep 20, 2019 at 7:13 AM
    #28
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

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  29. Sep 20, 2019 at 1:11 PM
    #29
    PCRIDE4RUNNER

    PCRIDE4RUNNER New Member

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    Is this your set up? You could use a WDH. When the vehicle sags like this, its not just sagging but lifting weight from the front tires. Due to this your front traction is severely impacted. The WDH hitch shifts the weight forward and keeps it from swaying.

    I have 18 4R TRD OR and pull a Wolfpup BHS 16', dry weight 3000 (3200 with the rack on the back) full max capacity 3800. I also use the Equilizer Brand WDH 10K version (w/4 point sway control) . Works wonders. Pulling the trailer with 3 kids in the back and wife in the front and all of our gear was no problem up hills. Keep in mind that going up steep long summits does slow the 4Runner way down, this is really where the 4R hits the limit with around 3400 -3800 lbs. My max speed was 40 MPH and RPM between 4-5K, constantly shifting to maintain speed. Outside of that getting up to speed at 60-65+ is fine.

    Your gas millage will suffer no matter a 4R or a truck. All relative to the weight you're pulling.

    Check out this brake controller. No need to install it below the dash. Hide it anywhere and all you see is a small knob you can mount anywhere
    https://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Redarc/331-EBRH-ACCV2.html

    This is the WDH I got - Works amazing. I would invest in a good one like this one, since the 4R is not a truck, and shorter wheel base and 5K limit tow, you'll want a nice WDH to help you maintain control of the trailer through semi passes, wind gusts, if your trailer tires slip into the shoulder etc.. Its all about sway that will roll you.
    https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Equal-i-zer/EQ37100ET.html
     
    Jeff B likes this.
  30. Sep 20, 2019 at 1:17 PM
    #30
    PCRIDE4RUNNER

    PCRIDE4RUNNER New Member

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