Towing a 3,275lb camper?

Hello all, after looking thru the forums before buying my 4runner the threads were very positive about towing a camper with this car. Looking at some of the threads in the epro forum the consensus is that the 4runner cannot do the job. This camper is 3275lbs? I don't understand what they are saying. Can anyone out there is 4runner land help me out to understand their thinking. I can't buy another car.

 

The 4Runner can Tow 5000# However I would not tow that much. To understand what weight to tow add the fully loaded camper weight together with the weight of everything going inside the 4Runner Yes people too and stay at 20% less than total towing ability (4000#). So if the Camper is 3275lbs you have 725lbs left to work with.

 

I too am seeking information on the topic. While rated at 5,000 lbs towing capacity, I think it is way too generous. I have a similar trailer, a GEO Pro 19FD and at probably 3,600-3,800 fully loaded it struggles at 65 mph and inclines are painful. Gas milegae drops to 10-11 mpg. will probably have to find something else like a Tundra, F150, or a larger more powerful SUV.

 

Weight is critical with a heavy SUV like the 4Runner what I have done when not sure of the Actual weight is to go where there is a Truck scale and weight in camper and SUV get the total weight of everything together then Subtract the Known weight of the SUV empty from the total and with that I have a pretty good idea of just what I'm dealing with. Now the Items that get over looked but Do add weight to the load are the Driver and the 3 Passengers combined total weight, The Dog, That Cooler full Ice and Beer everything else in the back along with the Extra Chairs tossed in and the stuff on the roof rack too so Now that 3800lbs has gone up to about 4400Lbs and that is being nice at figuring each person weights 112.5lbs with a combined weight of 450lbs So it is very easy to exceed the "Towable" weight and bog down.
That is why when I go camping with a camper I run with the Water tank empty, Use an Electric cooler / Freezer and have a pretty darn good idea of total weight with a full tank of Gas Since I have Towed a lot with a Tacoma.

 

The 4runner will tow this just fine. But, you'll need to be a little patient.

Obviously, it will take a minute to get up to speed. Take your time, and don't go full throttle at every stop and the 4runner will be happier. So will you.

Aerodynamic drag will be a big factor at higher speeds. Keep the speed around 65 MPH or lower and it will be safer and easier on the 4runner.

Also, tow in S4. In overdrive, the transmission will be constantly downshifting. Use S4 and bump it into S5 when going downhill. Sometimes you might be able to use 5th gear (S5) in flat areas as well, but be ready to drop back to S4 when you hit an incline or headwind.

 

@Maisie what kind of camper do you have? Maybe someone here has a similar setup and can give you some better feedback.

Here's a thread where someone had towed a similar travel trailer with their 4Runner:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/towed-our-travel-trailer-to-big-bend-national-park.17105/

 

Agree. OP, don't fear the shifter!

A re-gear would definitely help, too. Serious coin though.

 

Just going to throw this in there to stir the pot a little

 

Any time I've towed a heavy trailer, or at least one that approached the maximum tow rating for the towing vehicle, the biggest factor involved wasn't with the engine pulling it, but rather it was bringing everything to a stop within a reasonably safe distance. Keeping your speeds down near the speed limit is a big plus. Also try to keep plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.

The 4R has a fairly short wheelbase combined with a high center of gravity as-is from the factory. If you add a lift, the center of gravity gets even higher. I would probably err on the side of caution and not tow near the maximum, but even if you have a moderate lift I would think towing 3300 lbs should be fine.

 

Did you have your brakes set correctly? Trailer brakes and a modern controller will make most stops feel relatively normal. There should be no excessive input on your part and the strain on your vehicle brakes should be minimal.

 

Rated at 5000lb, it will be absolutely fine.
Do you really think Toyota would go, yea, it works for 3500lb, just put 5000lb, they will never know ?
Take your time, be patient, watch your temperatures, leave plenty of space as braking distance will be a lot longer.
Most important I think - watch your tongue weight !
The Runner is more than capable of pulling it, if you do it often, i'd get an aftermarket trailer brake controller.

 

Camper weight is dynamic. The dry weight is always hundreds of pounds or more than what your empty camper with unfilled tanks will weigh. You wont need another car as long as your brakes, hitch and load are dialed in. Your motor will rev up there with any kind of elevation or headwind. It will get the job done. With that said your towing experience wont be as nice as it would be with a v8. I would be comfortable with a camper with that weight.

That's gas motors for you. You wont get much better than that. turbo 4cyl are getting very similar towing numbers to v8s. The 6 will get the same as the v8. Location, wind, speed, elevation, driving style all have a big say in the MPG.

The manual clearly states that a brake controller is required for pulling any kind of trailer over I think 1-2000 pounds, depending on the year. Braking distance does not change because the trailer brakes stop the trailer and the 4runner brakes stop the 4runner.

 

I'm struggling trying to convince myself a trailer 3160lb is ok for me to tow even though I know its rated for 5000. Its the mountain climbing that concerns me.

 

If you're ok with taking it slow and getting shitty gas mileage, you'll be ok.

65 MPH tops, leave it in S4, and enjoy the scenery. You'll get there eventually.

 

I can't imagine towing anything substantial in my 4Runner. It feels like it struggles enough just moving itself in the mountains, never mind dragging three or four thousand pounds behind it.

People do though, I know somebody that tows a 3, 800ish pound travel trailer behind theirs and they claim that it does it great. I guess you just have to except the fact that your motor is going to be running at 4000 RPM most of the time.

 

It won't be that bad. In S4 at 60, it's a little over 2K RPM's. It'll probably drop into 3rd going uphill, though.

I wouldn't pick the 4Runner specifically for towing, but it can do it. It tows better than me '15 Taco did.

 

Ahhhh.... the beauty of retirement.

Been there done that. Hammered in D (drive) trying to do the customary 70-75 mph, on interstate of course. Got my 4000-4200 rpm's, cruise control and tranny in constant conflict, me wonderin' WTF. - towing a pop up camper trailer @ 3700 lbs. Rig is set up with air bags, re-gear all the goods to make this a joy,right? Not a chance until I learned how to drive this rig - in S5 or S4 and at 60-65 mph she purrs right along @ 2200-2400 rpm. No more hunting for the right gear, and kind of a bummer - no cruise control. Just did a 1200 mile trip and came away a lot less aggravated than my inaugural run. " Taking it slow, 65 mph tops, leave it S4 and enjoy the scenery" lotsa of truth in those words, " shitty gas mileage", nuf said, towing or not I drive a 4Runner.

 

I once towed two ATV's on a 500 mile round trip. I'm never towing with the 4R again! RPM's @ 3000 and hardly ever hit 5th gear, even doing 80 mph. I am glad I still have my pick-up. I cannot fathom towing a 3275 lb. trailer with a 4R.

 

NFnW !!

 

Just because one can, it doesn't mean one should, or that it is in any way legal or safe.

 

It would have been much more pleasant at 60 mph. The manual recommends 65 max for towing. At 80, you're fighting the wind as much as the weight.

And, you're supposed to tow in S4.

 

And please don't forget about buying or building extended mirrors.
If you can't see directly behind you, you're a hazard to everyone around you.
Johnny Law, whom will eventually be following you, will have some important things to tell you.
Be mindful of others.
Be safe.

 

This topic is of great interest to me. I have an older 4Runner, a '99. I pull an old Aristocrat that has a dry weight of 1800. Add 300-500 of stuff for a 2100-2300 total weight, which I have done. This I'm comfortable with. That said, I recently purchased a trailer that weighs close to tow capacity, 4490. I t would be towed dry. The plan is to haul one way, a 1,400mile trip from southern AZ up to Bandon, Oregon. I had resigned myself to renting a truck. The trailer comes with all the equipment to tow and I have a modern trailer brake system. I have to say it's pretty intimidating. The previous owner said he towed it with a Tacoma but then he was also trying to sell it lol. I'm all about safety and have always been a cautious 55-60 mph guy unlike some that tow their rigs at 70+ mph. I'm thinking it's doable if I can find the right route and take it easy. The biggest issue is grade. Thoughts?

 

If it's not going to be a regular thing, I would do it. As you said, 55-60 MPH. Take backroads wherever possible. Grades will be tough. You might find yourself in 3rd gear a lot. I might even preemptively bump it into 3rd on big climbs.

Also, if you have any cargo, you might be better off putting it in the trailer rather than the cargo area in order to reduce the weight on the rear axle as much as possible.

 

Thank you, great advise on extra cargo, I was wondering about that.

 

My 2018 Tacoma SR5 V6 had a towing capacity of 6600 lbs. This trailer would be 68% of that limit as opposed to 90% on the 4Runner.

 

Danno, I read that your trailer included the right towing eq. Does that include a W/D, sway control and extended (clamp on) mirrors?
Ya gotta be able to see very well, not just adequately, behind you.

And respectively to Bassguy, I would try and stay on multi-lane, major highways. That way other drivers can and will pass you more safely than the other driver trying to beat oncoming traffic on a 2 lane road.

I have quite a few years towing a 19' TT with my old '93 Tacoma and '98 4R. The TT had duel sway control bars on the W/D hitch.
And I made my own extended mirrors. That way I could see "The Man" or any other vehicle coming up behind me and wouldn't need to give me a second look.

Be smart, tow safe and gas mileage be damned.

 

Thanks for the info. Yes, it came with 2 sway bars and a load shifting sway bar. I already have extension mirrors for towing my other trailer. I went to a flattest route website that has me going mostly freeway through California that I definitely do not like as a suggestion. An alternate route I have taken before seems much nicer, north through Nevada. The caveat is probably some 2 lane roads but it's not like I haven't delt with those before, towing my other trailer.

 

I agree with this, except that it can be stressful near big cities where people are going 20 over and weaving through traffic. Also, there won't be as many people passing if you're going 60 in a 55 VS going 60 in a 70. It probably depends on the area, though.

I just know that I wouldn't want to tow heavy through Chicago again.

 

True, but having towed with 4Runners and Tacos, I'd rather tow with the 4Runner. The 4Runner has more low end torque than the Taco, which is a plus.