Pulling my travel trailer

First timer here!! I want advice about towing my travel trailer, any tips and tricks y’all have are appreciated!

I have a 2021 keystone bullet crossfire 1700bh and a 2016 4Runner 4x4 trd pro. What kind of trailer brake controller is recommended? Should I be concerned to tow this trailer with my vehicle at all?

TIA!!

 

Some pretty good info in here:
https://www.4runners.com/threads/towing-i-am-ignorant.25856/#post-403882

I looked up your trailer, does it weigh 3,825 lbs dry?

4Runners are rated at 5,000 lbs, which your trailer will definitely approach that when loaded up. I would definitely buy a weight distribution hitch as well as brake controller. I believe when towing, all precautions are necessary. I pull a 43' fifth wheel with our dually and a slide in camper but I don't take any shortcuts when it comes to towing.

 

I can't advise you on equipment, but;

Keep it in S4, don't go over 65 MPH, and be patient while accelerating. Don't be in a hurry. You, and your 4Runner will be much happier this way!

Oh, and welcome to the forum!!!

 

I tow with something similar in weight based on what @coryanderson said about yours. I installed a Redarc Towpro Elite and use a weight distributing hitch. I pack light and distribute the weight properly in the trailer. I take it easy and drive in S4. I have a Class A CDL and have towed a lot of different configurations and it taught me to just be safe and not rush.

But all that said, with the setup I run it is pushing the trucks capabilities. I wouldn’t recommend it to towing newbs (not saying you are, just mentioning in case any newbs read this one day lol).

 

Thanks for all the tips guys! I have a sway bar, is that the same thing as a weight distribution hitch or different? I’ve towed it with my exs truck a couple times but never with my 4Runner. That’s why I need the Rec for the trailer brake controller to make sure I get a good one for my setup. I’m definitely not a seasoned tower so I am a little nervous. I’ve heard mixed things about it being fine to tow with my car and not. I believe the dry weight is just under 3300lbs but I’m going to triple check when I go the the storage where it’s located. I don’t have too much to pack either so I shouldn’t be adding much weight to it.

 

Tow slow.
Weight distribution hitch for sure.
Happy with my controller

 

Don't be nervous. 3300# will be fine. Just take your time. Also, increase your following distance. If you're towing a long distance, it might be ideal to take 2 lane highways rather than the freeway when possible.

I'm sure there were recommendations for a brake controller in another thread.

 

@Gypsysoul , here's a thread with a recommendation for a trailer brake controller:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/2019-sr5-trailer-brake-controller.27027/#post-372404

 

Thank you!!

 

Sway bar and weight distribution hitch are different.

https://www.etrailer.com/p-RE44FR.html?hhyear=2018&hhmake=Toyota&hhmodel=4Runner

 

A lot of trailer tires are only rated for 65mph anyway...

 

My goodyear endurance is rated at 87 I believe. More and more TT tires are getting higher ratings

 

Please, for the love of God, don't ever tow that fast!

Also, keep in mind that Toyota recommends a top towing speed of 65. And, some states have reduced speed limits for towing.

 

Would never tow that fast.
Do hit 70 sometimes and was uncomfortable with my old tires rated at 65 psi

 

I didn't think you would, but couldn't help myself.

I have personally pushed it a little faster when I was towing a smaller fishing boat. But, I get nervous when I see these maniacs towing travel trailers at 75-80 MPH. One thing goes wrong and you're upside down!

 

Ha! when I was Towing my Fishing boat back from Carson City near Lake Tahoe in Nevada to Utah on I80 speed limit there was 75 and I was doing 65 to 70 and getting passed by people pulling Giant long Horse Trailers that Made me feel like I was going backwards. it was the Same going there without the boat but I was doing 70 to 75.

 

People are nuts! It seems like a lot of people figure that, as long as they have enough power to pull it that fast, it's totally fine. I try to stay clear of those types.

 

I wish I could steer clear of them but I drive to work and back on a highway that is under construction for 12 miles of it with 55Mph limit and these Utah nuts never go less than 70 plus thru there! with trailers and not only that the Semi trucks are doing the same! and I am by no means a timid driver but hell I know the limits and when to and when not too, I have driven on Watkins Glen speedway several times up in NY at 160Mph plus in a 84 Ferrari 328 GT that had been set up for the track now that was fun because I was a "Yellow Tag" driver 160Mph was the limit that they let me go and I had to have a "Green Tag" driver ride with me to keep me from being stupid?

Then I drove on the Salt Flats with my Mercedes Benz Super Charged SLK doing 154Mph.

 

I think you might mean 1986 328..
Unless I'm wrong, they were only produced from 1986-89.

The one pictured could be a 86-88.5.
In 89 they had ABS and the wheels changed.

 

Fat fingers on key board it is a 1985 328 GTS that the original engine had been blown so a 86 engine had been installed.

 

I looked it up and I was wrong about the first 328’s being 1986’s

There were 53 made in 1985.
Pretty rare car, and with the value finally creeping up on them, that might be a good one to hold onto.

 

Ahh too late for that Sold it long time ago and most collectors would kinda run from that one because it had been Raced Hard before it was purchased and the original engine removed, replaced with one from a 86 then Raced again,
The Suspension had been modified for the track so the car sat too low for the street drove it on the street anyways just had to be extra careful watching out for pot holes and pulling into driveways but it was fun as heck.

 

I fixed this for you!


I watched this car blow out a bunch of white smoke on Laguna Seca the day before this pic was taken. I'm not sure how they got it cleaned up so well after a day at the track, but here it is...
When I asked the owner what he thought it would take to get it back in running condition, he smiled and calmly said "money".



Sorry for the thread hi-jack...

and now, back to your regularly scheduled program.