4Runner is pretty awful for towing...

Shortly after buying my 2020 TRD Off Road 4Runner, I drove a bit over 200 miles (in fairly flat lands) hauling my wife's Ford Escape (over 3,500 pounds) on a U-Haul car trailer (over 2,200 pounds). Total weight I was hauling was over 5,700 pounds, and it wasn't difficult at all. I suspect it would be difficult hauling that much weight through steep passes in the Rocky Mountains though.

 

Tell me like I’m an idiot… why are these not linear up and linear down? Or is gearing also factored into this? (If it is, I’m not understanding how)

 

I bet that’s a lot more aerodynamic than a box trailer?

 

Might be, but I was hauling over 5,700 pounds. I seriously doubt that the U-Haul box trailer combined weight was anywhere near that. The rear end did sit slightly lower than the front, but steering was still very responsive.

I did use an adjustable height hitch, which is vital. I didn't have a weight distributing hitch, but if I owned a travel trailer, I would want one. I have considered adding SumoSprings.

 

Lots of good info in this thread so I'll just continue on in it instead of starting a new one.

I'll be doing a 2400 mile round-trip drive to Utah next month and towing my old military trailer (M101 CDN2), it'll be my first long trip with it. With the modifications I've made to it along with the cargo in it, it'll weigh about 850lbs. So compared to some of the other trailers in this thread, it's a pup.

I'm running 265/70R17 C load tires, keep the pressures close to recommended or air them up a little?
Factoring in the 4R's load and towing capacity, my goal is to carry most of the gear in the trailer centered over it's axle, aside from my fridge, dog & family (lol)
Leaving the transmission in S4 for most of the driving seems to be the consensus for towing as well as keeping the speed down.

 

I have adjusted air pressure for towing in the past, but I don't think it's necessary for such a light trailer. If I did, it would be minimal.

With the trailer being so light, I'd load heavier items ahead of the axle to keep the tongue from being too light.

S4 is good if you're towing something heavier, but I wouldn't hesitate to keep it in S5 on flat stretches and going downhill. I started doing this when towing my pop-up (~1500#), and get noticeably better mileage. When I have a lot of hills, or a good headwind, I usually leave it in S4. I know I've always said to leave it in S4, but I think S5 is fine for smaller and lighter trailers.

You're right about the speed thing. Toyota recommends 65 MPH max while towing, and I think it's a good rule to stick to.

 

It does matter what they drink.
My antique 20yr old Cummins specs:
600 lb-ft of torque at 1600 rpm
440 lb-ft at 1000 rpm; at least 555 lb-ft from 1400 to 2900 rpm
325 horsepower at 2900 rpm
Single back wheel short bed…not manly but it makes towing mid size trailers boring.
Dodge Cummins…”The best hotdog you’ve ever had in a moldy bun.”

 

The post you're quoting was a response to people suggesting that a diesel was necessary for basically any kind of towing, which is absolutely untrue.

Also, the original premise of this thread was ridiculous because the OP was upset that he couldn't tow at 80 MPH, which is reckless.

But, yeah, if I wanted to tow large, heavy trailers on a regular basis, I'd absolutely prefer a Cummins. Or, I might settle for one of the lesser diesels if the overall vehicle was nicer.

 

Understood, the Ram eco diesel is to be avoided….in a big way..Even with plenty of power I never go over 70mph, usually 65.

 

Too bad about the eco-diesel. I thought that was a really nice concept.

 

The tongue weight was pretty light until I mounted the spare tire towards the front of the trailer. That seems to have increased it a fair amount though I should really measure it.

 

Me too….Fiat engine originally designed for cars, 100k mile bottom end life, crankshaft flexes under higher loads and eventually wipes out the bearings. The fix was to turn down the power….great MPG though.

 

Did a shake down drive of a couple hundred km's the other day. Threw one of my winter wheels into the trailer along with a couple other things to simulate what I'll be traveling with next month. Truck drove nicely, I can feel the trailer is there but it still handles well, mileage wasn't too bad either.

Had to remind my wife to brake a little earlier then she usually does, there's an extra 850lbs behind the truck that also needs to slow down lol

 

4.88 will help

 

And doing 80 MPH while towing is criminal.

 

“Lesser vehicles” lol

clearly 4r was the least out there?

 

Saw a nice looking white Pro pulling an Airstream Bambi today, headed South on the 101 just North of Santa Rosa. It was a tad windy, TRD T4R and Airstream in tow looked great!
Edit: grammar

 

My fishing buddy’s Limited and boat. Twice a year we load up four friends and supplies for a week and head down hwy 65 from Missouri into Arkansas. The TR4 tows like a champ 65 to 70 mph. It excels on the boat ramp or gravel put in. Just my $0.02.

 

'Nuff said.

 

Tundra is a good choice for towing. I did add air bags to mine for the embarrassing sag. I limit the towing with my 4Runner to a 4x6 utility trailer, and 12' boat. I use the Tundra for all other towing.

 

Not really for towing more than a pop up camper or mower really.