Towing this Weekend

Getting ready to move my daughter out of her final college apartment and into her first permanent dwelling lol. I will be pulling a U Haul 6X12 trailer around 600 miles this weekend. I have towed with the 4Runner many times in the past. It does an admirable job as long as you keep it below 5K lbs.

 

So back from my trip. Just to note for future reference:
2012 stock TE with stock size tires going average interstate speeds
Pulling 4,600 lbs will drop you down to around 12 mpg average (dual axle trailer)
Pulling 2,000 lbs drops you down to around 15 mpg (single axle trailer)
My average with no trailer is 19.5 mpg overall.
Hope this helps any of those who will be towing.

 

I was wondering how much a trailer would sink the MPG.

What speeds were you doing to average 19.5?

 

My wife and I are shopping for a 4Runner and need some information on towing a travel trailer. We are looking for something small that will be around the 17 to 20 foot range but we are more "shopping by the pound" for something that once we load up for a trip will be UNDER 5,ooo lbs.

In 4Runner sales brochures it states the towing capacity to be 4,700 lbs. where as the FJ Cruiser literature states FJ towing capacity to 5,000 lbs. I am a little confused because the FJ it a lighter vehicle with a shorter wheel base so how can the towing capacity be higher?

I would also like to get some input from people who have towed travel trailers with the 4Runner.

Thank you, best regards.

 

I do 75% interstate, 24% around town and 1% off road, which is probably more off road than most lol. My interstate speeds are typical of 70-75 mph.

 

what year(s) 4runner and FJ are you looking at?

 

Hooked up my 5x8 enclosed trailer and drove 25 miles to town. Went to the tire shop and ask them if they could look at my trailer bearings to make sure there was grease in them. Getting ready to make a 2500 mile one way (NM to Pa) trip next week. The trailer is new with about 1000 miles on it, but, it has been sitting in a lot of rain and high heat for the last 6 months. All was fine and they didn’t charge me anything. Small town. I have a question about the gear selection when towing. I have read on this site to put it in S4 and drive it when pulling a trailer. If I’m on a long straight flat road, do you leave it in S4 or D. I have a 2022 4Runner.

 

I have been on here a while and yes most say tow in S4 to prevent the trans from hunting around and keep your speed I think 60-65 max. Hopefully you have 500 mile break in on your 2022 4R (I am sure you will soon). I am sure some of the guys out west can comment about the hills you will have to go through before hitting the plains and Midwest. Let us know how your adventure goes. Any idea what your weight is going to come in at?

 

Mac1usa, trailer is a single axle 5x8 enclosed and weighs about 900 lbs. I will be hauling my male golden eagle and a female red tailed Hawk. There will be a few other things in there, but, probably less than 200 lbs. So, trailer should weigh a total of less than 1300 lbs. My 2022 4runner has 5500 miles on it and tomorrow gets its first dealer service, which I think is just a tire rotation. We will be taking I-10 from Deming, NM to Houston (1200 miles) for the first leg of our journey. I’ll post on our journey along the way.

 

I’m hitched up. Not sure how much the boat weighs but I can pick the tongue up fairly easily.

 

I did not realize initially you were our friend with the hawks. Your load sounds light compared to most. I would think wind hitting the trailer might be an issue (cross winds) but if you just back off the gas should be fine.

It sounds like a fun trip actually. I am sure there is some cold Yuengling beer with your name on it in PA.

 

Mac1usa, I have hauled these birds all over the US to hunt with them, but, for the last 300,000 miles, it was with my Honda CRV. This will be our first trip with the 4 runner. We will be gone for a month and a half staying at our cottage in Pennsylvania. Excited to see how the 4Runner handles the trip. We usually take 5 days to get to Pa stopping at places of interest along the way. Each year we try to take a different route. Pics of our cottage on the fishing creek in Pa

 

Yeah I remember now seeing your pics in other posts looks like a beautiful place. You have a unique and cool hobby.

It sounds like your CRV treated you well.

My colleague from work today told me he turned 293k on his 2007 4R.

I am sitting at 860 after one year of ownership and we joked this truck will out live me at this pace.

Have a safe trip and let us know how she tows and your experience. I’d love to make a drive like that one time across the country. It’s my plan when I retire.

 

Hey everyone, I'm about to tow a 5x8 Uhaul about 1200 miles. I currently have Toyo ATIII E-load 265/75R17 (stock sized) tires. Can anyone tell me or point me to where I could find an appropriate PSI for towing? They are currently at 40 PSI; that is what Discount Tire inflated them to after installation.

I tried google but I'm seeing PSI number recommendations all over the place. Thanks in advance

 

Did you look on the inside of the driver's door jamb? That's where the Toyota's recommended pressures are listed.

Without any cargo in the back of the truck, i run mine, identical to your tires, at 34 rear, 32 front, and it seems to do well for me. I have tread touching all the way across, but no sag to the tire.

That's just MY personal opinion, for whatever that's worth...
Pat☺

 

I just towed my 5x8 trailer to Pennsylvania and back with my 4Runner. Tire pressure was set at 35psi and it towed very well. When the outside temperature was 30 degrees, the low pressure tire light would come on, but, as soon as the tires would heat up, it would go out.

 

pictures of the hawks please

 

MJR

 

MJR first pic is my golden eagle on a Jack rabbit. 2nd pic is my Harris Hawk on a Jack rabbit. 3rd pic is Harris Hawk chasing a Jack rabbit. Last pic is my golden eagle.

 

That Sir is impressive.