Community Forums

johnmarkva · 08-10-2011, 12:13 PM

I have a 2006 V6 4Runner and now have a 2007 Coachman 19' TT. It came with a serious hitch and sway bars.

The TT base weight is 3708. The hitch weight is 690. The 4Runner has a towing max of 5000 lbs. I thought I had done my homework and was okay with this TT/TV setup. Here is what has happened so far.

When I purchased the TT we got the hitch set up and suv and trailer were level. Installed brake controller and with the water and other tanks fairly dry head off down the road.

All goes well and the 4Runner seems to do okay. It is obviously working harder, but no issues with handling and braking. We live in a flat area, but on a couple of moderate uphill ramps the rpm of the engine gets up to 2500. Drive about an hour to my brothers at times going 55-60 and all seems fine.

My wife was along so we can add her 120lbs and also our yellow lab. Propane tanks pretty full. I'm estimating when we actually take it for normal use we will be adding 300-500 lbs if we keep it dry and not fill up the tanks.

What are the thoughts of this esteemed group of forum RV folks on this rig?

I'm not in any hurry, but I also want to take it to the mountains of VA and don't want to burn up the engine/transmission of the 4Runner. Opinions?

Thanks!

John

toadswife · 08-10-2011, 02:32 PM

We had an 03 Tacoma v6 4x4 same towing capacity. Bought a Rockwood 2502s, 4280 with lp and some fluids. Taco did ok, but had trouble on hills. We ended up trading up to a Tundra as a result. It really depends on your comfort level and that of your Toyo.

Cat320 · 08-10-2011, 04:43 PM

When trying to figure weights, tow capacity, etc, I never use the base weight because I'm never going to tow it totally empty. I use the gross weight.

TXiceman · 08-10-2011, 05:49 PM

Quiet honestly, you are at the maximum I would try to pull with your "truck". There is more to towing than the weight and power. You have to have enough truck to handle the trailer. Your 4Runner is a short wheelbase and a high center of gravity vehicle, neither or which are good for towing.

Once loaded you need to check your weights at a scale and also conform the hitch set up.

Ken

johnmarkva · 08-11-2011, 07:32 AM

In going thru the docs i got with the trailer I found this scale info. It looks to me that it is saying the TT weighed 4080 lb w/ 206 lb of water. Am I reading this right?

https://www.me.com/gallery/#100624/weight

I plan on getting weighed with my 4Runner this weekend, but just curious if I'm reading this right.

Thanks,

John

frankdamp · 08-11-2011, 10:37 AM

As long as you're careful with your driving, you should be OK. In Europe, that vehicle is rated to tow 6600 pounds! Recently, a UK trailer magazine rated the VW Passat as the best tow car for trailers up to 3800 pounds and reckoned a Ford Focus was best for a 3100-pounder. For a 4000-pound trailer, the current equivalent of a Ford Contour was rated best.