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tholtman · 09-16-2015, 08:26 AM

I found some older threads discussing this question but couldn't find a recent/relevant one. So, wanted to get some up-to-date feedback....

Have a friend wanting to buy a light weight travel trailer to tow behind his Toyota Forerunner TRD Pro. The vehicle is rated up to 4900 lbs towing capacity but other feedback suggests this is way too much for comfort.

So, looking for advice on what trailers folks like under the 4000 lbs limit.

Forest River rPod is one of the units he's considering.

boiler1959 · 09-16-2015, 08:42 AM

Couple things to consider, a hybrid (Kodiak 172E is what I have) that comes in around 3,300-3,500 or upgrading the TV.

My Ridgeline was rated for 5,000. I quickly saw that it did not like pulling my ultralight hybrid and upgraded to a F-150 5.0 V-8. I can fully load the trailer and the truck with no problems.

The Forerunner might be able to pull the trailer, but a loaded trailer and TV
might be a struggle.

chaps2018 · 09-16-2015, 09:54 AM

I think the form factor (wind resistance) has a lot to do with the towing experience. Our 05 Honda Pilot manual states 3500lb camper or 4500lb boat max towable.

I can tell you a 3500lb hybrid camper was not a safe experience (no tongue capacity for a 150lb wdh)

Boat and 3000 lb pop up were fine

TDI-Minnie · 09-16-2015, 04:49 PM

Keep in mind that TRD, Z71, FX4 or any other "offroad" package hurts towing. Tall, soft suspension is your enemy. Especially with big offroad tires.
These trucks usually have lower towing capacity than a base version.

ampmtnbkr2 · 09-16-2015, 09:47 PM

I don't have a 4Runner, but I do have an SUV that is rated for 4500#. I have a 2015 Cherokee Trailhawk and tow a 2015 Winnebago Minnie 2101FBS. It has a dry weight of 3840#, a tongue weight of 460#, 22' long, and it tows like a dream behind my rig. Since you are looking for your friend, hopefully you will also make sure that he gets a weight distribution hitch and some type of sway control (my sway bars have sway control built/designed in). I always thought/knew they were a good decision and would NEVER get a travel trailer without one, BUT, I now know someone who nearly lost her life (and did lose her Dodge Dakota and travel trailer) a few weeks ago in an accident that was caused by her trailer swaying then throwing her rig and itself into the path of an incoming tractor trailer.....She is a very lucky woman (cop at the scene expected to find a dead driver at the scene).

....anyway, back to the actual trailer. I have had the trailer since the beginning of June and have gone out nearly every weekend since! No issues (major) with it yet and I highly recommend it!!!

Bigbird65 · 09-17-2015, 03:13 PM

We have a trailer almost identical to Stan's in the post above. A good weight distribution hitch and sway control is a must. So far we have pulled ours 4157 trouble free miles.

N2THEWOODS · 09-30-2015, 11:00 PM

We are towing a Lance 1575 with our 2005 Toyota 4Runner. Been on 5 different camping trips from dry camping in the desert near Gabbs, NV to winding our way up mountain roads to camp near 7000 foot elevation. No issues pulling the trailer-gas mileage only dropped down to 16.2 mpg from a high of 21.

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Fast0ne · 10-03-2015, 09:37 PM

Here is our 2013 Holiday Rambler 187QB.

Dry weight 2900 and fully loaded and ready for a month long trip it was just over 3400 pounds.

If you can still find one around we have been very happy with it.

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LittleHouse · 10-15-2015, 10:30 PM

Our trailer the Apex 18bh, is 2900lbs dry. But we got an f150, 5.0 V8 to pull with. We bring our kayaks, bikes, chairs, ice maker, bbq, bottled water, food (often more than we need), firelogs, other beverages, and then our suitcases. I'm sure it all adds up. But hey, you gotta have fun!!

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LittleHouse · 10-15-2015, 10:34 PM

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heres a pic.

Lake of Two Rivers, Algonqin Provincial Park, Ont
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rhroncich · 10-17-2015, 10:53 PM

We just got a Coachman 17bh Clipper model, and it can be pulled by our Jeep Grand Cherokee. We just took delivery, but with a brake thing installed by the dealer into our jeep, it seems pretty stable and good.

utahrd · 10-19-2015, 06:02 PM

We pulled our Shadow Cruiser 185FBR to Glacier, Yosemite, Death Valley, Sequoia and all of the national parks in Utah with my Hyundai Santa Fe. The 185FBR came in around 3100 lbs dry. I know you will get a lot of nay-sayers on this forum about pulling with a V6 SUV, but we did it. Some things to keep in mind:
- Have a transmission cooler installed (don't count on the one "inside" the radiator)
- Use a weight distributing hitch
- Forget about the automatic transmission and manually shift gears. That way you can keep better control on the RPMs
- You will not be going fast, and you will be tucking in behind semis on big hills.

ampmtnbkr2 · 10-20-2015, 01:16 AM

Won't be going fast and tucking behind semi's????? Ugh! Must be that Hyundai! My Jeep Cherokee can easily maintain legal limits with my 4000#+ loaded trailer! I choose not to with 70+ speed limits for fuel conservation, and would never tuck in behind a gravel/sand tossing semi truck! Can't get away from them fast enough!