I have an 07 Trail Cruiser 26 ft camper that I pull with my 97 3.4 auto. It weighs in at 4100#. I have cross drilled rotors, tranny cooler, Equalizer hitch and electric brake controller. No problems other than slow up the mountains. I weigh in close to the full 5000# when fully packed and ready to leave. I also have the LC coils in the rear of my 4Runner.

I also run relatively dry as far as liquids are concerned.

 

I used a shipping company to haul my Mustang from San Francisco to South Carolina for $750. By the time you rent the trailer, pay for gas, add in the wear and tear on your vehicle, it may not be worth it. They drop off the vehicle on a flatbed at your house...no problems.

 

Except that we're moving to California anyway and have to take both the 4Runner and the Yaris. The trailer will only cost $350 and I don't think it will add too much more in fuel costs.

 

I took the advice and went with the upgrade options listed above.

I bought a:
Tranny cooler New (Tru-Cool Max 4921 w/thermal bypass) eBay 32.00 shipped
Air coil/bag suspension New (Air-Lift 1000) 75.00 shipped
Front Calipers/Rotors off a 2000 Tundra Used (S13WE 199mm) $130.00 shipped
Weight Distribution Hitch w/sway bar New (Curt 17002) $200.00 shipped
Brake controller (Dexter axle) 60.00 shipped
7 Pin trailer harness w/wire circuit breaker fuse 30.00 shipped

Total Cost: $527.00
I did all the labor myself to save a few bucks.

Thanks for all your help! I'm going to test drive the trailer this weekend and see how it goes.

Aaron

 

I know it is wear and tear on your GF or wife, but have her drive the Yaris. My bet is that it will cost less for her to drive it across the country and save your truck some hard miles...

 

You really think it will be that bad? Don't they give a vehicle a set towing capacity for a reason? Why would it be listed at 5000 lbs if it wasn't a good idea to do so? It will be a pretty easy going tow, since it will be all flat and I plan on going slow. I might go rent a trailer and load the car up and tow it around here on the highway and see what it's like.

 

just do it...............

 

I would only tow that in an emergency. if you hit some wind, the tail is just going to wag the dog.

 

you guys would have laughed to see the boat i pulled behind mine. i could not see any of my mirrors, i cant remember the size of boat except it was bigger then the runner. it was also fully loaded with stuff from my buddies apartment. I pulled it all the way from Minneapolis to Idaho doing 75 with no supercharger at the time. it did drop to about 60 in the mountain passes. I had to fill up every 145 miles or i would run out of gas. I only did it because my buddy totaled his duramax and almost died and had no way to get the boat home and I was there. I love what you do for me.... Toyota!!

 

Doing what your talking about even with all the mods is a terrible idea. For one the auto tranny is going to hate you. No matter what towing accesories you put on or come from the factory in a "tow package" whatever that BS is, the 4runner is never going to be a towing vehicle. Even my parents 4th gen v8 sport edition doesn't like towing a small light motorcycle trailer with one 300 pound bike on it. Either fide a much much lighter trailer or get a diesel. Even full size v8 trucks I wouldn't tow with. Its diesel or nothing for me.

 

i tow a 6x12 enclosed trailer total weight bout 3000lbs and it is killing me on gas .. i dont know what you like to do in spare time but you will spend alot of time a the pump getting gas.. we both need tundras trust me you would save money buy getting a v8 toyota then useing the runner... i thought about getting a supercharger but these people are right dont do that to your 4runner.. i hope the best for you

 

I test drove the trailer today. It accelerates and stops and steers with no problems. We had some 25mph gusts today and it handled much better than I anticipated. I wouldn't want to take it above 65mph though. I didn't have the problem of the tail waggin the dog as some have mentioned.
I think I may purchase it tomorrow. My job is driving a tow truck and I have to say it's safer than some of the tows I do. If anything goes wrong I'll be sure to keep everyone updated.

 

You forgot to mention that small piece of info before...

Skill in towing something will play GREATLY into how well the 4runner will tow it.

When i was towing mine it was the first time with something that big and the way up when it was packed right if i had more experiance it would have not been near as bad as it was. Coming back with it misloaded was still the most scared i have ever been in a car. that tail wagging thing is 100% real, always make sure it is loaded right!

Since you have experiance with this and with what you have done you can do it. I still say you should get an old truck to tow it with but the 4runner will work. Just be carefull, do it to much or are to hard on it and even a toyota can have a problem.

 

Wow, some serious info--I'm relocating to Denver this June and was considering hauling my belongings in a 6x12 enclosed trailer, i believe empty weight is 1800lbs. I have a 2bd 1100sqft. Townhome with garage(tools etc.) the other bd is not going just 2 couches, bed, clothes and 2flat panel tv's are going..all my kitchen stuff and excess is going to my parents for storage. I was planning on Tundra brake upgrades, full maintenance(like I always do) and a Tranny cooler but it sounds like you guys freaked me out!! My other option is Tow with UHAUL or Budget and even that is like 1700bones. Ideas??

 

Let me save you same major headache......Don't do the trailer route! Been there, done that with a 6 X 12 fully loaded trailer and it was a horrible experience. Pay up the extra money and tow with their truck (diesel hopefully) not yours.

 

I know Jamie, wear and tear on my baby! Yikes. Was also thinking of using those POD things where they drop it off you pack it, they store/ship it and drop it off for ya. Then the Runner and I can have some bonding time on our way through the Rockies

 

PODs are way expensive. A cheaper option is www.upack.com, which is operated by ABF freight. They drop off a trailer, you pack it and pay by the foot. I moved my 1700sf house and only used like 14 feet of a 21 foot trailer. Then you can still drive your vehicle and let them take the trailer. Service was great, g/f's parents used them as well as my old neighbor and it was definitely the less expensive option between Movers & POD.

Don't pull that size trailer with a Toyota. You'll regret it.

 

Good call on the www.upack.com that is definately the best way to go for this situation.

It's not just wear and tear on your 4runner with a trailer that size and weight, it's downright dangerous! Let someone else do the towing and just have a nice roadtrip out to your destination, you'll enjoy the experience alot more that way.

 

Just rent a ryder, uhaul, budget, etc truck. I have done it like 10x already helping move family and its very easy. You pack up the truck, you drive it to where you need and unload then drop it off in the same town or so where you moved to so you aint gotta drive it back.

 

As far as moving: just for the record it was around $500 more for UPACK than to rent a moving truck in my case. But, I didn't have to drive it, tow anything, or buy fuel for an underpowered gas guzzling truck.