Just got back from a camping trip and started thinking about getting a camper. We've been camping in a tent for the past two years, but only in the fall and early spring, and just didn't feel a camper was needed, but after being in a tent in 85+ degree temps, I am liking the idea of a camper.

I know the rating for what can be towed, but wanted to see what all everyone here might be towing in terms of a camper, with the respective weights and lengths.

Also, what are you suggestions.

I would like to have one that has a bathroom, A/C, and can sleep six. Also, a fridge would be nice.

Anyway, open to suggestions.

 

No camper here, but a fairly large boat. Our's is a 23' Larson boat with trailer that weighs ~4,800 pounds total. It pulls pretty nicely, but the LC coils do tend to sag a lot, but do go back to normal height when you unload the boat.

 

I have a 1975 21' Glendale. I think I scaled it at 4200 lbs "dry". I have pulled this unit a bit with my 99 3.4 Runner, and it is a bit much. You have to hook up brakes if you are going to pull a unit like this...believe me, I have done a few trips with out and it is scary and dangerous.

Also, it is hard to find a good set of mirrors that will allow you to see behind you. I have tried a few different kinds and haven't find one that I like yet.

 

try www.toyota-4runner.org's 3rd gen section. i haven't been over there in a while, but i remember one of the mods had a pretty big trailer attached in his avatar...and with thousands of posts if i remember correctly, i'm sure he'll help you. blake maybe you know who i'm talking about

 

I can haul 2 jetski's comfortably w/ my 3.4 . never tryed anything else.

MY neighbors used to have a pop-up type camper that is one of those little cubes on wheels when u drive it. He pulled it pretty easily w/ a 2000? ford explorer.

 

1999 Malibu Sportster LX. I definitely know it's back there, and gas mileage sucks, but I'm not about to get rid of my 4Runner for the 3 or 4 times a year we have to pull the boat. I've never weighed it, but I plan to this summer.

 

I tow an 18 foot Shadow Cruiser - sleeps 4 (shower, double kitchen sinks, etc) and weighs in around 3,800 lbs fully loaded with topped-off water tanks, extra propane and 130 pounds of Trojan batteries. Some of the ultralights have fold-out extensions like a tent trailer which can expand sleeping to 6. The 4Runner does okay but does struggle on the hills. However, water and tranny temps stay within acceptable limits and I am very happy with it. I believe that many of the RV websites strongly suggest staying under 80% of the max tow rating.

I have recently considered trading the 4Runner in for a 2007 1 ton diesel (after all, if I'm getting 15 mpg, I might as well be able to tow 15,000 lbs LOL....) but the extra width and length is going to limit where I go so I'll stick with the 4Runner for now.

I also echo the previous comments regarding the poor towing mirrors. I ended up having a hardwired back-up camera installed that I can watch behind me while driving. It really helps when making lane changes or passing other vehicles.

Don't be afraid to tow with your 4Runner - they are amazing vehicles, just make sure to spend the $$ to do it right (brakes, proper brake contoller, properly set up weight distribution bars and the various coolers and gauges).

James

 

i pull hoes.

 

I have towed my 1985 pickup and a uhaul tandem axle trailer.

 

We just got a 23' Jay Feather 23B, max weight is 4900#, but we run it as empty as possibly, keep as close to the 4250# empty weight. I know it's back there, but my '98 Runner hasn't had a problem. I do have the anti-sway weight distributing hitch and brake controller. Mileage drops of course, but it rolls along nicely! I keep the OD OFF and ECT in Power.

The 23B is what's known as a Hybrid: it has fold-out beds, like a pop-up, but has a hard shell and a slide for the sofa, and all the amenities: A/C, bath w/shower, kitchen, microwave, fridge/freezer, tv hook-up, etc.

I know this is near the limit of my Runner, but I ran this past my neighbor, a Toyota mechanic. He said I would have no problem pulling this unit.

There are similar units/weight out there. If you can wait until fall or spring, check a local RV show. You'll be able to see many types from many dealers and get a good feel for the differences.

Good Luck!

 

This is what I tow. Has everything but a shower. I now use my 4 cyl 98 Runner but you get the idea.

 

I pulled this 1200 miles up to Prince Rupert.


You can't tell, thanks to the sagging springs, but I only had 80lbs of tongue weight I couldn't go over 45 mph before it would almost send us off the road due to the swerving. I just assumed with the back being so low, that the tongue weight was TOO much.

My suggestion is get a set of those coil spring air bags. I won't haul a trailer of any size without them ever again. (don't have them yet, but plan to)

Erich

 

Nice setup Solarae. I read that the Scamp's pull really well because of their great aerodynamics.

97T4RNR - here is a link with another discussion on towing...

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f123/towing-my-4runner-115313/

Keep us advised on the type of trailer you end up getting (as always - pics are appreciated ).

James

 

Thanks for the replies so far. I have a 5 x 12 trailer that I haul dirt, gravel and my 4Wheeler on, and I have had it loaded down with 4300# of gravel before, and I knew it was back there when coming up the hill to our subdivision.
I was looking at the Dutchman 29Q-GS. It weighed in at just over 5000#, but the camper sales guy said that with the proper hitch set-up(anti-sway bars, load levelers or weight distribution bars, e-brake controller and Tranny cooler)I could knock off between 500# and 800# of the total dry weight of the camper.
Sounded kinda funny, so I thought I would ask you guys. Who better to ask, than the people who actually use their 4Runners.
Anyway, I'll keep you guys up to date on what we decide.
Thanks for your input, and keep it coming.

 

Wow..that's a large trailer - over 5,800 lbs empty and 7,700 lbs full with a tongue weight of almost 800 lbs.

http://www.dutchmen-rv.com/specs.php

You would be way over on every weight limit. I wouldn't trust any RV salesmen (mine told me I wouldn't have a problem towing my little 18 foot - 3700 lb when fully loaded - trailer, and he was right - as long as there was no wind and no hills. Several thousand dollars later I have it where it works but it wasn't fun during the process (supercharger and all the fixin's, etc). I won't get into the details about how he's wrong on 'removing weight" but the biggest concern I would have is that the trailer is way longer than your truck.

When doing the research on the type of trailer to get, I came across a site which stated that for vehicles with short wheel bases (under 120 inches I think), stay under a 20 foot trailer) - otherwise you get massive sway issues and side winds could potentially be lethal. Beautiful trailer but my opinion (and that's all it is) is to run from that trailer and hopefully you run-over the salesmen in the process.

James

 

Last year I pulled a 25' trailer about 10 miles from the place I rented it to the camp ground. I think it's dry weight was around 5500 pounds. I wouldn't want to pull it any farther than I did.

The 29' camper you are looking at is probably too heavey, and worse, too long for your 4-Runner. You could get into a situation of the tail wagging the dog.

 

Just turn off the OD.

 

Hey Guys,

I pull my 2 place inclosed snowmobile trailer in the winter up here in NH. Tows pretty good. Only about 1500 2000 pounds. No problems.

 

I can pull out full size trucks when they are stuck. Does that count? Oh yeah- 2nd gen not 3rd gen

 

I pull a procraft 165 (approx 1300lbs) with my 03 Tacoma 4x4 with the 3RZ,auto trans and no mods but a K&N air filter. On a fairly steep grade it will barly do 50mph and is almost tacked out in 2nd gear. I can swear you can see the gas guage move also! I figure I get about 10 MPG. On the highway going 70mph it will kick out of overdrive on overpasses alot as well.