Best Lightweight TT for '07 4Runner?

Here is another vote for a lightweight fiberglass "egg". I have towed an Escape 17B over 75,000 miles over the last 5 years with a RAV4 (V6 & Tow Package). The 17B weighs 3010 lbs packed for a cross country trip. Your 4 Runner would be fine with either their 17' or 19'; I know some have towed the 21' with one.

That said, all three have wet baths, which some do not like. Since most of the fiberglass "egg" factories don't use dealers, but sell direct, the best way to see one is at a rally. Check the rally page at Fiberglass RV for the next one near you. Most of the manufacturers keep lists of individuals that are willing to show their trailers, so contacting the manufacturer is another way to see a particular trailer.

And, thank your husband (and you) for his service!

As was said earlier, check into what Lance has to offer. They're a bit pricey, but very well made and lighter than you'd expect. We're very happy with ours.

Make sure you take a look at Trailmaanor Trailers. I have a 2009 Tacoma with a camper shell so same motor and profile you have. The nice thing about the Trailmanors is that they fold down so they will actually not be any higher than your roof line when towing which helps with cutting into the wind. They also extend in length when they open so they are rather large for their compact towing size. They also don't have any canvas to worry about like a normal pop up. We bought a 2003 this summer and have been really happy with it so far for what it gives in ease of towing and how big it actually is once it opens up. And they set up in under 5 minutes.

Tom Trostel wrote:
Check into the molded fiberglass trailers like those made by Casita, Escape, and Scamp. Some military bases rent these thru the MWR centers. I know that Lackland AFB rents 17' Casitas.

fiberglass rv

+1. The best for your SUV would be a Scamp, Casita, Escape (the one make in BC Canada), Lil Snoozy, or similar. You could go with a regular stick built, box shaped trailer but the molded fiberglass trailers will tow more easily, with less drive train stress and better fuel economy (probably 15 mpg instead of 11). They are all sold factory direct... no dickering, and pick up at factory or arrange shipping.

If you don't care for those, try to stick with a trailer that's only 7' wide and around 100" high (not including AC height). And you probably should stay under 20' long, bumper to coupler. I towed a 2011 KZ Escape (stick built) 14RB with my '08 Highlander for 3 summers. Went through Rocky Mountains and everything. Before that I had a used '90s model 17' (molded FG) Burro, and it definitely towed easier, but lacked trailer brakes and a shower, so I sold it. Sometimes I wish I hadn't.

This seems to be a popular topic these days. We tow our Lance 1685 travel trailer with a 2006 6 cyl 4 Runner. I did a blog post about the pros and cons.

We too looked at all the smaller trailers - my husband said I could have a travel trailer but not a new truck. :)

While I loved the RPods and similar, we didn't think the ones we saw had enough storage for full time living for several months a year.

Towing a Travel Trailer With a 6 Cylinder 4 Runner

The post begins "Everyone said it can’t be done … or worse, it isn’t safe. But so far, we’re convinced it’s “the little engine that could”. Towing our travel trailer with a 6 cylinder Toyota 4 Runner apparently isn’t conventional RV wisdom."

Ours has the factory towing package and we added better tires, a brake controller and a weight distribution hitch.

Your truck could be different, they've changed the 4 Runners.

Maybe some of the RPod models might do?

Check the payload capacity of your 4Runner. My son's 2014 4WD has a whopping 900lbs of payload.

We tow a 17 AR One with a mid size SUV and have had no problems. That being said, our longest trips are two weeks since work gets in the way of pleasure.

While the SUV does OK, and we've towed all over the east coast, I don't think I would want to tow with it across the Rockies.

Also, while we love our small trailer, it has everything we need except one thing.....a sitting area other than the dinette. We travel for the sake of seeing the sights (we don't just hang out at the cg all day), and we prefer to hang out outside. But, there are times when it would be nice to sit on something other than the dinette when inside.

So, when we do get to retire, it will probably have to be an upgraded TV to go along with a slightly larger trailer.

Good luck on your search!

A trailer with a high profile would give the Toyota a struggle. I towed a 15' high profile trailer (3,500 pounds) with a Chevy half ton and the small V8. It was a few notches below "okay", and it had a tow rating of about 6k.

Stay with the molded fiberglass trailers or a pop-up would be your best bet with that vehicle. Sounds like you're on the right track.

That said, forcing yourself into something you aren't happy with could be more costly in the long run. If you see a Casita (or equal) and it fits your needs, then great! But if you buy one to avoid upgrading tow vehicle, you will end up buying another trailer and tow vehicle.

Check into the molded fiberglass trailers like those made by Casita, Escape, and Scamp. Some military bases rent these thru the MWR centers. I know that Lackland AFB rents 17' Casitas.

fiberglass rv