Thinking About a TT, Confused About Towing
Hi all! Sorry if this has been asked over & over, I did a search, but didn't find anything that didn't confuse me more. We are considering a travel trailer to spend some time in National Parks, but ...
Forum Discussion
You could take your vehicle to a local Cat scale (they are at the truck stops-$10) and weigh it with you, the passenger and what you think you'll need to travel. You can also estimate the cargo but be sure to fudge numbers higher, not wishfully lower.
Subtract your scaled weight from the vehicles placard GVWR (5580). The remaining weight differential will be your available payload. The trailer's tongue weight and the weight of any weight distributing hitch will be subtracted from that remaining payload number.
You will always run out of payload before exceeding tow ratings.
If you're keeping the 4 Runner, I would be looking at pulling a pop up or a Tab style trailer. They can be a lot of fun and will offer a place to sleep off of the ground. Heck, you're sailors, you don't need all the comforts of a landlubber.
Really, these smaller SUV's, compact trucks, and passenger vans are not a good choice to tow with, IMO. The drive train, suspension, and frames are not built for towing. There are a few posts on the Forum about overheating, transmission failures, and such from users of these vehicles. There are more we don't hear from.
Subtract your scaled weight from the vehicles placard GVWR (5580). The remaining weight differential will be your available payload. The trailer's tongue weight and the weight of any weight distributing hitch will be subtracted from that remaining payload number.
You will always run out of payload before exceeding tow ratings.
If you're keeping the 4 Runner, I would be looking at pulling a pop up or a Tab style trailer. They can be a lot of fun and will offer a place to sleep off of the ground. Heck, you're sailors, you don't need all the comforts of a landlubber.
Really, these smaller SUV's, compact trucks, and passenger vans are not a good choice to tow with, IMO. The drive train, suspension, and frames are not built for towing. There are a few posts on the Forum about overheating, transmission failures, and such from users of these vehicles. There are more we don't hear from.
