Towing with 5th Gen 4Runner

Thanks for all the helpful input.

I had a slight feeling the jayco x18d might have been pushing it, especially tring to keep to the 80% rule. The other trailer in mind is the jayco x17z model. The estimated dry weight on that unit is 2785, tounge weight of 395 and GVWR of 3500. Would this be a better match? Or will I be limited to a pop up trailer due to the hitch design being bolted to the crossmemeber vs the frame. As someone stated previously, no one makes a frame mounted hitch for the 5th gen 4runner yet, so I'm left with the stock hitch from the factory.

If I were to pursue a smaller hybrid, will a sway only control hitch be sufficient without the WD?

crcr, where does the scan gauge pull the trans temp from? Do i need to add some type of temp sender inline on the tranny?

you look to be fine but you may not like the towing experience in the mountains, with the v-6.
as a hybrid owner, that looks be within spec.

but definitely get a WDH with built-in sway control.
the Equal-i-zer or the Reese Dual-Cam are the most recommended.
and a Prodigy brake controller.

I used to tow a trailer of roughly the same specs with a mid 90s Ford Aerostar and it handled the trailer pretty well even going through the mountains of Washington in the summer. Your 4Runner is much more powerful so you should have no performance issues at all. Your main issue is likely to be payload- less than 1200 pounds in a vehicle of that size is pretty sad- my Jetta has almost as much payload capacity.

You could do it but you'll be at the limits and likely over the tongue rating. Sway control and WD hitches as mentioned above are 2 totally different things, although some WD hitches have sway control built into the design. The T4R manual only mentions a sway device because you can't use a WDH with the stock receiver. The OEM receiver is mounted to the crossmember and is not designed to take the stress of a WDH. You can twist the frame and it's not repairable. You will need an aftermarket receiver that is frame mounted but unless it has changed recently nobody makes one.

I had a 4th gen V6 and towed a 19' hybrid. It weighed 3800lbs loaded with under 500lbs of tongue weight. Plenty of engine but struggled a bit on the highways because of the 4 speed trans and gearing. The 5th gen has more power and a 5 speed which would do a better job. I did use a WDH with the OEM receiver as well with no problems, didn't know about the hitch restriction at the time. I upgraded to a V8 and it towed like it wasn't there. Eventually got a bigger trailer (26'BH at 5600lbs). Plenty of power but ride got a bit squirelly due to the length vs short wheelbase.

As mentioned, you would probably be fine with that trailer but it really depends on where you tow, how often, how far etc. Mainly flat, short trips, no problem. Long trips or in the mountains, you may want to find something a little lighter. My '06 Starcraft Antigua 195ck was 2800lbs dry for example.

MadCap wrote:
Looking for some helpful input so I can correctly match our vehicle to a trailer. Our vehicle is a 2011 Toyota 4Runner V6 4x4 with a hitch and both 7/4 pin connectors. The 4runner specs out:

Tow rating:5000
Tounge Weight:500
GVWR:6300
GCWR:11300
Payload (yellow sticker):1185


Currently interested in a jayco hybrid model, jay feather x18d. The jay feather x18d has an estimated unloaded weight of 3360, tounge weight of 410 and a GVWR of 4400. Could I safely tow this trailer if properly equipped? Or should I look at something lighter in weight. Any input would be helpful.

I have owned a 4th Gen 4Runner with the V6, which would be almost the same setup as your rig. I currently own a 4th Gen with the V8, and tow a 21.5' TT with a GVWR of 4637 lbs. My rated two limit is 7000 lbs. For my comfort level, I feel I am definitely maxed out towing with this rig from Phoenix to the High Country -- driving from 1100 ft elevation to 7000 ft elevation in 120 miles.

From my experience, I would say what kind of towing experience you would have will depend on a number of factors. Most important will be how many grades you have to pull. If you do hills and mountains, it won't be a fun experience, and you will be slowing down in a major way on grades. I see you live in AZ, as do I, so I suspect you will encounter inclines going camping here.

Also, a major factor in AZ when towing is temps -- engine and trans both. My experience is that the trans is the greater test when towing here with a 4Runner. Mine had a small factory trans cooler, but temps were running much higher than I was comfy with on grades, so I removed it and installed a larger aftermarket cooler. That lowered the trans temps, but still not as much as I would like. I recommend getting a Scan Guage II and programming it to pull trans temps, which I did. The manufacturer told me that they didn't think it would pull trans temps, but some of us with 4th Gen 4Runenrs have successfully done it. I don't know if it is doable for the 5th Gen. The factory gauge is almost worthless -- if your trans temp is spiking on grades, you won't know it unless you have a Scan Gauge or some other add on trans temp gauge.

IMHO, that is too much trailer for that truck, and that you won't be happy with towing it with your T4R, but that is me from my experience. Good luck and happy camping!

If the 5th Gen factory hitch is the same setup as the 4th Gen V6 OEM hitch, you will need an aftermarket hitch. The 4th Gen V6 only has a rear crossmember mounted hitch, not a frame hitch. The 4th Gen V8 comes with an OEM frame hitch. If you have the crossmember hitch, which I believe you do, you would need to get rid of it and get a quality frame mounted hitch.

Many of the hitches you see discussed on this forum have both wd and sway control functions, like the equalizer, e2, Reese dual cam, etc.

Nope...the WDH evenly distributes the weight of the trailer across the tow vehicle. The result is that the tow vehicle does not squat down in the rear...hence better handling and stability.

The sway control unit helps the trailer from swaying back and forth and helps stabalize the trailer in windy conditions.

Two seperate systems with different functions.i have both as do most travelers....safety first.

In addition, 4runner manual states any trailer >2000lbs requires sway control device, is that the same as a WDH?