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.