I am in the process of downgrading my Tow Vehicle from an '08 GMC Yukon Denali rated at 8100# towing max to a Toyota 4Runner w/4.7liter V-8 rated at 7,000# capacity. I am also looking to upsize from a PUP to a HTT 21SS Roo. The dry weight is about 4,300# and 1,200# carrying capacity, but the hitch weight is relatively high at just under 600#. The 23SS has a much lower tongue weight at 435#. Will I be okay pulling the 21SS with a WDH with the 4Runner? Trying to figure out what the maximum tongue weight is. All that shows up is the maximum towing load of 7,000#'s. Also, does anyone know if the factory tow packages on the 4Runner's have transmission coolers. How do I tell if they are factory hitches? Thanks!

The tongue weight on my Roo 23SS will easily exceed 700 pounds in camping trim. What year 4Runner has a V8 engine and 7000 pounds maximum towing capacity?You absolutely need a WDH with any trailer of this size even when towing with a truck.-- Chuck

Not a lot of help here other than to tell you that our '07 23SS, ready to pull out of the driveway - minus anything in either the black, grey or fresh water tanks - weighs 5000# on the nose. DH seems to recall the tongue weight as slightly under 500# loaded. We tow with an '03 F-150 Crew Cab rated at 8000# with the factory tow package. IIRC, the 21SS has a heavier weight and tongue weight than the 23SS. To find out exactly what's what on the 4Runner, go to your dealer with the VIN# in hand and they can print out the specs. It'll be straight from the line and no "salesman declarations" to try to understand. Feel free to come back here with the numbers and you'll get all the help you need.

Chuck_S wrote:The tongue weight on my Roo 23SS will easily exceed 700 pounds in camping trim. What year 4Runner has a V8 engine and 7000 pounds maximum towing capacity?You absolutely need a WDH with any trailer of this size even when towing with a truck.-- ChuckWhat are you pulling your 23SS with? The 4Runner's I have checked are the 2005 and 2006 V-8 4WD 4.7 liter motors. The 2WD actually will pull a little bit more weight. What is the formula on tongue weight with the trailer I plan on purchasing? I have heard 10% of the dry weight of the trailer, but get confused with the overall GVWR and the load weight.

is there a reason you're downgrading your tow vehicle but increasing the size and weight of the trailer? you seem to be doing opposite from what most people do.you won't see much difference, between the GMC and the Toyota, in gas mileage. the Toy will struggle much more, especially in mountains. in fact, you'll probably see lower gas mileage when towing with the Toyota, over towing with the Denali.if the Denali has the 5.3 v-8, you'll probably get the same overall gas mileage, as you would in the Toyota.and as Chuck said, payload will be your biggest issue with the Toyota.

bikendan wrote:is there a reason you're downgrading your tow vehicle but increasing the size and weight of the trailer? you seem to be doing opposite from what most people do.you won't see much difference, between the GMC and the Toyota, in gas mileage. the Toy will struggle much more, especially in mountains. in fact, you'll probably see lower gas mileage when towing with the Toyota, over towing with the Denali.if the Denali has the 5.3 v-8, you'll probably get the same overall gas mileage, as you would in the Toyota.and as Chuck said, payload will be your biggest issue with the Toyota.I am downgrading my TV because we are trying to not have a car payment. I still owe about $16K on the '08 Denali and trying to find a good used '05-'06 4Runner. I can get $30-$31K for the trade. I am going from a PUP to HTT because I am ready to move up and have more room. The HTT has beds on each end, bathroom, full size frig, more storage, etc. I like the hybrid concept since its basically a larger PUP with all the amenities. I camp with my brother attending car races during the summer and we like our own space so its a great concept. The Denali has the 380HP 6.2 liter and didn't even notice I was pulling the PUP. I was getting about 11-12MPG pulling the PUP. Getting back to the tongue weight on the 4R, The specs call for 700#max, so I should be okay with a WDH and towing capacity of 7,000#. Anyone know how the Tongue weight is calculated?

Rockwood Roo 21SS - Tow Vehicle | Good Sam Community

Wizfisher
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
I agree with CKNSLS. The Dakota is a small truck and a 21 foot travel trailer will be too much for the Dakota.
We have a Durango and while most hybrids are within the weight limits, I wouldn't feel safe towing a full size trailer with it.

Good luck.
CKNSLS
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
Rickkessler54 wrote:
I have a 04 dodge Dakota V6 3.7 with the towing package. I will be using a WDH and the sticker on the door jam reads no more than 1600 lbs. of passegers and cargo combined. Trailer weight is 3320 lbs. We will be doing short local trips. Am I going to be able to pull this 21 ft. Shamrock? We are ready to buy tomorrow.

It will not be a pleasant towing experience if the numbers even say you can do it.
bikendan
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
we need the model of Dakota(there's 6 of them), 2x4 or 4x4, the cab size, the bed size and which transmission.

OR you can go to Dodge's towing guide and do it yourself:

Dodge Towing Guide

as to the trailer, that 3320 number is without water, battery and cargo.
so, adding all of that, the trailer's actual loaded weight could easily be around 4000lbs.
IMHO, i wouldn't tow a full-height trailer with such a small v-6 but that's me and i live near lots of mountain.
for local trips, the numbers will be close but possible. but without knowing more info on the Dakota, can't really say.

by the way, there were two 21' models in 2004, the 21 and the 21S.
which one is yours? i'm assuming the 21S has a slideout.
Rickkessler54
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
I have a 04 dodge Dakota V6 3.7 with the towing package. I will be using a WDH and the sticker on the door jam reads no more than 1600 lbs. of passegers and cargo combined. Trailer weight is 3320 lbs. We will be doing short local trips. Am I going to be able to pull this 21 ft. Shamrock? We are ready to buy tomorrow.
Rickkessler54
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
ok, I have a 3.7 V6 with factory towing package. The sticker on door jam says passengers and cargo not over 1602 lbs. Weight of camper is 3320 from the sticker inside cabinet of camper. We are getting ready to pull the trigger on buying this camper and I am worried about not even being able to pull the thing. Please help me with my concerns. Thanks
bikendan
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
Rickkessler54 wrote:
My wife and I are in the process of purchasing a 04 21 ft.Shamrock. This will be our first camper and we do not know a lot about this. I am concerned about pulling it with my 04 Dakota. We are going to use the WDH and the camper weight is 3320 lbs.Do you think I will alright with this? We will be doing local trips.

where did you get the 3320 number? from the white sticker inside one of the cabinets? or from somewhere else?
and yes, need more info about your Dakota.
CKNSLS
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
Rickkessler54 wrote:
My wife and I are in the process of purchasing a 04 21 ft.Shamrock. This will be our first camper and we do not know a lot about this. I am concerned about pulling it with my 04 Dakota. We are going to use the WDH and the camper weight is 3320 lbs.Do you think I will alright with this? We will be doing local trips.

WE need more info. What motor do you have? What does the yellow sicker say inside your driver's door jamb?

Have you looked inside your owner's manual?
Rickkessler54
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
My wife and I are in the process of purchasing a 04 21 ft.Shamrock. This will be our first camper and we do not know a lot about this. I am concerned about pulling it with my 04 Dakota. We are going to use the WDH and the camper weight is 3320 lbs.Do you think I will alright with this? We will be doing local trips.
Jetta03
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
Sounds like you have plenty of capacity to tow the 21ss. Expect it to weigh around 5000 at the axles, not including tongue weight, ready to camp. We tow ours with F150 and use weight distribution which makes a big difference in steering and stability of the truck vs not. So with the suv I'd think weight distribution is a must as well.
CKNSLS
Explorer
May 31, 2013
I towed a same weight/same length combo for 5 years with a 4Runner Sport and the same year as you. I had an Equalizer hitch.

That is probably why my towing experience was different than yours.

That 109.5" wheel base is the limitation on the vehicle. That 4.7 V8 however is one sweet motor!

The best highway mpg I EVER achievd was 21mpg-but 20mpg hwy. was the norm.

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