towing help

The 4Runner was a fantastic TV, within its limits. The Cayenne has lots of power but it still suffers from the same set backs as any short wheelbase SUV.

Camp-n.... You are comparing one of the poorest TV's ever made (4 runner) to one of the all time best (Cayenne).

Cayennes used for towing larger trailers are using a Hensley or Propride connection system.

No sway.
No tail wagging the dog.
No problem.

Not quite. The Hensley is a fantastic hitch but it will not solve all problems and does nothing if you exceed the receiver rating. I speak from experience towing a 26' TT with a short wheelbase V8 4Runner. I started with an Equil-i-zer hitch and had some sway problems. Bought a Hensley which helped a lot but did not eliminate the sway completely. The TT no longer swayed separately from the TV, rather the two swayed and got pushed around together. The sway was no longer through the hitch, it transferred to the soft tires and the next weaker points.

Use a premium WDH like Road Ruler said and stick with under 4k dry, 450 dry TW.

Cayennes used for towing larger trailers are using a Hensley or Propride connection system.

No sway.
No tail wagging the dog.
No problem.:)

Cool car, I like them. But as one who has had real SUVs, from a full size '87 Bronco, to the first 4-door Yukon in '95, and four Expeditions, I guess I'm stuck thinking an SUV is supposed to be a whole lot different vehicle than what passes for them today.

You don't mention which engine you have. Best I see they all seem to be rated to tow 7700#, yet the torque numbers are from under 300 ft/lbs to well over 400 with the 240 hp diesel, which is going to make towing more "comfortable." It would be interesting to know what you are going to be pulling with, engine-wise. As the Cougar loaded is likely going to weigh 7k, tongue weight near 900 and about 28 feet in length, being towed with a 114" wheel base vehicle, which is about the same an an older Explorer, be sure you want to do this. If it were me, I'd shed a couple thousand pounds and several feet. But then, I may be overly cautious.

Looks like your limiting factor is going to be the tongue weight. Trailers should have approximately 12% or more of it's loaded weight on the tongue to be stable. At the low end of 12% would mean a loaded TT weight of 5000lbs, dry weight would likely have to be under 4k to achieve that unless you are super light packers. You'll struggle to find a 25' TT that light.

Also, is 25' the box size or overall length? If it's the model number it will be pushing 30' overall which is long for an SUV with a very short wheelbase.

Too light on the tongue and too long for the TV can lead to control and sway issues.

Much as I love the Cayenne, it still has a shorter wheelbase which, despite its capabilities on paper it does run the risk of he trailer wagging the SUV.

For overall performance the Cayenne is one of the worlds premium tow vehicles.

Check out this promo video.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8hCR2-BDlc

Half way through the vid (224) it shows a Cayenne man handling an out of control TT. Wish is could afford a new Cayenne to tow our TT!

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