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Old 02-13-2012, 01:48 PM   #1
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2011 4Runner 4x4 pulling 16ft Sport?

Is my 2011 4Runner (Limited 4x4) strong enough to pull a 16ft Sport? My concern is the 500 pound hitch limit on the 4Runner. The hitch weight on the 16ft Sport is 446 lbs. Adding a Hensley Cub Hitch to the trailer might then be too heavy?? The 4Runners also have a very short hitch receivers, only 4 inches deep before you reach the spare tire. The weight of the 16ft sport otherwise might be ok.
I have a feeling that I should have bought a Sequoia instead.
I am planning to repeat my 1969 trip from Michigan to Alaska, but this time starting in Florida. Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Thanks, Gerhard
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Old 02-13-2012, 01:52 PM   #2
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Find out if you can buy yourself more buffer room by installing a weight distribution hitch.

I know what you mean. You don't ever want to be that close to your weight limit. Always good to have plenty of overhead space.

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Old 02-13-2012, 03:24 PM   #3
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No sweat with the 4runner and 16 Sport. Get a good weight distribution hitch with built-in sway control and (the hard part) get it properly set up by a knowledgeable dealer.

The Hensley is lots of overkill for this. Some of that tongue weight is transferred to the trailer with the w/d hitch, so you'll be fine. The "overhead" is built into the spec's. Much better to get overhead by adjusting driving to road and weather conditions. If there are gusting sidewinds, slow down.

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Old 02-28-2012, 11:44 PM   #4
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More information the better, make your own call

You should be fine and dandy. Was going back and forth posting about minivans and such think poster was confused between Seqouia and Senna one is real truck other is minivan. Your 4runner should have stout rear axle, real driveshaft,tranny,solid frame. Every new year of production they cheap out and do away with stout parts sad but true. Jeeps and toyotas are loosing front and rear solid axles to save buck. Wranglers still have them because fan's warned Chrysler if they loose these parts there will be no future purchases.

Here is fun video with toyota fjs and wranglers Hawaii

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Old 03-01-2012, 06:36 AM   #5
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Thanks for all replies. I called up Bates Airstream and asked about towing a 16ft Sport with my 2011 4Runner. They said no problem, but if you go into the mountains you might slow down to 25 mph. I also called Colonial Airstream Dealer in NJ. They also said no problem if you have a proper WD and Sway hitch. I sometimes don't trust the dealers, because they tell you what you want to hear to make a sale. I belive the weight of the 16ft sport is fine, but I am still concerned about the 440 pound hitch weight. My 4Runner is rated at 500 pounds and this is cutting it close, after adding the WD and Sway Control hitch. I looked at other trailers and most look really ugly, for me I like the 16ft Sport.
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Old 03-01-2012, 07:29 AM   #6
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CanAm Airstream in Canada specializes in setting up vehicles such as yours to tow Airstreams, two generations of experience. Call or email them and they will tell you exactly what you need and will be more than happy to help you.

Can-Am is a #1 Airstream Dealer

This forum can only give you opinions based on their particular experience, often far more tow vehicle than you need, with a warning attached if you don't listen to them.

doug k
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Old 03-01-2012, 11:37 PM   #7
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I do not think you will slow down very much at all

New Yota motors have serious power I doubt you will see anything less 55 on freeway in hills. Parleys hill is one I have done quite a lot. With my old explorer and 17fiberglass boat 45mph with jeep 4.0 55 to 60 with my diesel 70 or more unless I have to slow it down because of heated turbo or trucks. I also looked at Starcraft trailer as I am fan of couple of there boats. It's decent but Airstream is like hauling 57 chev. The AS does weight more at least mines seems heavy so maybe I should drop those figures 10mph. Sports weight is less even 350pounds is like hauling fat bastard from Austin Powers flick. Heck another video
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Old 04-15-2012, 09:40 PM   #8
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I pull my 19' Bambi International with a 1998 Toyota 4Runner with no problem. It's true that while you going up steep slopes it can't get over 45 mph but for me, it's all about the journey and not much about the destination. Keep in mind to keep the overdrive off and ETC on at all times.
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Old 04-16-2012, 04:49 AM   #9
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We recently purchased a 2012 Sport 16 and tow it with our 2009 4Runner 4WD. Everything has gone real well on our first two trips. Although both have been in the south on relatively flat roads, we averaged about 13 MPG at 65 MPH. We use a Fastway E2 Round Bar Anti Sway Weight Distribution Hitch matched with a Tekonsha P3 brake controller. This has been a nice combination for us and the WD Hitch keeps the 4Runner well within its towing limits.
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Old 04-16-2012, 07:56 AM   #10
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Is the hich rating you listed for the hitch for a WD hitch for for just dropping the ball on the trailer? Most hitches carry a lot lower rating without the WD. Or carry a lot higher rating with it, depending on how you look at it.
With a WD hitch you won't have all of the tounge weight on the ball. some will be on the front axle, some on the trailer axle.
If it is a problem, can you replace the hitch on the 4 runner with one with a higher rating? I think the hitches like the HA put more stress on the hitch to truck mount that hitches like the Reese Dual Cam. But with a 16 foot trailer I can not imagine that being a big problem.
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Old 04-16-2012, 09:06 AM   #11
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It will be no problem. I pulled my 1974 25' Tradewind with my 2006 4Runner LTD V6. You should have zero problems with a Bambi!
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Old 04-16-2012, 09:51 AM   #12
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My sister is pulling a 19 foot fully equipped fiberglass Escape w/ 06 4runner V6. Passenger, two big dogs, and lot of stuff. While it may be slightly lighter than Airstream 16 Sport, it isn't much, and I hear no complaints about power or towing behavior. She said she pulled Mountain Pass (hwy 15) at less than 3K RPM. The drivetrain is fantastic for its size.

Due to short wheelbase and relatively tall height, I cautioned her to keep tires inflated to 44 PSI, keep the speed down, and careful downhill or crosswinds. She's well into a long western vacation and reports nothing but the best for the rig.
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Old 04-17-2012, 05:59 AM   #13
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The hitch rating on my 2011 4Runner is 5000 pounds without a WD hitch. This hitch is factory installed with 6 bolts to the frame. I could not find any other hitch on the internet to replace this one. I am reading posts from some members who are pulling larger trailers with less HP than my 2011 4Runner. I believe I should be fine.
Thanks, Gerhard
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