Towing a Basecamp 20x Safely with a 5th Generation Toyota 4Runner

[NicoleD63]

Good day all. Long time member here, first time posting. My husband just ordered a new 2021 Toyota 4Runner Limited and we're looking at the Basecamps. We're trying to decide what the 4Runner could safely tow: Basecamp 16X vs Basecamp 20X? We are leaning heavily towards the 20X, but are wondering if anyone can give us any confidence that the 20X will be within the safe towing envelope of the 4Runner in most if not all conditions?

We've searched other forums on this topic and the majority of them recommend installing suspension airbags due to the weight of the Basecamp 20X. Can anyone confirm this? Would we be okay if we did NOT make that modification to our vehicle? Does anyone have any experience related to this that can guide us on the best recommendation? Thank you kindly in advance.

-Nicole

[Hamish]

Originally Posted by NicoleD63

Good day all. Long time member here, first time posting. My husband just ordered a new 2021 Toyota 4Runner Limited and we're looking at the Basecamps. We're trying to decide what the 4Runner could safely tow: Basecamp 16X vs Basecamp 20X? We are leaning heavily towards the 20X, but are wondering if anyone can give us any confidence that the 20X will be within the safe towing envelope of the 4Runner in most if not all conditions?



We've searched other forums on this topic and the majority of them recommend installing suspension airbags due to the weight of the Basecamp 20X. Can anyone confirm this? Would we be okay if we did NOT make that modification to our vehicle? Does anyone have any experience related to this that can guide us on the best recommendation? Thank you kindly in advance.



-Nicole

Based on your capacity of 5000 lbs and the GVWR of the Basecamp 20 you should have no problem. Check your owner forum for the 4Runner and see what others are doing (you may already be doing that) , determine how much extra stuff you will want to carry and make sure you are inside your limits. Tongue weight is important and you will probably want a smaller WD hitch like an Eaz-lift hitch. Hopefully someone already doing this will chime in. But take your time, maybe try towing a trailer of some kind to see how it feels. Then assess your comfort level and make a decision that suits you. It’s always up to you, not anyone else. https://tailsofwanderlust.com/2020/0...oyota-4runner/

Happy trails!

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The issue most folks run into is the amount of "stuff" that goes into the tow vehicle. As long as you are willing to limit that, you probably can do ok. It's not that hard to take most SUV's to max load without a trailer involved ..... you do need to watch the weight.

Bob

[Experiment]

Not sure what decision to came to, I've been towing my 16x with a 21 4Runner SR5 stock. What I've struggled with is tongue weight and sag. The 4runner is empty except 300 lb of humans/stuff. The rear suspensions sags too much under load and i'm hoping airbags will raise the hitch height up enough to make for a lighter tongue load. The 20x is out of spec for the 4Runner, it's over the 500lb tongue weight limit.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by NicoleD63

Good day all. Long time member here, first time posting. My husband just ordered a new 2021 Toyota 4Runner Limited and we're looking at the Basecamps. We're trying to decide what the 4Runner could safely tow: Basecamp 16X vs Basecamp 20X? We are leaning heavily towards the 20X, but are wondering if anyone can give us any confidence that the 20X will be within the safe towing envelope of the 4Runner in most if not all conditions?

We've searched other forums on this topic and the majority of them recommend installing suspension airbags due to the weight of the Basecamp 20X. Can anyone confirm this? Would we be okay if we did NOT make that modification to our vehicle? Does anyone have any experience related to this that can guide us on the best recommendation? Thank you kindly in advance.

-Nicole

Good post!

NO, do not install air-bags on a Toyota 4 runner! It does not make your vehicle more-capable, in any case, or any other vehicle either.

In order to properly respond to your question, we need to know the payload rating for your 4Runner and the gross Rating on the VIN plate, plus the maximum weight-distribution-rating on your hitch/frame.

Not all 4Runners are rated the same and all this information is on a sticker near your VIN plate, and on the actual hitch frame, on a sticker or stamped onto the hitch receiver.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by Experiment

Not sure what decision to came to, I've been towing my 16x with a 21 4Runner SR5 stock. What I've struggled with is tongue weight and sag. The 4runner is empty except 300 lb of humans/stuff. The rear suspensions sags too much under load and i'm hoping airbags will raise the hitch height up enough to make for a lighter tongue load. The 20x is out of spec for the 4Runner, it's over the 500lb tongue weight limit.

This sag is because those models are not meant for towing, and likely meant for trails where the suspension is softer.

Its like the Ford Raptor. They max out at 5K even though its a full size truck. But the suspension is useless for towing and IMO they should not even install a hitch on those trucks because it barely has the suspension for the 5K rating.

[Peter417]

Budget for some HD springs from OME. You may need them, you may not. Every toyota I have had needed better than factory springs to be a good tow vehicle.