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Old 10-16-2009, 05:55 PM   #1
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2008 22' Safari
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Can a 4Runner V6 tow a Safari?

Hi
Has anyone used a Toyota 4runner 3400 V6 to pull a 22 ft Safari. The manufacture says it's ok looking at the ratings but there's the specs and there is experience of trying it. Seems ok so far . Any feedback would be appreciated.
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Old 10-16-2009, 06:28 PM   #2
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Hi
We towed our 23 ft Avion with our 4runner and it worked well for us.
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Old 10-16-2009, 06:37 PM   #3
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We met a Airstreamer in Madison this summer who was pulling a 28' Safari with a 4runner and he thought it was okay but I tend to disagree.I believe that the payload and the V6 of the 4runner was inadequate for this trailer.
As for personal experiance with pulling a 22' we pulled a 22' International CCD with a 2007 Tacoma with a 4.0 liter V6 and I felt that it was underpowered to do the job although it had a towing capacity of 6500#.The truck could pull the trailer but I believe that in time the load would be too much for the engine and transmission.
It is my firm belief that at least 1/2 ton with a V8 is required to pull most Airstreams.
Kim
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Old 10-16-2009, 09:03 PM   #4
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When we bought our 22' Safari, we had a 04 (I think) v8 4 runner. When we bought it, we thought it would tow 5000#. We did tow with the 4 runner and our 1st 2 trips went fine. then we hit some winds on the 3rd trip out and decided after reading many, many posts here and checking other sources - that we were too close to towing capacity. Unwilling to put us at risk, and putting safety our 1st priority, we went looking for a bigger PU. Ended up with a 09 Toyota Tundra. We also added the haha (overkill to many here). But our peace of mind and towing ease was worth the added expense. Ps when we were setting upn the veh, we had some RV techs that were worried about the towing ability of the 4 runner.
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Old 10-16-2009, 10:32 PM   #5
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My 1961 Safari comes in at about 3100#. I tow with a 1996 Toyota T100 4x4 , 3.4 liter V6 with 5 speed manual transmission. I don't break any speed records and have to slow down on the upgrades, but I get there with about 13 to 16 MPG. My 4Runner has the same engine. I have used it to pull my smaller Boles Aero, even in the snow, and have had no problems. I use the T100 to tow the Safari only because of its longer wheel base which makes for easier driving and a smoother ride. Both of my Toyotas are daily drivers and I don't have the luxury of keeping an additional tow vehicle. Toyotas are not known for their power but, in my opinion, make very adequate tow vehicles as long as you don't feel the need to pass every other vehicle on the road.
What year 4Runner are you using? The manual on my '98 discourages the use of a weight distributing hitch.
Sam
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Old 10-16-2009, 10:52 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by safarimawn View Post
Hi
Has anyone used a Toyota 4runner 3400 V6 to pull a 22 ft Safari. The manufacture says it's ok looking at the ratings but there's the specs and there is experience of trying it. Seems ok so far . Any feedback would be appreciated.

If it is a late model safari- I would say a definite no. If it is vintage, possibly, but after towing my '67 Caravel I wouldn't tow anything larger than a vintage Globetrotter. I tow my Caravel with my '02 3.4L V6 2WD Tacoma Prerunner. It does the trick, but I have to keep it at 65 mph and don't expect to pass anyone. I installed a tranny cooler and keep it out of overdrive when towing. I get 11 mpg while running the a/c. I took it through the hills of AR a month ago, and it actually did a lot better than I expected. Roads were hilly highways with passing lanes- I am usally the guy doing all the passing- but I have learned to chill out, enjoy the trip and stay safe. Like someone else said here- you won't set land speed records. But for the record, I would suggest a V8 for anything over a vintage Globetrotter.

Oh- and a WD hitch is a must.

Good luck.
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Old 10-17-2009, 04:25 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by samb View Post
My 1961 Safari comes in at about 3100#. I tow with a 1996 Toyota T100 4x4 , 3.4 liter V6 with 5 speed manual transmission. I don't break any speed records and have to slow down on the upgrades, but I get there with about 13 to 16 MPG. My 4Runner has the same engine. I have used it to pull my smaller Boles Aero, even in the snow, and have had no problems. I use the T100 to tow the Safari only because of its longer wheel base which makes for easier driving and a smoother ride. Both of my Toyotas are daily drivers and I don't have the luxury of keeping an additional tow vehicle. Toyotas are not known for their power but, in my opinion, make very adequate tow vehicles as long as you don't feel the need to pass every other vehicle on the road.
What year 4Runner are you using? The manual on my '98 discourages the use of a weight distributing hitch.
Sam
Thanks for the reply my 4runner is 2002 automatic. I agree that if you aren't trying to break any speed records it works fine. I haven't seen anything in the manual to not allow the weight distributing hitch. Ben
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Old 10-17-2009, 04:36 PM   #8
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I wondered why they would DIScourage a weight distributing hitch?

Then I thought ---- UNIBODY ---- AKA no solid beam frame! (Unibody is strikingly like Monoque isn't it?)

Is it possible that the tension on the weight bars could pull the unibody out of shape?

Just curious. Paula
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Old 10-24-2009, 05:44 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foiled Again View Post
I wondered why they would DIScourage a weight distributing hitch?

Then I thought ---- UNIBODY ---- AKA no solid beam frame! (Unibody is strikingly like Monoque isn't it?)

Is it possible that the tension on the weight bars could pull the unibody out of shape?

Just curious. Paula
The 4runners are all body on frame construction. I think the weight distribution hitch issue is with the full time 4 wheel drive, but I'm just guessing. If you have the V-6 it should have a rear wheel drive option, and you can use the weight distribution hitch with it. I think the V-8 (at least some of them) were full time 4WD. Our Landcruiser had something about not using a weight dist hitch.. It's full time 4WD.
We pull a 19' Bambi with a Tacoma with the V-6 and it does fine..
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Old 10-24-2009, 11:58 AM   #10
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I tow my '64 Safari with a 2005 Tacoma 4-door v-6. The 4-door makes for a longer wheelbase and though I have'nt done a lot of towing yet, I have gone into Big Sur on hwy 1 and over the Sierra's to Nevada and back for Burningman. There are no bad tendencies at all with it and there is plenty of power. I would think a 4-runner would be a much shorter wheelbase, which can make all the difference in the world if you're driving in a cross wind.

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Old 10-24-2009, 04:22 PM   #11
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4Runner yes, V-6?

I saw this on Interstate 5 last week. It was a 22' being pulled by a 4Runner but I don't know if it was a V-6 or V-8. It was towing well but it was flat ground and I only saw it for a minute or two.
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Old 10-25-2009, 08:50 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by safarimawn View Post
Hi
Has anyone used a Toyota 4runner 3400 V6 to pull a 22 ft Safari. The manufacture says it's ok looking at the ratings but there's the specs and there is experience of trying it. Seems ok so far . Any feedback would be appreciated.
Which hitch do you have on your 4Runner? The weight carrying hitch or the weight distribution hitch? The hitch is one factor in determining the towing capacity of your 4Runner.

I was advised to use the 80% "rule" when determining the weight of the trailer I should tow with my 4Runner. The towing capacity of my 2008 4Runner V8 4WD with the weight distribution hitch is 7000 pounds. Using the 80% guideline that's 5600 pounds. I pull a '71 23' tandem axle Safari rated at 5800 lbs (GVW). I recently pulled it from Missouri to Georgia and it pulled fine. Not sure how well my 4Runner would pull in the mountains of Colorado though.

If the towing capacity of your 2002 4Runner V6 is 5000 pounds and we apply the 80% guideline the weight is 4000 pounds. What's the GVW of the Safari you are considering?

I hope this all helps.
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Old 02-19-2010, 09:24 AM   #13
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4runner

This is my first TT and the only trailers I have ever pulled where flat utility trailers with the work truck (big old 1978 ford f150). I have a 1994 Toyota 4runner with 3.0 v6, vehicle has a tow capacity of 5000. Everything I have read tells me the 1976 ARGOSY 20 TT weighs 4500 and a tounge weight of 450. however the tag on the front of the trailer said 4800 gvwr, i am a little confused. (don't know for sure what GVWR means)
Does anyone have experience with this combo or close to it?
Should I attempt to pull the trailer any distance at all, or should I consider a different vehicle?
Thanks,
Dorian
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Old 02-19-2010, 11:06 AM   #14
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Folks... check out post #13 here. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...ion-42259.html
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Old 02-19-2010, 12:30 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DD.KARAOKE View Post
... I have a 1994 Toyota 4runner with 3.0 v6, vehicle has a tow capacity of 5000.

Everything I have read tells me the 1976 ARGOSY 20 TT weighs 4500 and a tounge weight of 450. however the tag on the front of the trailer said 4800 gvwr, i am a little confused. (don't know for sure what GVWR means)

Does anyone have experience with this combo or close to it?

Should I attempt to pull the trailer any distance at all, or should I consider a different vehicle?
Thanks,Dorian
hi dorian, welcome

the 5000 'tow capacity' isn't as important as payload and gCwr or gVwr for the 'runner, find those ratings.

the 5000 lbs is BEFORE accounting for passengers, gear and STUFF in the truck...

truck payload subtracts on a POUND4POUND basis.

so a more realistic figure for the runner is ~4500 lbs.

the tag on the trailer with 4800 gvwr is the TOTAL/UPPER limit for the entire assembly (including axels)...

just like the gvwr for the runner it is the KEY figure to know and respect.

there are many folks here towing with that rig search the towing/vehicle section with key terms like 'runner' or toyota.

and u will FIND the good/bad and otherwise, first hand reports.

"attempt to pull the trailer"? sure...

but don't forget to attempt stopping, turning and generally CONTROLLING the trailer as part of the trial.

with a proper driveline/mods and FRESH suspension/tires and brakes it can work...

i have seen 31s pulled with the runner in question...

it looked more like a WALKER than a runner but the driver seemed happy.

cheers
2air'
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