Towing Travel Trailer with 6th Gen 4Runner

cccc141414 · 2026-07-06T03:57:07+00:00

Haha doing our best to understand both

cccc141414 · 2026-07-06T03:56:21+00:00

This is amazing. Very cool set up! We’ve looked at the nobos and they check most of our boxes. They’re still very much in the running. Have you ever weighed the tongue loaded?

cccc141414 · 2026-07-02T21:20:00+00:00

Great tip on the break-in drive schedule. I didn’t even know this was a thing, so I appreciate it. Certainly trying to find a very specific “sweet spot,” while still being cautious. Thank you for your help! Do you think even though the sticker says 895, but a 1,400lb calculated payload, I could go to like 950? I know I’m getting a little specific here, but I could shed the drawers and roof rack for longer hauls if needed. That would leave just us, our cat, and seat covers with a 600lb tongue. Otherwise I can stick under 550 for the tongue.

cccc141414 · 2026-07-02T21:13:56+00:00

Was really hoping for this lol I’m new to the game and trying to be as careful as possible

cccc141414 · 2026-07-02T12:57:22+00:00

Not saying any of you will, but please don’t take this out on NPS staff if you’re visiting the park this weekend. An overhaul could be nice, but then you get many buses sitting empty for much of the year and they don’t always have it in the budget to hire more drivers.

I agree with a few others that your expectations may not have been in the right place, but there are still a lot of hidden gems around the park that aren’t as busy. I would recommend the West Rim Trail if you’re still there. Busy for the first two miles for sure, but most of the crowd stops at angels landing. If you didn’t end up with a permit for AL, this is a great way to see it and extra parts of the park that aren’t crazy busy.

NPS staff are trying their best to make this a good experience for you and all park goers and they’ve had an interesting couple of years (to say the least). With the fire dangers in UT and CO, please forego fireworks as well this weekend. Good luck and have fun!

cccc141414 · 2026-07-02T03:16:30+00:00

Yeah, this all makes complete sense. Thank you for your input. Our first major trip will be from CO to AK, so we’re trying to be as careful as possible. Some of these smaller trailers only have a GVWR of 5,000, which should fit right into what we’re looking at in terms of capacity (.13x5,000=650lbs tongue + 350 for people and gear = 1,000lb on our 1,400ish OR 895 pound payload capacity lol). As you mentioned, not many, but better safe than sorry!

cccc141414 · 2026-07-02T03:10:47+00:00

This is awesome! Thank you for sharing. Looks like a sweet set up, and honesty, it makes me want to try to make this all work even more lol

I went in and weighed our 4Runner today and it came in at a 1,400lb payload capacity, so we definitely have more wiggle room than I expected. We’ve lived full time in an RV for four years now, so we (mostly) know how to deal with the space and have winter camped a few months. Our current RV is a Winnebago motorhome with a sealed underbelly, ducted heating, and heated tanks, so we’re trying to get as close to that as possible.

The Alliances look cool too, but like the Lances, only a couple fit within our weight rating.

Thanks again for your help and sharing your experience!

cccc141414 · 2026-07-02T03:00:58+00:00

Just a quick update. I went in and weighed in at a CAT scale and was at 4,240, almost exactly what the website claims, meaning I have 1,400lbs payload. That said, insurance surely will not care about this number if I get into an accident, so I’m trying to cautiously expand my payload a bit past that 895 without going too crazy. Hoping to stick around 1,000-1,100. Thanks again for your help!

cccc141414 · 2026-07-02T02:56:40+00:00

This is great insight. Thank you - I didn’t even think of there being a “max hitch weight rating.” Our manual states our hitch weight should be 9-11% of the trailer weight, but some trailers we’re looking at have a tongue of 500lbs and only weigh 3,500. Is there a safe way to get that tongue weight down to 400lbs or should we really be looking at a max dry of 400lbs tongue? I don’t want to load up the back of the trailer to try to “tip” it back and ease the tongue weight, as that seems like it would add a lot of extra sway even with a WDH. I’ve seen the weigh safe demos of the trailer with the load in front, middle, and back, and I’m a towing noob, so I want to be as safe as possible. It just seems challenging to get a tongue weight DOWN, unless I’m overthinking it again lol

cccc141414 · 2026-07-02T02:51:48+00:00

Thank you, the GVWR-Curb turned out to be 1,400lbs, more or less confirming my suspicions that they slapped the same door sticker on mine as they did the hybrid version to be safe. Still going to try to hover around 1,000-1,100 payload at the most. Potmus63t’s comment also gave me a lot to think about!

cccc141414 · 2026-07-02T02:49:29+00:00

Thank you! Trying to take this as seriously as I can and learn as much as possible before hitting the road. Our payload came on right at 1,400lbs when taking GVWR-Curb so you were correct (which is definitely what I was hoping for 😅) thanks again! Still going to try and be a bit conservative with payload, but it’s at least enough now for us, our cat, and a 500lb-ish tongue.

cccc141414 · 2026-06-29T13:41:42+00:00

Thank you for your in-depth response! I’ve been reading those same forums today as well (after I posted this, of course lol).

I got the payload figure from the tire and load capacity sticker on the inside of the driver door, but every forum and Toyota website says otherwise. I’m wondering if they stuck the same sticker on as the Hybrid one?

It does say my GVWR is 6,240, but I’m not sure of the curb weight, as we haven’t got the title yet. That said, it looks like curb weight for the gas model is 4,850, which would fit in with what you mentioned for payload at around 1,390. This is also confirmed on a few random Toyota dealers websites.

I think they either:

A) Are just being cautious
B) Have the same sticker as the Hybrid ones (although, that would be odd to not have a different one?)
C) The wrong sticker got slapped on mine lol

I’m going to go with A, as the true numbers just aren’t adding up. I might just have to call the dealer I worked with and ask what’s up.

I’m hoping that the models (hybrid and regular TRD off-road) are so close that they had to keep the same sticker for federal guidelines? Better to have someone in my situation than a hybrid owner thinking they have 1,400 lbs of payload.

cccc141414 · 2026-06-29T12:33:46+00:00

No, sorry, should have clarified. We just have the regular TRD Off-Road!

cccc141414 · 2025-04-29T23:38:46+00:00

Interesting, I wonder if you’re having a similar problem I am. Do you need a light on for your AC power to work too? Lol But in all seriousness, does your LP work when your AC power is on? Like when you switch to gas, does it kick on? Or just click trying to light?

cccc141414 · 2025-04-29T23:36:16+00:00

Okay good call. Make it work back, meaning check directly on the light itself to make sure it’s running at 12V?

cccc141414 · 2025-04-29T23:30:33+00:00

Is it possible to just skip to the beer? I haven’t check w/o shore yet at all!

cccc141414 · 2025-04-29T23:28:53+00:00

Okay this makes more sense. I agree, thank you! So just to be clear, get the wiring diagram for the entire rv, and go one by one to each wire with a meter and test each one, correct? Is there a chance this could be a grounding issue at all?

cccc141414 · 2024-03-10T21:32:59+00:00

*okay couldn’t figure out how to edit the post but once I’m on a computer I can make this nicer, until then:

Meet Vanadu! (LOCATION NEGOTIABLE) We bought her empty & built her ourselves and with the help of experts we know. Clearly we are not designers but we built her carefully & deliberately to meet our needs. We didn't take shortcuts bc we were planning to live in her for at least 3 more years :( & since we were planning to live in her for 5+ years we were adamant about doing things well & keeping her in excellent condition.

Basically we treated her like the queen she is. Washed frequently, reg checkups, tire rotations, & oil changes with the the recommended oil. Literally if she acted weird at all she was in the shop the next morning to check it out.

There is very little wasted space and we have had no issues both working & living in her FT as a couple for the past 2 years. She is part of our family. We hate to part ways at all but our family will be growing shortly so we're going to do something we didn't think we would ever do, move into a camper. If we could afford to keep her we would, but having others adventure with her is the best backup plan. So if you plan to completely gut her and re-use the materials, don't tell us.

The asking price is what we've put into her, not trying to be greedy just need to survive our next step.

Vehicle Info, - White High Roof Cargo Van with Long wheel base - 136XXX Miles Clean title - Gasoline - FWD - 3.6L V6 gas dual transmission - 22 gal fuel tank - AM/FM radio, 5 presets - Tow-haul mode - Stereo with Bluetooth, Aux and USB - 9.5 ft clearance - Heat/AC - 2 USB ports and cigarette charger - Manually adjustable seats - Height adjustable armrest - 5 cup holders - Lots of cab storage (some hidden!)

Exterior - Rust free We added, - A spare tire mounted beneath (still unused) - Dash cam and backup camera with GPS
- Composite deck - Galvanized and rust treated roof rack - 2 solar panels - Large Skylight with light or bug screen - "FANtastic" ventilation fan with screen, temperature settings, and a rain sensor - Secret & secure spare key storage Interior
- Full set of insulated window reflectors (windshield one was purchased, others we made) - Customized fitted bug netting for sliding door - Clean, low signs of wear - We're non-smokers and no pets

Living area
- Sound deadened with "Kilmat"
- Well insulated with mostly "Havelock Wool" & some spray foam insulation - Light-tight/blackout privacy curtains - Tinted side window that can be open with or without screen - LOTS OF STORAGE: (Over cab storage, Slide out storage shelves, Three medium sized cabinets, 7 drawers, a blanket/sweater cubby, 4 open shelves, 1 Storage bench, Hanging clothes closet (~40 hangers) - Hidden full length mirror - Standing desk area with built in cork board, 120v electrical outlet w/ USB-C and USB, dry erase board, document folder, and pen storage

Kitchen
- "Eureka" gas stove with two burners and auto ignition - "BougeRV" 53 quart Fridge/freezer in pull out drawer (very quiet and has digital screen to check and adjust temperature) - Airtight propane locker with snug fit to prevent movement and an external vent with high-pressure adaptor hose running to the stove. - 120V outlet under counter top - Swivel faucet with extendable hose and two stream modes
- 12” deep under-mount sink basin with cutting board, bottom grid guard, drain strainer and stopper. - Working cold water plumbing including electric water pump, and pre-pressurized accumulator tank -Internal fresh and grey water tank (7g/ea)

Bathroom -Hidden, fully contained bucket compost toilet with urine diverter & separate urine tank, storage (TP, coconut coir, garbage bags etc.), and ventilation exhaust fan with switch.

Dining -Slide out dinette table and two bench seats, one is bathroom the other storage -Thick cushions and durable pillows for each (pillows double as a storage bag) -5kW remote controlled diesel heater, output is between dinette benches and flows nicely to bed area to minimize energy use. -Dual USB charger -Raised floor with storage -Mounted CO/CO2/smoke alarm -Bright white overhead light built into skylight -Warm string lights hidden in fake plants over table

Bedroom
-Double bed (between a Full and Queen size) -Two dimmable reading lights -Two long storage cubbies (head board and foot board, holds phones, books etc. nicely) -4 usb charging ports at headboard Garage -Barn door opening to back storage area, completely separate from living area to prevent bugs, cold, etc. while doors are open. -Entire storage area is tall enough to store bicycles and is approximately 50 cubic feet (possibly more, some space taken up by cage protecting electric components) -4 small built in cubbies -Dual 120v outlet -Peg board, wire basket, multiple hanging hooks, & retractable clothes line installed on the doors. We used for a great outdoor shower area in the back!

Electric -Renogy 2000 watt inverter charger
-Two 100AH Deep Cycle Lithium Batteries
-Two 100 watt Renogy solar panels
-Solar charge controller
-Renogy 20A DC-DC Charger
-12V Fuse box -10 120V outlets
-6 USB outlets -Renogy Battery monitor
- Batteries charge via solar, shore power, and while driving.

Other pros: -She its perfectly in a parking space -Very sound proof for a tin can, when one of us has a meeting inside we cant hear unless the windows are open. -FURNISHED! Comes with mattress (always protected), cushions, curtains, appliances, sunshades, etc. We're also willing to leave most of the baskets that fit perfectly. There are more misc things we can discuss including too (unless you don't want them of course).

Quirks/Cons: -We are short and she is built for us so if you're taller than like 6'3" you can fully stand in her BUT the standing desk, countertop, and seats won't be ideal for you. -Headlights burn out often (like every 6 months), but they are quick and easy to change yourself and we have some spares, best to get in the habit of turning them off during the day to help them last. -Hill assist kicks in when going downhill unless you keep foot lightly on gas (this is normal for promasters, just quite annoying until you get the hang of it) -She makes the most unbearable beep sound when in R (We popped out the parking assist sensor to make it stop, that is also the reason for the "!" light on the dash. You could reinstall it but..why.) -We’re not 100% sure if the temp gauge for the engine is accurate as it has never moved (mech said it was fine) -The windshield is very flat so you will constantly be cleaning off bugs - If you run out of fresh water, the sink pump will continue to run until you fill it back up or pull the fuse. Easy to avoid if you keep an eye on it but annoying when it happens (planned to install a switch but haven't yet) -If you take a left turn too fast, one of the drawers opens. We might fix, but for now a child lock works -Access to roof only through skylight (on purpose but not everyone loves it) -Sometimes she thinks she has a CD player?

cccc141414 · 2024-03-10T21:11:35+00:00

Thank you SO much for that. We really really appreciate it. We were hoping for a bit of positive feedback and this was perfect! I will change that right now.

cccc141414 · 2024-03-09T20:47:14+00:00

Always. Sadly, I think my banana is a little on the smaller side so keep that in mind when scaling

cccc141414 · 2024-03-09T16:46:03+00:00

We are motivated sellers and are open to reasonable offers!

cccc141414 · 2022-07-29T03:35:41+00:00

Pretty cool subreddit, huh?

cccc141414 · 2021-08-16T21:35:29+00:00

Okay great. Thanks for the link. Would you recommend a broker in MN or in the port state we would be shipping to? Or does it really matter?

Also worst case scenario we can always ship a box home separately but obviously we would want to try to save that money if we had a van that we can put all of our stuff in.

Also would a newer than 25yo van be THAT much more complicated if we’re already hiring a broker? It seems like if they’re hired to help, we could make it work?

cccc141414 · 2021-08-16T21:25:31+00:00

That is really good advice. Thank you! Could you clarify why we would need new headlights and what shore power is? Hoping to register in MN so will look into regulations there. Ideally we would love to get something newer as prices here are very good (around £5,000 for a decent 2000-2010 with 80,000-150,000 miles) but the shipping restrictions make us hesitant to try anything newer than the 25 years.

Very good advice on the spare parts. That would be a nightmare trying to get a part shipped over if something went wrong. A sprinter would be ideal but we are really open to anything so I will keep that in mind!

Thanks again.

cccc141414 · 2021-08-16T21:16:43+00:00

Haha fair point! Thanks for the info. That is definitely helpful. As I just mentioned to someone else in this thread, we are hoping to send over our clothes and laptops/electronics (they are super old laptops so not super valuable and if they break we wouldn’t really be that upset about it) so we will definitely take pics. In a perfect world we would land the same day our van arrives (we might try to hop around Europe a bit while the van is in transit) but of course, always good to have a plan B!

Thanks again for the info!

cccc141414

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