Towing in my 6th gen (16' foot Airstream trailer). What's your tow experience been?

[kinetic262]

So far I have towed my 16 foot Airstream (approximately 4000 pounds) around 1600 miles or so with my 6th gen off road premium. For comparison purposes, my previous vehicle was a 5th gen TRD Pro which I had for 9 years.

The additional power at the lower RPM's has been great, and the tow tech package with straight path assist is super useful when maneuvering in tight campgrounds and trying to back into a tough spot. It's still a bit of a rough and loud ride on the highway; Using Tow Haul mode and shifting into S5 will keep the RPM's north of 3000 at standard cruising speed on most highways.

RPM's stayed relatively high as I drove through the mountains, helping to regulate speed going downhill and giving me more than enough power to easily pull the trailer up long winding inclines in the Appalachians.

I think I have averaged around 11 or 12 mpg overall when towing.

Wondering if other folks have had similar experiences or have any other thoughts on the 6th gen as a tow vehicle.

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[CMill4Runner]

You have a non-Hybrid correct? I have a Hybrid coming in a couple weeks that will be towing a 4100 pd camper dry probably 5300 loaded. I hope to get 11 or 12 as the small gas tank has me concerned but will post up in a few weeks.

Are you using a weight distro hitch?

 

[kinetic262]

You have a non-Hybrid correct? I have a Hybrid coming in a couple weeks that will be towing a 4100 pd camper dry probably 5300 loaded. I hope to get 11 or 12 as the small gas tank has me concerned but will post up in a few weeks.

Are you using a weight distro hitch?

Correct, Non-hybrid. And yes, Im using an Equalizer weight distribution hitch.

 

[CMill4Runner]

which EQ hitch?

 

[GoBirds]

Thanks for sharing your experience, I'm going to be pulling a 4500lb boat with mine shortly. Will also be backing into a super tight boat yard and hoping SPA will help.

 

[brumey]

A diesel option would be nice and far better for towing. In the UK and Europe, the Land Criuser is only available in diesel. So I know Toyota has that option.

 

[CMill4Runner]

A diesel option would be nice and far better for towing. In the UK and Europe, the Land Criuser is only available in diesel. So I know Toyota has that option.

It would be interesting to see how Toyota handles the Feds Diesel requirements with DEF/Particulate filter. Having a '16 Ford and '21 & GM Diesel trucks I will never again own a Diesel from those companies.

 

[Diesel61904]

I have the TRD off Road Hybrid. I’m going to be pulling a small 2500 teardrop over the weekend. I read in the manual not to tow over 45mph until the engine reaches 1000 miles. Was this the same on the fifth Gen? I’ll post my experience next week.

 

[spyder40]

You have a non-Hybrid correct? I have a Hybrid coming in a couple weeks that will be towing a 4100 pd camper dry probably 5300 loaded. I hope to get 11 or 12 as the small gas tank has me concerned but will post up in a few weeks.

Are you using a weight distro hitch?

Will be interested to hear your thoughts. Currently pulling a trailer with a SxS which is about 3500-4000lbs behind a 2021 ORP. It does fine on the highway if I lock it in 4th gear to keep the motor around 3000 rpm which is loud plus gas mileage obviously suffers. On the list for a ORP hybrid but not here yet. Hoping it's a little more highway friendly.

 

[kinetic262]

Thanks for sharing your experience, I'm going to be pulling a 4500lb boat with mine shortly. Will also be backing into a super tight boat yard and hoping SPA will help.

Just make sure to go through the setup steps before you actually try to use SPA. Basically you just need to move it around in an empty space for a a minute or two and follow the directions on screen. Just make sure to do that before you attempt to back your boat in or it won't work.

 

[CMill4Runner]

1st tow today, just 45 miles to take the Trailer back to the dealer for a water leak, haven't even had it out yet. Did fine plenty of power but we didn't hit the mountains, the one thing I did notice is these Michelin's really track with the cement lines wagging the ass end all over the place. pulled over to make sure everything was hooked up correctly and it was. Once we got off cement and on asphalt it was gone. Seems the extra tongue weight really makes it bad, I noticed it on the way home without the trailer but it was only 10% as bad.

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