Hi: I'm looking for a TT to pull with my '09 Highlander (110" wheelbase). Has anybody ever seen any firm guidelines/formula for maximum trailer length given a tow vehicle's wheelbase? Assuming a proper setup with weight distribution hitch and sway bars, should I really be that concerned with length? I'm looking in the 20-25 ft range.

Thanks!

On my 2005 Sequoia, there is a relay that disconnects power to the charge line in the tow harness when the ignition is off. This allows the Sequoia to provide the trailer with power while underway, but prevents anything on your trailer from draining the Sequoia batteries while parked.

Does anyone know the voltage drop across this relay?

Thanks,
Dave

Just towed the band trailer approx 9k lbs loaded 160 miles this weekend.

I got 12.5 MPG:tu:

Speed: 55 Mph So Cal freeway driving

Terrain: Mostly flat with some grades. Newhall Pass if you're familiar with the area.

Traffic: Light to Moderate

For those who want to stay well within 1st gen limits, tow in the mountains, get good gas mileage, and have room for those extra folks when they want to go camping, isn't this the perfect pull:

Fifth Wheels, Toy Haulers & Travel Trailers - Heartland RV

Now if I can just figure out how to avoid that crazy MSRP... :-)

Rick

Hey guys. I thought I would report about my latest trip with the '10 Rock Warrior DC and car hauler. In the truck was me and my wife and a week's worth of luggage. My trailer is a 28 footer (total) car hauler which weighs around 3800 pounds and my '69 Camaro weighs around 3600 pounds. I figured I had another 600 pounds of stuff in the trailer. As we know, the RW comes equipped with the BFG KO's in load range E. My trailer tires are Goodyear ST225/75R15, load range D.

My trip was from southeast PA to Charlotte, NC with a side trip to Asheville, NC. All Interstate running, I took I81, I77 and I40 for most of the trip. Round trip miles were 1300. I made two mountain crossings on I77 and then again on I40 to Asheville. The ride up and down the I40 grade to Asheville was quite a haul. I have driven across country on I70, I80 and I90 and that grade was almost equal to anything I experienced in the Rockies.

Tire pressure in the truck was 46psi in the front and 56psi in the rear. I have the TRD rear sway bar and rear AirLift bags installed. I run the bags at 20psi. My hitch is a 12K WD without sway control. I also have the stock Toyota bug shield on the hood, if that makes a difference. The trailer tires were inflated to 60 psi.

The trip south I pretty much left the truck do all the shifting, I had the tow/haul button turned on and maintained a fairly constant 65MPH. I was running 87 octane. There was a lot of shifting and almost full throttle runs up to 5000 rpm.

The trip north I switched to 92 octane and "adjusted" my driving style to take over control of the tranny when I came to decent grades and let my speed drop by 5 to 10 MPH until I was over the grade. I need to add there is not a level piece of ground between my place and Charlotte. It was constant up and down on I81, I77 and I40.

Here are the results, the trip down I averaged 8.04MPG. The trip north I averaged 9.23MPG.

What are your opinions? I think the mileage appears a little low based on what I have been reading on the forum. Should I be making any changes to tire pressure, etc? Do you think the octane boost is worth the extra cost? I am thinking that more than anything is the change I made to my driving style. Would a CAI and dual exhaust help?

I do not have sway control on the WD hitch and only noticed minor sway from passing rigs and cross winds in the mountains. Would sway control help? What about the bug shield, I have heard that the shield does decrease you MPG's.

Thanks for any advice.

Would you see weight problems in towing this:

Northwood: Nash Trailers 21-5R

with my 2006 DC 4wd V8? I have the full tow package and LSD. Current tires are duelers would they need to be changed? I am the kind of guy who likes a nice easy pull versus something on the edge of TV capabilities. Thanks folks...

Hi: I wasn't sure where to post this since it pertains to both towing and the Highlander. I already asked the first question on the HL forum but not here.

1) As somebody who has never towed a trailer before, is there any realistic problem with towing at 90% of tow ratings? I know the Highlander won't speed like a race car and give stellar mpg, but is there a real safety/mechanical issue involved in doing this? I asked on RV.net also, but some of those folks suggest major overkill it seems. The trailer I like will weigh (loaded) 4400 lbs with tongue weight of 460 lbs. The Highlander's max tow rating is 5000 lbs and 500 max tongue weight. I mostly plan to stay locally here in SW Indiana on flat terrain, but don't want to totally rule out a trip to the mountains or beach once every couple years.

2) Anybody know the assumptions behind Toyota tow & tongue ratings -- i.e. are they "best case" on flat terrain w/ no headwind or "worst case" on long windy mountain road? Do they assume a single 150 lb passenger & no cargo in tow vehicle, or that the tow vehicle is loaded up to max (GVWR)?

Thank you!

I currently pull a TT (see signature) and I'm thinking about going to a 5ver, the two 5ver's that I like are the 2010 Coachmen Chaparral Lite 267RLS and the 270RKS, what I'm worried about is the fact that on the drivers side door jamb is a tag that says "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 1395 pounds". My Tundra is the 2008 Crew Max (see signature). Here's the published specs for the 5vers that I am looking at:

For the 267RLS

Base Weight = 6536
carrying capacity = 2562
Hitch weight = 1098
Length = 28'-10"

For the 270RKS

Base Weight = 6746
carrying Capacity = 2399
Hitch Weight = 1146
Length = 30'-3"

My question is after you subtract the hitch weight and the SuperGlide 12K hitch weight from the 1395lbs I'm not left with much for anything else and I'm sure that these figures are for an empty trailer so the loaded hitch weight should be more! Should I just stay with my TT and forget about the 5ver? Is a 5ver doable?

My poor preggers wife had to ride her bike all over Ft. Wilderness for two weeks while everyone else there drove golf carts. Today I was looking at a blue electric yamaha cart and said "That blue would match the truck really nice." She replied, "Well then go get it." I was kinda shocked as she never lets me get anything cool but as we go camping 2-3 weekends a month in the summer and several weeklong vacations...and we plan on having more kids...she wants one to get herself and the kids around (especially when she's pregnant). Laziness wins again!

So I've started a search for a golf cart to fit in the bed of the DC SB. The length on most of the EZGO and Yamaha carts is around 94". The measurement from the front bumper to mid back wheel is around 73" so both wheels would be in the bed of the truck...meaning I'd probably have to either tow with the tailgate down or remove it all together.

That being said has anyone else here towed a large trailer with a golf cart (or similar sized ATV) in the bed of the truck?

Has anyone relocated their tongue jack on the trailer so they could tow with the gate down? With all four wheels in the actual bed, I figure I could get one of those extend a gate things and then use the space on the gate for a few light (less than the 300lbs owner manual travel limit) things?

Anyone have a picture of their truck with a golf cart in the bed?

Another thing to consider is that if you add that back seat to the cart then it extends the length of the cart another 12-20"...not sure haven't measured, but it sticks out.

Just picked up an aluminum 12 foot long utility trailer to haul my ATV and a bit of gear on hunting trips. Should I shift out of overdrive all the time when towing or only on hilly terrain?

May be a dumb ? but do not want to damage the tranny even though the trailer is small.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Slider

Hello!

I picked up a receiver hitch for my 2003 Tacoma dbl cab 4x4. I do not believe it fits. I would like to know what it does fit under. I have tried in vain to search for any info.

The part number is 00214-89950
41 3/8" left to right overall
39" between hole centers for the four mounting holes (2 per side)
3 1/4" between hole centers front to back

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

I know this is dumb but I don't feel any changes with tow haul turned on vs. off when towing a 5,200 travel trailer. The light comes on the dash but that is all I notice. I had a Ford Club Wagon with a V10 & it switched off the 4th gear which was really an overdrive. I only have just over 1,000 miles on it & one trip with the travel trailer. The Tundra tows like a dream.

I just found this answer;

QUOTE=LeeinAZ;885256]It might have a lower tow capacity because you don't have the Tow Package. The TP comes with a trans cooler, a trans temp gauge, and the Tow/Haul switch for the trans, which changes the shift points in the transmission. How much weight do you plan on towing??[/QUOTE]

Thanks.