I loved your video review! You would make a great teacher or seminar educator! I've been really wanting a 4runner but doubting the versatility and practicality over a truck. Your detailed towing experience was the best!!! You can't beat the reliability of the 4runner! Really appreciate your time to share your experiences.

Good thorough review Patrick!! Our daughter and son-in-law just got a 4-runner. They are very nice vehicles! We lucked out with being able to tow our T@B with our exiting vehicle, which is the Nissan Frontier. It has a 6300 towing capacity and had been great so far.

What an excellent video. Thanks for post. I'm going to pull a small RV for the first time ever and found this video super helpful.

Great video and you answered so many questions, thanks again!👌🏾😀

you always provide great information, this is just what i wanted to know. Have a 2021 4Runner and was looking at the Tab 400 !

Glad I came across your very informative video! We are empty nesters with a 2021 SR5 who hope to travel the West in a small TT when my teacher husband retires next year. The Tab 400 is at the top of our list, so I was relieved to hear the 4Runner can handle it without having to make any major modifications. I see through your IG that you have since traded up and look forward to following along and learning from your experiences. Cheers, and all the best to you both in '22!

Great review

Good 4Runner review Patrick! Their great trucks/SUV's.

Thank you for sharing this. I'm currently looking at a 4runner to purchase.

I was just looking at the Toyota 4Runner as an option for my next vehicle. I'm still in a lease with my Jeep Grand Cherokee, but when it's up, I want something a little taller and more rugged. I'm glad I decided to come and check out your KZfaq page!

Lets start a 4Runner-Tab 400 cult lol. Love my 2018 4Runner TRD Off Road edition. Ditched the stock tires for BFG K02s and never looking back, what a beast just stock with the KDSS suspension which really handles the body roll these SUVs for so known for. Now to secure my Tab 400 lol. Will definitely be doing the Timbren suspension enhancement and Tekonsha P3 brake controller as you suggested. Would love to run into you folks on the trail some day. Great channel!

I purchased a 2011 4runner SR5 back in March and absolutely love it! Now to just find that perfect Travel Trailer to go behind it! I might mention the one thing I don't like is how far under the bumper the plug is for the trailer lights. Something I will have moved if possible when I get a trailer. With a bad knee its hard to get down and up. LOL! The joys of being over 50! 😃

Thank you so much for this review! I just purchased a 2020 4Runner 4x4 Premium and was looking forward to getting a camper trailer to get out of the Phoenix summer heat on the weekends. I have received a lot of 'negative' feedback from the 4Runner community. They have said I shouldn't expect to pull a trailer, I will move at a snail's pace and that i have to add about 10K in mods to even make it doable. I'm guessing those individuals haven't actually pulled anything in their 4Runners after watching your videos. We really wanted to get the 400 but after all the negative feedback I was frustrated and bummed. I was contemplating the TAB 320 or CS-S as a hail mary. Now I'm feeling much more confident in looking at one of the 400's. Thank you so much!

Good review. I was about to get a 4Runner myself and then I drove the Jeep Grand Cherokee with 295 HP V6 and I never looked back. It has 6200 Lbs towing and it was more fun to drive than the 4Runner plus it has so many more safety features. Don't get me wrong, I, too, love the 4Runner but I just love my new Jeep more! With the Hemi V8 it can tow 7400 lbs. The Limited comes with a special rear suspension that weight balances the towing load. Both are great vehicles and you can't go wrong with either one. I owned a Rav4 for 12 years before getting the Jeep! I love Toyota's! Great review as usual, Delaney!

Toyota makes a great vehicle. I just bought a 2019 Toyota Sienna SE for my wife. Great video!

Patrick, thank you for a great video. We were looking at the 4Runner and the Honda Ridgeline as contenders for our tow vehicle for our new T@B 400. We ended up getting the Ridgeline over the 4Runner. Tow capacity for both vehicles is virtually identical. Just got a screaming deal on the Ridgeline. Haven’t towed with it yet. We are looking at going with a weight distribution system just to add a little stability. The weight distribution system we’re looking at also works as a sway control device....Thank you again for all the work you do on these fine videos, they have been most helpful in educating us as we move towards camping with our 400.

Great informative video Patrick. 👍

Hi all, enjoyed the 4 runner review. We tow our Tab 400 with a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. No problems towing to Seattle from Pa and back. Lots of passenger space and trunk and cargo bed space. No need for a car top carrier. Maybe we'll get a 4 runner as a backup when our Mercury Mariner needs replaced. It of course is too small to tow the Tab 400.

Great video, great review! Thanks for sharing! Be safe, Be blessed 😉🙄💙🇺🇸❤

The only thing we added to the Ridgeline was a brake controller and one sway bar. Got 14-17 mpg on the gently rolling hills went down to 12 when pulling up the mountains out west. 22+ mpg when not towing. It is built on the Pilot chassis but pulled great. 5,000 lbs tow limit.

Thanks for another review. I have a Highlander that I dearly love. Pulls my TAB 320 like it's not even there, but you are making me rethink my tow vehicle. I like some of the features that your tow vehicle has like the inverter in back. When I trade my 320 in for the TAB 400, we will see if the Highlander still can handle it. With the Highlander you have to have the tow package installed extra. I might be trading my SUV in also.

Really enjoyed your video, very informative. Plan I buying a used 4 runner. The new ones are to expensive. I like all the positive comments, especially the towing information. I would probably look for the 3rd row for the grand kids. Thank you I'm sold!!!!!

Great review, Patrick!! As you know, we feel a bit "under powered" towing the LGM with our 2005 GMC Envoy (altho it'd been adequate so far) so have been looking at used pickups. The GMC Sierra 's have caught our eye recently, but there's so many different 'packages' and types, it's a lot of research to do if there's towing involved, it seems...just like finding that "perfect" fit trailer - you need to look at alot, ask a bunch of questions and make it fit the budget! But now you have me wondering about 4Runners...thanks? LOL!! Safe travels, much love and see you #ondowntheroad 💜

I just purchased my 2016 4runner! Used with 83,000 miles and now I'm ready to purchase my first travel trailer but I have no experience towing . Looking forward to leaving the city for fulltime rving!!

Nice tour. I tow with a 2013 Tundra 5.7L and really enjoy the power and dependability. Pulling the 400 is easy with the only downside of MPG ranging from 11.5 to 13. Thanks again for your insights.

Good review. I was towing w a Kia. That was fine. Then we got the Ram thinking we were going to get a bigger camper. Haven’t yet but I sure enjoy going out with the truck. So much easier towing.

Another great video! I am going to need a bit heavier rig in the near future. Good information!

Great info

Good video Patrick. For people coming here new to towing, make sure you look at your yellow sticker (usually on the drivers side door) that explains the weight limits of your vehicle. Your trailer tongue weight does count towards your payload capacity, which is something a lot of people don't pay attention to.

Outside of the smooth ride, the short dash and upright position of the glass is what m akes it feel like your'e driving a smaller vehicle. It's very japanese like. Well heck, it is made in japan so.

Thanks for the review. The review of your newest camper is a perfect comparison to my Bass Boat. Hull 1400; motor 500; trailer 500; batteries 150; gas 150; gear 150 == 2850 pounds. I'm looking to buy a 4 runner in a few days this is very reassuring - thanks!

A little behind on the videos but one thing to note about wheelbase is how it compares to the trailer being towed , can't find an article to link to but the How to Tow Guide published by RV Consumer Group has a chart with what length trailer should be matched to wheelbase. There are of course several other considerations but their recommendations start at the trailers that are 15'-19' long should be towed by a a vehicle with at least 100" wheelbase, 20'trailer would need at least a 110" wheelbase, etc.

Great video covering all the camper & towing bases! Thanks! I've been considering a new Highlander but now leaning towards the 4Runner which seems to have everything I want (except gas mileage) already baked in. I'm curious, how well has the stock 7 pin connection held up in that location? Seems like it might be a good spot for dirt, water & corrosion. Also, wondering if you can tell whether they ran all the wiring for that underneath or inside the car. I've had more than enough trouble with corroded pins & splice connections on my aftermarket wiring job that someone else did. Currently towing a 2003 Casita Spirit Deluxe with '04 Nissan Xterra.

I love my 4 Runner also. My specs with the trailer with water is 3100# (# means pounds), tongue wt 420#, and without load leveler 2 7/8" squat. Total weight of trailer and 4Runner full of fuel 5280#. While I will do understand the perspective about load levelers, my opinion is not in line with that perspective. Anti-sway is a good thing but the problem with conventional anti-sway is very sharp turns will bend the mounting plate at the ball. I live in California and went to Virginia to pick up my trailer and towed it back to California. Went fine but having towed trailers most of my life I HATE TRAILERS! Firstly, let me say I have NO professional connection with Anderson Hitches nor do I have any connection to any store. I installed the Anderson system that has both anti-sway and load leveling integrated into the system when I got home..... SIMPLY AMAZING product. The ride is simply stellar. It has anti-sway built into the ball and the load levelers are second to none. They work based on Physics that is very different than normal old school load levelers and lessens "porpoising". Anderson hitches also are very friendly with "C" channel installs. Do some research and you might find they are good for you. If this post is out of line please let me know and I will delete it, if you as the owner, of the page can not. Thanks and take care.

I have a 2016 4Runner. Got it new. I tow a 2500 lbs R-pod with it. To be honest, I'm a bit disappointed with the 4Runner towing capabilities. My 1998 Grand Cherokee (4.0l 6 cyl.) seems to tow it much much better but it is what it is. When I bought the trailer, I soon installed an aftermarket transmission cooler on the 4Runner. It really needed it for towing, especially in summer time. The tiny existing cooler inside the radiator is just too small and the transmission won't last long if towing a trailer. Transmission temperatures used to get too hot for my liking when I towed with it. I never let anyone touch my vehicles and obviously installed the cooler by myself. I also added a 180 degree thermostat to reduce temperature variations that can negatively affect transmission performance and life. An extra-large heavy duty transmission cooler fit nicely in front of the radiator. At first I was thinking about just adding the fluid to compensate for the cooler addition but have decided to partially replace the transmission fluid (drain and refill). At 20,000 miles, the fluid has lost most of it's color and looked brownish. I drained and refilled with Amsoil Signature, Fuel Saving ATF (100% synthetic) as it is a better fluid than what Toyota put at the factory. Now, transmission temperature never ventures above 170 degrees, even when climbing a long up-hill while towing the camper. Most of the time it settles at around 150 degrees. Perfect. I would advise anyone to install an additional transmission cooler on this vehicle. Beware that there is a KZfaq video that shows "professional installation", published by ETrailer. Their installation looks terrible and they connected the cooler to the WRONG side of the radiator! Hope this information may help anyone who wants to tow with a 4Runner.

Thank you for this. I have been lusting after both the 4Runner and the T@B400 but I was worried that the T@B400 would be too much for the 4Runner. When traveling, do you carry much in your T@B? I'm hoping to do a lot of boon docking which would mean carrying full water, etc.

Thanks for the thorough review! We have a 2018 4Runner and recently upgraded from a popup to a small travel trailer (roughly 3000 pounds dry). Now having towed it on a couple of trips, we’ve found that driving in s4 (ie locking out 5th gear) seems to be best. Wind drag and load just make the truck not want to hold 5th gear at highway speeds and/or the torque converter won’t lock fully in 5th. 70mph in 4th gear is about 2500rpm. Mileage doesn’t seem to be affected much (roughly 10-11 mpg regardless). Just curious if this is what you do also or do you just drive in D and let the truck do its thing?

as usual an outstand and informative video. Thank you again for all the information. Take care and kiss Truman for me

We got a 2017 Tacoma and it has a different engine I think is a 3.5 (changed in 2016) and is rated to tow up to 6700lbs. I would still keep the unloaded weight around 3800 lbs to be on the safe side. Haven't done much towing besides my boat but around town I get 20mpg and on the highway I get around 24 mpg and the best has been 26 mpg driving at 60 mph rather than 70mph.

I've been slowly researching to narrow down my upcoming purchase of my first tow vehicle...and it's a hard decision to make. Like you Patrick, I want something that is both a good daily driver, and a solid tow vehicle with more than enough capacity to tow a 3,500 lb class trailer...with some room tow something a bit larger if it comes to that. I keep coming back to the GMC Canyon / Colorado twins and the Honda Ridgeline, but haven't fully decided between a pickup and a body on frame SUV. Thanks for sharing your experiences...it's helpful to hear a full review like this.

I have a 2016 4Runner Trail. Whose sway control hitch did you use?

My parents might help me by using their forerunner same as yours to tow my car to another state. Any other recommendations for that? Thanks

Thanks for the video. I have a 20 foot single axle 3300 pound camper Unloaded I thought it might be a little too much for the 4runner.

Patrick, as always we really appreciate your reviews/videos. Quick question regarding the Tab 400 and 4Runner setup. When you towed with this setup, did you have any concerns regarding the tongue weight? My TV has 500# limit and I am a little concerned that the 400 is approaching that limit. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

I love Toyota 4 runner sr5 👍💖

I.love Toyota 4 runner my favorite color red of Toyota 4runner

Great information Do you recommend an external transmission cooler or is the one off the radiator sufficient for towing long distances?

I know you guys have moved on to a new tow vehicle, but I’m really interested in the Timbren suspension rubber that you installed. Did it help prevent the several inches of squat with your 4Runner after hitching up your trailer? Any difference in ride quality with or without the trailer? We tow a Casita with our 4Runner so this would be very helpful information. Thanks

Great job!!! I locking for 4runner sr5 2015 but only think stress me is the gas milage !!!How much you guys get in the city, highway Not loaded. thankfully

Had an FJ cruiser back then, pretty much the same truck except 4” shorter in wheelbase. I towed a 3500 lbs 23 ft travel trailer a couple of time. The engine is OK, but it lacks the tq for big hills. It’s a nightmare towing through mountain backroad. By the way, don’t use a weight distribution hitch if you have the OEM hitch receiver. Yours tow great because your trailer size is reasonable. Great choice!

Great review Patrick. I have been looking to trade in my Subaru Forester for an SUV that could also act as a TV. Right now we tow with Jim's 2009 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab. It has issues for me and our Standard Poodle regarding comfort and safety. I really like the Forerunner's features except for the fact that the new models still do not have the new STAR SAFETY SENSE - Toyota Safety Sense ™ P (TSS-P)30 - Pre-Collision System29 with Pedestrian Detection41 (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert (LDA)35 with Sway Warning System (SWS),71 Automatic High Beams (AHB)42 and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)28 - Which has even made it onto the new Tacomas. While my Forester was at dealer for new windshield they gave me a new Crosstrek that had similar Safety package. The cruise control sold me! I use cruise control all the time and the new feature breaks automatically as it senses vehicle in front and slows down then automatically returns to set speed! It was amazing in traffic. .... i continually have to break and hit my CC to return to speed which is a real pain in rush hour traffic. I wonder if they are planning on phasing out the Forerunner since all other vehicles have the new Safety System. I am majorly disappointed with Toyota.

Great video. I'm running a 2018 TRD off-road premium, towing a 2019 GEO PRO 19BH. I've read that a lot of 4runner owners switch over to sport mode and use 4th gear while towing in mountainous areas. Do you use this method? Some claim a gas savings.

Hi. I'm looking at beefing up my rear suspension on my T4R with towing in mind. Am wondering if the Timbren bumperstops are "bouncy" when you're not towing your trailer. Like say when 2-3 people are in the vehicle. Thanks...

Hello again. I know you no longer have the 4Runner but I have a question about it as I am considering it for towing. I noticed the 4 and 7 pin connectors were oddly located far from the receiver to the driver's side. Did you need an extension cord made for the Tab 400 standard power cable so that it could safely reach the car's connector and have enough length to make turns? Thanks.

👍

Based on your experience what weight of a travel trailer would you feel safe towing with a 4runner? Would you stick to no more than around 3k dry weight? Thanks in advance!!

do any of you heavier towers still use 0w 20 oil ? or do you bump it up a notch or so ? thanks

We bought a Toyota Tacoma for the same reason as you - wanted a smaller yet powerful tow vehicle. Husband did not want 4x4 . Ugh. Hope we do not regret that decision when we boondock...

Thanks! I’ll upgrade my 2013 to a 2020 and buy a 19’ TT. Why Timbrens instead of an air bag?

When towing do you use the manual shift setting on your 4R or leave it in drive?

How comfortable are the seats on a long trip?

As I mentioned in previous replies, we have a 2018 Honda Pilot. My husband likes the 4 Runner as well. For me, I like that the Pilot feels like a car and can looks nice for going to a fancy dinner but it can haul our trailer and be functional for our adventures. The three seating rows is really handy for when we have guests. It is also handy for bringing our gear. We fold down the back seats to put a folding table and other random stuff and in the very back there is a compartment that holds our Yeti cooler and generator side by side perfectly and there is no shifting due to the recessed floor. It also acts as a storage as the lid can either be locked in place or set in the bottom of the compartment. With all that we still have the back seat free for Chanel’s car seat. We use a Sleepypod which is crash tested. Not sure if they make one large enough for Truman.

Do you need to install a brake controller? Thanks again

Question: we have a Tacoma and our hitch goes back pretty far. I noticed on my same model 4runner as yours that the spare tire is in the way of putting it all the way in. Is this OK or do you remove your spare tire?

Would you be able to tow a Tab 400 with a Rav 4?

How many miles on the tundra?

did you ever state the weight of your trailer?

What model Brake controller did you get ?

Ok I bought a 2004 Rockwood Roo 21ss and it tops off at 2,800 pounds. I picked it up using my at the time 1999 Lexus RX300 which max towing is 3,500. The the added weight distribution and sway control which was definitely needed I think I got closer to 3,000 pounds. I bought the travel trailer in New Jersey and has to drive back home to North Carolina which I made it 15 minutes from my driveway before the Lexus engine gave up. I didn’t get any signs that it could not handle the tow at all. I stopped for gas and got back on the freeway then the tapping noise began. So I love the Toyota brand and have always drove Lexus I was undecided about a Lexus GX 470 V8 or the 4Runner. Because I currently have a Lexus RX330 I decided to go with the 4Runner and I really like the 4Runner because it feels more like an actual off road vehicle other rather a suv designed more like a car. Now the 4Runner is a V8 SR5 maxing at 5,000 pounds with the toe package. Again the travel trailer is maxing at 2,800 pounds and I hooked it up without the weight distribution and the 4Runner maintained a level as normal without the front rising and I took a spin around the block and it drive well enough. I’m hoping it do well on long highway and freeway driving. So, I want to know your opinion about using a 4Runner to tow a hybrid camper because I have great reviews and expectations about the 4Runner but you really have me thinking now. I’m sure your travel trailer weighs more than my small hybrid but what experience you had on the highway vs.’s the city?

What kind of airlift you are using for your 4runner?

2014 Toyota 4Runner, but,..it looks new!

How tall are you? Looks like your head is pretty close to the roof.

Hi, when can I start towing 3500 lbs on a brand new 4Runner 2019? Thanks

I have to say; if you were to buy a new vehicle stay away from anything with a turbo like the Subaru. Turbos are trouble and never deliver the fuel economy the manufacturer promises unless you drive very conservatively. Towing a 3000-pound trailer will not afford you the luxury of driving conservatively. Just FYI: I was a commercial driver for over 20 years and have seen industrial turbos designed to last 500,000 miles blow at under 90,000 miles!

Lmao! He said the 4Runner has lots of power towing!

WhAt in the heck is squat?..

“Plenty of power” “no issues with power”!?!?!? Wow, that has definitely NOT been our experience with our 2017 Limited... and we don’t even tow with it. Most other youtubers and over landers I’ve watched or spoken to say their number one complaint with the 4Runner is lack of power. In fact, many have put super chargers on their vehicles to try to help out. We really like the vehicle other than that and I do plan on towing a large multi-boat kayak trailer and possibly a small camper in the future.

A whole lot of nothing in this video.

Starting to have mechanical problems?? It’s a tundra. These shit never have mech problems until 200k miles if you’re unlucky.