Topic: 95 4runner towing

[get r done]

I just bought a 95 4runner with the 22re 4x4 5spd. And Im wondering if it will tow my pop up camper? Im heading to the con on memorial day weekend and want to make sure it can handle ice house road. I believe my trailer is around 1450lbs with no trailer brakes. Any info on if it can do it safely please let me know. Thanks

[Rocksurfer]

I know a guy with a similar setup in an 85 4Runner and he used to tow his popup everywhere. It was slow going uphill but he did make it. I used to tow my 2 Seadoo's and had a cabover camper on top and would take it to Lake Isabella all the time from the desert side which was pretty big load and it was a 84 with a 22r, 5 speed, 33's and stock gearing. I did have to put it in 4wd low to keep it all cool but other than a slow go it never failed. I also used to tow my 18ft. fullsize camper trailer with my 86 4Runner with no issues at all, in fact it probably towed better than a 3.0 since it was a turbo. I would suggest a couple local test runs on it before you settled on doing it or not, but if your rig is in good mechanical shape you should not have much of an issue other than a slow uphill run.

[get r done [OP]]

Good info. What do you think about slowing down on down grades? 4runner brakes handle that much load? If it was just me going I would just try it. But will have my wife and son with me. I will do a couple test runs around town. Im trying not to take my Cummins down the trail we camp at. Scratches it all to hell.

[BLACKDOG]

Same thing as going up, let the drivetrain do the work, shift into 4 low if you have to. 

The only thing I would add is just because you can, doesn't mean you should.  Ice house isn't a bad road, but with it being 1 lane in either direction, it really sucks having someone either going up or down that has to go really slow, backing up traffic (depending on the crowds of course). 

If you're ok being "that guy" you should be fine.  I'm not saying right or wrong, one way or the other, just another thing to consider.

[Snowtoy]

I used to tow a 24' ski boat w/ my '82 2wd and never had an issue with my brakes.  As mentioned as long as you let the 5-spd drivetrain do the work for you, and give yourself more distance for emergency braking(as with most types of towing), you should be fine.

As far as being "That slow guy towing on a mountain road", when it is me, I just figure it is payback for all the slow towing rigs I get stuck behind.   Just pull over when you can and let those behind you pass, that should keep most of them happy.

[junya92toy]

Well thats good you didnt have issues with it breaking, what about brakes any issues there?
And Whats the weight on the pop up camper, Some are very light and some are very heavy