Towing 2014 2109s Mini Lite

[iefman]

Picking up my new 2014 (leftover) 2109s Mini Lite tomorrow. I have an F350, but also want to tow with a 2011 Toyota Forerunner 6 Cyl. Im getting the sway bar package. Should I have any concerns?

[bea60]

I owned a 2004 4Runner that I towed a boat that weighed just under 5,000 lbs and didn't have a problem. I never had any issues. As far as I was told by Toyota that truck can tow up to 5,000 lbs. if it's a factory hitch on that truck it is on a label somewhere near the receiver. At least that's how mine was. But it's always a good idea to check with your Toyota dealer, specs might have changed that I am not aware of. Or do some checking on the internet. Lots of info there.


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[Dave_Monica]

I'd suggest that you need a W/D hitch with integrated sway for towing with the 4Runner...would only need a sway bar for towing with the F350.

Dave

[cohuttariverrat]

I just started towing a 2306 with 03 4runner v8. I'm very pleased with how it tows with equalizer hitch. I don't push it above 65mph and never in OD. Long steep climbs stresses it a little and it will down shift a gear. Towing blue ridge mountain terrain is all we have tested so far. Our extremely steep gravel drive is the challenge but so far no issues in low 4x4. It drops our mpg from 18 to 12mpg. Sure a 3/4ton truck would be much better but a new truck and camper at same time isn't happening. Congrads on your mini lite! we love ours so far

[ddrockwood]

I have 09 Tacoma long bed towing a 2109s. It does fine.we do have a sway control and a airbag set up.

[iefman]

Thanks for all the input. We will see today. Picking it up this afternoon with the 4Runner.

[lswartz]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

.would only need a sway bar for towing with the F350.

Dave

I get no sway with my TV.

I would suggest you drive it 1st & then decide based on how it handles. A weight distributing is likely, but you can tell that right after hitching the TT up to the TV. For sway I need to drive it. Just be extra careful on that 1st test drive.

OOPS! Just noticed the OP is getting sway control so please ignore me.

[EmersonTT]

We towed our 2109s over 7000 miles for the first year with a 2011 Honda Pilot, which has a 250 hp V-6 vs the 4Runner 270 hp. The Pilot did very well with relatively level towing, but noticeably strained going up long hills, especially when we took it through the New England mountains. Nevertheless, I was satisfied enough that we would have kept the Pilot for our tow vehicle if we had not planned a trip this Spring though the Rockies and its 10,000+ foot passes and miles-long 7% and 8% grades. After reading a lot of blogs, I felt that the Pilot could have done the job, but at the outer limits of its capability and probably at the cost of significantly shortening the life of the car. So we purchased a diesel Grand Cherokee, which has performed very well with excellent mpg both towing and not towing. The additional 20 hp may make a big difference with the 4Runner. It would be worth checking the various forums to see what people have to say about towing in the mountains with the 4Runner.

[mkillora]

We have a 2102 2109s and our TV is a 2011 Toyota Tacoma V6 with the tow package. It's rated to pull 6,500 lbs.s, so I figure that I have about a 1,500 margin, considering the trailer comes in at about 5,000 lbs. Also have a Reese weight distribution and sway bar configuration. I should mention that the truck is a standard shift, - 6 speed. The truck and trailer combination works well and we've never had a problem pulling, putting on about 25,000 miles, other than the normal downshifts with grades.
The 2109s is a great little trailer, ideally suited to 2 people.

Have fun!

[iefman]

Thanks, can't wait to get out there

[iamanomad]

We just picked up our 2109s a couple of weeks ago. Our 4runner (2006 v8) had no issues on our quick getaway weekend test. We have a blue ox wdh and it rides better than our previous pop-up did. You should be fine!


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[iamanomad]

This is a follow up... Towed our 2109s for 5 hours with our 4runner, and after 4 hours when I stopped to get gas there was strange gurgling sound when pulling in, but not when stopped. Gauges all said everything was fine, fluid level in cooling system was fine, so I slowed down for the last hour just in case. To make a long story shorter, it turned out to be one of the heat shields had come loose (second one in the last couple of years). This is a common problem with 4runners, just wanted to pass that on in case you ever have those symptoms, check those shields! The 4runner towed the 2109s great other than that shield problem.


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[iefman]

Thanks, I'll put that in my memory bank. Going this weekend, but towing with works F350 dually. I'm only going to use 4Runner when that truck is unavailable. Did you get a transmission cooler installed on your 4Runner?

[iamanomad]

Iefman - my 4runner had one on it when I bought it (used).


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[chaslorr]

We tow our 2109S with a 2010 Sierra with 4.8 V8 and 3:23 axle. Just returned from Lancaster PA area and encountered lots of hills there no back. The truck did a satisfactory job of both towing and stopping with an average fuel mileage of 13 mpg. Our trailer weighs just under 3700 lbs dry weight. We love this trailer, it is so perfect for 2 people. We have a weight distribution hitch and sway control.

[iefman]

Thanks, our first trip was Cooks Forest. I'm sure we'll get to Lancaster next summer

[JSPAETH330]

We have a 2109s (we pack heavy) and pull the hills in Vermont. TV is a 2011 V8 Pathfinder, but I am lucky to get 9 mpg.

We've had to fix the interior as the trailer had a roof leak from the factory. Not so sure if I can give a thumbs up for the unit...The front panel now has two large bubbles under the skin.