Anyone towing Casita w/v-6 4runner

[pedasisolja]

Looking for advice on towing 2010 Casita Spirit 13' with 2010 4runner v-6. Do I need weight distribution hitch or just anti sway bar and does it need to be in 4 wheel drive or is two wheel fine when not doing hills up or down?

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by pedasisolja

Looking for advice on towing 2010 Casita Spirit 13' with 2010 4runner v-6. Do I need weight distribution hitch or just anti sway bar and does it need to be in 4 wheel drive or is two wheel fine when not doing hills up or down?

It should be fine, no weight distributing hitch, no 4 wheel drive. On a steep gravel hill you might need 4WD - like a rustic campsite, but never for just pulling it down the road. An antisway bar is not mandatory, but can't hurt.

[rabbit]

It won't know the 13 is there. I have trouble imagining that you'll need either WDH or sway control. I've found uses for 4WD, particularly low four for hitching up on a steep driveway. I certainly hope you don't think that part time 4WD is the equivalent of AWD. Certainly not for use on dry pavement. The Achilles heel on a number of sport utility vehicles is soft rear suspension. In the case of the 13, tongue weight is likely low enuf that suspension sag on the Runner won't be a problem.

jack

[pedasisolja]

Thomas G., really appreaciate u taking time to reply..really looking forward to getting the Casita on the road

[pedasisolja]

Originally Posted by rabbit

It won't know the 13 is there. I have trouble imagining that you'll need either WDH or sway control. I've found uses for 4WD, particularly low four for hitching up on a steep driveway. I certainly hope you don't think that part time 4WD is the equivalent of AWD. Certainly not for use on dry pavement. The Achilles heel on a number of sport utility vehicles is soft rear suspension. In the case of the 13, tongue weight is likely low enuf that suspension sag on the Runner won't be a problem.

jack

Thanks Jack..appreaciate the advice

[rabbit]

Is there a 13' Spirit model? There is a 13 Patriot.

jack

[pedasisolja]

Yep, when I checked NADA I didn't find it but the layout and options match up..the paperwork said Spirit Deluxe. I'd only seen them in 16/17 prior to finding this one. It's a 2010.

[RockyMTns]

I drive a 2007 4Runner with a 4.0L V6. Picked up our new 17'SD from the factory last May and it pulled just fine. We bought the anti-sway bar from Casita but do not use a WDH. The only time power was a concern was on steep hills bucking a VERY strong headwind in Wyoming. Yes, you will slow down a little on steep mountain passes (I live in Montana), but never to the point of "are we going to make it (or break it)?!?" I'm perfectly content with the 4Runner for towing. I did have a transmission cooler installed... better safe than sorry!

[pedasisolja]

Thanks..just picked up our 2010 Spirit Dx from just outside of Richmond VA..we live 35 miles south of DC in Manassas VA. The 4runner did well as you mentioned with anti sway bar only. Thanks for th advice and all the others who replied to my thread as well.

[Mary F]

And it's really a 13? Note: the measurement includes the frame, from back bumper to the hitch in the front. It's a little confusing because the "box" on a 16 is about 13 ft. But some years ago the way to measure travel trailers was standardized to include the frame.

Congrats on your new to you Casita!

[rabbit]

Mary is right of course that the convention in trailer length designation is measurement bumper to coupler. We tow our Burro (17' 8" overall) w/ an 06 4L 6cyl. without problems. Pleased to hear you're happy with whichever combination you have.

jack

[pedasisolja]

Originally Posted by Mary F

And it's really a 13? Note: the measurement includes the frame, from back bumper to the hitch in the front. It's a little confusing because the "box" on a 16 is about 13 ft. But some years ago the way to measure travel trailers was standardized to include the frame.

Congrats on your new to you Casita!

Your right..did the measurments a few days after posting the info..it's a Spirit DX 17, thanks for the reply