8 Best Campers to Tow With a Toyota 4Runner

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There’s a reason many choose to tow their travel trailer with the 4Runner by Toyota. This automaker is known for making excellent SUVs with the best specs, but the 4Runner’s travel trailer towing capacity and other capabilities are perfect for RVers on and off the road.

Many new 4Runner owners get excited about using their SUV for towing a camper. But, if you have one, you may wonder what the best trailers to tow with a Toyota 4Runner are.

Since being released in the US in 2003, Toyota has sold more than 1.4 million 4Runners. This model is prevalent due to its comfort features combined with a sturdy drivetrain and 4-wheel drive transmission. 

The 4Runner’s travel trailer towing ability comes from a solid V6 engine, chassis, and other parts that give RVers 5,000 lbs. of pulling power.

Before you run out and buy a new camper to tow with your 4Runner, you’ll want to better understand what your 4Runner can safely tow. 

In this article, we’ll look at the towing capabilities of the 4Runner and provide a list of small and midsize campers that your 4Runner can tow. 

8 Best Campers to Tow with the Toyota 4Runner 

1. Airstream Basecamp 16X  

2. Rockwood Geo Pro 20BHS 

3. Mammoth Overland Trailers 

4. Lance 1475S 

5. Forest River R-Pod RP-171 

6. Winnebago Hike H171DB

7. Xtreme Outdoors Little Guy Max 

8. Keystone Hideout 179RB 

What Are the 8 Best Campers for the Toyota 4Runner?

Unlike many similarly sized SUVs, the 4Runner’s travel trailer towing capacity gives you many RV options. Its 5,000 lbs. maximum towing capacity allows you to tow many small and midsize campers and travel trailers. 

Remember that the camper’s dry weight needs to be less than 5,000 pounds, so you can also take food, gear, and everyone going with you and keep up with traffic. So, saving around 15-20% of your towing capacity for everything else is best.

Below we’ve put together a list of good quality small and midsize campers that your Toyota 4Runner can easily tow. 

1. Airstream Basecamp 16X  

The Airstream Basecamp is made for outdoor, off-road adventure. On the outside, it’s a beautiful Airstream. It has that distinctive silver Airstream body, filled with all the luxuries you would expect from an airstream. 

However, the Basecamp is ready to get off-road underneath the shiny exterior. This Airstream has a more rugged axle, all-terrain tires, and a 3-inch lift kit that increases clearance. 

Inside the Basecamp, you’ll enjoy many of the comforts of home, including a living space that converts to a comfortable bed and a nice kitchen. In addition, the interior bathroom has a sink, shower, and toilet in a wet bath configuration. 

One of the great features of this camper is the picture windows that wrap around the trailer. The Basecamp also has plenty of storage for all of your gear.

2. Rockwood Geo Pro 20BHS 

Forest River’s Rockwood Division has taken a different approach to small travel trailers. Their Geo Pro is a small trailer with many of the same amenities as their larger travel trailers and fifth-wheel campers. In addition, the Geo Pro includes a complete kitchen with a slideout dinette. 

A full-size bed and a set of twin bunk beds make this a great camper for a traveling family. You’ll enjoy a good size bathroom for added comfort. The Rockwood Geo Pro 20BHS has plenty of interiors and exterior storage for all of your gear. 

The slideout on this camper is one of its best features. Few small trailers come with a slideout, so the added space is a great bonus.

3. Mammoth Overland Trailers 

If you want to invest in a camper that allows you to adventure to more remote locations, you might want to consider the Mammoth Overland Trailer. This unique teardrop trailer is made in the United States and has many amenities in its base model. 

Mammoth’s base model has a swing-out exterior kitchen with a fridge, a two-burner stove, and a sink. It also comes standard with a lavatory with instant hot water and a portable cassette toilet. 

The exterior of this camper is made from aerospace aluminum, so it’s exceptionally durable and lightweight. The trailer is set on a single axle with 19-inches of ground clearance and great off-road tires. 

The Mammoth Overland also comes with a solar system, so you don’t have to worry about running out of power. Mammoth Overland campers are fully customizable and built to order, so the sky’s the limit with what you can add to this camper.

4. Lance 1475S 

Lance Campers are some of the most popular travel trailers for the 4Runner and other midsize SUVs. The Lance 1475S is the newest of Lance’s travel trailer lineup, and it was designed with this level of SUV in mind. 

You’ll not find some of the “normal” travel trailer features in this trailer. For instance, the dinette has been replaced by a sofa and two adjustable mounted tables. In addition, this tiny trailer for couples has a massive bathroom with a separate shower. 

Lance offers the 1475 in two versions: The first has two captain chairs with a fixed table between them. The 1475S places a sofa on a campside slideout with the two pivoting tables. While the two-seater is more commonly seen, the slideout version offers more walking space, and the sofa jackknife’s for guest sleeping.

5. Forest River R-Pod RP-171 

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If you like the Forest River line of travel trailers for your 4Runner and want something easy to tow, you’ll want to consider the R-Pod line. These small, lightweight campers don’t skimp on the comfort features. They even come with a standard central vacuum.

Perfect for a couple that likes to adventure, the Forest River R-Pod 171 has a great kitchen, a convenient interior bathroom, and a queen size bed. The nice thing about this trailer is that you don’t have to convert the dinette to have a place to sleep. Despite the size and being a non-slide travel trailer, this tiny camper feels like it has a ton of interior space. 

We were also impressed with this small camper’s storage space.

6. Winnebago Hike H171DB

This little travel trailer for the 4Runner is an excellent pick for the adventurer that wants to add features to the outside of their camper. The Winnebago Hike H171DB is designed with rack systems from Thule. 

This camper has plenty of exterior space if you want to equip the Winnie Hike with a bike or kayak racks. In addition, the Hike is one of the small trailers we found that actually has a slide, making it roomier than other options. 

The interior of the Hike is really nice, and there are plenty of comfort features. Though this trailer is at the upper end of the max weight for the 4Runner, you don’t really have to add much. 

It’s also pretty narrow compared to others, so you won’t need side mirror extensions when you tow this travel trailer with your 4Runner.

7. Xtreme Outdoors Little Guy Max 

Little Guy is one of the leading innovators of the teardrop camper. The Xtreme Outdoors Little Guy Max is one of the larger self-contained teardrop campers on the market today, and it has tons of great features. 

One of the stand-out features of this camper is the storage space. Little Guy has packed every nook and cranny with storage. This trailer is for couples, but the convertible dinette makes this camper okay for family travel.

Comfort is the priority with this trailer. You’ll enjoy all the home accommodations, including a spacious wet bath, a well-appointed kitchen, and a great entertainment system. You don’t have to worry about what to do if the weather is crummy. 

8. Keystone Hideout 179RB 

Essential is really the name of this game. The Keystone Hideout 179RB is a fantastic trailer for family adventures or for a couple that just wants more room. We like the queen-size bed with closets, nightstands, and the convertible dinette. 

The dinette on this travel trailer for a 4Runner is on a slideout, so you’ll enjoy an excellent open floor plan when the slide is extended. The back of the trailer is a full-width bathroom. This is a fantastic trailer for you if you want to get away from the tiny bathroom. 

Because this is the most essential travel trailer for your 4Runner, you’ll also note that it comes with the smallest price tag. 

Is the Toyota 4Runner a Good Tow Vehicle?

The Toyota 4Runner is an exceptionally versatile vehicle. It’s also an excellent vehicle for towing small to midsize campers. Many people pick the 4Runner because it has ample towing capacity and is an excellent alternative to a full-size SUV or pickup truck.

The towing capacity of all 4Runner trim levels is 5,000 lbs. This general towing capacity takes the confusion out of buying a 4Runner. You won’t even see an increase in towing capacity on the TRD Sport trim, the most popular option for boondocking and off-road adventuring.

The 5,000 lbs. towing capacity is combined with an integrated towing package that meets SAE J2807 specifications. The towing capacity of the 4Runner is based on the 4.0-liter, 270 hp, V6 engine. This allows you to easily tow a small camper or a travel trailer.

4Runner Features That Make it Great For Towing a Camper

• 270 horsepower and 278lb-ft of torque from the 4.0-liter v6 engine
• Integrated 2-inch standard hitch receiver.
• 4-pin and 7-pin trailer plug standard on all trim levels.
• 5,000 lbs. maximum towing capacity on all trim levels.
• 500 lbs. maximum tongue weight capacity.

RVBlogger Tip on Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): The CCC of your RV includes your RV gear, personal items, holding tank water (8.34 lbs./gallon), house batteries (usually around 50 lbs), and your propane tanks (replaceable tanks or built-in). Ensure you deduct your utility weights to find your true CCC.

7 Things to Know Before You Tow With Your 4Runner

If you’ve never towed a camper before and are ready to take on that new challenge, you’ll want to do so safely. No matter what you’re towing behind your 4Runner, it’s important to remember that towing comes with risks. However, when you start pulling, these risks can be mitigated by keeping safety in mind.

When setting out with your Toyota 4Runner and travel trailer, there are some helpful tips you can take to make towing safe. Following these steps will ensure that you arrive at your location and back home safe and sound.

1. Install and Use Safety Chains

If the travel trailer for your 4Runner doesn’t come with them, almost every state requires using safety chains on your hitch. These chains keep your trailer attached to your 4Runner if the hitch fails.

2. Inspect Your Brakes

Before heading out, take your 4Runner to the Toyota dealer or trusted mechanic to check the brakes. You’ll be carrying extra weight, so you want to ensure that your brakes function properly. You should also ensure that your camper’s brakes are working correctly.

3. Check the DOT Lights

Check the various lights on the travel trailer and 4Runner to see if any are burned out. This includes the RV’s brake, turn signal, headlights, hazards, and clearance lights.

4. Have Spare Tires

You probably have a spare tire for your 4Runner installed, but what about your camper? Make sure that your trailer has a spare as well. Ensure it’s properly inflated; you know how to release and install it before hitting the road.

5. Distribute Weight in Your Camper Evenly

Don’t load all your stuff on your camper’s side or one end. This will throw off the balance and tongue weight of the camper. The cargo should be distributed in a 60/40 split where 60% should be placed in front of the travel trailer’s axle. Proper cargo distribution prevents the RV from swaying on the road.

6. Moderate Your Speed

When you’re traveling, take your time. Keep your speed in the “sweet spot” around 55 to 65 mph. Doing this ensures you have plenty of control of your vehicle and camper.

This is especially important if you encounter wet conditions, damaged roads, or are traveling through road construction areas. Remember, your towing a travel trailer with your 4Runner, focusing on power, not speed. Slow and steady.

7. Remember to Extend Your Stopping Distance

Adding a travel trailer to your 4Runner increases the time and distance needed to stop. Make sure you leave plenty of space between you and the vehicles in front of you. That’ll give you enough time to safely slow your 4Runner to a stop without thrashing your passengers, dogs, and gear.

Final Thoughts Campers to Tow With a Toyota 4Runner

Congratulations! You own one of the most fun SUVs for traveling. Your Toyota 4Runner is an excellent vehicle for towing a camper. Now that you know a bit about the best trailers that can be towed with a 4Runner, you’re ready to hit the road. 

Remember that safety is the first priority before you and your new 4Runner head out for the first time towing a camper. 

Never tow more than your 4Runner can handle; only head out when you know your 4Runner and travel trailer are operating safely. Now you can adventure in comfort with a camper and your Toyota 4Runner.

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