PJoseph
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Joined: 07/04/2005
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I tow a LONGGGGGGGGGG TT an have a smaller suv. It can be done. Our ride is enjoyable. We tried the reese and then switched to the equalizer and I found that it worked better for us. But the Dual Cam is a great set up so you may want to try other methods before getting a new rig or new hitch.
I use Bilstien shocks and Hellwig helper springs. Originally I found that in leveling the Tow vehicle with the weight distribution hitch placed to much weight on the front of the rig making the back end light on rebound and added to sway IMO. Once my rear springs were tightened with helpers it allowed the weight distribution to both level the TV and distribute the weight evenly to both axles. It took me a while to get the set up and angle's right.
Ive seen many tow with your rig. I think you'll get it dialed in. Good Luck.
PJ
R-Vision / Trail Cruiser 30 QBSS
2001 Durango
Prodigy / Equalizer / Hellwigs / Bilstiens / Fastman VB
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havedreamwilltravel
Southern California
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Joined: 08/15/2006
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PJoseph wrote:I tow a LONGGGGGGGGGG TT an have a smaller suv. It can be done. Our ride is enjoyable. We tried the reese and then switched to the equalizer and I found that it worked better for us. But the Dual Cam is a great set up so you may want to try other methods before getting a new rig or new hitch.
I use Bilstien shocks and Hellwig helper springs. Originally I found that in leveling the Tow vehicle with the weight distribution hitch placed to much weight on the front of the rig making the back end light on rebound and added to sway IMO. Once my rear springs were tightened with helpers it allowed the weight distribution to both level the TV and distribute the weight evenly to both axles. It took me a while to get the set up and angle's right.
Ive seen many tow with your rig. I think you'll get it dialed in. Good Luck.
However you have several more inches (at least 7" more) on your wheelbase than the 4Runner and are towing a trailer just 1" longer than he is. Also, the 4Runner is basically a mini-truck made for off-roading - not towing a travel trailer - jet ski's, pop up, small regular trailer, boat - but definitely NOT a 29' trailer!
We ourselves tow a 29' trailer with the same wheelbase as your Durango - 116" (Yukon Denali Shorty) and do well with the Equalizer - but I would never attempt to tow our trailer with a 4Runner.
2007 GMC Yukon Denali - 6.2L 380hp/417ft-lbs,0-60 in 6.2 seconds
2007 Jayco Jayflight 27BH
Equalizer Hitch, Prodigy Brake Control
Our Truck and Trailer
Easy Trailer Mods-NEW pics added 4/10/08
Visited a lot of states, haven't camped in many...yet. 
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CKNSLS
Southern California
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Joined: 07/20/2006
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I tow a 21 foot travel trailer with a '05 4Runner Sport w/ 2 wheel drive. I am towing 21 feet because that is the longest I knew I could go according to all my research. As others have said - the trailer is too long.
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spepi
Mansfield MA
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Joined: 01/11/2006
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I used to tow a 32' Rockwood with my 05 Chevy Trailblazer. The truck handled the tow, but the wheelbase was just too short....113" I think...just shy of a Tahoe. I have the dual cam reese, with 800lb bars, and the ride was scary...especially coming up 95 through Providence....so 50mph was my max speed...anywhere I went. I upgrade my TV in February to a 06 Suburban, and trhis weekend, we went to CT. What a ride....comfortable, minor sway with the high winds we had on Monday....and it looked porportioned to the size of the TT. I hope you find something, because I know when I had my small TV....I dreaed pulling the TT out of the driveway...now I cant wait. It makes a difference on your travel experience....good luck, and Hi Neighbor....im in the next town over...
DW, 2 Teen's, 2 Dogs
05 Chevy Trailblazer (I know...its small)
3.42 Gears
Prodigy Brake Control
Reese 800lb Weight Dist Bars
Dual Cam Sway Contol
2008 Rockwood 2701ss
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Keith99RS
Suffield, CT
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Joined: 11/14/2005
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Road Ruler wrote:From the 4 runner to the Ex is like going from the frying pan to the fire. IMHO.
With your size of trailer the Ex will need work and modifications. Using a Hensley would be a good idea too.
What you need is a stable TV. They come in all shapes, sizes, and weights. Research will reveal the true performers.
He is talking about an Excursion (F Series SuperDuty chassis), not an Explorer. If the loaded trailer weight he stated is acurate he will be more than fine with that as a TV. I tow a comparable length and weight TT with my Titan with a Reese Dual Cam and have no white knuckles when I tow. Only time the wind was bothersome was when there were 45-50mph gusts. I slowed my speed and pressed on. With a long trailer wind and passing semi's will always have some effect. Simple physics. You will never eliminate all effects of wind and bow wave. If I can see semi's wag a little in windy conditions, I fully expect my rig to do the same. The key is for it to be controlled.
Smoke 05 Titan SE CC 4X4
K&N panel filter
PRG 2.5" Leveling kit
Bilstein front,Icon rear shocks
Powerstop slotted rotors
18" Wrangler AT/S LT's
2009 Fleetwood Prowler 2702BS
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Reese DC w/ 1,000lb/10,000lb WD
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Road Ruler
Canada
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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nikki4556 wrote:Thanks for the excellent feedback. I think I have go with a larger used vehicle that will be used primarily as a TV. Has anyone had experience with the Ford Excursion as a TV? It has a curb weight of 5800lbs, WB = 137" and max towing 10,000lbs. Thanks
Here is some good info that may help you with your decision if you decide to look for a more stable TV.
Check out post #13.. Repacement TV for 4 Runner
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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Sounds like a case of too much trailer, too little truck.
But you need to make sure you have at least 12% of the total loaded trailer weight on the hitch. Check that the hitch is set up correctly, trailer and truck level and tires are aired up correctly. All of these items corrected should help.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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Perrysburg Dodgeboy
Perrysburg, Ohio USA
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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dodge guy wrote:Just beware that the Excursion needs to be tuned to tow larger, heavier trailers comfortably. they need a rear sway bar if they didn`t come from the factory with one. and also they need the rear springs either replaced or added to. some people use air bags like me. others use the roadmaster active suspension and still others replace them with F250/350 rear springs.
Just an FYI! good luck.
P.S. hold out for a nice one. seeing as how gas prices have flooded the market with used X`s.
I have to ask why you need around $2000 of mods to get the Excursion to tow a heavy TT, if this is true why bother! Go out and get a Suburban with the factory tow package and be done with it.
Perrysburg Dodgeboy
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab SLT Cummins HO
2005 Keystone Cougar 304 BHS
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safeman
McKinney TX
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Joined: 01/01/2007
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Skipnchar wrote
" Tow ratings are designed to tell you how much you can tow without breaking anything not how well you will like it."
Of all the posts on towing, this sums it up the best! Not much to add to this except it should be made a "sticky" and be required reading.
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DougFir
Oregon
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Joined: 07/23/2006
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We have a 05 4Runner Sport V8. We tow a 06 Zeppelin 241 with a loaded weight of around 5300 lb. We've towed this trailer over 25k miles all over the West and have not had any problems. We do have a WD hitch w/one friction sway bar. The 4Runner is also equipped with Toyota's XREAS suspension which helps with stability.
Bob & Tanis
Beaverton, Oregon
05 Toyota 4Runner 4.7l V8
06 Zeppelin 241
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