This year we bought a new Z25RK at the camping show in February. We tow with a 2005 Toyota V8 4Runner. The tow rating is 7000 pounds. The Zinger comes in at about 4500 poundswhen we picked it up, I would guess all loaded to go we hit about 6000 pounds, although we have not had a chance to hit any commercial scales as of yet. I would not want to max anything out in any case, I like having a little buffer.
We also have a Proigy brake controller, and of course weight distribution. We use the Blue Ox SwayPro system, which was recommended by our dealer...Campers Inn in Merrimac NH. We live in Western Mass...near Springfield.
Our first trip was ablout 450 miles, up to Northern New Hampshire, close to Mt Washington. We went up Rt. 91 thru Vermont..and as you probably know, the roads are certainly not flat!However, once properly set up and adjusted, we are very happy with the Toyota-Zinger combination. We have also camped on Cape Cod this summer, as well as a few trips of about 100 miles round trip.
There are those that say the the 4Runner has too small a wheelbase to tow anything this "long", and there are charts that you will be able to find that will tell what the limit for your Frontier will be....however there are other factors. I found that if I keep my speed to 65 MPH max, I have virtually no sway, even when being passed by tractor-trailers, or in windy conditions. Once I exceed that, I do feel things getting a little "squirelly", so I take that into account. My mileage drops to about 8 mpg when towing this trailer, but the rest of the time we get 17-20 mpg. I hear that people with gas powered full size pickups don't do any better.
The Toyota works pretty well, especially on flat roads. On hills it kicks down one or two gears (it is a 5 speed automatic) but I do not have any problem keeping at least 55 mph, even on steep grades. I know some of this is because we have the V8 model, you didn't mention if you have a 6 or 8 cylinder.
I also know that the same year Toyota Tundra and Sequoia have the same engine that we have, but the the tow rating is dropped to about 6500 pounds because the vehicle is heavier.
In the end, I was also concerned about the 4Runner and 25RK combination, and decided that I could get a bigger vehicle if I needed to, but in the end I am happy with what I have.
Just make sure that you have a good brake controller, and the proper hitch, and use common sense....I like the room of the 25RK!
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Dave & Cher
and Charlie the Wonder Dog
Western Mass
2009 Zinger 25RK
2005 Toyota 4Runner V8
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