Camper length and weight towing

Hello,

Was looking at a camper summerland by springdale. I think it was 27' and dry weight was 4600. Is this too much. I have a dclb,tow pkg,4 leaf tsb.

Thanks Eric

 

Its not a trailer but here is my input on that kind of weight. I also have the 4 leaf tsb....

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/277676-boat-towing.html


You will be sad if you tow through the mountains.

Tow package is supposed to be able to tow 6500. My feeling is that is probably down hill with the wind at your back. With a full tank of gas im pushing 5000lbs. The 10 mpg sucks hard. Surprisingly the extra 500lbs in a tank of gas is extremely noticeable in how the truck handles it. I HAVE to drop it down a gear. I have to drop two gears to go up a steep incline. If I tow with an empty tank it runs fine in drive.

As I say in my boat post, Im looking for something else to tow with because I routinely take 4-5 hour drives to get to lakes. Im was seriously considering a supercharger as I feel the extra 100 torque is all the truck needs to do the job well. But with this many miles on my motor, I dont want it to pop.

 

as a side note... you might consider an airstream. They are much lighter, offer a ton more in amenities, will last a LOT longer. We seriously considered one but they are pricey. We figured we could stay in first rate hotels every where we went for several years vs the cost of the trailer and hassles of dealing with the shitter. SO we bought a boat instead haha.

 

Just found this thread where a guy basically gives the same review of towing this kind of weight. He feels its not an issue. Ill agree... it can do it. Just not my first choice ha ha

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/105081-my-biggest-heaviest-load-so-far.html

 

Thanks for the info

 

What do you think would be the longest heaviest camper to tow with this truck would be while doing it without having the truck struggle? Say a 20' 2600 pound camper tops?

 

You will not like towing some thing that big he dry weight is completely empty no water, no gear no battery no propane bottles real fast it will go over 5000# and the tong weight will exceed 500# Yes a Tacoma may well pull 6500# but you don't want to get on the highway with it. If it weights more then the truck your way over weight if you get into trouble your going for a ride. It will also be gutless in the hills.

 

I think you are talking about the 27' 4600 dry weight but how about a 20' 2600 pound camper?

 

My wife and I just bought the Summerland 2600BT. I was worried about my 07 Taco pulling it but it does fine. The salesman was very helpful in making sure we had everything to pull safely with. They installed a Pro-Series WDH and a Hayes Blackbird brake controller with digital display. While I was waiting on them to get the camper cleaned I read up on the brake controller and set it up. I tested the brakes in their parking lot and they worked fine. They set up the WDH and showed me everything about it. It is awesome. I would highly recommend one. As far as sway goes I haven't had it on the interstate yet but I was reading in another post in the forums that Toyota has that under control through the electronic braking system. I guess I will find out this coming weekend. Will let you know how it does on the interstate.http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/<a href=http://s860.photobucket.com/user/journeyman882001/media/20130518_135222_zpsd792532d.jpg.html onmousedown=return linkRedir(this); target=_blank rel=nofollow>[ATTACH=full]1881219[/ATTACH][IMG]http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/<a href=http://s860.photobucket.com/user/journeyman882001/media/20130518_135222_zpsd792532d.jpg.html onmousedown=return linkRedir(this); target=_blank rel=nofollow>[ATTACH=full]1881219[/ATTACH]

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I tow a 18' at about 3200# loaded in the hills you surely can tell it's back there on flat land no problem in 6th. Some thing with two axles and 3500# or less really does not need sway control or a WD hitch any thing bigger will and the weight and air drag effect goes up exponentially. I still say any thing that weights more then the truck is too heavy.

 

I am very interested in hearing your review after the upcoming trip. My wife and have been looking long and hard at travel trailers and love the bunk house style. Can you confirm the model you have is the Summerland 2600TB?
http://www.keystonerv.com/summerland/models/2600tb/model-mobile

I would have thought this would be way too much trailer for the Tacoma, so I look forward to you review and thoughts.

We also have a 2011 Grand Cherokee Overland which can two a lot more, but we want to get a trailer both vehicles could easily manage (just in case - you never know).

Thanks and be safe!!!

 

Hello
I am curious. You mentioned that a full tank of gas weighs 500 LBS. How big of a tank do you have? At 72 degrees F gas weighs 6.25LB per US gallon and about 7.35 pounds per Imperial Gallon. The warmer it gets the lighter it gets although not a lot. So an 80 gal tank would hold about 500 lbs of gas US.
I ask because I would like a bigger tank on my truck although not as big as an 80 gallon tank. Perhaps double what I have. So can you tell me how you mounted the bigger tank? Thanks.

 

Do you have firestone ride rite air bags? Is it recommended for towing this kind of camper length and weight?

 

That is the same camper that we just bought. I pulled it from my house to my cousins farm for Memorial Day weekend, which is 125 miles, mostly interstate. The truck had no problem pulling it at all. There were no sway issues when big trucks went past. The only drawback was the gas mileage. Went from 19-21 to 10 maybe 12. But that was expected. The transmission dropped down to 4th going up hills but other than that it stayed in D the whole way and never hunted for a gear. The weight distribution hitch was amazing by the way. And had no problems stopping with the Blackbird brake controller. All and all a very nice trip towing the camper. I have also included a pic of a load of firewood that we cut and loaded on to my Tacoma.

 

Do you have firestone airbags installed?

 

Better you then I 7545# loaded.

 

I don't feel that it's needed I do have a 4 leaf pack the tong weight is around 300# and the dual axle pretty much take care of the sway I can feel when a SUV or truck comes along side does not sway but I feel the air they push in front of them. To me that is a perfect weight to pull it has enough power on most hills and tracks fine. I have a 6 spd and find if I can keep the RPM no lower then 2,000 in any gear it has enough power to do what is required of it.

 

The weight distribution hitch takes care of the need for air bags. When hooked up I only have 60lbs of weight on the truck. It doesn't even squat at all. Would not try to pull with out it.

 

I suggest that you look into one of these.
http://www.pullrite.com/pullrite_video.htm

 

The hitch weights 60#. The weight does not magically disappear it puts the weight of lifting on both the TV and the trailer. Yes it is a good tool and any thing that is that heavy better have one or your head lights are going to be in the trees.