1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Hauling tent trailer/ camper with tailgate down.

Discussion in 'Towing' started by Fabulous, Feb 14, 2011.

  1. Feb 14, 2011 at 3:26 PM
    #1
    Fabulous

    Fabulous [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2009
    Member:
    #19807
    Messages:
    860
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fabian
    Calgary, AB
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma double-cab TRD Sport
    TRD Pro grill and fog lights, Toytec Boss lift, 265/70-17 Duratracs on 17 x 8.5 FN Verge wheels, LEER canopy, 30% tinted front windows.
    My wife and I are are contemplating buying a small used camper or tent trailer to go camping. We'd like to load our two dirt bikes in the back of our short bed double cab (which requires the tailgate down) and haul like this. Only thing is I can't see that being doable due to how short the tongue is on those things. Does anybody do this, or have any suggestions?
     
  2. Feb 14, 2011 at 3:37 PM
    #2
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Member:
    #39131
    Messages:
    38,409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    '19 Ford F-250 6.7 SCrew
    F-250 Land Yacht Mod
    My dad does something similar with his pick up. He removed the tailgate completely, cut a piece of plywood to fit up against the front of the bed and the back was flush with the back of the bumper and then used wood blocking between the plywood and the bumper. That way you don't have the full length of the tailgate but you can pick up another 6-8" or so to support the back tire of a motorcycle rear tire. This would work depending on how far the bikes hang over the end of the bed and you wouldn't have to worry about messing up your tailgate.
     
  3. Feb 14, 2011 at 3:40 PM
    #3
    Fabulous

    Fabulous [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2009
    Member:
    #19807
    Messages:
    860
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fabian
    Calgary, AB
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma double-cab TRD Sport
    TRD Pro grill and fog lights, Toytec Boss lift, 265/70-17 Duratracs on 17 x 8.5 FN Verge wheels, LEER canopy, 30% tinted front windows.
    My truck is a short bed, and the bikes stick out as far as the back of the tailgate when down, so it would have to stay on.
     
  4. Feb 14, 2011 at 3:44 PM
    #4
    S.B.

    S.B. Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2009
    Member:
    #18838
    Messages:
    3,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    15 Taco
    LT, Glass, CBI Front bumper, NWTI Rear bumper, 35s
    Get a tent trailer that has a spot for the bikes.
     
  5. Feb 14, 2011 at 3:47 PM
    #5
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Member:
    #39131
    Messages:
    38,409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    '19 Ford F-250 6.7 SCrew
    F-250 Land Yacht Mod
    You can tow with the tailgate down, just be mindful of a few things... The jack, hydraulic brakes surge brakes like a Uhaul trailer (if you have them) and how far forward the body of the trailer is. The best things to do would be to do some slow-turn maneuvers with your wife and see how close things come to hitting when you make a tight turn, go through dip (seeing if anything on the tongue comes close to the tailgate), etc. Have your wife 'spot' you so you don't do any damage. Every trailer is different so unfortunately there's no easy answer as it depends on your set-up.
     
  6. Feb 14, 2011 at 7:42 PM
    #6
    Black Taco

    Black Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2010
    Member:
    #29356
    Messages:
    1,962
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    WPB, FL
    Vehicle:
    TOYOTA
    No mods whatsoever!
    This would be my choice.

    Fleetwood E3.jpg
     
  7. Feb 14, 2011 at 7:44 PM
    #7
    S.B.

    S.B. Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2009
    Member:
    #18838
    Messages:
    3,745
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    15 Taco
    LT, Glass, CBI Front bumper, NWTI Rear bumper, 35s
    And that has a spot for the bikes!
     
  8. Feb 14, 2011 at 7:46 PM
    #8
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

    Joined:
    May 31, 2008
    Member:
    #7011
    Messages:
    17,562
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rotorhead
    Around
    Vehicle:
    08 Red/Graphite and Satin Black
    Inside: Tint, Wet Okole 1/2 Piped Red/Black Covers, Black Weathertech Digital Fit Mats, URD Short Throw w/ TWM Weighted Knob, USA Spec iPod adapter. Outside: 4300K Retro w/ Angel Eyes and Red Shrouds, 5000K Blazer Fog Light Retrofit, Debadge, Bed Locking Handle, Satin Black Rims Performance: TRD/Steigmeier Blower w/ 2.7 Pulley. 668 Injectors and 320 LPH AEM Fuel pump. URD UCON and 7th Injector. DTLT Headers, URD Y-Pipe, Wicked Flow Muffler. Suspension: Both: OME Shocks Front: 886X's and TC UCAs Rear: Dakars Armor: Relentless Front Bumper Relentless High Clearance Rear w/ Tire/Rotopax Swing Out Relentless Front, Mid, and TCase skids BAMF Diff Skid Recovery and Spares: Fullsize Spare Tire 2x2 gal Rotopax 1x1 gal Rotopax 1x1 gal Water Rotopax Warn 9.5XP-S Winch Hi-Lift Extreme 60" Ironman Off-Road Recovery Kit
    Ditto.
     
  9. Feb 15, 2011 at 7:09 AM
    #9
    Fabulous

    Fabulous [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2009
    Member:
    #19807
    Messages:
    860
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fabian
    Calgary, AB
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma double-cab TRD Sport
    TRD Pro grill and fog lights, Toytec Boss lift, 265/70-17 Duratracs on 17 x 8.5 FN Verge wheels, LEER canopy, 30% tinted front windows.
    I have looked at those, but as of right now that is out of the budg as they run $16,000 Canadian up here. I'm looking more at something used, and no more then $6000. What about a hitch extender? Would that be alright with something so light, like sub 2000 lbs?
     
  10. Feb 15, 2011 at 8:10 AM
    #10
    angrysam

    angrysam Huh?

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2011
    Member:
    #48754
    Messages:
    1,843
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sam
    Somebody's Shit List
    Vehicle:
    2.9 Gen- Not a cunt.
    Fleshlight and an old Farrah Fawcett poster.
    They make extended draw bars. Maybe that would work for you? I have one that is a foot longer than a typical draw bar.
     
  11. Feb 15, 2011 at 4:15 PM
    #11
    campthewestcoast

    campthewestcoast Oceanfisherman

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2011
    Member:
    #51105
    Messages:
    128
    Gender:
    Male
    Napa, CA
    Power extend/retract towing mirrors,brake controller,30amp charging system for TT,snug top camper
    They make extensions for the hitch ( I've seen them when you have a oversize cab-over camping when towing a boat) as long you don't use a equailizer hitch on the tent trailer, you'll be fine. Then you could tow with your tailgate down and have the turning radius you need.
     
  12. Feb 15, 2011 at 4:19 PM
    #12
    JLink

    JLink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2010
    Member:
    #36795
    Messages:
    12,575
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Josh
    Ocean, NJ
    Lifted, Locked, Armored. Ready To Wheel.
    extended draw bars do take away from the amount of weight you can tow, but you'd have to see how much the tongue weight of the camper is, and see what the extended draw bars are rated at. I used to use a 8" extender for my bike rack on my old blazer to get past the spare tire that was mounted on the tailgate
     
  13. Feb 15, 2011 at 4:22 PM
    #13
    kinkrider101

    kinkrider101 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2009
    Member:
    #23497
    Messages:
    2,658
    Gender:
    Male
    santa barbara
    Vehicle:
    2007 cummins/2007 tacoma
    wheels and tires
    I have the same problem, when I put the tailgate down it about 1" from the jack
     
  14. Feb 28, 2011 at 6:37 AM
    #14
    97yota4wd

    97yota4wd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    Member:
    #42280
    Messages:
    12,846
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Mesa, AZ
    Vehicle:
    alot of metal, small engine, decent travel.
    caged, camburg long travel, 50t leafpack (soon to be installed) light rack over cab, 5pt harnesses etc
    i have the same problem with mine, but i get 2 ratchet straps, and strap up the tail gate as high as i can, the back tires come off the ground of the dirtbikes when i do this but it keeps be from hitting my jack on my tailgate. i would try this. i think my bed is like 5-6 in longer than yours but worth a try.
     
  15. Feb 28, 2011 at 6:43 AM
    #15
    gooch14

    gooch14 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2010
    Member:
    #47968
    Messages:
    2,712
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kyle
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Blk DC Taco SR5 4x LB
    Bestop, Child Seats, petrified french fry, dog hair, empty Mtn Dew cans cracked windshield, scratches.
    Before I got rid of my pop-up camper I was looking at the possibility of mounting bikes on the fiberglass top. With the camper down the shell should support the weight around the edges, the only issue could be support in the middle.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top