Towing 22 foot camper

I towed my 4500lb boat with my 2nd gen and it was fine as long as you're not going long distance. You should really drive with the over drive off to avoid tranny damage. My gas mileage sucked while towing. I would think the 3rd gen would pull much better but over long distances given higher hp and torque numbers

 

When I bought my truck back in November, I wasn't thinking of towing a camper trailer. Then reading all of these threads and seeing what everyone was towing, I decided to check out the Rpod 179. I don't remember right off which one of you guys bought one, but that sparked my interest. Then I'm thinking, "damn...I just bought a taco with the 2.7L engine, of course not having the tow package." What have I just done! So much positive and negative opinions here had me really wondering if the idea of taking the wife and I out on trips like we used to "but stayed in hotels" was out the window. But I kept thinking, this four banger is small, low hp/torque but has decades proving to us it's a tough engine. Have faith one of you guys said...and I do. The new 6 spd auto instead of a manual. Will it hold its own? Only time will tell as the ones owning them will answer this question. So Saturday, we go to this place that's been here in central Fla. for thirty plus years to check the 179 Rpod out and just see how it turns out. These little campers are impressive. The salesman told us he could get with Toyota by running the vin to see what would need to be done to our truck in order to tow safely. He sells the Equalizer WDH which I would get along with everything else mentioned. It floored me though to see him saying," a trans. Cooler wasn't mandatory but recommended" of course I would get that also. But I thinking I need to get with My local Toyota dealership to see what they would charge for the OEM tow package, then buy the camper. Throw me your thoughts on this one. Taking this truck and trading it in for a V6 with a tow pkg. is not an option ok? I'm going into this knowing what I have under the hood is going to grunt and groan but it's like you guys say, it's a truck engine that's made to work, not race. Remember, I live in Florida, I have family in AR and MO, and there will be hills "steep ones" to climb, and I don't care, I think this tough engine can hang with it. Here is the email I received from the Rpod sales rep.
I had Tom my shop foreman check into the details of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma. You will need the Trunnion weight distribution hitch along with the class III receiver, wiring and brake control. ($1,485.00) The transmission cooler is not mandatory but recommended. Tom said that you should check with your Toyota dealer regarding the installation of the transmission cooler for warranty reasons. The complete price for the 2016 R-Pod RP-179, wiring, brake control and Trunnion hitch including all taxes, tag and fees “Out The Door” is $20,205.55.

 

What does this trailer weight?

 

I tow a 19 ft that is dry about 3500, and over 4000 loaded with a first gen.. weight distribution hitch, brake controller, and supercharger make it a pretty easy task..

 

I tow a 2013 RPOD camper, there is a pic of it on this forum somewhere. Last time I weighed, it was around 2700-2800 lbs. These campers are made by Forrest River and quality is pretty good. Lots of different models, one might be what your looking for. We have the 177. Just google and see. PM me if you have more details. Also we got a great deal on it, more loaded than I cared for, but hey I wasn't going to complain lol.

 

The coolers and everything your gonna need is gonna run atleast several hundred dollars with labor. Could even be upwards of almost double that. Plus the 1,400 quoted for the hitch wiring and brake controller. If you want my honest opinion, your gonna pay about 3k just to get it tow prepped. I would trade it in, get the v6 with the tow package and. Tacoma has amazing resale value. Of your truck is clean you can sell private and get top dollar. Or maybe the same dealer will help you out and give you a solid deal on an upgrade. I don't see it costing too much more in the long run and your getting more truck. I always tell people if you have an interest in towing or think you'll ever need it get a factory tow package and a vehicle you can tow with. I get so sick of adding hitches to vehicles not meant to tow and people towing at or near capicity on vehicles that aren't really designed to be towing anyway.

 

That's what I was thinking. The 4 cylinder wouldn't be quite as bad if had the manual but an auto is gonna work too hard. I think you'll kick yourself for putting so much money into a truck that still won't perform as you had hoped.

 

This man has some sense. I have the same casita as tacojohn. Even pulling it behind my dad's turbo diesel Sierra it just doesn't feel that good. 12k with our nice dual axle feels better.

Single axles pull like crap.

 

I'm with you guys. Nickel and diming it just to keep a truck that'll suck at pulling is not my idea of being a "happy camper"! LOL! Thanks for your input.

 

We have a second home in the TN. mountains. I had a problem towing a fully loaded 16' enclosed trailer on any hilly roads and really tough through the mountains with my 2006, 4.0 V-6, SR-5, 2x4, Tundra. Had to drop it down a gear (auto) through the mountains. MPG dropped to 9-11. I must add, buying the 4.0 V-6 was a mistake, as 16-17 MPG (gas was hitting $4) wasn't any better than the V-8.

 

I found the Tacoma pulls my 29' boat, twin motors and trailer (8500+lbs) pretty well up to about 60 mph. The sketchy part is stopping it.... even with surge brakes on all axles. I am in the process of upgrading the brakes and brake lines on my 09' Tacoma and if it significantly helps I will make sure to post it.

 

A popup is much better for towing. Full size rigs are subject more to the wind. 22ft is too big for the Taco IMO

 

Better get twice the truck and half the boat and you do better, WOW!

 

You wouldn't be doing 60 mph in the Rockies, I guarantee that.

 

True, but then I wouldn't have this boat in the Rockies either.....

 

That's crazy. You're gonna be replacing a tranny.

 

I remember when you posted your story and pictures.... wow. I'll say it again, I'm glad you cheated death.

**Edit**

For educational purposes only.....

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rest-in-peace-my-07-tacoma-roll-over-story.404122/

 

Are the RPods any good for colder weather camping? I'm not so concerned about day time temps but at night they can drop down into the low 30's or high 20's here in AZ and I'd like something I can use for hunting in the fall or late winter months.

 

I ended up getting a 2500 pound popup camper. It pulls nicely but with using only the truck's brakes I could tell it took longer to stop. The camper has its own breaks but I need to buy a brake controller for the truck. I will be doing that this week.

On a 10 mile trip home it got 13.5 miles to the gallon rather than its usual 18.

 

When I was checking out the Rpod on line, there's this one guy that has three plus videos on utube that is worth checking out. I think his site is "viper byte network". He used a small electric heater with a fan and claimed it worked great. I'm just going to be content with the taco I have for now. Then down the road we'll get a truck that'll allow us to travel safely. I will still be getting a class lll hitch and an OEM light harness so I can tow my 500 pound kayak trailer. Lawfarin, thanks again for your input. Made all kinds of sense!