Towing Travel Trailer with 2016 Tacoma

MikeG: thanks for the reply. I purchased my Tacoma in Feb. I did not anticipate getting the travel trailer at that time. We had a pop up camper that was maybe 1500lbs. I kind of fell into the TT in May so to speak.

Had I known I would have maybe looked at the Tundra's, but I have done a lot of research and everything I have read the Tacoma can handle it just fine. And from personal experience so far no issues. I don't forsee any long distance trips, in the 3 years before, when we had the pop up we never ventured more than 2 1/2 hrs from home. Plus only 8-10 trips a year.

I just got back from one of the longer trips today, she pulled just fine.

 

OP, i'm glad your not afraid to tow a large trailer with you new Taco. Don't listen to most that try to tell you, "you should have a bigger truck". These Tacos are a pretty stout truck. I tow my TT everywhere, from 50 miles away to 1000 miles away and I have no problem. Be smart towing, and you and your truck will do great.

This is what I'm towing

 

What is the weight of that trailer?

 

4250 dry / 6000 gross / 550 tongue / I'm around 5200, tanks empty and the truck tows it great...

 

I don't think anybody has said anything bad to the OP. We just want him to be safe.

 

Cool, I was looking at a trailer that is 3900 pounds dry.

 

Thanks, you have a nice set up. Love the white taco.
Did you do anything special to get your tongue weight to 550?
Mine is around 650 but our dry weight is about the same.

 

Nevermind I see the difference, your dry weight is 4200 not 5200. Miss read sorry.

 

Right, Like I suggested in my previous post, especially since your tongue weight is 650, definitely go with the air bags, and the on board air compressor. It's easy to set up, should take about 1 1/2 days. Although I am a mechanic I still took me this long. I'm a bit OCD that's why it took me 1 1/2 days. It was well worth it.

 

Boat and trailer with gear is around 5500lbs. Tacoma tows it just fine.

 

Thanks for the reply, Looks good.
Do you have anything special? WD hitch, helper springs, air bags?

 

Nice boat.

 

Nothing special. I am going to convert the trailer breaks to disc brakes for better stoping. I am very impressed with the towing capability of the truck though.

 

I think for the minor sag in the rear of mine while towing the travel trailer I may install a set of these sumo springs.

After a little light research i found the helper springs can affect the factory ride even when not under load.
The air bag set up is super nice but with the kit plus compressor it's approaching $500.

These support up to 1000 pounds, replace the factory bump stop on top of the leaf spring and only engages under load.

Anyone have these? Thoughts?

$278 SSR-610-40 | SumoSprings Rear for Toyota Tundra, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Nissan Titan

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00O4GD38M?#Askk
SSR-610-40

$278 SSR-610-40 | SumoSprings Rear for Toyota Tundra, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Nissan Titan

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00O4GD38M?#Ask

 

I used these before I had the helper springs. They do work great when towing, basically the truck will not sag, instead it rides on the Sumo spring. Not bad, however when not towing, I noticed that, because the sumo spring is taller than the factory bump stop, you no longer have the distance in travel when going over every day bumps in the road, that you normally would have with the factory bump stops. So you will get a bit of a jolt when you hit those bumps in the road and the truck can't travel the normal distance (compression of your rear shocks) up and down. Just be aware of this. That's why I eventual ended up going with the Firestone Air bags. Yes it's more money, but in the long run it's worth it, and it's better than throwing your money away with a product that you won't be satisfied with.
Helper springs: gave a rough and hard ride when not towing.
Sumo Springs: Gives you a jolt when not towing and going over normal bumps in the road.
Firestone Air Bags: The best ride for the money hands down, towing and not towing.

Just my experience is all. Good Luck

 

What kind of elevation gain are yall experiencing? I'm thinking about one of the single axle jayco campers, about 2700lb dry. I'll be climbing about 7000 ft over 200 miles from Phoenix to the white Mountains. I've towed campers before but first time with the smaller truck. I've already installed airbags and daystar cradles since the OR leafs squat when a feather falls in the bed. I just ordered the tekonsha P3 as well. I wanted to downsize trucks but I'm getting a little nervous now that I'm closer to picking up this camper

 

I have the sumos. Super easy install. Great price I think for what they do. I am not towing a travel trailer like most of you. Just a 19 ft sport boat, Yamaha AR 192, loaded around 2500lbs, plus equipment in the bed. No sag, no sway, and little to no effect on the ride when you are not towing anything. I don't experience the "jolt", the frame does sit on them but they do have some give. But I don't do hard core four wheeling either. Mostly use the 4x4 for the harsh snowy New England winters and occasional dirt and fire roads. There is a good thread in this forum on them. Just my $.02

 

I've not experienced any negatives what so ever. Unless you count fuel milage. Haha.
My most recent trip had elevations of about 6 to I percent grade. My tacoma is a manual, I had to downshift to 3rd for the steep hills, but maintained 50-55 on the interstate without high RPMs. I topped out at around 3800 RPMS I think.

I was in the same boat as you, I downsized trucks then acquired the travel trailer after the fact.
I'm happy with the combo though.

 

Thanks for the reply and the first hand account. I think I am definitely going with the sumo springs.
I just wonder if I will have to re adjust my weight distribution hitch to account for the reduced rear sag.

 

I tow a 3500lb trailer over the Rockies to Utah about 6 times a year. 4-7% grades. Truck does ok wouldn’t recommend towing much more up that kind of grade though.