Travel trailer towing question.

I am about to purchase a 17'9" travel trailer to tow behind my 2016 Limited . It weighs 3,120 pounds. It is single axle . While this is well within the towing capacity of my Tacoma, I'm wondering if there is any thing else I need to know when towing this. I'm plenty experienced with towing trailers of different sizes with prior trucks, but this is a new item for me with my Tacoma. My prior truck was a Nissan Titan, which had 9200 pounds towing capacity , so there's quite a difference between that and my Tacoma. I'm wondering if sway bars will be necessary . Also, I'm wondering about towing mirrors . I currently use a couple of strap on towing mirrors to extend my vision to the rear when towing my boat. This trailer is 8 feet wide , so I definitely will need a good set of mirrors to enable me to see behind me . Anyone have any suggestions on where I can get those? As always, any help is appreciated.

 

Amazon has the mirrors... also a weight distribution hitch would be a smart purchase as well.

 

There is a decent amount of towing info in this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gen-3-towing-thread.413026/

 

Thank you Aggie77. I did several searches for towing information on this site before posting, but this is the most informative link. Thanks again.

 

the only thing I have to mention is the issues with single axle trailers.... The sway can be a big issue with them

 

No problem. If you don't have a trailer brake controller installed yet, you should. There are several threads on this topic in the forum. The biggest challenge to installing one seems to be where to locate it in the cab ;-). Also consider a decent WD hitch with sway control. I chose an Andersen hitch since it is lighter than anything else I could find and has built-in sway control. I also put in Sumo Springs in the rear to help with the tongue weight and to keep the back end level when hauling lots of stuff in the bed from Home Desparate.

Next week we are picking up our new Lance 2285: http://www.lancecamper.com/travel-trailers/2285/ . I'll be posting my experiences with it on the 3rd Gen Towing thread after a couple of trips.

 

X2 on weight distribution hitch with sway control.

 

Just reading through the thread and took a look at the link to your new trailer. VERY NICE, congrats on the purchase!

 

Have you used your trailer? I'm curious how you found the towing experience and if you had any problems. We're looking at a similar trailer in weight and length, so would like your feedback!

 

Not yet. I've only towed it from the dealership to home and from there to the storage lot. We will be taking a 200+ mile trip shortly and I'll post my thoughts when I return.

 

It's going to be significantly heavier with all your water and waste. Keep that in mind.

 

I know. I only plan to put in about 10 gals of fresh water before we leave. The campsite has fresh water hookups. The holding tanks are empty now and will be before we leave the park. I bought a tongue weight scale and plan to use it every trip. Even though the trailer is 5350 lbs without the water and clothes and misc stuff for a trip, I think the TW is a lot more than 600lbs. I'll find out later today.

[EDIT] TW was 780 lbs dry! I have to load a lot of stuff back of the rear axles to lighten it up to ~ 600. I can get it pretty level with the Andersen hitch but I want to make sure there is plenty of weight on the front wheels to keep it tracking right.

 

Bet you can't wait! Happy travels!

 

780...WOW Is that camp ready? EDIT: Dry

My 1475 http://www.lancecamper.com/travel-trailers/1475/ is 405 camp ready per my Sherline 1000lb tongue scale. Lance specs said 240! Base weight of course.

A full hot water tank will help with that tongue weight some. 6 gal water = 50.1 lbs and as far back as you can get in the trailer for max multiplication.

 

The 2285 has 3 holding tanks - 2 grey and one black. One of the grey tanks is at the very back of the trailer. I plan to fill it up part way before the trip and measure the TW again (I have a Sherline scale also).

 

That would help a lot with water being so heavy and it would be out of the way not taking up valuable storage space. You can water the grass at the campground upon arrival to make the tank usable again.

$15 VALTERRA T1020-5VP Gray Water Drain Adapter

https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T1020-5VP-Water-Drain-Adapter/dp/B000HDIBDI/ref=pd_sim_263_17?ie=UTF8&dpID=41AtHf7AQdL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=W43ZG8P6GS5K0SE859G0

$8 Camco 39463 Sewer Cap With Hose Connect, Black, 3/4"

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-39463-...d=1469147809&sr=1-1&keywords=holding+tank+cap

 

That's a nice camper, Lance builds one of the best. I pull a 2016 Rockwood A Frame camper and fully loaded it is about 2700lbs. I have done numerous trips with it, with lots of mountain grade pulls. I am curious how you make out , especially on long up hill grades.

My opinion , which is just that and nothing more, is that the Tacoma is OK pulling anything under 3000lbs . If your going to tow anything heavier on a regular basis and on grades , you would be better suited with a full size truck. The issue is not just about power, but the braking ability of the tow vehicle with a load.

If I was going to buy a travel trailer it would be a Lance!

 

I was about to say that, but good point

 

These are the mirrors/WDH I use mounted on the bottom of the stock mirror pointed up instead of down like the Amazon picture.

Dometic DM-2912 Milenco Grand Aero3 Towing Mirror (Twin Pack)

https://www.amazon.com/Dometic-DM-2...id=1469148318&sr=1-23&keywords=towing+mirrors

WDHitch w/sway control https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Equal-i-zer/EQ37060ET.html

 

Here's what I have with my setup:
Pacific Coachworks Tango 18RBS (18ft), dry weight 2905lbs. Trailer loaded with clothes, food, 2 generators, ice chests, full fresh water (black n gray empty), 40lb propane tank full is 4680lbs. Truck (Access cab, 4wd, trd off road with full fuel tank, driver and passenger) is 5040lbs. Tongue weight is 440lbs. Prodigy brake controller and Husky load leveling anti-sway hitch.
Trailer pulls just fine but better with full fresh water. MPG is about 10.5 at 65 mph with rolling hills. I expect about 11.5mpg at 65mph on level road. I have found when pulling my boat that over 65mph the mileage really goes downhill. Overall, we'll probably jut stick to 60mph.
This is probably close to the OP's except mine is tandem axle.
Now, here's what sucks: Total tuck load allowed is 1100lbs. driver/passenger=450. TW is 440. That equals 890lbs. Notice on truck that additions have decreased load by for 40lbs, 890+40=930. That means the most I can put in the access cab or bed is 170lbs. (That's why I put the 2 generators and coolers in the trailer).