3rd Gen. What do you tow?

So wifey and I are considering our first travel trailer as a mate to our '17 Taco 4x4. We're considering a MicroMinnie 2016FBS which weighs in at about 3700lbs dry. I've searched the forums for towing comments, examples, etc but I haven't come across any. Any thoughts on towing, weight etc? Show me what you got! Thanks.

 

There is a camping thread here with lots of ideas. Not sure it's what you are looking for though.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/truck-camping-photo-thread.407866/

 

We pull a 2011 Coleman E-1:
http://www.rvguide.com/specs/coleman/toy-hauler/2011/evolution-series/e1.html

Comes in around 3,500 pounds before we put the generator and other stuff in it - probably around 4,000 pounds totally loaded. Pull it off road as well, and arguably better performance in 4-Lo versus highway speeds, but will pull it at 75 mph. Just really crappy mileage!

 

We have a 2017 Taco with the Tow package - just got it in the fall.
We have been towing our Rpod 177 with our old Honda Pilot.
The Rpod weighs about 2500 pounds dry weight.
The Tacoma does a fine job - as noted I use 4 most of the time.
You feel it when the wind is blowing heavy - it is kind of like pulling a parachute.
A big improvement over the Honda Pilot though.

 

thanks! Keep the examples coming. Beginning to think the 21' er might be a step too far.

 

Your towing about the same amount of weight as I will be, I have a hard side popup camper, it's about 2200Lbs dry. I haven't had a chance to tow it yet, stupid winter. But I'm happy to see your enjoying it, I came from a half ton, so I imagine it will be worse.

Do you find the mirrors hard to see out of without extensions? Trailer brake?

-Mac

 

We don't need mirror extensions with the Rpod, and yes we did add a brake controller - the Tekonsha Voyager.

 

If your question is for me, we haven't bought one yet. Still debating on size but if we can do a 21' with the Tacoma I think it'll be the Winnie.

 

Why would anyone tow a trailer in 4wd ? And I don't see how it could tow any better

 

Horse trailer 4800-5000

Flat terrain.
Nothing high speed.

Tows better than my 2nd gen did pulling same load.

 

I guess if your off road it would make sense

 

Oh I thought that too but it said 4-lo

 

Pretty sure he meant 4th gear

 

Try this maybe

www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gen-3-towing-thread.413026/

 

Another thread

www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-tacoma-v6-for-towing.429969/

 

I took it as 4th gear.

 

My 3rd gen has a real issue pulling a empty single axle cargo trailer ( 1300 lbs)it screaming for gears going downhill (possessed?) and the fuel more than doubles in Canada it goes from 12ltr/100km to over 24ltr/100 km,I don't think its built to tow,my 05 never had this much issue and yes that's with the ECT engaged

 

I'm curious to see how it works out, the RPod looks like it may be skinnier then mine, but only time will tell. Thanks for the reply!

It was not, but thanks for the reply anyways.

I towed a 16ft Enclosed cargo trailer full of stuff from my parents garage when I was helping them move. It was probably close to the Taco's weight limit but it did fine. Though, I would not have wanted to take it on the highway without a dedicated trailer brake. I think your biggest obstacle would be the wind resistance with a bigger trailer.

-Mac

 

If you're referring to my post, to clarify I only mentioned 4-Lo as the trailer we pull is a high-clearance off-road trailer and we take it off road. The drive on the highway (in 2WD) is pretty uneventful, but once we get to the trailhead, the Tacoma in 4-Lo pulls the 3500 pounds quite nicely.

 

I tow a 21.5 ft travel trailer with a dry weight of 4200 lbs and a gross weight rating of 5600 lbs, I figure it weighs about 5000 lbs ready to camp (I don't haul water). With a weight distribution hitch and trailer brake controller, the Tacoma tows the camper quite well. I do wish for another 50 ft lbs of torque when merging onto the highway, but the 3.5 is certainly fast enough to keep up with traffic. Mine is a TRD Sport, so it has a better suspension and tires for towing than your TRD Off-Road, but I don't know how much of a difference that would make in the real world.
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