Just purchased a 25ft travel trailer. Should I have any issues?

My buddy has a 2015 TRD and he pulls 10k no problem. The 5.7 V8 is a good motor to. Kind of sucks you'd have to buy a new truck because of the RV dealer tho.

 

I have been towing a 21' TT (4200#) for 10 years with my 05 OR 4.0. I have a brake controller and WD hitch. I used to tow in 4 only until I got an Ultragauge to monitor pan and torque converter temps, and installed an extra trans cooler. I found out that even in 4, the trans TC will unlock going up steep grades and the temps will soar. Then I go to 3rd gear. Now I tow mainly in D, watching the temps, and go to 4, or even 3 if temps go over 200.
Another thing you will need to tow are auxiliary mirrors to let you see past the trailer.

 

Sad part, toyota dealer I have bought 4 cars/trucks from said wouldnt be an issue at all.... Sad part is, it seems it will. I'm going to look at tundras today... I'm not a big truck guy... very happy with my taco... but like wife said, find a tundra I love...

 

Your going to buy a new truck based on what guys/gals are saying on a forum? You need to grow some. Set the trailer up right with a proper distribution hitch with sway control. Use a brake controller. Load it correctly, 10-15% of total trailer weight has to be tongue weight. Pull with the grey and black tank empty and fresh 1/4 full. Take it out for a small test pull and see how it handles. I'm sure it will pull just fine. Educate yourself on the proper way to tow. For Example never tow in overdrive, how to properly set up a brake controller, how to set up your weight distribution hitch with sway control, when to tow based on weather.

Remember this is a forum and your getting advice from from people that have never towed and others that have towed way beyond the capability of the truck and will say it was fine. You are well within the capabilities of the truck. Try it and see if it's right for you.

 

Tekonsha P3 brake controller, it was a game changer. The need for the weight distributing hitch and sway control all depends. I've towed single axle campers that needed them, but dual axle that didn't. It all depends on how much tongue weight gets shifted forward with packing and loading. Stopping the whole thing is the most important of all, so start with the $120 brake controller, and work towards the other items if needed.

 

I understand you comments... however, when I hear that ita going to be upper limits of what I can pull etc and that there are dangers possibly involved to my family, I would err on the side of caution. As mentioned, they are putting anti sway, weight distribution and brakes on trailer... however, im not a big wrencher or vehicle guy... thus some of the things mentioned here are way out of my comfort level... I simply don't follow them well enough to comfortably make changes, adjust, upgrade the truck... I'll be honest, it scares me a touch... knowing and understating add ons and aftermarket stuff is something I am very green with..

 

Well, get the Tundra and pull anything you want to, or get a smaller travel trailer and stick with the Tacoma. I love the Tundra, but for a daily driver it is too much on gas and size for my needs. In your area of TN, you either need the extra power and stopping of the Tundra, or a smaller trailer for the Taco to safely handle up in those mountains. Tundra actually has a built in brake controller I believe. I'd be constantly worrying where to park the Tundra and other car doors hitting it as they are wide and big. Don't even bother with the 4Runner if you keep the trailer you have as the 5k lbs is already the max for it.

 

Supercharge your Tacoma instead

 

You need to educate yourself. Go back to the RV store where you bought the trailer and have them set up the truck properly with a weight distribution hitch and sway control with a brake controller. Do some small trips on perfect weather days and to get a feel on how the truck handles and brakes. Practices hooking up and unhooking the trailer. Once familiar with the set up the confidence will come. Always use a weight distributing hitch with sway control regardless of the trailer size and the number of axles. It makes for a "better tow". Never pull in OD. Don't worry about breaking the truck. Your in it's towing capability. Get a feel on how the trailer handles. If your still not confident after some test runs buy a Tundra.

My TT is 21' and only a single axles and weights 3500lbs. It pulls perfect and brakes very well.

 

Toyota Knoxville?

 

Probably get single digit mpg

 

Yes as well as fox toyota

 

You'll be fine. Personally, several of the posts here are overreacting or the posters don't have much towing experience, or they are expecting the Tacoma to perform like a 3/4 ton diesel.

Check out this thread for a much more thought out discussion on the capabilities of the Tacoma: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

 

OP: congrats and enjoy. thats a good size t-t. My t-t is small at 3k lbs, just completed a 2000 mile roundtrip to Yellowstone. drove 100 miles per half tank, less when we hit mountains, and even less with a head wind driving.

 

Bought my last 2 Toyotas at Toyota Knoxville.

 

My advice is focus less on whether the truck can tow it and more on whether you can. I don't want to be rude but jumping into towing a trailer of that size isn't second nature. People get themselves and others hurt doing this, don't let that be you. Take your time, learn how to brake efficiently take some time in a big open lot learning how to maneuver and position the trailer through turns backing etc.

 

You're going to be totally fine! My 2002 Tacoma pulled my Regal boat with no problems for years... it weighed 4500lbs. I'm thinking about buying a Rockwood 2104s RV and it weighs 4300lbs. Not even worried about it. With towing anything you just gotta be careful. WD hitch and have fun! The more you tow it the more you will get used to it. I suggest a few dry runs. Tow it around town one day while running errands. It's actually kinda of fun.

I towed my big boat 6 hours and through downtown Dallas. That was 11500lbs. It was fun. Scary at times, but fun.

Some of you guys over think everything... most probably haven't towed anything.

You have the wrong attitude.. you just bought an RV and have a truck that can tow it. Go have fun.

 

Even with a Tundra he'd be looking at single digits, but it will pull it much easier.

Unless he only drives on flat land which I'm assuming a lot of people have been doing when they're pulling a 10k trailer all day long with a Tacoma and it was "fine".

You already have the camper and the truck. Try it out after it's properly equipped and hit some hills. If you're comfortable with it, keep it. If not, trade it in.

 

This^^^^ Before you go out looking at Tundras, try it out and I think you'll be surprised after what you've been hearing on here! If you expect it to tow like a 3/4 ton truck - then you'll be disappointed. But if you take it slow and really get used to the different handling and braking characteristics, it should be fine. Learn how to set up your brake controller and make sure you know what you're doing, and you'll learn that towing really isn't that bad. Heck, I'm 17 (hopefully that doesn't ruin my credibility) and have towed our 24' dual axle travel trailer with a 4th gen T4R all over WA, MT, ID, WY, up and down passes, in windy conditions, etc. If you take it easy you can get the hang of it and I'd bet the Tacoma will be enough for your needs. If not, then you can either get a full size truck or downsize trailers - but at least try it out first with the Tacoma and see!

 

Yup, everything you said after your confession was a waste of breathe.