Gen 3 Towing Thread

Took an empty trailer down from WA to CA and came back with a project car! Little power loss over the mountains, but she handled it like a champ!

 

All that squatttttt^

 

New member here that's enjoyed reading TW! We're considering upgrading to a 19' escape, bigfoot or airstream.. or maybe just a slight upgrade to a 17' Casita.

We currently tow a 16' Casita and can barely tell it's back there! The trailer weights ~2200 lbs dry and we usually travel with half tanks and gear which makes it ~ 2500 lbs. I've taken 8 trips of over 700 miles each and my typically mpg when towing averages 13.5 mpg. This is close to the mpg I experienced while towing the same setup with a 2004 Tahoe Z71 of 13.8 mpg.

I did hyper-mile the Tacoma with camper on a 220 mile trip in the flat-land of eastern NC/VA once and the truck reported 18.2 mpg! This particular trip was done around 3 am with slug like acceleration and without exceeding 52 mph. My 2004 Tahoe 4wd with low rear-end couldn't pull it's OWN WEIGHT less than 18.5 mpg at any speed or weight.

A Suzuki SV650 is in the bed in the picture below which requires the trailer jack to be removed to tow with the tailgate down (this is done via a jack-e-up.)

 

Nice. We recently picked up an older 16' Casita freedom deluxe model. It tows well, but I need to add shocks to the trailer since the torsion axle had been swapped for an axle with leaf springs. What model is your casita?

 

Thanks! Ours is a 2001 in great shape. Congrats on your purchase. The great thing about these Casitas, as you may already know, is the maintenance is minimal and the depreciation is slow (or stops after they're N years old.)

I hear ya on the axle. I'm guessing your axle is welded on like ours which is a PITA to swap out (but worth it.) The newer ones are bolted on.

I re-read your reply.. sounds like someone has already done the difficult part of swapping for leaf springs. I think there's an add-a-spring kit out there for these.

We are running 15" wheels and it works great.. there are no signs of tire rubbing the wheel well.

 

The axle swap has already been done. The gentleman we purchased it from had the torsion axle break while he was on his way to watch the eclipse last year, so decided to go with leaf springs. I have been looking at some bolt-on options for adding shocks, it just sways a bit much when hitting bumps without shocks. Ours is almost a decade older than yours but is in amazing shape and the guy gave us a binder full of all the maintenance records and owners manuals for everything ever done to or added to the trailer.

 

Towed five 8' - 12' trees a few weeks ago. Merry Christmas to all (a day late)! Empty weight of trailer is about 1,730 lbs. Each tree adds anywhere from 70 - 120 lbs. Driving through lots of hills out in the country with the MT. So long as I was aware of revs on the uphills it was no problem!

 

Hey everyone I could use your help, in March I'm driving from Minnesota to Kentucky about 900 miles. I really would like to tow my grandfather old truck back up but I don't know if my taco can handle it. I have a 17 limited with the tow package but the old truck is a 86 dodge d150. I can't find a accurate weight for the dodge but what I've found is between 3800-4200 lb and with a trailer between 1600-2200 lb for a total around 6400 lbs. I know the my truck is rated for 6500 so it will be right at the max and I don't have that much experience with towing so I don't know if its even feasible. I figured I ask some more experienced guys about it. Thanks in advance

 

I would try to save as much weight as possible. Maybe use a a tow dolly on the front axle only instead of the full trailer.

 

I have towed a lot over the years and honestly like to keep long haul towing at about 1/2 rated capacity or less. When you get close to capacity you really need to be on your game all the time and for most of us that is not going to be the case on a long trip. Bad things can happen fast and they can be worse when towing. Just my nickle minus 3.

 

Hi everyone, I had a few questions for those of you with more knowledge. I'm planning on picking up a Cherokee 16bhs and would like recommendations on a brake controller and possibly a wdh. It has a dry weight of about 3300lbs. I have bilstein 5100's all around with a aal in the rear. Is there anything else I would also need or that is highly recommended?

 

I personally like the Tekonsha wireless controller. Not in the way when not in use. But, most hear use the MUCH cheaper Prodigy P3.

You are on the right track; ask questions of everyone you can. And do yourself, and everyone else on the road a favor by getting a WDH. I use a Husky but I don't feel strongly enough about it to recommend it. I just haven't used enough other models to have a truly informed opinion. That said it works great. I think this is the model. Others here will no doubt have strong recommendations.

Be safe and enjoy!

 

Hi, Everyone I plan to go a 650 mile moving trip. I have a 16 TRD OR SB Going. I plan to get a U-Haul 5X8 and load my stuff on the bed and trailer. Should I get a brake controller? This will be my first tow and I rather be well prepared then anything else. Any suggestions would be great. The Uhaul will have misc things like a bbq grill and a few bikes and clothes.

 

Gen 3s tow great

 

U-hauls don’t have electric brakes. They usually have surge brakes if they’re heavy enough, which don’t need a controller to work.

 

ok thanks for the tip. Sorry never towed anything in my life before.

 

No worries.
Two types of trailer brakes. Electric brakes activate by a signal from the tow vehicle, which need a controller to process and send that signal.
Surge brakes work by a hydraulic mechanism in the coupler of the trailer tongue that compressed when you slow down. No signal from the tow vehicle needed.

 

Salt Lake City to Daniels summit 130 mile round trip. Two snowmobiles and aluminum trailer total less than 2,000 lbs. elevation start 4,500 up to 8,000. On the way up averaged 12.2 and the way back down the hill 19. Total average 15.6 pretty good I thought roads were good with speeds up to 70.

 

I have question I could use some help with. I would like to have a little better visibility with my mirrors while towing the casita. I'm just wondering about mirror extensions and what those of you that use them would recommend? I would also like something that hopefully doesn't damage the finish on the factory mirrors.

 

When I had an 8' wide camper I used these. They are fussy to fit, but work fine.
https://www.amazon.com/Fit-System-3...1548104578&sr=8-1&keywords=tow+mirrors+tacoma