Show us what you tow.

Just the WD hitch and the E-load range tires. I’ll probably add air-bags down the road to protect both the TT and TV on harsher bumps, but the stock Bilstiens did the job well with the well balanced load.

 

Any plans to do a lift? I was looking at a 2" lift with the 5100's and Dakar HD springs and air bags. We are looking at a Lance 2185.

 

Right now, trailering is the primary focus. I’ve considered several lift setups over the past two years of owning my truck, but find the stock setup on the OR to be ample for the trails I drive and (as you can see) works great for my towing application. If I was, at this point to do a suspension mod, I’d probably go with the OME HD setup and still add the airbags. The tires (largest manufacturer says you can do without lifting or cutting and E-load range) were the best investment IMHO.

The 2185 was the model that initially got me interested in Lance. I love the bunk setup, but for the trips I want to take it on with my family, decided the larger trailer was too much (length and weight) for my Tacoma to happily handle.

 

If you don't mind my asking, what kinds of trips. It's just my wife and I and our son so not much passenger weight. We are thinking National Parks (we are about 7 hrs from Yellowstone and 5 to Glacier) and MTB and ski trips to Canada. Spokane is about 3 hrs from the border. I am ok with getting close to max weight, BUT, taking my time. There are comments about get a Tundra/F350/etc. for heavier weights all over TW, but I am passed, driving my Saab going 75 mph, by these larger trucks pulling trailers. So how does that logic compare/compute when TT tires are rated at 65 mph. Who then has the greater risk?(rhetorical)

 

Our trips will be primarily (1-2 trips/mo) within a 3-6 hour range of our home in the upper Midwest (mostly rolling hills), potentially into National and State forests on graded roads or onto frozen lakebeds in the wintertime. 1-2 times a year, we may embark on 7-10 day trips cross country, potentially to and across mountain ranges.

The setup I currently have (I feel) is perfect for the regular trips. I believe I’m going to be pushing it, driving uphill (westward) across NB or SD with a 20-30mph crosswind. And, it’ll get the job done, but it’s gonna work like hell in the mountains.

For me, adding 20% more length and 15-20% more weight, completely unbalanced my equation.

Owning an RV should be about fun. If you’re arriving at your destination feeling beaten and battered from piloting your rig, you’re doing it wrong.

I did extensive work on this prior to my purchase. Most of the forums on Lance Owners of America, you’ll be called “crazy” for trying to pull anything larger than a 1575 with a Tacoma, regardless of circumstances. I have found others here and (also very recently) on a Lance FB group, that are happy pulling their 1995 with a Tacoma. I have yet to hear of anyone pulling a 2185 with a Tacoma.

Even at that, I have the ability to up-size my Tacoma at anytime, should the need arise, but at this point, I’m still hoping it doesn’t.

My two cents, hope it helps! Glad you’re doing the work to find out what’s gonna be “right” for you!

 

Thanks for the info. Good to know. Trying to find out all the details before we pull the trigger. Need landscape mods to the side yard to store it too. But I prefer knowing all the details before spending that kind of cash.

 

What is the Lance FB group that is 1995 owners?

 

“Lance Travel Trailers”

Also, how old is your boy? Reason why I ask, is there is a small bunk above the bed in the 1685 most people overlook. My daughter will be in a pack-and-play for this summer still. After that, she’ll probably love the shit-outta the little bunk for the next 4-6 years.

 

He is 16.

 

We have the 1995, love it. It was the 1685 or the 1995. the 1995 was 200 lbs heaver but with a 40 lbs lighter tung weight. Our kids are gone, but we have 3 dogs, so we went big. That was the 2018, the 2019 are heaver.

 

Did you do any suspension mods to keep the truck level?

 

So I ran across this, and other than the diesel engine, the Taco is very similar to the Colorado. Only real difference seems to be torque and tow rating. Which an OVTune can add another 25-30 ft lbs at 3200 RPM for the Tacoma. Wheelbase is identical. I am sure that Trailer Life loaded that Lance up. And they didn't have problems towing in the wind.

https://www.lancecamper.com/docs/TrailerLife-2155.pdf

or this Oliver being towed by a Taco
http://www.trailerlife.com/rv-gear/rvs/olivers-twist/

So now I am really confused.

 

So this is when I picked it up
This is with just HD Dakars with 3rd leaf out.
Then this showed up

Had to take the top off to get under the GVWR. This is lifted but still with 3rd leaf out

This is where it is at now
All 5 leaf's in and Hammer Hangers. I think the back needs to go down. AG has a 4.6" shackle and it will drop it a about 1/2 in? Going to Moab in 2 week, so will see more then.
I went and hooked the trailer up the other day and I'm 23" in front and 24 1/2 in the back.
without trailer I'm 23 in front and 25 3/4 back. I want to go weigh it again and mess around with the WDH and see axle weights. With 3, 50-70 pound dogs, my wife and myself (6'6" 220) we are right there with the GVWR. Were nuts, but getting along. Want to add the 2 5/8 trailer lift, so hopefully wont be starting all over again

 

Nice!

 

Any problem towing a boat that size? We have a 19' center console SeaPro and I wasnt sure about pulling in around the mountains where i live.

 

Hell with the boat...Sweet Studebaker

Edit- Also, holy thread mining, batman... 2009?

 

Just picked up my first trailer on Friday. Its about 2100 dry. Gonna use it primarily for towing motorcycles to the track. Currently its bare plywood on the inside, but have nice list of mods I need to do to it.

Its a Spartan 7x16 with blackout package to match the truck.

 

I’ve been so impressed with my 2013 sr5!! Going from a full size truck(02 Chevy Z71) to my taco but it has surpassed all expectations. Towing boats, hauling kayaks and othe misc. loads and still being a great vehicle to get around In in the city and to and from work. Here’s a picture of our camper. It tows like a dream. I was so surprised the first time I towed but wouldn’t change a thing. The camper is a 2018 greywolf 26djse. Also I’m new here to taco world so. Hey all!!

 

Update: Just towed this over 600 miles. This was our campsite for the night and this is what we woke up too. 1st time towing it after the spring over lift. Wheels and tries are next. Home away from home.

 

Welcome! Nice camper! It's a little longer than ours but looks like a heavy sumbitch. What weight distribution hitch are you using?