Show us what you tow.

Had to take the old girl for some TLC service work.

 

The reason I chose to upgrade, a 2020 Rockwood Roo 23BDS (not my image, I haven’t picked it up yet). While technical possible to tow with the Tacoma it was best to get a larger truck to tow it and the toys.

 

Brought a tractor to work with it today.

 

So far just my little utility trailer, but I would like to get a small camper trailer one day.

 

Hello All.

Been a while... Looking at a Jayco Jay Flight 26 BH. We have a 2018 TRD OR. Thought "no problem" at first, then got scared, then thought "no-way" this morning and now looking at this post, I am thinking "sure". What do you think please?...

4805 unloaded dry weight
525 dry hitch weight
29' tip to tail

Be gentle please...

Thanks.
Justrfb

 

This may be technically within the specs of your truck but I think it would be pushing the limit. We tow a 22ft Airstream that has a dry weight of 3600, a GVWR of 4500 and hitch weight of 394. Our trailer is also narrower than most at 7'3'' wide which makes the air move around it a lot better. Our 2018 DCLB OffRoad tows it very well with a good weight distribution hitch and brake controller but I don't think I would want to do much more. I heard once that a good general rule is to stay at 80% of your max towing capacity, I don't know where it came from but I have always tried to follow this rule and it has served me well. Just my 2 cents.

 

Based on the specs quoted you would be able to easily tow the trailer as is.

However, I don’t think you would be happy doing it once you got loaded for camping. Your loaded trailer weight would put you over 5000# which would require a weight distribution hitch (pg 178 owner’s manual) adding another 100# to your tongue weight. Might even go over the 640# max tongue weight, limiting your truck payload to perhaps only driver, passenger and a few groceries.

I’m basing my own good towing feeling on my situation: 3250# trailer/400# tongue weight, 20 ft., single torsion axle. My 2018 off road does my job well.

Also, what @UncleBoone said about the 80% of max.

 

Depends on where you live in the country. If you're from a pancake state, you'd probably be ok. But if you live in the hill country, you're going to find yourself in the slow lane with your hazards going on a regular basis.
Once you load that beast up for camping you'll probably be tickling 7k (depending on water capacity you may even be over). Assuming V6/Auto, your truck is only rated for 6400. Even with careful loading to balance the tongue weight, she'll be struggling.

 

I’ve never towed a camper but I feel like it could be a bit stressful at that weight. I’ve put many many miles on pulling an 5x8 enclosed trailer weighing 3000-3500, and a fair amount of miles pulling my open 16’ trailer at 5000-6500 (or more...)

The heavier weight in the open trailer pulls better than the enclosed with less weight, that drag from the enclosed makes all the difference in feel and mpg. So I imagine a camper pulling more like the enclosed trailer...and feel like at that weight it could be a bit unenjoyable. I strongly recommend some way of monitoring your transmission temperature, most use a scan gauge/ ultragauge...also tow in 4th. Some way of beefing up the rear suspension would be good.

 

Thank you for all of your replies and suggestions... I have "started conversations" with a few people who have similar camper setups and hope for their answers. I did get the Scan-Gauge for Christmas. Great tool. Thank you all.

Sincerely,
Rich

 

Nothing major

 

I tow a 2019 Keystone Bullet Crossfire 1800RB. max GVWR 4400 lbs. Pulled it over Wolfcreek Pass outside Durango Colorado (15.500 ft) in 2nd gear at 35 mph. I still had plenty of power and never went into 1st gear. I have a scan gauge and the tranny only got to 217 degrees. I have a brake controller WD hitch and Firestone Ride Rites on the Taco. Pulls perfect, I could have gone a bit larger on the TT but I like the way it tows, and 14 mpg average, towing.

 

Third gear towing uphill into a 30mph headwind but 5th and 6th gear on the flats with no wind. Did about 100 miles at 20mpg overall. Was driving between 55 and 60mph

Holding a yard sale at our house and picked up a bunch of stuff from Mother in laws



I got a new phone since the last time I towed and couldn't find my set up file in my drive folder. Threw this screen together in a few minutes before I left.

 

I tow a 2014 Keystone Bullet 230BHS with my 2018 short bed auto.

4,400lbs Dry (As delivered) & round about 6,000lbs with truck accessories, full tank of fuel, camp gear, family & water tanks empty. When we take the trailer we only stay in serviced sites, dump before we leave and keep only a small amount in the fresh water tank for the drive home. If we're outside of serviced areas it's rooftop tent time!

I use a standard Reese brake controller, WD hitch and sway control. Difficult to see in the photo but the trailer is perfectly level (ground is not) and the rear suspension on the truck is not compressed majorly on stock suspension. A bit of time to set up like this makes a world of difference.

This tows great through our constantly windy ever changing elevations here in Newfoundland Canada! I keep between 90km/h to 95km/h (55mph - 60mph). I use S4 and shift manually to S3 when needed. I find controlling the shift keeps the transmission from cycling between 3rd & 4th constantly when on a bit of an incline.

I average about 27L/100Kms (9mpg). Keep in mind we have no flat roads! I'm using more fuel due to the roof rack, oversize LT 10 ply tires and the higher Pro suspension.

I have a lot of experience towing a variety of cargo with a variety of trucks. I won't say this is the best tow vehicle out there but as long as you plan ahead, stay within your limits and spend some time setting up the hitch, it is quite a comfortable tow!

Cheers all!

 

18' Renegade Nomad - pulls it great.

 

Tow 5700lbs regularly. No problem, though boats are more aerodynamic than travel trailers so they don't get affected by cross winds or head winds. Usually get around 11 mpg

 

Towed this to the lake last weekend.

 

Truck does well with it. Launch is only like a mile from the house

 

Two firefighters missing off the coast of Florida. I hope this is not a TW brother... anyone see this boat in this thread? They’re from FL and NC.

https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/...ng-for-missing-firefighters-off-florida-coast