Is this travel trailer a good idea??

i have a 2013 v6 w towing package. Looking hard at this model. Is this fine weight wise?
https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/wildwood-fsx/178BHSK/4584

 

It looks like its 3800 lbs with the ability to hold 1,000 of cargo. Your taco should be able to handle that weight just fine. Although I would invest in a brake controller.

 

Got the brake controller I used w our popup.

 

You should be ok with that trailer and weight. Even when you load up that trailer you’ll be well within the manufacturer’s max tow capacity for the truck. In addition to the brake controller I’d suggest air bags and a WDH. Where you are really going to know you’re towing something fairly big and heavy is on long steep grades and up in the mountains. In addition driving in stiff head winds and cross winds while towing that is going to make driving tough and tiresome. Also you are going to have to get tow mirrors because with the lousy little mirrors on your truck you won’t be able to see much more than the front of the trailer. Your truck will do it but if you plan to tow lots of miles a year I’d consider a full size truck like an F150 or a Tundra.

 

Technically yes. But it's not going to be fun to pull it.

 

Yes it will pull it but it will struggle. I had a similar setup years ago and after 2 years with it I decided I need a full size truck or sell the trailer.....I kept the Tacoma. It’s not just the weight, it’s the size. I’ve towed 3500 in concrete and was much easier without a giant sale behind me. On flat roads with little wind it was decent but had wind or hills the truck would struggle. Also was getting around 9mpg towing it so not much long range.

 

Anyone else tow something similar to this size?

 

What type of terrain? My 12 TRD-OR did fine here in the southeast with a 3,500# 19' fifth wheel Scamp but not so much in the mountains of the western US. I'm pretty sure a couple of hikers passed us when we went through Teton Pass outside Jackson,

 

Hogwash! It'll tow it just fine.

 

My trailer is very similar in size and weight. If you keep extra weight to a minimum (including your payload) it's ok. Mileage sucks so plan fuel stops every 190 miles or so to be safe. Braking is mediocre even with a brake controller. You will hate it if you plan to drive through any mountains for long periods. Truck strains horribly on grades.

I installed airbags since I'm on stock leafs and they suck. Overall impression is it's definitely manageable just not totally ideal.

 

This ^^^^^^^^

 

I have a 23' TT 3950 lbs dry weight. Loaded likely about 4600 lbs.(no water). It tows fine however if there are long steep hills, it will work. I towed mine from London Ontario to PEI a couple years ago. going forward, I would likely keep my range to within a 6 hr radius. I would call this a mid range setup. For a long range setup(1000 + miles), if hills are involved, I would stay under 4000 lbs loaded weight.

 

The truck will PULL it just fine. The problem is that he is going to have to pack very carefully to not overload his trucks suspension. While the empty trailer weight is well within specs if he loads it to the max he is going to be just under 6000 lbs. His true tongue weight will be about 800 lbs. And then you need to add another 100 lbs for a weight distribution hitch putting about 900 lbs on the trucks suspension.

The OP needs to look at the sticker on his door jamb to find his trucks payload. They are slightly different on all trucks, but mine is 1200 lbs. I weigh 220, my wife is 140. I would be over my payload with nothing in my truck but myself and my wife.

Then you need to consider WHERE he is going to tow it. The tow ratings are calculated at sea level. The truck will lose about 3% of it's power for each 1000' above sea level and the max tow rating is reduced by the same amount. If he ever plans to go up to 5000' then the 6500 lb tow rating needs to be reduced by 15%, getting it to 5500. At 10,000' and there shouldn't be over 4500 lbs behind a Tacoma.

In the real world about 4000-4500 lbs is a realistic limit for a Tacoma. This trailer will make that weight if packed carefully. But I'd not go any bigger. And would personally like something about 500-1000 lbs lighter.

 

I do, with. 2010 DCLB. My 22' TT is 3700# dry. Get some airbags, weight distributing hitch, stay in 4th gear, and add a tranny cooler. I also run load D 285's and a really good anti-sway system

 

I’ve pulled this 21’ camper with my 2015 Pro and once I added the WDH things went much smoother. Haven’t towed over any mts yet so we will see this spring how it really goes.

 

The guy just asked if he could pull that trailer. He never said it was going to be grossed out at max weight or have the truck bed loaded to the hilt. Having said that, yes, it's true he will have to consider more than just dry weight of the trailer.

 

Little more weight than mine but I think you should be fine. I would get a wdh and maybe some airbags. Not great on hills and gas mileage is going to suck.

 

I am towing an R-POD 179, very similar specs. Here’s my towing specs


Towing hasn’t been fun. Of course, I’ve been towing in mountainous areas mainly.

I started with a power brake booster and a weight distribution hitch. After my first major towing trip (2.5K miles) I installed the Terraflex Falcon suspension tow/haul setup...huge improvement. I recently installed 5:29 gears, but haven’t taken a significant trip while towing. I suspect, based on the short tows I have done, the new gears will make towing much better. I recently did 5K w/out my trailer and it was much better so I don’t see why this wouldn’t translate to towing as well.

Based on the specs in the link, I think you would be in the red. You would be pushing the truck. I think you should take into account what type of region you are will be towing in, the distance you plan on towing, etc.. If you aren’t in extreme temp or hilly areas and don’t plan on towing too far, i wouldn’t think twice.

Edit, here’s a pic pre-suspension upgrade:

 

Thanks guys. I am running heavy duty Dakar rear leafs so that should help I’d assume w the sag issues. If we get this trailer we’d also be using a WDH. Some of guys are kind of scaring me away from it though.

 

Get a good WDH, drive < 65 and you'll be fine. Nice size trailer for your truck imo.