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Towing With my 3rd Gen! Advice and help request

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by 4x4erik, May 18, 2020.

  1. May 18, 2020 at 12:42 PM
    #1
    4x4erik

    4x4erik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hello TW Friends!


    I am new to towing travel trailers (have towed trailers, goosenecks, and flatbeds with equipment with a dually in the past)

    I have a 2018 Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab 4x4

    What do you all think about something like this for the Tacoma?

    https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2019-Travel-Lite-Falcon-F-24RBK-5012331562

    I've been looking for something light with a low tongue weight. The Travel Lite is the lightest I've found. I need something that will comfortably sleep my wife, and my two kids, and hopefully one more when we expand again . I really want a tow hauler but a toy hauler in our towable weight that will sleep us all seems unrealistic... Except for this?

    https://rv.campingworld.com/rvdetai...r-wildwood-fsx-210rt-toyhauler-20k-SRM1744821

    Does anyone have any advice or input? Thank you for your time. Pic is for attention. (My truck)

    I have read many of the threads on here, and I know that there are alot of opinions about towing with our Tacoma's. Let's here em here.
     
  2. May 18, 2020 at 1:26 PM
    #2
    Spielightdude

    Spielightdude Well-Known Member

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  3. May 18, 2020 at 2:11 PM
    #3
    jetfishn

    jetfishn Well-Known Member

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    IMG_1608.jpg I think 2nd and 3rd gen pretty much "safely" limited to a 17 ft lightweight trailer. You can tow about anything you want but not "safely" unless just flat ground your traveling, we travel thru mountain ranges to and from the coast here in Calif most vacations, engine and brakes get a big workout there. Ours is a 06 Casita Spirit Deluxe 17 ft 2200 dry and 3200 loaded with 450 lb tongue weight, is not a problem, but you know its there when climbing and braking, I have gone thru some rotors and pads due to a lot of towing. Otherwise I think a tundra is best for TV for the heavier trailers, 4000-5500 lb range. Much better engine power and much better braking capability. Much more that that and I would definitely run with a diesel tow rig. Much less effort with diesel.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2020
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  4. May 18, 2020 at 3:38 PM
    #4
    Yooperchap

    Yooperchap Active Member

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    4x4erik[OP] likes this.
  5. May 19, 2020 at 12:29 AM
    #5
    4x4erik

    4x4erik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Why do you feel that the tow rating capacity is 1/2 of it's actual tow rating capacity from Toyota?

    What trailer do you have that's 2200 dry?

    Call me crazy but if an auto manufacture says "Xxxxxx truck with the tow package can tow up to 6800 (auto) 6400(man) safely" then I feel like the truck should pull that safely.

    On another note, Americans would lose their minds if they saw what the Europeans tow, and what they tow them with. Horse and travel trailers with economy cars. They have speed ratings, and they have to designate which vehicle is towing what trailer, have them inspected, and then they are given a Max speed rating like 50km 90km 120km.

    Here's some examples of people towing in Europe. You can't go 20 miles in the area I'm in without seeing them.

    m25-motorway-car-towing-caravan-ANPFT9.jpg
    lBox0mw.jpg
    car-towing-caravan-the-cross-church-street-tewkesbury-gloucestershire-BN5J67.jpg
    caravan.jpg
    56O426Z7ANGSFORQMLO5I5L74E.jpg
    Towing-a-caravan-at-Shawsmead.jpg
    car-towing-caravan-1338835.jpg
    man-driving-car-towing-caravan-on-rural-scenic-countryside-road-in-M231WX.jpg
    VW-Hobby-rear.jpg
     
  6. May 19, 2020 at 12:35 AM
    #6
    4x4erik

    4x4erik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Screenshot_20200518-224623.jpg Screenshot_20200518-001133.jpg
    Great points. I will be doing all of that, I currently am running icon NXT leaf pack and am deciding if I should do sumo bumps, air bags, or put the overload spring back in.

    Also, I found someone pulling the shorter Travel Lite Falcon on Instagram. Seems like they love it. I am going to shoot them a message.

    Check this one out too, if a Jeep Wrangler can pull it, I can too. Cracks me up how many people own them and tow them with a Jeep. The max tow capacity is 3500#, or at least it was on my old JKU. Although, from my understanding that is because it is looked at as a convertible, and that is the max tow for any convertible.
     
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  7. May 19, 2020 at 4:00 AM
    #7
    Steadfast

    Steadfast Well-Known Member

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    The Falcon F-24 looks perfect for the Tacoma. It looks like its only 7ft wide too which will push at lot less wind. The gross weight is only 2 thirds of the Tacoma capacity plus it looks really cool.
    You could pull that all day long. The other trailer listed is a little heavy but would be fine towing only a couple hours away to a camp ground.
     
    4x4erik[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  8. May 19, 2020 at 7:07 AM
    #8
    RX1cobra

    RX1cobra Well-Known Member

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    Some people have different comfort zones than others but you need to look at your payload limit first. This has been covered many times but I would guess your's is right around a 1000 pounds max. Per the manufacturer that trailer is about 3800 pounds empty so I assume around 5300 pounds loaded.

    With 10% tongue weight thats about 530 pounds plus another 70 for a WDH. That leaves you with around 400 pounds for your 3 passengers and everything you're putting in the car. I think Toyota accounts for a 150 driver in their payload but don't remember for sure. You'll run out of payload pretty quick but it's up to you if you're comfortable towing right at the limit.
     
  9. May 19, 2020 at 7:19 AM
    #9
    4x4erik

    4x4erik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Tongue weight on the 27BHK is 465ibs.
    Tongue weight on the 27BHK model is 465 and the 24BH is 345. Well under the max of the Taco, everything else you said is correct. 1000IBS payload is on the door. Correct me if I'm wrong but both leave me with some room right? I'm 180, my wife is 120, and my oldest is only 4, youngest is 3 months, so I think I'm good on payload for the foreseeable future even if I have another kiddo.

    Thanks for the responses guys! Lots of good info here.
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2020
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  10. May 19, 2020 at 7:27 AM
    #10
    4x4erik

    4x4erik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Also, sorry I threw out two model names without any references. I'm thinking my best options are the Travel Lite trailers, due to them being designed to be towed by my truck (smaller v6 vehicles). I've also decided these two models fit my requirements best, and I think they are both within my limits. Links are below.


    https://www.rvtrader.com/Travel-Lit...model=Falcon F-24BH|764971317&trim=24BH|50204

    https://www.rvt.com/Travel-Lite-Aura-27BHK-2019-Akron-OH-ID9172713-UX54814

    The 27BHK I think is about maxing out my Tacoma.

    I've also attached images of full specs (tongue weight, dry weight, etc.)

    Is it true that with gear and fluids you can generally add roughly 1500 pounds to dry weight? That gives you a rough loaded/fueled/full water/tow weight?

    Screenshot_20200519-162408.jpg
    Screenshot_20200519-162358.jpg
     
  11. May 19, 2020 at 7:35 AM
    #11
    zoo truck

    zoo truck Well-Known Member

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    Only towing input i can give on the new tacoma v6 auto 4wd is on a combined 2,000 lb boat/trailer plus gear inside. I did a short trip with my 2020 sr5. You definitely know your pulling something all the time...its not the same as my gen1 v8 tundra. Anything more than that i'd definitely make sure you have trailer brakes/controller. Power wise its doable leaving the truck always in the ect mode and use the s mode on any upgrade. Your just not going to set any speed/time records compared to the full size trucks.
     
    4x4erik[OP] likes this.
  12. May 19, 2020 at 2:19 PM
    #12
    4x4erik

    4x4erik [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, that seems to be the consensus. I am really hoping some more people chime in here that have towed a little bit larger trailers with their tacos, still in the tow capacity. What kind of boat you pulling? Fishing?
     
  13. May 19, 2020 at 3:52 PM
    #13
    abodyjoe

    abodyjoe Well-Known Member

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    my opinion is those to are way too heavy for a tacoma.. 4100 and 4700 pounds unloaded. you will be at almost 6000 pounds real fast. obviously the trailer will have brakes and you'll use a WDH but its juts not gonna be fun towing things that heavy. my trailer is 3750 empty and 5500 loaded and it was too heavy for my tacoma.. it towed it and never felt unsafe but that truck had to work its ass off to do 60 mph. truck was over 4000rpm most of the trip. biggest issue is that the tacoma has next to noting in the payload dept. you will be way overt that after you factor in passengers, stuff you bring and tongue weight of the trailer... get a light popup or a bigger truck thats made to tow. i traded the tacoma in on a max tow GMC. wow what a difference. never realized how much a workout towing with the tacoma was until i got the GMC, i really liked the tacoma. looked good, drove/ran nice even though it seemed under geared but it it was a nice truck.. its just not a good tow vehicle with weights of like 3500+ pounds in my opinion.

    DSC_0016.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2020
  14. May 19, 2020 at 4:08 PM
    #14
    abodyjoe

    abodyjoe Well-Known Member

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    you and the wife are 300 pounds. whats the kids car seats weigh? whats the diaper bag weigh? have floor mats int he truck? what do they weigh? whats the wifes purse weigh? what the cell phones and chargers weigh? then what are you putting in the bed of the truck? you run out of payload real fast with a tacoma.
     
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  15. May 19, 2020 at 5:14 PM
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    zoo truck

    zoo truck Well-Known Member

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  16. May 19, 2020 at 5:21 PM
    #16
    BSCowboy

    BSCowboy Well-Known Member

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    I just spent a year towing around 80% of my GVCW. I have the Falcon tow/haul package, used a WD hitch, and re-geared to 5:29 gears. To summarize my experience; you definitely know when your towing.

    That said, be safe and have fun!
     
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  17. May 19, 2020 at 5:38 PM
    #17
    Flowie

    Flowie Well-Known Member

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    Take the trailer for a test drive at the dealership. See how it handles unloaded..try to find a steep hill and see how it does.
    I towed a 2100 dry weight 700lb tongue weight trailer...loaded about 3000lbs with a jeep( rated to tow 5000)
    It PULLED fine...but with no brake helper,it ate up the jeeps brakes unless you babied it,and it pushed me down a long hill more than once.

    Good luck with it.
     
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  18. May 19, 2020 at 5:48 PM
    #18
    Sharpish

    Sharpish Well-Known Member

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    He’s saying that because many of us have found that to be true in real life. The Tacoma ISN’T a tow vehicle, ratings be damned.

    The pictures you posted all look like the same trailer. Ultralight single axle with the weight balanced perfectly on the axle. The fact that people do it doesn’t make it smart.

    You can try to convince yourself all day long that the truck/trailer combo will be fine but towing near the Tacoma’s RATED weight without a lengthy list of modifications is a stressful and miserable experience. If you’re going to go for it, go for it.

    If you’re going to replace the leaf springs, add air bags, add sumo springs and a WDH and sway control and regear to 5.29 and get an additional transmission cooler and an engine tune and rev the piss out of it to get up every hill and get 6mpg then why not just buy a F-250 and avoid all of that?
     
  19. May 19, 2020 at 6:13 PM
    #19
    Jes

    Jes Well-Known Member

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    Obviously a bigger truck will pull better. Just keep your dry weight about 4500# and under. Here is mine pulling a 25' tritoon with a 250HP suzuki. It is about 4500#, boat/gear & trailer. I have the tow package and trailer brakes. Just expect to keep your speed at 65 and under.
     
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  20. May 19, 2020 at 6:44 PM
    #20
    Aquatic Tacoma

    Aquatic Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Op, Thats a lot of trailer for a Tacoma. A 17-18 footer would be much better. If you’re really stuck on going big, rent first before making a big mistake. Also keep in mind rv’s preownered loose a lot more value than cars/trucks. So get it right the first time. Look at Outdoorsy.com or similar for rentals.
     
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