How to calculate payload?

Just checked the math.

456 = 0.13*3515

Looks like its based on EMPTY trailer. The 10% rule of thumb is good for hitch load from the trailer, loaded or empty.

Appears your load will be pushing the limits of the Trucks Cargo capacity when you get the trailer loaded.


Suggest you find a CAT scale to weigh the truck/trailer combo when empty. Then again when loaded. Talk to the scale operator, ask if they would allow you to weigh each axle, truck alone, trailer alone and combined.


You could consider the 70 lb (990-920) buffer as potential 10% trailer tongue weight, which may allow roughly 600 lbs of stuff in the trailer. But, you should not exceed the Max Weight of the trailer or truck, don't forget to remain below the GCWR.

 

Get a WDH with anti sway built in. Anyone that says not to use it especially with a tacoma is plain wrong. Remember every little thing goes towards payload. You, your phone,your wallet, everything. You'll be over in no time. Tacoma isn't a great truck for travel trailers that size and above.

 

thank you will do!!. I will keep very light when camping and will camp on campground that have water, power ready. So I don't need to bring any water with me. Keep the trailer as light as possible.. I will maybe bring some blanket, pillow, pot and pans, foods, some drinking water, two bike etc.. accessories. I'm looking around 300lbs more or less..

 

Suggest to weigh all the stuff you bring along.

You will be surprised at how quickly the little things add up. Pots, pans, dishes, silverware, clothes, sleeping bags, food.............


Skip hauling water. Campgrounds will have water hookups at the campsite or at a fill station. When you leave the campground, stop at the Sanitary Disposal station to dump the black, gray and potable water.

 

Can someone recommend a good WDH with anti sway built in that that is good for my trailer and truck?
trailer: geo pro 20bhs
unload weight: 3515
hitch weight: 415

thank you

 

You also need to factor in fuel (as I mentioned above) so a full tank is going to weigh roughly 150lbs so without any gear, you're already overweight.

 

OMG!! Why do they make truck that cannot even tow this lightweight trailer? Tacoma is not made for towing!! I mean it is but very light weight. not for trailer!! I'll just fill my gas half way for the camping site..

 

...because most people who know stuff take a look at a truck's towing capacity, divide it by two, and adjust accordingly. The truck is rated to tow 6800 lbs. Divided by two is 3400 lbs. That is around the max weight of the trailer you should pull, because, by the time you start adding payload, you quickly max out.
Again, I needed to pull heavier trailers so I bought a Tundra. It has a max tow of 10K lbs. I tow 5K trailer and below. Anything over 5K on a regular basis I will get a 3/4 ton.

The Tacoma tows fine man. It tows little boats, jet skis, motorcycles, utility trailers and all that stuff. That is what it was designed to do. You rarely see a bigger trailer behind a small truck. The trailer you have is not a little trailer.

 

If you're only towing 1-2 hours away and only plan to do this for a couple years- why not just have momma fill the soccer wagon with gear and kids?

I liked and use @hiPSI 50% rule, it leaves room for gas, snacks, a flashlight, charger cable, a few sticks of gum in reserves


When I was a kid, we would convoy to Florida for spring break. My father's friend was always at capacity, so we had to drive slow, check temps on his retreads, short-fill and refuel often, and stop for about everything,,, cause it wasn't allowed to be packed. It was F'n miserable, the second trip, we broke up, told them we're not stopping to stay at a hotel.

 

Because as nice as a tacoma is, its not really good at being a truck. It's more a jeep Type of vehicle is the best way I can describe it. If you want a truck then you need to go bigger. Just the way it is.

 

I mess up on my reserach and purchasing this GEO PRO 20bhs . I know i'm maxing it up. But I see other people towing 4300lbs trailer fine with no issues. I'll just see how it goes on my first camping trip. If anything I'll upgrade to a tundra. Getting all this negative feedback is not so good.

 

I have the husky centerline and it works well. I'd like pick up an anderson hitch and see how that is. It's a lot lighter and less bulky and has a ton of good reviews.

 

I tihnk that will be me. stopping and checking everything and getting gas ..

 

Again, you'll be fine, pack light and drive slow.
Who the hell knows? Often a few years with a camper is good enough for most and they get out of it.

 

Most people don't understand or care. All it takes is one close call...
Good luck and be careful. FYI I have towed 6500... with a tacoma... going too slow.

 

thank you for the positive feedback .. make me feel good.

 

Thank you. seeing you towing 6500 make me feel a bit better towing my 4200 trailer fully loaded.

 

You will be fine. Just pack some of your gear in the trailer instead of the truck bed.

 

Thank you for the positive feedback . I will pack everything in the trailer.

 

Please don't push the truck limits. I'll relate a short story about an experience I had.

Many moons ago, we pulled a small folding trailer, specifically a Coleman Santa Fe with a 10' box weighed about 3000 lbs with brakes. The tow vehicle was a '99 Chevy Venture ninnivan with V-6 and a brake controller. We (wife, 2 kids and me) were heading to San Antonio to my folks for Christmas. Traffic on I-35 between DFW to San Antonio is intense. Lanes are full (door handle to door handle, bumper space is very short), 80+mph. I'm in the right hand lane pacing with traffic trying to maintain 2 car lengths in front of me just South of Waco. I notice in the mirrors, a car desperately trying to go around me. He manages to force into the left lane, that lane is running about 85+ mph. The tool gets just past me, then dives into the right hand lane. Shit! My gap is gone. Just a few minutes later, a sea of brake lights appears. No, it isn't the normal rubber-banding, this is full on STOP. The knucklehead is on his binders, I'm already on the brakes, anti-locks are firing, distance is collapsing faster than I'm slowing........I turn to the right to miss the ID10T, dove through the ditch to come out on the frontage road. Mud and grass are flying, wife is screaming, daughters are screaming, my ass is harvesting pounds of seat foam.......................after what seemed like an eternity....we came to a stop. I-35 was also stopped. Several people witnessed this event to offer us help. Fortunately, nothing was damaged on the Venture or camper. Me, I was shaken. I sat in the grass for about 20 minutes gathering my wits.

My point, accidents or events can happen 5 miles or 1000 miles from home. There is not a safe distance to pull a trailer when you are over limits or under equipped.

I was very naive at that time. I learned. After that trip, I got a better tow vehicle with more capacity and capability.

I put many people at risk South of Waco. Not just my family, but all other drivers on I-35 within about 100 yards in front or behind us.