Towing newbie - accessory questions

Thanks in advance for your help. Newbie to towing. It's about the worst time to be doing all this I feel, but no time like the present. We are in WI and need to get to AZ to buy a property to relocate; but due to COVID traveling via air and staying at hotels along the way seems too risky. So we bought a travel trailer. Always wanted one but not like this... We bought a Jay Flight 174 BH, dry 3145 lbs and gross 3950. We are planning to pack light so towing shouldn't be an issue. Getting my Tacoma ready to tow however and I can't read enough fast enough to make a decision... I have a 2020 TRD sport DCSB MT, stock. I know I have to get a brake controller, ordered a Redarc Liberty so that's on the way. Here are my questions:

1. MT does not have a separate transmission cooler, should I be concerned with transmission temp and also get a temp monitor?

2. Thinking about getting the Anderson Hitch for weight distribution and sway control. Would this be good enough? Or too much? Would the cheaper Husky Centerline work as well? Or do I need the Equalizer?

3. For those who tow with a MT long distance, any tips I should know? Most info seems to be for AT.

Thanks a lot, you guys have been a blessing since I got the truck!

 

1. No need to be concerned about it, MTs generally aren't as delicate as ATs. Except for the clutch, but that's a different story.


2. I like the anderson, but they all do essentially the same thing. Used to be that cost was an indicator of how easy/fast it was to hitch up.

3. The tips are more or less the same. Keep it in 4th or maybe 5th on easy flats. Try not to exceed 65 mph, mostly for mileage purposes but it also helps some with wear and tear.

Enjoy camping.

 

What is your GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating)?

Tare weight of the truck with you and full tank of fuel?

<edit> Since you already have the trailer. The best thing you can do is learn and manage your cargo weights and tongue weights.

Suggest brake controller with electric brakes on the trailer.

Does the trailer have a spare tire?

 

Thank you! I LOL’ed on the first one!

 

GCVWR 11260. We’re going to keep our weight in the truck to minimum. Haven’t weighed yet but will try and do that before our trip!

I’ll look into the electric brake! Thank you!

yes, have a spare on the TT.

thanks!

 

Ok....
GCVWR = 11,260 lb
UVW of Trailer = 3145 lb (Unloaded Vehicle Weight)
UVW of Truck = ??? (include driver, full fuel, all modifications)

Balance is 8115 lbs. Need to subtract the following, UVW of truck. This will be the CCC (Combined Cargo Capacity) of truck and trailer.

Other weights need to be taken into consideration.
WDH
Tongue Weight (this will be variable, depending on load balance in the trailer.)

Do you know the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of the truck?
You have the GVWR of the trailer. 3950 lb
Maximum Tongue Weight of the truck?
Maximum Tongue Weight of the Trailer?

 

will have to figure out CCC and also UVW, will try and find a scale today.

truck GVWR is 5600
Payload capacity for the truck is 904
Unloaded tongue weight of trailer is 270

hard to tell how it’ll go until we load up and find a scale. Figured we would just pack minimal to keep things light.
Thanks!

 

You can determine the UVW of the truck from the numbers you have, unless you've added mods.

GVWR - CC = UVW, 5600-904=4696 lbs. Remember, this number will increase with additions and mods. Conversely, CC will decrease with additions and mods.

So, assuming you haven't added anything to the truck........
GCVWR - UVW(truck) - UVW (trailer) = 11260-4696-3145=3419 lbs This is shared between truck and trailer. Still need the weights of the WDH and loaded trailer tongue weight.

Now, to the cargo for the truck.
CC (truck): need the weights of the people, pets, clothing, anything in the truck, WDH and Trailer Tongue Weight. This all comes off the 904 lb (CC truck). Anything over 904 lbs needs to be loaded in trailer or left home. Remember, you have at least 270 lbs of UNLOADED trailer tongue weight.

Frankly the unloaded TW of the trailer is hollow number. No one pulls an empty trailer. Mount a 20# propane tank and a battery to the tongue then watch the tongue weight increase. Propane tank about 50 lbs, battery about 45 lbs.


The point we are slowly approaching is the realization that the GCVWR is a limiting factor and the CC of the truck quickly evaporates with needed loads (ie people, pets, WDH, TW). The TW of the trailer can be adjusted to remain within the limits of the truck by balancing CC in the trailer. Some items load ahead of the axle, other loads behind the axle.

Its all about remaining within the capacities of the truck, trailer and balancing the load.

Good luck.
Happy Hunting in AZ

 

super helpful! Thanks a lot! I’m going to copy your message so I can reference it!

 

Unless someone pulled it off there is a payload sticker on the drivers door jamb. MOST Tacoma's will be 1100-1300 lbs, but some are under 1000, others closer to 2000. But those extremes are not common. Your truck won't have any issues PULLING the trailer even if loaded to the full 3950 lbs. But your trucks suspension could be overloaded. Figure 13% of loaded trailer weight as tongue weight, so 3950X.13= 515 lbs on the tongue. With a WDH you're looking at about 600 lbs if you load the trailer to max. About 500 lbs dry.

That 500-600 lbs comes off payload off the top. Depending on your trucks payload the rest is what you have for passengers and cargo in the truck. You don't say how many people will be in the truck, but 4 skinny 150 lb passengers is 600 lbs.

My truck shows 1200 lbs payload, but I have a 180 lb cap on mine. That leaves me 1050 usable payload. If I have 600 on the tongue that leaves me 450 lbs for passengers and cargo in the cab. I weigh 220, my wife 140. With us in the truck that only leaves 90 lbs for additional cargo. If I took the cap off that would free up another 180 lbs.

What you are wanting to do is probably in spec., but you need to determine your actual payload. If you're truck has closer to 1000 lbs payload then you are really cutting it close. If you're at or over 1300 you have more wiggle room. But you won't be able to fully load the trailer AND fill the bed of the truck with a bunch of stuff either way.

 

You should be fine, do the math. The sticker on your door jamb tells you everything you need to know about CC. You will never exceed your GCVW with that trailer.
Here is my example and I used an inexpensive scale to weigh my tongue fully loaded. I weighed every little thing I placed into the trailer with a bathroom scale.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-tow-experience-with-a-nobo-19-6.690623/

PS- Welcome to AZ. I went to school at UW and have a lot of ties there. I am considering a reverse snow bird and looking around lake Winnebago where several friends live. There is a ton of great places to go camping here so hopefully you will be holding on to that trailer after you arrive. Have you decided on an area of the state to buy?

 

thanks for the info! Great to talk to a fellow Badger! Lake Winnebago area is nice! We’re in Madison still and looking at Phoenix/Scottsdale I’m so done with winter though lol

 

thank you! For sure going to cut it close with the payload... seems I have the version where payload is in the 900s. With people and car seats I’m at about 650. Can take the tonneau cover off to get another 50 lbs but still tight...