We just bought a new camper and my truck will be pulling it, questions and tips

If I had the money I'd get something like a small Chalet trailer for winter camping when it's hard to get to most dispersed sites anyway - at least in Colorado.

 

If I wanted to tow anything substantial I'd get an American pick up. If I want a truck that will out live me and retain all its value I'd buy a Tacoma.

 

^^ This. 100%

I have had so much fun in the short time I have had my trailer. It opens up so many possibilities and I now make multi-day, cross country trips in the evening and overnight at truck stops. $150+/night for an average Holiday Inn Express or Courtyard then air fare, Uber to the airport or parking, etc... eff that. Those "built to pull" trucks that can pull 20k lbs are freaking awesome at pulling on the pavement but they are pigs on the dirt. Fat, overweight, pigs that need serious investment to make them capable off roaders. How do I know? I built one. Total cost of ownership is exponentially higher for a 2500 diesel compared to a taco. No thanks.

 

Fyi, a Tacoma Is an American pickup.

 

Was…all built in Mexico now.

 

That's where some people love to play the ol' gotcha game.. built in North America.

 

Fair enough. Luckily my 2017 is the from the Lone Star State.

 

Lol!

Would prefer Hecho en Japan, but it is what it is…

 

That looks more like a glamper!

 

Similar! For one, my dad took a month off from work every summer. He had a 18' Road Runner and pulled it with a '71 Suburban and we toured the west. Dad would leave the back of the Suburban open so it was a playroom when driving (no seat belts back then). While camping, mom would hose us down at night before letting us in the camper, where we'd play boardgames. Funnest thing was listening to dad curse at the furnace at 5 am. They were simple times.

 

The Scotty camper was so small we never used the furnace, the propane light would warm it up quickly.
Funny, I had actually forgotten it had a furnace until I read your post, it was in the floor right in front of the door, we kept a rubber mat over it.

 

Bro-yota’s! Made it to a campground with the taco winnie today. No issues. Kept an eye on the transmission temp the whole way. The highest it spiked was 224. The temp spikes for a few seconds and then hovered around 200 degrees. Kept the speed at 65 but it Slow down to 60 on the hills. Set up was quick. Dogs are confused. About to hit the hay. Thanks for all of your advice.

 

Just started trip #3. In northern Mi currently but will be in Duluth tonight and ND the next night for a few days. Got the set up weighed again and this time I looked up the correct way to weigh on a CAT scale. Here are the numbers, a bit better.
Steer axel:2740
Drive Axel: 3200
Trailer axel: 4300
total: 10240

 

That sounds overweight on the rear. ~1000 lbs hitch weight? On the scale I suggest getting a tongue weight value. Yeah - you have to unhook which is a pain but worth it at least once. Good
Luck.

 

Great job getting those number down Beth, you are on the high side but you are LEGAL. Your rear Gross Axle Weight Rating is 3280 lbs so be careful not to put any more weight in to the bed of your truck, toss it in the trailer. I hope your enjoying your trip, be safe and share some photos with us.

 

Thanks!!

 

Was wondering how you two were doing. How is the Taco handling it, any white knuckle moments?

 

That or for a tongue weight scale, or even the ones that incorporated it into the hitch (weigh safe hitches comes to mind), then you can adjust tongue weight before leaving your driveway.

 

What do you call a hill? I just pulled a small teardrop about 2000lbs and on any real hills (like those long pulls on I-80 through Utah and Nevada) it was not easy to hold 60 and often I had to drop to 3rd or settle into 50-55. Granted, I "could" mash it and manage to get to 60 or even 70 but I didn't see the point. Still, can't imagine a Tacoma hauling 4000+ lbs up those hills at 60.

 

I hope it’s not 1000 lbs hitch weight. Tried to lighten it up up front of the trailer.