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

So far so good. Still in Michigan but at the Wisconsin border currently enjoying barbecue. It’s handling it OK there’s just not a of lot power and even if there’s a slight and long Incline I struggle to keep it at 60 without down shifting all the time. Learning a rhythm. I can’t keep it at 65 going uphill. Constantly keeping an eye on the trans temps. Other than that it’s Slow going.

 

It’sa bit of a drag but the slowest I got down to was around 54 mph.

 

Soooo, have you been looking at Tundras?

 

I forgot you had a bunch of Extra weight - bumper etc. adding weight to rear of trailer to reduce tongue weight is touchy and you might get more sway. Need to maintain 10%+ on the tongue. Anyway if it is driving ok without a lot of sway or porpoising that is good. Try to get a tongue weight if you can.

 

lol been looking at a couple of trucks.

 

It seems to be good. Even in windy conditions its solid. There are 2 batteries on the tongue along with two propane tanks and the weight distributing hitch. A drop hitch which I can't pick up just drag so its heavy. Truck spare tire too.

 

Soooo, the slide out is jammed. hanging out in Bemidji, Mn for parts and service. My husband is pretty sick with a head cold. And they won't let me hang up my hammock. grrrrr

 

You sound like you are better off then a co-worker who flew to Florida and bought a 18 year old 45 foot motor home without having it inspected by anyone other then the dealer. Frame and body started to separate in Tennessee because the frame was so rusty. Had to have it towed in to a repair place to see if it can be repaired. Bags are shot also............

 

I have the Roadmaster active suspension and love it right to death. The truck still rides good. The only negative is the rear end lifted a little more than an inch.

 

lol!

 

Ugh, kind of did that a few years ago. Wasn’t a complete disaster but big, white and ugly wasn’t for us. Sold it 2 years later.

 

Made it to Montana. It’s slow going but I can average about 60 mph. Didn’t get the slide out fixed but can still use it.

 

The set up very near Glacier NP

 

I am totally fine doing 60 to 65mph. I go on vacation to get away from the rush, not stress out because I can't do 75.

Glad it's working out for you. Safe travels.

 

We were there last September. Beautiful area. Enjoy

 

Funny enough I pull the same trailer with my 2018 and have gone from AZ to FL and back twice. Also from AZ to WA once. It can be slow on inclines, but typically only when stuck behind a slow goer where I cant catch up afterwards. It does the job without issue and we havent had any problems. A full size may be in the future, but I prefer a paid off truck rather then current fullsize prices.

 

the tacoma does the job decently on flat roads and going up and down the mountain passes in Glacier today I did pretty well. I was going 55 mph on the mountain passes. The long inclines are annoying tho because it down shifts and stays in a higher rpm for longer than the ups and downs of the mountains. Also, my springs flattened. That's disappointing. Old man emu has had it.

 

It will do fine. We tow a camper a lot with ours. I estimate we are at 4000 ish loaded up.
Run it ECT on in S4 (this engine loves S4…at 65MPH towing). Certainly a full size truck is a better tow platform, but if you set it up right - you are in a good weight zone for the Tacoma at 4000 lbs.


Get a brake controller. I did a write up on the Redarc a few years back. Good choice for these trucks - works/ looks great!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...on-2017-trd-sport-step-by-step-w-pics.569685/


Get a Weight distribution/ anti sway hitch. We use this one (bought 4 years ago)
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution-Hitch/Fastway/FA92-00-0800.html

Have fun!

We are heading out this weekend - I get to try towing with the KDMax Pro+ tune for the first time!

 

Do you have the KDMax Pro +XT tune? Really helps towing.
I have a Grand Design 17MKE about 5100 lbs or so.

 

Thanks! I have that tune also. I have been in S4 but not ECT. Will have to read up on that. Have a WDH and trailer brake control too. It's pulling it! have a great trip!