Towing Camper with 2015 DCSB TRD Off Road?

My 2015 Double Cab Short Bed has Dakar Heavy Springs in the Rear, 886 coils in front, and 9000 shocks all around. I also have Pelfreybilt steel front bumper (with winch removed), and a Pelfreybilt rear bumper with the class 3 hitch hidden by the plate. Running 275 65 16" K02 on factory rims.

I want to buy a camper and would like to get as large of a camper as is safe to pull with this rig. Where I live and travel to is mostly very flat but I expect I would like to go into the mountains on occassion.

My first question is did I lose any towing capacity when is swapped the rear bumper to the Pelfreybilt? Any issues with it being so much higher than stock?

Second question is in regards to my Heavier duty suspension and whether I will still need to do anything else to keep it all riding nice.

Thanks in advance for your experiences towing campers!

 

Read through the Towing Bible thread and then post some more specific questions here.

Most likely yes. You removed a ~75lb OEM bumper to install a big heavy steel bumper - especially if you have the swingout version. Any added weight will reduce your payload and power for towing capacity.

If you get a big and tongue heavy trailer, you'll likely need to add airbags or heavier duty springs (and you will probably hate towing it with our "small" trucks.

My questions for you:

• Do you have a supercharger?
• Stock gearing?
• Is your truck maintained well (coolant flushed, transmission cooler still installed from the factory with the off road package or upgraded)?
• Are those Load Range E tires?

 

I do not have super charger (yet).

Still have stock gearing (for now).

Truck is decently maintained and engine was replaced 1.5 years ago after I hydro locked the original (whoops).

I don’t know what BFG KO2 are rated. I have about 6 months left before I need to change them out and wouldn’t mind new rims/tires.

 

That link to

 

I have yet to find an aftermarket bumper that is actually tow rated. I have been looking for one, but so far none rated.

 

Your leafs should hold up well in the rear on their own depending on how heavy the trailer would be. With your extra weight I would aim for a trailer that is no heavier than 4000 lbs and even that is probably reaching uncomfortable territory. This is all assuming that your truck has the tow package.

 

OP, do you know what your truck weights?
If not, take it to a CAT scale and weight it out. It's cheap, quick, and takes the guess work out of where you are vs GVRW.

 

To safely tow you have several limits you shouldn't exceed. Most people only look at the tow rating which is around 6500 lbs for most Tacoma's. But the real limiting factor is payload and your trucks GVWR. Payload is the actual weight of your truck subtracted from GVWR. GVWR is the max weight your trucks suspension, brakes, frame, and steering are rated for. That includes any passengers, cargo, accessories/upgrades and the tongue weight of a trailer. There is a sticker on the driver's door frame with that info printed out. Each truck will vary somewhat so you have to check your truck.

The listed payload was determined when your truck rolled off the assembly line. All of the modifications you've made add weight to the truck and reduce payload. For a stock truck the payload rating is pretty accurate. In your case you need to weigh the truck and subtract that weight from GVWR.

A typical payload for a DCSB 4X4 is 1000-1200 lbs. I see you have a cap, that eats up 180-200 lbs right off. When you weigh your truck, I'd not be surprised if payload isn't under 1000 lbs, maybe closer to 800.

For most people 4000-4500 lbs is a reasonable max trailer weight, but in your case it may be less. You need to figure about 13% of the loaded trailer weight as tongue weight. A 4000 lb trailer would put 520 lbs on your hitch. Then you have to factor in your weight along with any passengers and cargo in the truck. My wife and I combined weigh 360 lbs. With us in the truck plus your cap that would use up over 1000 lbs of your payload. If you're truck has under 1000 lbs payload you can't pull a 4000 lb trailer safely.

You will need to weigh your truck and do the math.