Is a 15 ft travel trailer too big?

Hi all, owner of a 2023 4 cyl 4x4. Looking to get a travel trailer, any pointers on personal experiences. Is a 15 foot too big? How's the truck handling? Upgrades needed if any. TIA

 

I think you’ll have a hard time with the 4 cylinder.

 

15' what?

Don't think the 2.7s have a tow package do they?

Terrain and distance driven matter.

I'll put in an early vote that you'll want more truck or less trailer.

 

Calculate weight not length.

 

With campers, its not just about the weight, its about the volume of air that its displacing. The four-banger can technically tow anything with a wet weight under 3500 pounds. It is going to have a miserable time with any trailer that protrudes beyond the truck's height or width.

Personally, I would be shopping for teardrops. There are some really clever ones out there that can be towed with a subaru, which means a Tacoma could handle it in its sleep.

As far as a 15 foot trailer with stand-up room? No. Not even if its under 3500.

 

Life will be miserable with that four banger.

 

Welcome to the forum

The 2.7 is a terrific engine for long life, not for towing however.
Just not enough truck for the job, the wind resistance is too much to overcome with only 159 HP available.

A teardrop or tiny pop up will be OK but still not fun.

 

You should describe in more detail what type of trailer you are considering. You could post a link to an example.

Also, does your truck have a hitch? Transmission cooler? Extra weight?

 

Listen to this guy. I towed a 3000lb Jayco 154 Baja with my 2017 TRD Off-Road, and it could be miserable at times. The wind resistance is the biggest factor by far. A high-profile trailer is like trying to tow a sail.

 

Check out page 16 of this PDF for some towing specs.

http://www.tfltruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2016-toyota-Tacoma-Technical-specs.pdf

 

I wouldn’t even want to tow an enclosed utility trailer empty with the 4 cylinder

 

Yeah, as others have noted, the wind resistance is killer. Towing my sisters empty 2000 pound enclosed 7x14 is far more difficult than towing my open car hauler loaded with an ATV and SxS with total weight around 4500. And this is with the V6 taco.

@Rock Lobster has the right idea about looking into a popup trailer or teardrop. I've seen some pretty cool hard-sided popups, like the a-frame ones.

and finally, yes, let's see what trailer you are wanting to tow. That'll help a lot with setting expectations.

 

I'm not saying I'd do it again, but I towed an enclosed Uhaul trailer with a 1990 Miata from SC to PA I'm sure a 4cyl Tacoma could handle a small trailer.

 

Here's a 17 foot trailer I've towed twice for a friend. Even a 15 footer is BIG compared to Tacoma. I towed it with a V6 2nd gen and it wasn't something I'd want to do on a regular basis. Being a single axle, it also wanders a lot more than my double axle flat deck trailer.

 

Agree.
My 5x12 utility trailer has the standard mesh ramp/tailgate and an empty weight of about 1000 pounds.

I took it on a 200 mile highway trip this spring, running empty it dropped my mileage by 5-6 mpg.

 

all good points!
I will add,,, if you can, take this trailer for a test drive before you buy. Respectfully, you don't have the ideal setup, so the perfect combo of low weight, low drag (width and height mainly), and something that still works for your needs,,, will need to be found. Or you will be soon selling a new truck and/or trailer.

 

My first response, OH MY!....Maybe look at a lightweight pop up trailer or a Teardrop?

 

OH YEAH! If an expanded piece of metal (that's probably half shielded by tow vehicle) can create enough drag to easily feel, think of what a taller, wider sheet of vinyl coated plywood is going to do.
My buddy bought and still has my old larger utility trailer, he has a 1 ton truck and still narrowed the ramp/gate, so when not being used, it folds flat to the deck.

 

A test drive is a great idea. A weight distribution hitch would need to be sourced and installed though, for a true test, and I'm not sure a dealer would let you?

Also, I'm not sure anyone has mentioned needing a brake controller installed before even attempting!

 

I like Jayco Travel Trailers, I had the 154BH Baja. Sold it after 3 trips, my 06 Tacoma thanked me.