Help!! Please!! Realistic Towing Capability 22’ Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab V6 Automatic 4x4

It will not adequately haul what’s been described in the post.

 

If it hasn’t been posted yet, rent an equivalent trailer to what you’re interested in and see how it goes. Put a brake controller in since that’s always handy to have regardless.

 

A lot of good answers here. I have a gen 2 2013 long bed sport with tow package. Trailer is InTech Flyer Explore has brakes and weighs 2080 dry. Just under 3000 loaded. 280lbs hitch weight. Gives me enough for me my wife and the dog and about 100lbs cargo. Weights are accurate and certified at local CAT scale. I lose cargo due to lift, amp steps, oversized tires, canopy and racks. Last summer we completed a 3100 mile 8 Western state journey. Trailer pulled nicely but slowed to 45 mph going up the passes. Average fuel mileage was around 10 mpg. Sometimes less sometimes more if going down the other side. This required patience and planning so we didn’t run out of fuel or the enjoyment of the opportunity. Stops were mostly pre planned but there were a couple of unplanned stays due to weather, fire, or exhaustion. Something that most don’t talk about. Bottom line…the Tacoma is a great rig but a mediocre tow vehicle and you will feel it a few hundred miles into the trip. Brake controller is a must especially if you’re in the mountains. I use a prodigy…works great and was a cheap plug and play solution. For me I would not want to pull much more than what I currently have. If we chose to get a heavier trailer we will purchase a larger truck.

 

Another great idea!
About 7 years ago, I was looking at TT's and reading forums. Many suggested renting, not only to test your truck's capabilities, but also because many find out (the easy way) that the whole experience isn't for them, or found the costs of renting to be lower for what little time they would actually use.

 

This is very good.

I have a 2018 TRD OR with the trailer package that I use to tow a small, 17-foot, travel trailer that's about 3,500 lbs. The aerodynamic drag is very noticeable and reduces gas mileage down to about 10 mpg. Fill-ups are frequent. It does okay going over mountain passes, but I don't think I'd want to pull any more weight than what I have. I haven't beefed up the rear suspension yet, but it might not be a bad idea. That, or a weight distribution hitch.

 

I pulled a 3000 pound sled trailer. The truck pulled it but nothing was fun about it.

Ran 3200-4200 RPMs the whole time. The 3.5 doesn’t sound pleasing to me when wound out.

No low end grunt whatsoever.

 

DCSB V6/Auto 4X4.
I've towed a flatbed trailer with ~2500 lbs of construction debris on it. So right around 3000 lbs.
It did fine but you could feel it on inclines.

 

Renting is a great way to test drive, especially in this situation.

I rented a Gen3 before I bought mine, and yet somehow I didn’t notice it sucked.

 

Look at a pop up if you can, That's what I have (2009 Coachman Clipper 8 foot box) and the Tacoma tows it really well. There is little aerodynamic drag with it being low in travel. Though downsides are most don't have a bathroom and camping in some places like Yellowstone out west soft side campers are discouraged due to bears. I'd like a different camper but at the moment home repairs and stuff are higher priority. I like the Square drop campers like the Hiker, but they also lack a bathroom that a significant other would like. I really like the Casita 17' Deluxe model. They are a good weight. Under 3000 pounds dry with the front wet bath. Seem like they are popular with Tacoma and Wrangler owners due to the weight, smooth shape, low maintenance and good resale value. There is also the Scamp Campers that are also fiberglass too.

 

Sooo…. Is that you saying you don’t know why everybody says it sucks, or you saying it does suck but you failed to determine that during the rental period.

I’m comprehension challenged today.

 

I’m not even sure myself. I guess I was mocking all the hate. Lol

 

I take the taco for what it is: mostly a daily driver for me, and the proverbial Home Depot getter. Occasionally fill the bed with mulch and/or lumber for projects. Occasional UHauler. And the rare travel trailer puller.

I have no illusions it’s a 1-ton. But I feed it a steady diet of good maintenance and expect it to perform when necessary. Sometimes that means whipping the ponies a little and letting the rpms sing.

This has worked well for me for my last three Toyotas.

 

I love mine. I plow, make dump runs, occasional fire wood, provide shuttle service during mud season etc.

Does everything I ask.

 

I would have no issue pulling that trailer once or twice in a pinch with my Tacoma. If I'm pulling it on the regular id either buy a smaller (under 3500 lbs) trailer or just get a 1/2 ton truck. Only pulled a loaded Uhaul cargo trailer one time 270 miles thru the catskill mountains. Guessing it was around 3500lbs and it did ok but we visited many gas stations. We crossed the same bridge and I like my Tacoma too much to part with it. We decided to keep our Class C motorhome and not downsize to a trailer losing all the room inside.

 

There’s a number of towing threads that might be helpful for reviewing experiences. But to add mine: I rented a ~3500lb TT that had a pretty high wind profile. I wasn’t overly loaded with gear, so I was probably sub 4k total. Maybe 4100 with weight distribution hitch. Add in another 250lbs of armor and roof rack. I drove it about 350 miles to the Texas hill country. I didn’t baby it because I really wanted to know what it ‘could’ do. 70mph on the flats and whatever it would do in the hills. Sometimes that required 4500-5500 rpm and 3rd gear to carry 50mph+. I think I averaged about 9 or 10 mpg.

I’d be willing to do that a few times a year, but monthly might get a little old and would probably take a toll on the drivetrain’s lifespan. If it was mostly flats, I’d be more tolerant. I keep the Tacoma for now because it’s good for my urban lifestyle. Strange that eh?

 

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but you will have a lousy time towing a trailer that large with a Tacoma. It isn't so much the weight that causes problems; it is the massive amount of aerodynamic drag from the wind. It's like towing a large sail with an underpowered truck. I towed an 18-foot-long Jayco all around the Western US with my 2017, and it will wear you out, especially on the highway or windy days. Short trips were fine.

I went with the Redarc brake controller and it couldn't recommend it enough. Good luck!

 

Good evening BlueRidge 19 ,
I have found another trailer that has a Dry Weight of 3,506lbs and Cargo Capacity of 979lbs with a GVWR of 4,485!! IF my wife and I towed this unit loaded to Gross weight “ Which I doubt we EVER would “ Do you think we would be safe to tow this with my 22’ Tacoma TRD SPORT DOUBLE CAB V6 Automatic Long Bed? Thanks for your help!

 

Good evening Curveball30 ,
I have found another trailer that has a Dry Weight of 3,506lbs and CargoCapacity of 979lbs with a GVWR of 4,485!! IF my wife and I towed this unit loaded to Gross weight “ Which I doubt we EVER would “ Do you think we would be safe to tow this with my 22’ Tacoma TRD SPORT DOUBLE CAB V6 Automatic Long Bed? Thanks for your help! No long 1 - 2 month snow bird trips. One destination at a time probably 6 times a year!!

 

Good evening Pointeman ,
I have found another trailer that has a Dry Weight of 3,506lbs and cargo capacity of 979lbs with a GVWR of 4,485!! I also have AMP RESEARCH POWER STEPS but not a canopy. IF my wife and I towed this unit loaded to Gross weight “ Which I doubt we EVER would “ Do you think we would be safe to tow this with my 22’ Tacoma TRD SPORT DOUBLE CAB V6 Automatic Long Bed? Thanks for your help! No long 1 - 2 month snowbird trips. One destination at a time probably 6 times a year!! My Tacoma only has 4,936 miles and is plenty young to get out and run!!

 

@Btambe1, I'm thinking there are two good ways to find out if you're okay with pulling a trailer like that:

1. Rent a trailer of a similar size and weight and take it for a weekend to see how you like pulling it.
2. Buy the trailer you want, and if the Tacoma isn't enough of a truck for you to feel comfortable towing said trailer, trade the Tacoma for something larger/heavier.