Towing a trailer/Airstream

I see stuff like this and I just scratch my head wondering "how TF was my tow experience so bad with so much less?" I really don't get it, but I'm also pretty happy with the extra room in the full size now that I'm back in one.

 

Globetrotter (23')

 

I'm not sure what the answer is. My experience has been closer to the airstream guy than your 5600-5800 RPM for 65mph with a landscape trailer on flat ground. We towed a 3k lb travel trailer and heavily supplied Tacoma across the US and hit elevations of 9k ft.

 

Was in very same spot as OP. Never towed anything, bought a 20 foot toy hauler https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2023-coachmen-freedom-express-blast-17blse-toy-hauler-specs-tr59208 new and immediately went on a Southwestern States tour for a couple of weeks. (AZ roads are the worst btw..)

I got single-digit mileage (4-8 MPG) and stayed in the slow lane for 95% of the trip. Pack extra gas, I needed one of my two jerry cans when I ran out in the desert in TX. It feels like a parachute dragging behind you. Sucks when semis pass you, they create a vacuum that sucks you toward them so be prepared to slightly steer away from them at the right time. Since I have a manual I was generally able to stay in the correct gear for road conditions. Learned that TX winds are not to be ignored, potential tornado (purple grape clouds are a thing!) so I followed all semis into a truck stop and parked next to them for an hour or so.

Was a great learning experience, and I can say that now I can position my truck/trailer combo exactly where I want it within an inch or two, plus backing up is now a no-brainer to put the trailer where I want it the first time.

Good luck and have fun!

EDIT: forgot to mention I have the Eibach 2.0 stage 2 suspension but you can still see a squat in the back so looking into either RAS or airbags...

 

My experience is also similar to the above. A Yotawerx tune and Anderson Engineering intake manifold spacer make a noticeable difference. Transmission cooler and Roadmaster active suspension. Mpg is 9-11. Go over lookout pass in Montana. Engine revs to 5200 but it has no problem pulling. Take your time and good to go. It’s not a V8 diesel and I don’t have those expectations.

 

Bring extra undies otherwise you gonna be selling your truck with brown stained seats like this guy.. xP

Freshen up all maintenance items. Oil, fuilds, oils, brakes, wipers etc.. Trailer brake controller and beef up the Rear suspension. Keep your payload and weight distribution in check. I also noticed higher psi in the rear tires kept things more stable. From 32psi to 40psi. It felt much better.

Take it easy and enjoy the time together. I had the best time with my family and I hope you do too.

 

I have been towing a 2025 Rockwood 2109s Mini Lite with my 2WD 2016 TRD Sport. Empty weight is around 4500, 5500 with water and propane, and with about 900# of gear in my truck (me, my wife, dirt bike, and generator). Trans cooler pinned, ECT on, and overdrive off.
I usually cruise at 60. I get about 7 MPG when towing. It is doable, but I am searching for a bigger truck.

 

As others have mentioned, others who choose to tow with their Toyota Tacoma: It tows well, given its capabilities.

My truck gets anywhere from single digits (7-9) to 12-14 mpg, when I tow my Airstream travel trailer.

With a Ford F-150 in previous years, towing a similar weight Airstream, got the same mileage. Same experience with winds in those areas of North America prone to that.

When I tow, the cab has three people: Myself, my spouse, and our daughter. The bed of the truck has a "vault", topper, roof rack, etc... The only modification I have made is to add a "helper spring".

Whether I towed with a F-150 and a larger engine, or this truck with its V6 engine, I do not exceed 65mph when I tow. Any trailer. On this truck and trailer, I use the Blue-OX weight distribution and sway control. On the previous truck, the Ford with the 25' Airstream, I used the Reese dual cam... This truck (Toyota and 23' Airstream) tow better in that regard, but that has more to do with the weight distribution and sway control system.

Of course, brake control and tire pressure monitoring is additional because Toyota did not include that with the towing package on this model and year of Tacoma. No big deal.

Take your time regardless what you tow, how far you travel, wherever you go. Just because a truck has the ability to muscle its way to full highway speeds, does not mean that is the wisest thing to do. Take your time and enjoy the travel.

Along a creek, Wyoming

 

No staining. Just disappointment.

 

Totally agree. And I do a drain and fill on the transmission every year. Cheap insurance

 

3rd gens are turds when it comes to towing anything over 2500lbs.

 

Please tell me what is an intake manifold spacer?

 

spacer that lengthens the intake manifold. Moves the peak torque lower in the rpm band.
https://www.aesinnovate.com/

 

Aight. You caught my curiosity. What's the science behind this, how does the longer ductwork change the torque curve? And what's the compromise? Does it sacrifice HP or high-rpm torque?

 

Typically such changes improve mid-RPM-range torque at the expense of high-RPM-range horse power (not torque).

 

I find this fascinating. I'd love to know the mechanics of how it does that.

 

short version that I found.

The general ideas are these - first, it helps insulate the upper from the lower theoretically providing less opportunity for intake air to be heated up on the way into the engine. As a practical matter, unless you're icing at the track between rounds, I suspect the upper intake becomes heat soaked anyway - it just takes a little longer for it to occur with the spacer. Second, it increases the runner length by an inch which theoretically could help lower rpm torque at the expense of higher rpm flow/power


Math and physics version
https://musclecardiy.com/performance/horsepower-secrets-intake-manifolds

 

My 2022 TRD OR only has 990lb load capacity. That Airstream most likely has a 450lb tongue weight. Add the driver and three passengers and youre most likely overloaded. Of course things can be done to make it ride better like springs or heavier leafs but it still does not change the cargo weight capacity.

 

That's impressive.

I understand the specs for our trucks are not very impressive, under 1,000 pay load for my Tacoma, yet there are so many out there clearly exceeding the specs with the amount of roof top tents and equipment and no one has had a problem that I'm aware of.

I pull a trailer that is over 3,000 lbs loaded and a bed full of stuff. I upgraded my rear suspension and went with a much lighter WDH and I'm a bit over my payload but feel comfortable with the rig.