New TT?

We have looked at the following TT and are wondering if its too much for our 2009 DC Sport 4x4 shortbed with the towing pkg:

Thanks in advance!
Jay

2710BH
Manufacturer Aspen Trail
Model Year 2011
Model 2710BH
WEIGHTS
Unloaded Vehicle Wt (UVW) 4,646 lbs.
Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) 3,054 lbs.
Hitch Weight 604 lbs.
MEASUREMENTS
Length Feet 28.57
Overall Length 28 ft. 7 in.
Exterior Height 10 ft. 4 in.
Exterior Width 8 ft.
OPERATIONAL
Fresh Water Capacity 46 gal.
Gray Water Capacity 42 gal.
Black Water Capacity 42 gal.
Air Conditioner BTU Rating 13,500
Furnace BTU Rating 25,000
Water Heater Capacity 6 gal.
Propane Tank Capacity 40 lbs.
Exterior Storage Yes
Leveling Jacks Rear stabilizer jacks

 

Thanks I saw that too but my worry is not the total capacity since we likely won't have it fully loaded, but the hitch weight of 604...add to that two full LP bottles and now we are at 654lbs

(WD hitch, sway control and brake controller install is part of the package deal BTW)

 

Yes, that trailer is too much for the Tacoma to pull safely.
You would be over the max tongue weight, and likely over the GVWR and possibly the GCWR as well. Don't forget to add the weight of options (like the A/C) and even the battery. Even from the factory, it will be more like 5,000 lbs with a 650 lbs tongue weight. Add a battery (60 lbs), and two propane tanks and you are at 750 lbs of tongue weight without anything in the trailer. Even if you tow without water, the weight of the water in the water heater (8 gallons or so) will be 70 lbs, and you can't easily drain that for every trip.

In any case, even empty, a 27' TT can catch a lot of side winds and sway. The short wheel base of the Tacoma does not help here either. You need a full size truck for that trailer.

 

With a weight distro hitch the tongue weight will be lower, but you should look at a little smaller trailer.

If driven in all kinds of winds, with a anti-sway bar and the common sense to slow down you'll be fine.

Attached is a photo of my 2011 Keystone Passport 195rb (24.5 feet long). I stopped by the scales on the way home from this weekends outing, here my numbers: SA: 2,520lbs, DA: 2,780lbs, TA:4,200lbs and total vehicle weight 9,500lbs. Fuel tank full, fresh water 1/3, gray & black water empty (25g tanks). Attached Thumbnails

 

Your right but but wrong at the same time. You failed to acknowledge I pointed out that with "distro hitch the tongue weight will be lower. If driven in all kinds of winds, with a anti-sway bar and the common sense to slow down you'll be fine."

 

Thanks all and now I agree - I think its too big for the truck. The dealer disagrees (due to the WDH, sway control plus the truck's 6500lb tow rating) but are willing to show us an 24' Ultra-lite which has the following specs:

GVWR: 6160 lbs
Hitch weight: 448
Dry unloaded weight: 3068
CC: 3092

which sounds better right? Just hoping we don't get screwed on the deal since we already put a dep on the 28 footer...

 

Yeah.

You've got the auto not the stick, right?

 

Yes Slushbox w the towing pkg

As for the brake controller, I am at their mercy as they are putting in what they sell...

 

Weight is distributed from the rear axle to front and trailer axles with a WDH, but the Tacomas 650 lbs tongue weight does already assume WD for that rating. Even full size trucks with north of 10K lbs of towing capacity have tongue weight ratings of ~ 1,000lbs (with WD) and ~ 500lbs (no WD).
Your weights look good there, all well within the limits, Blade! I am very suprised about your low axle weights. Do you have nothing in the truck bed at all besides the bicycles? How many people are in the truck?
Edit: I just looked at the specs for your trailer: it has a low dry tongue weight (nice), under 300#. That's less than my previous popup. That sure helps. That's less than half of what the OP's first choice had.

 

Ya the truck had me, my girlfriend and my dog in it plus the everyday things; jumper box, tie downs , empty gas can and some budgie cords, everything else was in the trailer.

 

That's a more appropriate sized trailer. You should ba able to actually travel with that one as opposed to being able to just move the bigger one around.

 

I don't want to hijack this thread and hope my question doesn't do that.

But what does the 6500 lb Tow Max Rating REALLY mean?? A lot of people say that your combined, loaded, wet weight of the Trailer should not exceed 80% of the 6500lbs. If that's true, then why not lower the Max rating? Marketing, I guess, huh?

I just sold my Casita 17 ft trailer and we're looking for a new, larger trailer, so I'm digging hard in this Forum trying to be smart. I love my 2007 TRD Sport and don't want to wipe it out, or be unsafe.

I read the complete "towing Bible" too, but still am not sure what to do.

Thanks,

EKW

 

Your real limitation, in most cases, will be payload.
And the Tacoma's short wheel base does not support very large TT's either.

 

Thanks for your note. I don't mean to be stupid, but I am really wanting to buy this Lance 1685 Travel Trailer. http://lancecampers.com/travel-trailers/1685/

The specs are as follows:
Dry Weight 3450 pounds
Hitch Dry Weight 346 pounds
Axle Weight 3104 pounds
Cargo capacity 1910 pounds
GVWR 5400 pounds
Interior Floor Length 16'3"
Exterior Width 96⅜"
Overall Exterior Length 20'9"

I know these are Marketing numbers and I think the actual dry weight with options is around 4000 pounds, and I'm sure the Tongue weight is going to be approaching 500. I will use a 4 point WDH and I never tow with much water and only 1 LP Tank.

Do you think my 2007 Tacoma TRD with Towing Package will handle it Safely?? I respect your opinion, based on your other posts. So, It will count a lot.

Best Regards,

Keith

 

Keith, you'll be fine in terms of tow rating.
The question is how much gear will be in the bed of the truck, and how many people in the cab? If you stay within the GVWR and GCWR you'll be fine.

Your payload is probably around 1,200 lbs, but look at the sticker in your door jamb. Minus 500# for the tongue will leave you with around 700#. If the people and cargo in the truck is under 700#, I think you'll be fine.

You are planning on using the Equal-i-zer hitch, right? It is a good WDH. Make sure you set it up correctly. It's easy to do, just takes some time.