What is a realistic size of enlcosed my 07 tacoma can pull?

Looking at some input on what size of enclosed my 07 TRD 4x4 offroad can pull. I have been looking at sizes from 6x12 up to 7x16 with probably a v nose. I plan on making a mini toy hauler out of it to haul my dirtbikes around and be able to camp a night or two. I have seen all over where guys are pulling trailers even bigger than this, but does the taco really get the job done? I will be pulling a lot of interstate and hills. I also live in the great state of Kansas, so we deal with a lot of wind too.

Input on trailer size, gas mpg, how fast you tow, etc would be great. I dont want to overload my truck or regret either direction on which size of trailer I bought.

 

I pull a 6x12 enclosed round nose motorcycle trailer a couple of times a year, with a 93 nighthawk 750 roughly 550 lbs and a 2000 ultra classic roughly 900lbs a couple of times a year, and can hold 70 on the highway and not even know it's there. I pull my 7.5 x 21 travel trailer a dozen or so round trips a year, which is 3750 wet and loaded and I also have not trouble with that on grades, or at highway speeds. I also pull a 26 ft Haulmark enclosed car hauler with a 64 1/2 Mustang in it and while I am a little more aware of it being there, I can still maintain highway speeds, but struggle a little bit on the grades.

Mileage wise, the 6x12 nets about 12 MPG on the highway. The RV nets about 11MPG, and the car hauler turns in 10mpg.

Anything that you are considering will not phase the Taco in the least. You are good to go.

Regards,

Adam

 

Thanks for the reply. My big worry is feeling like road kill on the interstate with a truck that is struggling to stay up to speed. I drove an 03 Chevy zz1 a few years ago with a 16ft v nose through western KS with moderate cross winds and it was shifting violently from 3rd to 2nd to keep it up to keep it at 65. Once we started pulling the mountains, that was another story.

I pulled my 16ft open trailer last weekend with 3 bikes, camping gear and mileage was around 12-13mpg.

Where I live I am really concerned about wind. Are you towing those loads in 4th or leaving it in D and letting the truck figure it out?

 

I have a 6 speed manual, so I am less limited on gear selection than an automatic is. I can use 6th on the flats, but have to drop to 5th or even 4th on some of the grades.

With an automatic, you have to be careful of the hunting of the transmission between gears. It is that hunting that damages an automatic. If you pay attention to the truck and watch for it to jump back and forth between gears you can use 5th, but if it begins to hunt then put it in 4th, or if you want to play it 100% safe just leave it in 4th.

Regards,

Adam

 

I know what you mean by the wind out here. It can make driving without a trailer a handful. I have pulled a 6x12 with no problems in moderate crosswinds. Weight distribution on these trucks seems to be the deciding factor in regards to handling. My tandem axle open trailer pulls like a dream when loaded down with around 600lbs on the tongue.

 

i pulled a 6x12 with about 3000# of equipment in my 1st gen v6. I also went up a very steep hill that I probably shouldn't have. But it made it no trouble (other than having to drop it into 1st gear) You have over 40 extra hp. It shouldn't be a problem. I can't speak for anything bigger

 

oh that trailer I pulled had to have the axle replaced later on bc the salesman lied about the weight to my buddy. Make sure you 1. check the axle weight rating (not complete trailer weight) (max trailer weight minus unladen weight of trailer) 2. get brakes on something that big.

 

Anything bigger then a 6 x 12 you proalby what a weight distrubition hitch. I pulled my 7 x 14 for the first time yesterday. I only had about 500 pounds in it. Trucked pulled pretty well. I think the 7 x 14 is ideal for the taco. Its not to long. Has a good amount of room. I had the hitch and everthing all set up didn't have any problems but I didn't encounter anything that would of been a problem no cross windos no big 18 wheelers passing me at 80 MPH. I did have one jack ass doing 45 in a 55 for a while, old man with a jeep pickup truck towing a 5x8 open bed with a small tree branch it it. I Promplty passed him. I was able to pass him safely but that was the only place I really had and issue getting her to get up and go.

here is a pic of my getup the first day I brought it home.

 

edger6 i think you need a lower ball mount so the trailer can sit level

 

I have a 2006 SR5 4x4 and pulled a U-Haul enclosed trailer loaded to gills and drove it over the mountains from Charlotte to Nashville (7 hours?). It performed flawlessly. It was the ft by 5x8 ft Covered Trailer and the tongue was perfectly level with my OEM hitch: http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.aspx?equipment=trailer-5x8