Will my 2011 Tacoma pull the Travel Trailers I'm looking at

My wife and I are trying to determine whether one of two travel trailers can safely be towed by our 2011 Tacoma Double Cab, long bed with factory installed towing package. I read the Towing Bible but still not sure if it's doable. The trailers under consideration are a '15 Passport Grand Touring 2250 RB with a dry weight of 4578, hitch weight of 490 (dry), and a carrying capacity of 1922. The other trailer is a '15 Surveyer 220RBS with similar dry weight and hitch weight but with a load capacity of 3157 lbs which if actually filled would put me way over the Tacoma's towing limit of 6500. I sure could use some advice and clarification. We do intend to add a weight distribution hitch. We also sometimes carry 2 kayaks on the roof of the Cab.
Thanks for any help.
Bobf2015

 

Your going to get a lot of different answers.
Can it be done? Yes with the passport.
But right at the limit all the time, with hills, etc.
My own personal opinion is it won't be happy.
Myself, I'm thinking of one for mine and im limiting my choice to #5000 loaded area.
Others will say no problem, I do it all the time. You may not be comfortable with how it rides and handles at max weight.
Reading between the lines it seems your going to pack this trailer with a lot of stuff.
Your doing the right thing and asking how others fair.
Welcome

 

I would look for a lighter trailer or a bigger truck. That's just me.

The first trailer you mention seems like the better choice of the two.

Get some airbags in addition to the weight distribution hitch. Don't skimp on the hitch either.

 

I appreciate the advice. We are leaning toward the Passport but I knew it would not be simple and was concerned with the handling, especially in strong winds like we have had recently in the NE and elsewhere.

Do TTs have a problem with condensation in cold weather with the heat on?
Is a separate insurance required for a TT over and above your auto insurance? I'm sure it varies by state.

I'll post again once we make a decision on the trailer, hitch, et al. Thanks!

Bobf

 

Like was mentioned you need sway control with weight dist. It's a big sail and you need all safety tricks.
Yes there are condensation issues. Do a search on you tube and you will find lots of tips on this. I would be getting insurance on the unit regardless.
I'm kinda looking at a camplite 21 BHS. #5000 GVRW. Lots to choose from.
GOOD LUCK AND POST PICS. TW is full of pic whores. Lol

 

Thanks again for the advice. We will be installing a WDH/Sway bar combo. How do the 'air bags' work? Do they decrease the tongue weight? I will check out a you tube sight re. the condensation. Also will look up what the Camplite is all about. Good luck with your own search!
Bobf

 

The airbags simply help the leaf springs support the load. Mostly they keep your leafs from sagging too much and making the truck go nose up. It's mostly a truck leveling device and helps support the load so the factory leaf springs aren't under as much stress and should also last longer.

They are about $300 and are easy to install. No maintenance to speak of after install except to keep at an appropriate air pressure.

This is the WD hitch I prefer. It's also good for sway control. Not cheap, very heavy. But worth it. Highly regarded as one of if not the best WD/sway hitch.

https://www.equalizerhitch.com

 

Air bags.

http://riderite.com

 

People too often look at the max towing capacity of 6500 and don't pay attention to anything else. In either of the two you are looking at, your limiting factor is likely to be payload. Without maxing out the trailer payload, you're likely to be around 6,000lbs when loaded, ready to camp. 12% tongue weight will be 720lbs on the hitch. My DCSB payload is 1,080lbs. In this case, that would leave you with 360lbs of payload. Now subtract ~80lbs for your WDH...you're down to 280lbs. Now you have to deduct anything you will carry in the truck (you, wife, dog, etc). As you can see, you'd be right at the limit if you and the wife are small people and nothing else in the truck/bed.

If you're only towing a couple times a year and not going far, I think you'd be fine. If you are a regular camper or go on longer trips, I would consider something not as heavy.

 

I'm of the mindset that you don't pull a 6500 pound trailer with a truck that has a max towing capacity of 6500 pounds including vehicle payload. That thing is going to be like a parachute behind you and is really going to be hard on your truck going up and down grades.

Personally I'd look at a smaller trailer, or a larger truck.

 

I would agree with all the advice. I just picked up a Nomad UltraLite, 3600lbs dry, with 450lb tongue (unloaded, 560 loaded with gas/tire/bat). It pulls right at my comfort limit, at 60mph 4th gear, up small hills. I personally would not want to go heavier or else the truck would be unhappy. I wanted the larger trailer like the ones you are looking at; glad I went smaller- just my opinion. Good luck with your choice.

Update: on 4/23/15 we pulled the Nomad on a (mostly flat...this is Michigan) 240 mile trip. MPG went from a low of 12.5mpg '4th' to a high of 15.2mpg with some 'D'. Liking the smaller trailer all the time.

 

I may as well throw my 2 cents worth in.I have a 2012 Tacoma Trd 4X4 dbl cab and a 2013 Tundra Crewmax 4x4...I tow a5700-5900 lb 24 ft TT with the Tundra and have about 3000 miles doing so.My average mpg is between 8.7 and 9.5.I dare say if I were to "try"to pull this with my Tacoma it would get no where near these mpgs. I do think the Taco could pull it but I personally would not want to try.I dont know about claims of 10.5-over 11 mpg pulling this weight in a Tacoma....call me skeptical at these claims....Towing with the Tundra in parts of the Texas Hill country and areas of Arizona I have even thought a diesel would be much better......IMOH I am thinking a max of 3500 and 20 ft is where I would be at for my comfort level towing with the Tacoma....I am not taking anything away from the Taco they are great trucks but they are not a full sized half ton.

 

update? what was the outcome?