Please critique my shopping list

Looking to set up my 2015 access cab V6 4x4 AT SR5 with tow package Tacoma for Class IV towing once and for all.

Application is primarily launching my 200# boat from my 400# trailer from river banks, but I handle a LOT of cord wood. The class IV stuff will primarily be delivering 16" green rounds of cord wood from my suburban home to someone else's house, one cord at a time for hard earned cash.

I have elected to not relocate the trailer connector. It hangs down the same as the trailer hitch receiver and I shouldn't be far enough off road for it to be a problem.

Firestone 2407 airbags first for when I load the bed with no trailer, planning to put the 2 Schrader valves where the two screws holding my license plate on the rear bumper are currently. I'll have to enlarge the holes in my license plate a bit, but I have a drill press.

My current shopping list is BigTex 6.5x16 (or similar) dual axle trailer, dual 3500# axles, electronic brakes, GTW about 1800# for hauling firewood, max 1 cord green birch at 3900#, so about 5700# total gross.

Besides the trailer I haven't purchased yet, I am looking pretty hard at the Reese RP66082 WD hitch with dual cam sway control.... https://www.etrailer.com/p-RP66082.html

WD hitch is still TBD, but while I am spending the money and paying shipping to Alaska anyway, I figure I might as well get the sway control now.

Besides trailer and WD hitch, I'll need a brake controller that I want to leave installed permanently. My plan is to relocate the factory USB/ analog audio in to somewhere higher on the dash, cut up the dash a little and put a Prodigy P3 where all those empty switch locations are next to the two 12VDC power outlets, bottom center on the dash.

That leaves trans temp monitoring off the mandatory list but item #1 on the good to have list, thinking about this mount: http://www.cravenspeed.com/products/FlexPod-Gauge-Mount.html

and this single gauge: http://www.aeroforcetech.com/products_interceptor.html

that is supposed to be able to read my tranny temp: http://aeroforcetech.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4376

If I had a smart phone, which I don't, a bluetooth dongle on the OBDII port and a smart phone app sounds like a good idea, but then where (rhetorically) to mount the smartphone?

I won't be using the second gauge mount on the Craven piece for now, but 10-15 years when I become a grandpa the plan is to trade the 2015 access cab for a 2025+ Limited double cab, and new grandpa me is going to add an onboard air compressor at that time, hopefully re-using the Craven piece.

I think I have it covered. My stock truck has three leafs and a overload leaf, so no further help from Toyota there. If I decide to take up RV camping later my WD hitch will have the sway control already.

Am I missing anything? Other than spare tire for the trailer sort of stuff, I mean am I missing anything about finishing setting up the truck to tow class IV?

Thanks.

 

The tongue weight on that WD hitch may be a little too low with a max of only 600lbs since the max. for the Taco is 650lbs.

My research said to find a WD hitch with a tongue weight range whereby the Taco max is in the middle of the WD hitch range. Maybe look at hitches with a 400-800lb tongue weight range in case you ever get a trailer that has a 650lb tongue weight.

Also, make sure that the bolt locations for the hitch connections to the trailer frame will not be blocked by anything. Hard to figure this out, but look at the WD hitch manuals and look at the dimensions of the trailer to make sure the bolt holes are clear of any obstructions.

Fun fun fun!

 

Also, if you are going all-out on your shopping list, consider one of these to measure your actual tongue weight:

http://www.etrailer.com/Tools/Sherline/5780.html

There is a 1000lb version available on eBay. The 1000lb version will be slightly more accurate since the Taco tongue weight should only go up to 650lbs.

More info here:

http://www.sherline.com/lmbook.htm

 

Yup, I am going all out. Appreciate the input.

Today a co-worker told me they got a good offer on their house over the weekend. They are getting rid of 12 cords of wood, selling it (split and seasoned already) very cheap but it has to be gone before they can close.

That would be worth taking a week off from work to go collect if I had the equipment, given their asking price.

 

I have a Big Tex 14' tandem. For the most part, I like it. Big Tex isn't all that impressive with their finishes though. This is my second one, and they both came to me new with surface rust... I got a good price on both though, and like the high metal sides. Those were the determining factors. Those, and inventory.

I also had a problem with the wiring for the trailer brakes. The way they had the lines ran, they rubbed on the axle ubolt. Easy fix, but annoying on a new trailer.



I can't help with the WD hitch, but I love my P3.

As far as monitoring trans temps, I also love my ScanGauge. So simple to install. I've never used an UltraGauge, but I'm sure they're great as well.

I also have The Firestone bags with OBA. Best mod I've done. This allows me to use my truck, like its a truck...

 

Thanks HHG, question....

How much trouble would it be to set up the OBA so I could inflate both airbags to the same pressure, and then close a valve so I don't have air moving from one bag to the other around corners?

I am kinda itching to put the pressure gauge, power switch and valve body in the cab so I can both monitor all the time and increase pressure even when I have a bed full of sawdust or top soil.

There is clearly only one output on the compressor pump..so somewhere there is a T fitting and a path for air to move between the bags when lateral loads are unequal.

Imma gonna go look under my hood. I wouldn't mind knowing dimensions on the panel with the gauge and switch if you have some free time. Looks kinda tapered, just top to bottom height and widest width across the top will answer all my questions if you have a couple minutes sometime.

I am confident if I pull out the coin box and mount it there I'll start blowing fuses the next day.

 

Hey PD,

3 3/4 W X 2 5/8 H

Remember, you need room for airlines in the back as well. They sell a compressor kit (dual path) that has a seperate line and gauge for each bag.

I personally don't have any need for Seperate lines. If I haul anything big or heavy, it goes in my trailer anyway. That, as we all know, is perfectly centered on the ball.

A couple of times, I have had to plan ahead and air up prior to loading due to access to the panel though. I'm thinking of doing a true OBA setup in the future. When I do that, everything will be in the cab.

Good luck with it. If I can help, just ask.

 

Appreciate it, trying to search rather than drive y'all nuts.

Been googling the heck out of "air suspension controllers" lately.

I really do like the idea of putting a OBA compressor in the cubby in the bed, but I am the guy that will forget to air up before the big scoop of top soil goes in, time after time after time.

I am going to keep my air bags separated. The majority consensus here is it is OK to have one fill port for both bags, but I don't like it. I am not saying I am going to need to do it because I am special, I am not that talented a driver.

What have noticed with an empty bed now that I got some dry pavement to play on is the factory leafs are softer than I would like. I have been playing with tire pressure some to try to dial in the effective spring rate, but it isn't the same. While searching and searching and searching I came across one owner who runs 8-10psi in both bags, separate and in that post he was talking about spring rates the way I feel and understand them, so I am going on with that. A truck is a truck is a truck, but I doesn't have to fishtail on damp pavement.

For now I am looking at a good way to put two Schrader valves on the rear bumper, a dual needle gauge in the cab, compressor in the cubby, and some kinda connector on the rear bumper to attach a fill hose to - and a power switch to turn on the compressor somewheres inside the cab.