Towing Dilemma, need advice....

So heres the problem I have. We recently bought a new camper and its bigger. I also have my ATV I love. I want to take both camping on weekends sometimes like I did a few times last year. We camp 10-20 times a year but only want to take both 2 or 3 times a year.
My bike weighs around 800lbs, and the camper about 3200 loaded with our stuff. My old camper was about 1800lbs loaded. I have a homemade bed extender for the ATV that weights around 100lbs also. I installed Ride Rite air bags and have the AAL and full 3" suspension lift with the E rated 255/80/17s. AFE pro dry, doug thorley header, and all synthetic oils.
Im really thinking the truck cannot handle the weight, and I dont want to try it. The camper along was ok, very easy on the roads but tough on the highway with the wind. Had to work 3rd gear a bit more then I wanted on the drive home.
Im wondering what my options are here and whats best:
-Look for a used V6 Tacoma and buy it and swap my parts and sell the 4 cylinder
-try it and see how it works first
-URD supercharger kit
-downsize tires and look into regearing
Frustrated right now and dont see anything I want to buy. Reading over the supercharger kits and I dont overly like the warnings it gives you on over heating/using 93 octane (we only have 91)/etc. But I do not like to do things unsafe on the road, so I want to make sure its the right decision. Realistically this truck can tow 6500lbs like the V6, just without the power. But do I want to put this truck through hell a couple times a year towing this? I was able to shave 200-300 lbs off my old setup and camping gear, but that still leaves about 1200 more lbs.
First picture is my old camper setup before the air bags though so it sags, then second picture is the new camper.

 

Keep in mind that a supercharger can assist your engine with regards to towing, but the rest of your truck is still rated for the stock towing capacity (transmission, namely). On top of the added stress that boost can put on your tranny, you'll be adding the stress of the towing capacity as well and that could spell out trouble for you.

If the weight of everything meets or exceeds your truck's limit I would go the v6 route and swap as many parts onto it from your current truck as you can.

 

Also, just FYI you can use 91 octane with the supercharger, that's all we get out here in California (at least in the Los Angeles area) and mine runs fine with it.

 

I could be wrong but I thought the transmission was the same in the V6 and 4 cylinder?
Edit - wow that was pretty stupid of me....

 

do you ever get over heating issues? I will be running low boost. I boosted a civic when I was younger way more then I should have and did not have over heating issues that I remember

 

Seems like the V6 might be the way to go for you. Can you do an engine swap and put a V6 in? I really have no idea. I am just throwing ideas out there. That is a sweet rig you have!

 

Ya thought of that too. Im glad I went with the 4 cylinder because I saved gas money for 5-6 years now but would be nice to have it. Trying to fin out now if the URD supercharger kit will fit the 3rd gen 2.7 too.....might make me get it more

 

I thought they were different but I could be wrong too lol. If they're the same then that would definitely make the supercharger a more viable option IMO.

No overheating issues here. Well, I take that back, I've started overheating while in 4lo and running my AC but I'm 99% sure it has nothing to do with the supercharger as I'm not using hardly any boost at all in that scenario. I have electric cooling fans in place of the stock fan clutch and I'm almost certain that's my problem, they tend to not work so well for 4wd rock crawling conditions I've been told.

Anyway, whenever I do go into low to high boost my temp gauge always stays right in the middle where it should be, never seen it climb under those circumstances.

 

I never do rock climbing or anything but I stil do wonder about the towing. Probably going to look at buying one once the dollar goes down

 

They are different. 4 cylinder uses a 5 speed manual while the V6 is a 6 speed. If your partial to keeping your truck I would say regear it. Those tall tires and stock gearing are killing ya. URD supercharger would be great but it won't alleviate any stress from the drivetrain/transmission. It will still have the same stress on the output side of the trans and then your added supercharger will put more stress on the input side. If you regear, you trans will be much happier, and then add the supercharger and you'll have all the power you need. Just my 2 cents.

 

Ya keeping the truck I would consider re gearing and adding a better clutch and maybe flywheel. It would be over the towing capacity but not by a lot. I would say all loaded and ready to camp I would be at 4000lbs plus about 285lbs of my girlfriend and I together. Thats worst case too because when we go with family they usually take a lot of the gear in their camper van thats usually close to empty. Only 500 lbs over the limit but I really dont like that thought.

 

I would upgrade to a V6 if I were in your shoes. More power and towing capability right out of the box. By the time you re gear and upgrade to a supercharger you will be spending more then if you just bite the bullet and upgrade your truck. Plus I don't believe that you can recoup your expenses for the upgrades down the road. My experiences have been that you should get what suits your needs. i would think the reliabilty of the V6 would also be better than a supercharger upgraded 4. Just my .02. Good luck with your decision.

 

Thanks, just looking at the new 16s right now to decide if Im going new now instead of waiting. Trying to figure out what aftermarket parts fit which is a bit difficult apparently

 

Good to know I just got a 2.7 and was wondering about pulling a small camper....

 

you would be surprised what a re-gear does to a loaded 4cylinder.

 

Ive found that my 2.7 has absolutely no issue pulling a 2000 plus lb camper. With that said, I'm also running stock sized tires with no lift.

 

Yes I was able to pull my 1600-1800lb pop up AND my 800lb ATV in the back, but it was about to the limit. Add the extra 1200lbs of the new larger camper and Im worried

 

Hauling just a camper has no issue, I can haul that 3000lb+ one in the picture for sure even with the stock gears and E rated 33's

 

Well there yo go! Sounds like someone is getting a new truck!!!

 

Thank you sir very nice setup.... I actually looked at new before I bought my 06 bc I couldn't find pw pl access cab 5 speed with decent miles.... But Toyota dealerships around here had no incentives for buying a 4cyl 5 speed 4wd bc they all had to order it!! Made me mad