Looking at travel trailers.

I have recently been looking at travel trailers. I have no experience towing or backing up trailers.
The Kodiak 201QB has my interest. But looking at the specs. its under the Towing capacity but over on the Tongue weight. Trailer 3849/385 Truck Max 6500/650.

http://www.dutchmen.com/kodiak/floorplans-and-pictures/floorplans-detail/?modelId=22961

I could use some help...

Tkx
Ben

 

Um... last I checked, 385 is still less than 650.

 

Hand to forehead. Doh...

 

Would you suggest weight distribution hitch and sway control? when trailer fully loaded

 

Check out these threads (especially the first one):

The Tacoma Towing Bible

What kind of camper do you have?

also try searching your model in the 2nd thread, someone else may have it and have input for you.

 

And if you do go with sway control/weight distributing hitch, make sure you disconnect the little bar before you back up or you WILL damage your hitch or trailer. saw it a few times at the campground and had to correct some people.

 

final response for the night, since you found the correct forum to post this in, look down a bit, there's a TON of great threads on towing (even if some are duplicates).

 

Dont forget that your towing weight will be closer to 5,000 lbs when all is said and done. Will you be able to tow it, sure, do you want to, i dont know about that. If you are planning long trips in mountainous regions i would look smaller. My father had a similar sized trailer towing with a v8 and said he felt it on hills. Im just saying, if theres any long trips i would think twice. Many people will chime in hear and disagree saying they tow fine, and many will agree with me. Ive been looking at travel trailers as well so ive been reading up on it, and i wanted to be 3,500 -4000 max, loaded. Thats just my personal preference, as i dont want to be hamstrung to short trips. You will need a weight distribution hitch/sway control. Im no expert, only going on advice from my father who towed a similar sized trailer. its all in how much you love your truck. good luck in your search!

 

Whether or not you can FEEL a load is not a valid measure of whether it is sensible to pull or not. There is nothing wrong with feeling it, unless it is so much that it becomes difficult to control.

 

What I meant by that is if you notice your truck straining at all. Obviously you can FEEL a trailer

 

If you aren't "straining" an engine, then you are overpowered.

The only thing that is important, is that you can actually CONTROL the load.

 

you know, i wasnt going to respond to this post because i didnt want to get in a pissing match with anyone over how much load the taco can handle on long trips. I gave my opinion, the OP is free to do what he wants

 

I always like to be at 75% of max. Will it pull the mfg's specs? Yes. Will it do so for long trips with steep inclines and descents? Not happily. Remember that towing requires different maintenance intervals for fluids... never tow in overdrive. I try not to tow over 60mph. In high traffic areas and freeways you will have to keep up with traffic. My boat and camper are both under 4000#. The weight is a poor judge of how much resistance the load has. My camper pulls like a pig. Big high flat front. My enclosed trailer weighs half of what my camper does and pulls the same. My boat is a dream to tow. My small dump trailer loaded to the same weight as the camper is 1/2 the work.
Look at livin' lite campers. Well built and very light weight. Tandem axle tows much better than single axle. There is a pretty standard recipe for tacos and towing...
Tekonsha brake controller
Ultra gauge or scan gauge for temps
Firestone ride right bags
Mirror extensions for wider trailers
Patience and understanding that you aren't using a 3/4ton turbo diesel

Tacos are very capable in the right hands. Like anything, you can hurt it by being stupid!

 

Totally understand, i was originally looking at Coleman 16FB. But their way small. And like mentioned Single vs Dual axle. But the search continues.

 

Best all around trailer I've found is this Trailmanor 2619.

 

OP. I too have been looking at trailers. I've pretty much set my eyes on the Winnebago Micro Minnie 2106DS. However, Shadow Cruiser has the 193MBS coming out. On the smaller trailers, the slide out really helps in making it more comfortably thanks to the extra space.

 

R pods are a cool concept

 

I tow a trailer that is 4500 lb loaded.dual axle is an easy stable tow.But I have a lot of experience also.V6 Tacoma can tow 5000 lbs all day long no sweat.My 3000 lb boat is not nearly as stable to tow.all about the configuration and single axle.Your biggest problem to me is gaining experience towing.great advice on the site for your set-up,but only one way to gain seat time.Could you rent something a little smaller for a couple of weekends to try out?never know what u might discover
Good luck
p.s,-My trailer is the same as almost the same as the sc-19mbs.same tanks,chassis,almost same floorplan,love it.a touch small but worth it for the great towing experience and the ease of maneuvering into my backyard and tight camping spots.

 

They have some nice features. 36 gallon fresh tank I believe, big holding tanks, enclosed underbelly, all that is a big deal IMO for boondocking. A bit short on sleeping arrangements but having 36 gallons water is a BFD.

 

Dont get me wrong i love my SCed tacoma, but the diesels are looking to good right about now... Not a fan of the Dodge Ram 1500 Ecodiesel v6 tho...