Can my Taco pull this trailer?

The truck is capable. But is the driver? What is your towing experience? If this is your first time with a camper steer clear and get a pop-up or something similar. There are a lot of comfortable ones on the market now days with lots amenities that will tow much easier.

 

Keep in mind you don’t necessarily have to tow with water tanks filled up for your entire drive. If you’re not hooking up at your destination find somewhere close to fill with water.

That is one of the models that we are considering upgrading to, but it’s a tad bigger than I’d prefer to tow on long distance trips. I’d like the dry weight to be a few hundred pounds lighter.

 

4,400lbs Dry. No problem at all. Properly set up hitch and staying within limits of weight. Personally I think the OP’s proposed trailer just crosses the limit for me. Short trips may be ok but it will be a challenge.



I have towed with a 2003, 2008, and 2015 since 2003.


old trailer and truck:

 

Did you do any upgrades in the suspension to pull that? Looking at a camper trailer around 4000# and deciding what I'll want to do, if anything. Maybe add a leaf (AAL) is enough or go all the way up to full air bags?

 

No upgrades suspension wise. The Dual Cam and spring bars can properly lift the back of the truck. All these pics of Tacomas with trailers that have a hitch with spring bars squatting really badly are just simply set up wrong. They don’t need to squat like that.

Had airbags, then had add a leaf in the 2003. They rode poorly and the air bags seemed to ride terrible with the spring bar set up. So I upgraded to the 2008. Air bags have their uses, but not in a set up with WDH spring bars.

The D range tires make a difference in handling vs the stockers. I know that.

Just towed it to and from Cape May,NJ to near Albany, NY. 7 hours. Was fine. Plan on doing it again.

 

Good to know. Might still do something simple and hopefully pretty inexpensive like AAL or SumoSprings just to help out a little, but air bags maybe are overkill.

For D range tires, did you mean on the Tacoma or the trailer or both? What are the stock ones?

 

Proper weight distribution hitch balances the hitch weight between front and rear on the truck. If you did increase the rear spring rate, you would need to take load off the front to balance it out. Plus you get a rougher ride when not towing.

I would recommend you get an expertly setup weight distribution hitch before messing with your trucks suspension. Permanent weight from mods on a truck is a reason to change your springs, but occasional towing? Your kidneys will hate you when you are driving around with no extra weight.

At least air bags have the option of being deflated when not required.

 

Good points. I'd obviously be getting WDH with sway bars installed and setup when the time comes, so that would be part of it.

 

Negative Ghost Rider.


You need to be getting yourself a different truck.

 

nope, the one drawback to not having a full size truck

 

D range tires on truck. Truck comes with lighter duty P Metrics as opposed to LT that come in range C (best option for all around with alot of options in 17), D somewhat heavier and rough riding, E which are tough to deal with day to day due to stiff sidewalls and mass. Some people love them though.

Heard good things about Sumo Springs. Pricey though.

 

I tow a 3500lb boat with mine all the time with no issues..

 

As mentioned above. Biggest issue I see is when you are all loaded down with payload in the truck and trailer combined.

If you have a heavy tongue, and a payload and your pulling / your front suspension will be effected and steering as well. Not to mention the "push" that occurs with momentum and gravity.

Have some foresight and consider scenerios that could occur where you would have climbs/down hills/ Wind / maneuvering and/or stopping quickly/ Stress on your vehicles, transmission, motor, brakes and suspension.

Don't be looking for a trailer that is "just" within the limit of what your truck is rated for; I'd consider 50% - 70% of dynamic limit.

Leave yourself room for safe stress-free travel.
All your equipment will last longer.

 

This, I would let my grandpa pull this (He's retired from ABF), but sure wouldn't let a friend of mine do it.