Tacoma Travel Trailer Towng: Read If You Consider Buying An RV

First time for me reading through this particular thread.

I have a 2014 Tacoma that I picked up this past year. We have an older pop-up and it pulls that with no issues at all. We are in the market for replacing the pop up with a smaller TT. Empty weights I am looking at are around 3,000 pounds for the trailers I am considering. From what I am reading, my Tacoma should have no issues pulling what I am looking at getting.

We do have roughly 5 hour interstate drives up to the mountains. I also like to run at least 70 mph. Should I look into a little larger transmission cooler for the truck? Mainly because I like to run a little faster speeds. It is not the weight I am concerned about but the added load due to wind resistance.

And does anyone have a link to the apps and parts you guys are using to monitor the transmission temps? That is just something I would like to have.

Any recommended brake controllers? Will the cheap $40 ones do the trick?

And I am not afraid to pull a trailer with my truck. I have pulled some pretty big stuff in the past so I am no stranger to pulling.

 

the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 on etrailer has 2,300+ reviews. It's a buy it once thing. You wont regret it.

 

Thats a pretty nice looking unit. Where are you guys mounting them in the truck? Im picky so Im going to have to make it look nice.

 

I use a Ultragauge to watch trans temps /etc. I like the look better than the scan gauge. Just make sure to get the one that will monitor trans temps as there are different models. I have a “cheaper” brake controller and used for years with no issues but would get a Prodigy like above if I do it again. Pic of the ultragauge in window.

 

I have the Prodigy P2 mounted on the lower left knee board in my 2nd gen. It’s tucked out the way enough to not be annoying but within easy reach for adjusting and monitoring if it’s working.

 

For monitoring tranny temps, you can buy a cheap Bluetooth OBDII scanner (ELM327 compatible) from Amazon for around ~$20. Or if you want something a little nicer and not a Chinese knockoff you can spend a bit more and get a

$100 OBDLink MX Bluetooth OBD-II Automotive Scan Tool for Android and Windows

ScanTool one for around $80. Then you can buy the Torque Pro app for $5 if you have an Android phone and you'll have to manually add the PID to monitor it found in this thread on TW. I think you have to have the Pro version to manually add a PID so unfortunately the free version of Torque won't work. I believe there is an Apple app mentioned in that thread that also works with this if that is your preference, but don't really pay attention to that since I use Android. Either way, it is an alternative to having to get a full Scan/UltraGauge setup and finding another place to mount it.

As for the brake controller, as other have said, and seems to be the normally recommended around here, the Tekonsha P3 is the way to go. If you have a 2016+ there is a small cubby to the left of the steering wheel that isn't too useful, but you can get a mounting kit that will put the P3 in there and look pretty clean and keep it out of your way if you are worried about kicking it accidentally. Otherwise you can hang it off the bottom of the dash too, as long as it isn't in your way.

 

Could use some advice. Picking up a new to us tt (3700 dry weight) next week and question came up on the WD hitch. Dealer sells a 6 or 8 K rated?? Dealer says either will work but the 8k would work for bigger trailer in the future but might be stiffer on the ride now. Would appreciate any advice and insight you all may have.

 

Been looking at a ~4000# camper myself and with it WDH+sway control and everything I've seen says it is a Goldilocks-type thing. You don't want to get one rated too low, of course, but you also don't want to get one rated too highly. You really want to stick to one that is rated as close to possible to your trailer's actual weight. So I think the 6K would be better suited to your trailer. Maybe someone can correct me who has more experience, but just what I've seen poking around. Makes me surprised the dealer would recommend it for you.

 

Do you have an external trans cooler?

 

Andersen No-Sway is adjustable and has a much broader weight range capability. A little pricey, but works well. Just CANNOT be used with Atwood 88*** series or Marvel 88* series couplers.

 

I've been seeing more and more about the Anderson. Very interesting. I thought one of the benefits of it was that it was actually cheaper than a more standard WDH though? Either way looks much easier to setup and use. I'm hoping to purchase a TT next year or so, so I'll definitely be keeping it in mind when the time comes and it has had more time out in the world.

 

If you get it through ebay from andersen, it is well priced (I think I paid $400). The dealers I checked around here try to get $600.
Setup is easy after initial install and setup.
I installed one on my folks' Airstream because they didnt want to deal with bars and friction bars. They like it so far, they have driven from OR to TX with no issues with passing trucks. Only had to stop one day in CO due to high cross wind. Plus it is lighter than a bar style WD hitch so that help tongue weigth a bit.
I put one on my trailer also, but need more road time after it is built and has weight.

 

Thanks. Thinking I’ll go with the one rated for my set up and then in future if I go bigger, I’ll purchase another one that is set up for that situation.

 

If you like a brake controller that easy to install and doesn't need to be mounted in the cab, the Tekonsha 90250 RF works great.

 

Hell of a first post. You tell us that because you have a lifetime warranty and break controller you are willing to take chances - with what - your family's lives other peoples lives. You have stated you overloaded your capacity when you thought it safe enough. Regardless of what you think IT'S NOT SAFE. You had a load of over 10K and you thought the tires might explode is crazy. Smart - NO

 

Hi Everyone, I'm new here and I was wondering why do you use an ultra gauge trans temp gauge instead of going with just a simple trans temp gauge with the sensor installed in the out transmission line? My 2018 Taco, with tow package, has all those other gauges, trip, fuel economy and others built in. I just don't like the trans temp idiot light, need to know the actual temp. I will be towing an ultra lite travel trailer, 3350 lbs dry and 4400 lbs wet, in the mountains. I picked up the trailer 2 weeks ago and I live at 7000 feet, pulled the trailer at 60 miles an hour up the grade (8400 feet elevation) with no problem. I just would like to know how good is the stock trans cooler. I do have the WD hitch with sway control built in. Any suggestions?

 

I am picking up my new TT this coming weekend. Not a large camper. Fully loaded, 3500 pounds with only estimated hitch weight of 320 pounds. I am going to set up an anti-sway bar for it but I really do not think that I will need a WD hitch for this small of a camper. Anybody have any input on that load or towing set up for the truck? 2014 Tacoma with the factory tow package. Already ordered a brake controller for it so I have that covered.

 

Rigger, a WDH will help reduce or eliminate the bounciness that can be experienced when towing. I'm hauling about the same weight with a RPOD and found once adjusted right the truck and trailer haul way smoother with minimal bounce. The rear springs are pretty weak so the WDH also keeps everything level (well more level). Mine is a Fastway that has the antisway part of the package.

 

I'd try towing without the WD hitch first on the types of roads. terrain and traffic that you'll most commonly be driving. The 320 lb tongue weight seems a little light so you might want to put more of your personal gear towards the front. We pulled a smaller (16' / 3,000 lbs) camper several thousand miles with an 05 DC 4WD OR tow package without problems. I did add a friction style anti-sway bar early on and it made a big difference.

 

The 320 lbs is a factory spec. I am sure real life will be different from that. Just have to wait and see how the truck sits once the camper is on it and everything is loaded.

I do have a friction style anti sway bar I am going to put on it. I run a lot of interstate when we go so I think that anti sway will be nice running higher speeds.

Guess I will just have to try it and see how it all works. If I feel like it needs a WD hitch, then I can get one for it. Place where I am getting the camper from, the guy has a little newer Tacoma and he did not feel that I would need a WD hitch for this particular camper.