Towing in the 3500 to 4000lb range.

I have a sway controller, the trailer has pulled fine so far, and I haven't had any issue with sway.

 

I know it must seem like we have snow and ice year round to some of you southerners, but, brace yourselves, we have a period of time every year without ice and snow...

 

I own a ‘17 TRD Sport with tow package and just moved from Miramar Beach FL to Salt Lake City Utah. Traveled 2100 miles through Texas and the. Up through New Mexico, Colorado and into Utah going from sea level to over 7,500 elevation through passes, some of which were snow and ice packed.

Thought I would share some lessons learned. Trailer and vehicle weight loaded was 8900 lbs at the weigh in scale, the trailer empty was 1,900 which puts about 4,000 pulling throughout the trip with the rest of my gear in the vehicle and bed (have a g2 backflip cover).

I was able to maintain 5th gear throughout most of the trip through FL, AL, MS, LA, and TX. As soon as I started to go north through NM if you wanted to stay above 60mph you will be in 4th at almost any incline.

I stayed in 2wd until Albuquerque when the snow storms packed the roads with ice and loose snow. There were moments when I was in 2nd and tapping brakes and in 4hi to keep the momentum going through passes but as long as you drive smartly the Tacoma did surprisingly well. I’m from Montana and lived in Alaska and have driven on bad roads my whole life, and there were a couple stretches on the highways that were pretty bad, yet the Tacoma tracked well and was predictable even when pulling the trailer. There was a spot between Gallup and Albuquerque on I-40 where several vehicles were off the road did to hazardous conditions, but as long as I kept it slow the Tacoma remained predictable.

I averaged 15mpg in 5th at 55-60’ and 12-13mpg above that. I parked several nights on snow and ice parking lots and got snowed on twice overnight, and the Tacoma pulled right out both times.

I’ve towed before but never for this lengthy of a time or spanning across this much distance and elevation in some sporty conditions and hope it helps those who are considering doing the same. Hit me up if you have any questions.

R,
Max

 

That's great fuel economy. I got less than 10mpg in my first trip with the new trailer.

 

The weight isn't the biggest factor for fuel economy at highway speed, aerodynamics plays a bigger role. The uhaul trailer is more aerodynamic than your trailer.

 

Not in The summer

 

I wouldn't say his rectangle on wheels is any more aerodynamic than my rectangle on wheels. What might contribute to higher fuel economy (beside next gen truck) is that the uhual trailer looks significantly shorter, so you don't have as much drag above the roof line with that trailer compared to my travel trailer. The lower your rectangle on wheels, the less drag, and the better your fuel econom, y. When I used to pull my tent trailer, I got virtually the same fuel economy while pulling it, as without.

 

So I have a 2017 TRD OFF-ROAD and I am thinking about a camper weighing about 4200 pounds... yes or no?

 

Where do you plan to go camping? How many people, animals and gear in the truck? I'm towing a Coachman 204RD that comes in at 4,000lbs. With my wife, me and a small dog we are ok and under the payload when the trailer is attached. My trailer comes in at just under 5,000lbs loaded and a full tank of water and I don't have any issues.

 

Mainly state parks here in Texas... I don’t want to drive farther than 3 hours.

 

What kind of load in the truck. It's easy to get over the payload. Put 500lbs on the hitch, put four people on the truck with weight in the box and your over. With my set up I have 500lbs on the hitch, 300lbs of people and 100 in gear so I'm under the payload.

 

And too add, your payload is less with every accessory that you add such as a cap or bumpers with winches. I believe the payload for the Tacoma is 1,175lbs for the 4x4 so take two adults and two children (500lbs), a cap (250lbs), 500lbs hitch weight, gear in the bed (200lbs) and you would be over.

 

My wife and I, it is stock besides a bacflip I weight 225, wife 125. Plus gear... possibly firewood, fishing tackle, a dog and crate. Maybe 40lb grandson at times.

 

Here is what I’m looking at...

https://www.unitedrv.com/rv/2019-DUTCHMEN-KODIAK-CUB-185MB-NTT3283

 

Nice trailer. You won't have any issues with payload and pulling the trailer. I would suggest a weight distribution hitch. I use a 6,000lbs Equalizer hitch which are nice because they level out the truck and control away.

 

One thing I did notice on the trailer is that the payload is down a touch at 700lbs. With a tank of water, full propane tanks and all your gear you could overload it. My previous trailer was a Jayco Skylark and weight in at 3,000lbs and had a payload of only 500lbs. It only had a 3500lbs torsion axle with C rated tires. It was very easy to overload and one of the reasons I bought the new trailer.

 

Yeah I am adding a weigh distribution hitch, better hoses, and a small TV. I think I will be fine. I just needed some second opinions.

 

I have towed this up to 80 mph. Trailer fully loaded comes in around 3500 lbs, with about 600 lbs in the bed with no problems at all. Last trip was over 2600 miles through 7 states.

 

Not trying to change your mind on the trailer but have a look at the Coachman Freedom Express 192RBS. Dual axle, azdel walls, bigger fresh water tank and payload and has a similar floor plan. They can be had for around 18K.

http://www.coachmenrv.com/travel-trailers/freedom-express-ultra-lite/192RBS/235

 

It's a little late to change my mind now. I bought a trailer in August. That one is larger than I was looking for anyway. It's over 4000lbs unloaded, the trailer I went with in under 3000lbs unloaded.

Edit----I see the thread seems to have been hijacked/has a life of it's own, carry on...