Will this safely work?

Read the towing bible many times and am so lost so please bear with me. Seriously considering a used camper here locally but want to make sure I’m not going to burn out my tranny or be unsafe. I have a 2017 Sport with the tow package, which I think is rated to pull 6k lbs.

1. What is the weight of this trailer fully loaded with gear, including water?
2. Can the Taco handle this safely once I install a trailer brake controller and load balancing hitch?

 

Full loaded trailer is the GVWR, so 5138lbs. Whether the Tacoma can handle that weight is debatable with some people saying they won’t tow over 2000lbs on flat land and some saying they will tow 7000lbs all day in the mountains.

 

Fully loaded and you're still within specs. I thought the 3rd gen was rated higher than the 2nd gen?

Mine is 4810 dry and mine does fine.

 

I will add that you will need tow mirrors for that box. Towing environments- hills vs flat- high altitude vs sea level- congestion vs rural and then your driving style will determine if the Tacoma meets your expectations. However it will do the job- I have had 7000lbs behind my truck I have a hybrid camp trailer near that in weight and size- Tows fine- Now I have the supercharger so I have a power advantage so not quite the same- but stopping and road manners(handling) no problems.

 

If this works I’m sure you’re fine.

 

What is the fully loaded weight? Is that the 5138 number? Would really like to be around 4200 lbs max, easier in the truck and probably better gas mileage. Thoughts?

 

So your planning to tow a 25' trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating of 5138 lbs with a tacoma, I assume it's an automatic. Don't expect it to ever get out of 4th gear and you probably won't pull less than 2500rpms unless ur doing 45mph or less. I think if your dead set on getting a camper that is that big, I think you should invest in something that would more safely tow it, of course being a Toyota guy I say a tundra, but if I was going to tow the trailer a lot, I would have to get a diesel because the Tundra will pull it fine but also get 10mpg while doing it. And a 3/4 ton with a diesel wouldn't even blink at that weight and probably still get 18mpg. Just my 2 cents but I personally wouldn't tow over maybe 3000 with the 3.5 auto because it's gonna live in the 3000+ rpms the whole time.

 

Fully loaded max weight is 5138lbs. Empty weight is 3500lbs according to your chart. If you want to tow the trailer at 4200lbs just limit what you put in it.

 

Yes, 5138lbs is the max weight the trailer can safely handle. The curb weight (empty weight) of the trailer is 3500lbs. Therefore, if you don't want to tow more than 4200lbs, just make sure you don't load more than 700lbs worth of gear in your trailer.

 

not dead set on getting anything that big. I literally have ZERO experience with trailers other than pulling one, one time in my entire life. So kind of looking for input and assistance on if this is safe to pull with the Tacoma or if I need something even lighter.

 

Also, make sure you have a tow package installed on your truck of you have the V6. And put your transmission in S4 if you have an automatic, or you can use 5th gear if you have a 6MT. Limit your top-speed to 65mph.

 

If you have never really towed, towing a trailer that big that is close to the max tow rating of the vehicle is probably not the best idea, and every drive will be a stressful experience. I would suggest smaller and get used to towing something smaller then work your way up.

 

Put this thought of Mpg out of your mind towing a camp trailer. The aerodynamics really come into play and will pull you down to 8-10 mpg tops. My F150 takes a similar hit when pulling. You got a buddy with a trailer that you can tow? Just to get a feel for towing a box behind you?

 

I echo all the sentiments posted already. I bought my first camper two years ago and went with a 2500 lb 16 ft. I get 9 mpg and struggle uphill. It'll pull it though, and I've taken it on some 500+ mile trips. Spend the extra on a weight distribution hitch, takes the wag out of the trailer and keeps your rear end from sagging.

Similarly my parents have a camper slightly longer and in the 3-3500 range and my dads looking to upgrade to a tundra from his tacoma, same model as mine.

As nice as the camper is, we're selling ours and going back to tent camping. Having a camper is cumbersome, extra money, and unless you camp a lot it's not really worth the investment.

 

Just go rent an empty 6x12 trailer from U-haul for a few hours. Take it to on the freeway and then go find a big empty parking lot and practice backing up. It's really not that hard.

Just take baby steps. Also remember to limit your top speed to no more than 65mph, increase your following and stopping distance, check your mirrors when taking turns, keep your transmission in S4 or 5th on an 6MT.

Increased speed is more dangerous, your engine will be screaming and drag also increases the fast you go.

 

You sound concerned with your towing weight, as you should be. I recommend you weigh your truck at a (certified) scale, and then weigh the truck and trailer. Then tow it around and get a feel for that particular weight. Nothing beats experience.

 

I think @Falconsfan hit the mark.
But if you still want to go with this trailer - consider how you will be using it. if you will be going to campgrounds w/ hookups, then you don't need to bring water & won't be bringing home sewage. That's a big weight savings. If you'll be boondocking & need to bring water/sewage/firewood with you, then things just got lots heavier.

 

Yes that's the max weight loaded for the trailer. Doubt you'll be near that unless you just carry everything you could ever imagine needed with you. Like already said if you want to be around 4200 you have 700lbs of stuff you can load it with. We're light campers and don't carry stuff we don't need. Gas mileage with a camper is going to suck no matter what you do when your hauling a huge brick behind you. I get around 8-9 mpg with mine towing the camper keeping it between 60-65 when towing. If you've never towed anything before just take it easy and don't be in a rush. Bad things happen when you rush. I also try to do all traveling during daytime hours so if something does happen you're not out in the dark trying to fix something. I also like to be at my destination between 3-4 so if I blow a tire or something I can get a replacement while they are still open. We primarily stay at campgrounds with hookups so no need to haul water and we dump when leaving the campground.

 

I've towed a one of.the smaller Case machines with a small bucket on a flatbed and electric brakes. Cruised at 60 with no issues.
When you get the electric breaker controller installed, there's a setting, on mine a knob, this is to adjust how hard the trailer brakes work when you hit the brakes. I had mine set such that I could just feel the trailer start to pull on the truck. I did this so that if I have to break really hard the trailer will not push forward on to the hitch causing the truck and the trailer to start to form the letter V. at that point, the trailer is pushing down on the rear end of the truck and lightening the load on the front wheels making it less controllable.
When you finally get it all set up, bring it into an empty mall parking lot and practice driving around the light poles and backing up into a spot. Get a feel for it.
I also take the headrests off of the back seats. For some reason those mess with me when backing up. That little blind spot....