Towing a 22' Airstream w 2013 Tacoma

Hello,
I read the towing info pages here (85+ pages !),. lotta good info.

I'm considering buying a used 22' BAMBI Sport Airstream.
Dry weight weight : 3600 lbs.
Tongue weight: 393 lbs.
Width: 7' 3"

My 2013 Tacoma has :

OEM receiver hitch, 7 pin connector
new OME 886 coils,
new Bilstein 5100's (4)
new OME Dakar rear leafs
6 speed ext cab
V-6 4.0 6 speed manual transmission
no other oils or trans coolers

I plan on driving "south" in winters and going to 2-3 Natl parks in a 3 month winter period-not a lot of trips...parked a week or 2 and then moving on....

I'm wondering if my truck is a/n-
not OK, OK, good, or very good rig to haul a 3600+ trailer.

Any recommendations for more suspension upgrades, warnings, extended mirrors, brake mods?
I really don't want to buy a new truck

any info appreciated.

 

I am pretty sure you may need an additional trans cooler. I am picking up a 22’ 3,500 dry weight TT on Saturday - 178BHSK Salem by Forest River. I’ll let you know how it goes. I have auto ‘13 w/ tow package.

 

thx! & congrats...

 

Do you have the factory tow package or not. If not you’ll be exceeding the manufacturers tow max. If you have the package then you are good.

 

Hey, I bought and installed the Toyota OEM receiver hitch - 7 years ago. Not a factory tow package. Looks like my truck can tow up to 6500 lbs. my trailer: 3600 lbs (dry). thx, sir.
I bought the R/V and and am having a brake controller installed.
Sure I have some learning ahead of me.

 

My Tacoma pulls this 22’ 3600 lb. dry trailer pretty well. Tekonsha P3 brake controller & Blue Ox weight distributing hitch installed. Handles very well. OME 886 coils, Bilstein
5100 shocks, OME Dakar rear leaf springs,
newly installed.

 

I've towed up to 6200 up and over passes in CA without problem. Definitely not breaking any speed limits though. However I would strongly recommend a bigger trans cooler than the factory tow package version.

Mine is not sufficient for the task. I use a Bully dog tuner to monitor everything.

I also used the Tekonsga brake controller, works great.

I also have Firestone air bags with the airlift wireless compressor which was a game changer. Depending on how your Dakars are handling the load airbags are great to have (Use the Daystar cradles with a lifted setup).

 

Wow, always wanted an Airstream (status). Not that big, wanted the smaller Bambi, but nice you can tow it.
I'm sure you're aware of oil coolers for MTs? I don't use one on my 2700# dry weight camper, my mechanic said not needed. I did add brake controller.
How you like your camper? Worth it?

 

Some random thoughts.
1. The Airstreams seem well made. waterproof, proven capabilities. I've had mine for 1 month there you go. I like it.
2. My 2013 Tacoma has the tow package, w/ oil cooler. Tows the 22' Bambi well on a flat HWY (60 mph), but @ 50 mph up a 8% HWY grade - it's working...add 600 RPM's for the weight & cut gas mileage by 50%.
3. Had a brake controller installed by AS dealer. Tekonsha P3. works great. easy. effective.
4. Dealer recommended Anti-sway Blue Ox Sway Pro. + I purchased. (buy it direct, forget dealer installation - it's a VERY easy DIY 10 min install).
No sway driving @1000 mi. home towing the trailer. So yeah, it works.
5. No overheating. No towing problems w my 2013 4WD V6 Tacoma w tow package. Just gotta slow down and allow more braking distance.
6. having a camper trailer is not a drive, park and drink beer/wine/coffee deal. Batteries, gas, fresh water, sewage, level, chocks, DC / AC /solar to be managed.
I'm gtg for this- tho, so I'm all in.
7. pic in Anza Borrego desert SP, CA. Early Feb. cold sleeping + hot days. what it's about- getting out.

 

I have one of these on my ‘in a few years’ list. Probably going to go the 23’ route for the extra axle and space. Probably going the SC route for the extra power too.

The wife has a new Discovery so I have a backup plan if the Taco just doesn’t perform well.

 

yes I do have the factory tow package...so far so good. 750 mi drive w no problems. my Taco bit underpowered, but OK.

 

Airstream has some newer camping models. Nest & Basecamp. Expensive vs the competition. Well made. Higher ground clearance, purpose built for "backroads" adventures vs the silver blimps . Just a thought or 2. fwiw.

 

Thanks! Basecamp has been around for a bit. Design has changed a little too. Nest is new, but doesn’t do it for me, and pretty pricey though not as bad as the tin can. I drive past a really large Airstream dealership twice a day. That doesn’t help. I think you can get an airstream on a higher axle setup, but am not certain.

We’re sort of at the glamping stage of our together trips. Solo I could go more primitive. But together we want a bit more creature comforts.

 

U have an intermittent schedule
towing from 1 place to the other with days if not weeks in between

makes a difference rather than knocking out mega miles at once

1 factor seldom mentioned is braking/stopping..........................quite a bit L O N G E R
All Totaled if U were to weigh the TOTAL package at a truck stop
Ud be surprised

that with beer cooler full
wifey/ girlfriend
change o underwear etc

i weighed mine empty = 4000lbs

good luck