What kind of camper do you have?

Ryan - Good looking truck & camper but I really really like that campsite location.

 

Ha! I haven’t even posted the good pics of that location! That spot has a little hidden watering hole nearby. We had it all to ourselves. I have mostly videos of this area and TW isn’t letting me post them, but here are two pics to get a view of the pool area. It has a shallow area for kids and a deeper area with large rocks deep enough for adults to jump into.

 

That is just awesome!!! Even better that you're enjoying it with your family. We're headed for the NC Outer Banks (Cape Hatteras NS) shortly and that ain't half bad but I'm sure its a lot cooler where you were.

 

We just got back from Frisco dry camping. Hot! Be sure to take a genny or 12 v fan.

 

Thanks. It is and I did.

 

Greetings! First time post, I've searched the forums (read a lot of things, including the Towing Bible, thanks!), and can't find exactly what I'm looking for, so I thought I'd see if this thread would work. This feels like maybe it should be its own post, but I was worried no one would read it.

I'm in the market for a truck and trailer. I'd like to know if the 2020 TRD Pro would tow the Riverside RV Retro 189R. I'm trying to answer some questions before making a purchase*, and it's surprisingly hard to answer what seems like a simple question! I'm hoping someone here will be willing to share their knowledge with me.

Specs:
2020 TRD Pro
Payload Capacity 1155
Curb weight (lb.) 4445
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lb.) 5600
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) (lb.) 11360
Payload (lb.) 1155
Tongue load (lb.) 640
Towing capacity (lb.) 6400

Riverside Retro 189R
Length 23 ft 8 in
Hitch Weight 360 lbs
Dry Weight 3750 lbs
Cargo Weight 3610 lbs
Axle Weight 3500 lbs
Fresh Water Capacity 39 gals
Grey Water Capacity 32 gals
Black Water Capacity 17 gals

So, with those numbers, what are your thoughts? I'm under the impression that a weight distribution hitch will help create a safer towing experience, and I will get and install a electric brake controller. Any other major points I've missed (I am sure there are actually TONS)? Thanks in advance!

*Yes, I am new at towing and at owning a 4WD truck. And I am excited about research. And I am 40. I've waited, what feels like my whole life, to start getting both offroad and out further, and now is the right time for me. I feel like a total n00b, and while I did some offroading in my distant past, I'd like to get back into it (safely) and also do more camping outside of RV parks/campgrounds that doesn't include only backpacking. If you think I'm a total dork for asking tons of questions, or doing tons of research, I'm kinda okay with that. Also, it's my husband and I (315#), and will also sometimes be our 25# dog. And we travel light. Very light.

 

Welcome to TW and (possibly?) Tacoma ownership. That setup would be within spec for the Tacoma and I would think would be fine. You'd definitely need a brake controller and a weight distribution hitch would help keep the rear from squatting. I'd look for a WDH with anti-sway as well. Pulling a brick behind you can get tricky and that would help keep it in line when it is windy or a big semi goes barreling past.

If you want to boondock (camp off grid with no hookups) then you'll probably need to put fresh water in your tank. 39 gallons looks to be about 325 pounds, so if you top off your fresh water you'd be adding that much weight to the trailer. Plus any other gear you put in there you'd need to add to the weight of the trailer as well. You seen to be easily within the tow limits when dry with that trailer, so adding that weight should still keep you in spec, but watch out for creep as you add stuff and also how it affects tongue weight.

Towing a camper trailer (assuming you have an automatic transmission) you'll want to have the ECT button pressed and possibly use the S mode to keep it in 4th gear or lower unless you are on very straight and flat roads. Also, many of us feel keeping your speed around 60mph feels the best when towing and going much faster can be a bit squirrelly and make the engine/transmission work too hard. Do what is comfortable for you!

 

I actually spotted two conqueror trailers while out and about this week - one in the black hills and passed another one on the road in Wyoming. They certainly put my little popup to shame.

 

Hi deusxanime! Thanks for an excellent reply! Exactly what I wanted, really appreciate it. I'll check into the options and make sure to drive slow. I'm a tootler. Plenty to see, not in a hurry anymore.

Yes, new to Tacoma ownership. Currently have a 2004 2WD F150 which is a beater, and a 2006 Toyota Matrix, which I adore - both are manual, and I'd like the new truck to be manual as well, but my other half worries that we will be more likely to shred the transmission or clutch towing, so I don't know if I will win the battle there - opinions welcome on towing with a manual. He pointed out that there will be plenty going on to keep my attention while I am towing the RV.

Actually loved getting into the 2020 Tacoma because it really reminded me of the Matrix, as not so much has changed. It felt like they'd plopped the Matrix onto a truck chassis. Which apparently isn't a plus to anyone else in the new car/truck market, but I hate change, so I loved it. LOL.

 

Mine is a manual and I wish I could convince my wife to drive it! I don't think it is a problem to tow with it, at least I haven't had any issues yet. When I'm towing, especially something as big as a camper, I'm much more ginger on the clutch and try to rev match more consistently so as not to put additional strain/wear on it. I think as long as you aren't hammering it in to the gears and dropping the clutch like you are racing someone and taking your time, you'd be fine.

Just like normal everyday driving, having the manual forces me to pay better attention to speed, gears, cars around me, lights, etc., which is why I prefer it. I end up getting bored/distracted driving an automatic!



As for towing with the manual and what gears to use, I stick to pretty similar to what I said about automatics. There's no ECT of course, but I usually keep it in 4th (1:1 gear ratio) for pulling the camper and only go up to 5th on straight and level highways. Going 60mph in 4th puts me around 3000rpm which really isn't too bad as far as noise or anything, like some people complain about, at least in my opinion. Also remember the 3.5L engine really makes its peak torque above 3500-4000rpm, so don't be afraid to wind it out a bit as you are accelerating with a load.

The one complaint about towing with the manual though is the reverse gearing. It just isn't very good and you end up having to ride the clutch to push stuff back otherwise it is trying to go way too fast in R. The fix for that is the 2Lo mod, if you get into it and it bothers you.

 

We have the same camper, 1910ESP. It towed really well behind my Jeep so I’m looking forward to getting out now that I have a Tacoma to pull it.

 

It's a blast, just finished an eight state round trip this week. It tows great, even at altitude. It hates washboard dirt though. Every night I was cleaning up dust and stones in the weirdest places and replacing the odd loose screw. I also found out the hard way that if you go off pavement to switch the fridge to battery mode. Hard bumps tend to extinguish the gas flame.

 

Welcome to TW.
Trailer brake controller & WDH are non-negotiables, it's the only way to tow safely.
You should be good with that trailer but what I've learned (the hard way) on these small trucks is that payload becomes an issue much faster than actual towing capacity does. 360# is the dry hitch weight but add weight for full propane tanks & whatever else you load. Generally 10-15% of loaded trailer weight. Add 85# for WDH. Now add the weight of your passengers (y'all apparently don't weigh very much haha) & all your other camping cargo like coolers, chairs, grills, bikes, etc. I know you say you travel light but if you're dry camping you might want to bring some "emergency" supplies like extra fresh water, propane or gasoline. It adds up to 1000# faster than you think!

The part of actually using the camper & learning what to do at full hook-up sites vs. dry camping is the easy part & most importantly, have fun. YouTube is extremely helpful to shorten the learning curve on RV'ing.

 

I tow a 3400lb RPOD with my 2nd Gen manual transmission. It's great overall. Yes, reverse gear is tall and this can be annoying when reversing up a grade, like when your campsite has an incline to get up into. Rather than ride the clutch, I use 4LO with no issues and makes it a non-issue. Since most campgrounds are gravel and I'm not reversing very far, I've had no issues, just go nice and slow and minimize tight turns.

I live in a mountains part of the world so it's nice to downshift when I want, and hold it there as needed. On the flats, I'm usually only in 5th gear, but do run in 6th too when appropriate.

 

We just bought an R-pod 178 and have taken it on several camping trips. Have the brake controller, weight distribution hitch and sumo springs for comfort. The taco did great on flats but I am a bit nervous about grades. Took it over washington pass and smelled some transmission fluid is what I am guessing when I pulled over at the top. Dry weight of the trailer is about 2800. This is my first experience with towing, so all the advice on this forum has been fantastic.

 

Which sumo springs did you go with? Looks like the black ones (

$299 SSR-612-47 | SumoSprings Rear for Toyota Tacoma, Black

SSR-612-47) are 1000lb capacity, but probably a little stiffer, than the blue ones (

$283 SSR-612-40 | SumoSprings Rear for Toyota Tacoma, blue

SSR-612-40) which are 500lb. Especially wondering with your topper + towing which you thought was better to use and what you have? Any affect on ride quality when not loaded?

Thinking of putting those on as well just for some extra help with my camper trailer (Apex Nano 208BHS, 4000lb dry), even though the WDH seems to level it out pretty well.

 

I went with the black ones as that is what E-trailer recommended. Made 0 difference that I can feel when not towing, but when towing the difference is huge. The truck feels solid driving down the road, and no longer jolts when you hit a big bump at speed. Handling improved slightly as there is much less body roll. Installation was very easy.

 

I got rid of the hard side pop up (aliner style) and went to the dark side!!!

 

wow look how clear that water is! Very cool!

 

here’s a few shots of us last week, including a nice smallmouth the kiddo caught.