1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Trying to decide if I can tow new trailer

Discussion in 'Towing' started by DJ2016TT, May 13, 2021.

  1. May 13, 2021 at 7:31 AM
    #1
    DJ2016TT

    DJ2016TT [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2021
    Member:
    #365564
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Silver Tacoma TRD Sport 4X4
    Bed extender added, Tonneau bed cover
    Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum, but not new to owning a Tacoma. Excited to find this forum after having owned a TT for almost 20 years. I'm looking to purchase a 2021 Rockwood Mini Lite 2104S, (see pic) however I'm concerned about the ability of the TT to safely tow it. Will need to retro fit a towing package to include hitch, 7 pin electric brake controller, tow receiver and Trailer Sway Control. Dry weight is 4841 lbs. and GVWR is 6774 (I don't plan to tow with it full of water).
    I'm finding contradicting info re: how much to tow. Has anyone been able to tow something of this size safely and if so, beyond the towing package and what I've mentioned, what else did you have to do?
    Thanks so much!
    DJ

    Tacoma with trailer.jpg
     
  2. May 13, 2021 at 7:36 AM
    #2
    Gearheadesw

    Gearheadesw must modify

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2012
    Member:
    #76139
    Messages:
    5,090
    Gender:
    Male
    Davenport Fl
    Vehicle:
    1 truck 1 car 1 motorcycle
    That's right at the top of the towing limit on the Tacoma, it'll do it, but it will be white knuckle driving. Along with the 8 mpg you'll likely get towing on the Hi Way, there's no auxiliary oil cooler on the Tacoma anymore.
     
    bryflies likes this.
  3. May 13, 2021 at 7:40 AM
    #3
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2019
    Member:
    #285037
    Messages:
    18,821
    Vehicle:
    2000 reg cab 4x4 flatbed MT
    Its gonna be borderline at best. 4800lb trailer, plus a weight dist hitch, plus your camping gear and people is going to put you at or over the gvwr of the taco.

    The other factor here is the frontal area of the trailer, you're basically pulling a sail. You'll need to go slowish to keep any sort of good gas milage (no more than 65)

    You'll want to read these two threads:

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/towing-an-rv-it-is-possible-believe-it-or-not.702015/

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/
     
    Sterling_vH111 likes this.
  4. May 13, 2021 at 7:40 AM
    #4
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2017
    Member:
    #211450
    Messages:
    4,338
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Kent, WA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Silver Tacoma TRD Offroad
    Icon Coil Overs. Deaver U402 Stage 3 Leafs w/ Bilstein 5160s. ARB Deluxe Bull Bar. Fuel Boost wheels w/ Wrangler Duratracs. Brute Force Fab Sliders & HC Rear Bumper w/swingout
    Brake Controller, weight distribution hitch and mirror extensions. And drive slower. And they aren't kidding about 8mpg, so be prepared for that.
     
  5. May 13, 2021 at 7:42 AM
    #5
    wiljayhi

    wiljayhi 1. I don’t know … 2. I don’t care

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Member:
    #268685
    Messages:
    2,564
    First Name:
    Jim
    Murky Water, MB, eh?
    Vehicle:
    ‘18 ORSB, Tuned
    DJ, the tongue weight on that 2104S is listed at 614# dry. Too much for for the TT with WDH. (Hope you haven’t bought it yet).
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2021
  6. May 13, 2021 at 7:55 AM
    #6
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2017
    Member:
    #211450
    Messages:
    4,338
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Kent, WA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Silver Tacoma TRD Offroad
    Icon Coil Overs. Deaver U402 Stage 3 Leafs w/ Bilstein 5160s. ARB Deluxe Bull Bar. Fuel Boost wheels w/ Wrangler Duratracs. Brute Force Fab Sliders & HC Rear Bumper w/swingout
    For a Tacoma, I'd seriously be looking at a 7 foot wide trailer, not 8. Visibility would be much better, and you'd be cutting down a lot of the wind resistance. Have you checked out the No Boundaries NB19.6? 7.5ft wide, little bit longer, but similar layout, 550lbs lighter UVW. Larger murphy bed actually. 124lb lighter hitch weight, too (490). @wiljayhi , i see hitch weight on the Forest River page as 614, but obviously with distribution hitch it would be over your 640 anyhow...
     
  7. May 13, 2021 at 8:15 AM
    #7
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2014
    Member:
    #140097
    Messages:
    22,424
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Billy
    Largo Florida
    Vehicle:
    '13 5 lug AC w/convenience package
    A few OE parts from fancy trucks
    Dont buy the trailer.

    If you do, plan on buying a full size truck.

    One is a lot cheaper choice than the other. :D
     
    ToyoTaco25 and onesojourner like this.
  8. May 13, 2021 at 8:15 AM
    #8
    wiljayhi

    wiljayhi 1. I don’t know … 2. I don’t care

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Member:
    #268685
    Messages:
    2,564
    First Name:
    Jim
    Murky Water, MB, eh?
    Vehicle:
    ‘18 ORSB, Tuned
    Did an edit to 614.
     
    YF_Ryan[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. May 13, 2021 at 8:22 AM
    #9
    Black DOG Lila

    Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2019
    Member:
    #296344
    Messages:
    9,116
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2003 Tacoma SR5 2.7 5 speed 4WD
    Stock. EZ pass.Dump pass.Inspection sticker.Convict printed lic.plates.FG cap.
    Welcome to TacomaWorld
    Smaller trailer or much bigger truck
     
    ToyoTaco25 likes this.
  10. May 13, 2021 at 8:45 AM
    #10
    DJ2016TT

    DJ2016TT [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2021
    Member:
    #365564
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Silver Tacoma TRD Sport 4X4
    Bed extender added, Tonneau bed cover
    Thanks to all of you! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the quick, informative responses! Based on what I had already researched, your feedback was a validation that moving forward was not the right thing to do. I haven't purchased the trailer and again, based on your feedback, I just called the salesman to tell him the sale is off. Thank you again! DJ
     
  11. May 13, 2021 at 4:50 PM
    #11
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2017
    Member:
    #231426
    Messages:
    2,205
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ken
    N. Calif. The Twilight Zone
    Vehicle:
    Tacoma TRD double cab 4x4, Barcelona Red
    OP you don’t even have a tow package. Your max tow weight is around 3500 lbs. No matter what you do or add to the truck it won’t change the manufacturers tow rating. Only the manufacturer can assign the weight ratings and they don’t change the rating once it leaves the factory. If you are going to tow over about 3500 lbs you need a different truck.
     
    ToyoTaco25 likes this.
  12. May 13, 2021 at 10:29 PM
    #12
    cctk2

    cctk2 GLACIERBIRD

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Member:
    #39136
    Messages:
    953
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chip
    NorCal and Alaska
    Vehicle:
    '68 FJ40, '16 TRD AC OR A/T WHITE
    Accessories: SnugTop Rebel canopy AVS Window Rain Deflectors TACOMA 6' Bed Mat Weathertech Mud Guards (4) Scanguage (re-installed from the '02) Tekonsha Voyager Brake controller (Chalet A frame pop-up.) Vinyl letter insets for tailgate. Garmin CS60 GPS mounting. Other misc décor in the form of decals.
    Bottom line:
    Do it then hate it, stress all the time, etc. Or,
    Do TV/TT configuration that you'll be happy about.
     
  13. May 14, 2021 at 1:14 PM
    #13
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2017
    Member:
    #211450
    Messages:
    4,338
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Kent, WA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Silver Tacoma TRD Offroad
    Icon Coil Overs. Deaver U402 Stage 3 Leafs w/ Bilstein 5160s. ARB Deluxe Bull Bar. Fuel Boost wheels w/ Wrangler Duratracs. Brute Force Fab Sliders & HC Rear Bumper w/swingout
    I didn't even know you could get one without a trailer package... wow... 3500 is not much of a tow rating!
     
  14. May 14, 2021 at 7:42 PM
    #14
    onesojourner

    onesojourner Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2016
    Member:
    #177011
    Messages:
    147
    The Ozarks
    Vehicle:
    2006
    It's not to hard to add transmission coolers, brake controllers and such. A person could peice together the parts that make up the tow package.
     
    Sprig[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. May 14, 2021 at 8:13 PM
    #15
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2017
    Member:
    #231426
    Messages:
    2,205
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ken
    N. Calif. The Twilight Zone
    Vehicle:
    Tacoma TRD double cab 4x4, Barcelona Red
    You can add whatever you want to the truck but it doesn’t change the legal official manufacturers max tow capacity. It won’t change the number that is in the owners manual and on the door jamb. The problem arises when you are towing above manufacturer tow rating and you have an accident. In this case the OP would be about 2000 lbs over the tow capacity. His liability would be huge and he could get his ass sued off. Major injuries or death he could be sued for amounts beyond his insurance liability limits.
     
    bryflies likes this.
  16. May 14, 2021 at 8:16 PM
    #16
    onesojourner

    onesojourner Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2016
    Member:
    #177011
    Messages:
    147
    The Ozarks
    Vehicle:
    2006
    Please show me any court case that supports this.
     
    wmgeorge likes this.
  17. May 14, 2021 at 9:18 PM
    #17
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2017
    Member:
    #231426
    Messages:
    2,205
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ken
    N. Calif. The Twilight Zone
    Vehicle:
    Tacoma TRD double cab 4x4, Barcelona Red
    Doesn’t matter if you believe me or not. Don’t really care. What I stated is factual.
    Here’s a quote from an article on the subject, I’m not going to provide more than this.
    Think of tow ratings like speed limits: Vehicle owners don’t set them; we’re just obligated by law to abide by them. Sure, your truck can tow a trailer at 100 mph all day. But the speed limit may be 55 mph. If you have an accident while towing at high speed, things will definitely get a bit sticky.
    Causing a serious accident while towing beyond your pickup manufacturer’s requirements or limits is similar, as it opens the door for legal actions based on negligence against whoever is driving the tow vehicle. It’s not a good situation to be facing, especially if you own a business.
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2021
    Denteen and bryflies like this.
  18. May 24, 2021 at 2:33 PM
    #18
    jaxyaks

    jaxyaks Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2017
    Member:
    #235550
    Messages:
    1,391
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Black TRD Off Road
    I thought all v6 Tacomas came with the tow package?
     
  19. May 24, 2021 at 2:43 PM
    #19
    Marshall R

    Marshall R Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2015
    Member:
    #156224
    Messages:
    4,258
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Marshall
    Vehicle:
    07 White TRD double cab
    none
    I wouldn't tow it with a Tacoma. Forget the tow rating, it is payload that will bite you in the butt. Assuming you're at 5500 lbs ready to tow you'll have over 800 lbs on your tongue with the required weight distribution hitch. Figure 13% of trailer weight plus about 100 lbs for a WDH.

    You'll just have to check the payload rating of your truck they are all different. But a typical 4X4 Double Cab is going to be 1000-1200 lbs. With 800 lbs on the hitch that only leaves 100-300 lbs for the driver, passengers and any other cargo in the truck. That just isn't realistic.
     
  20. May 24, 2021 at 3:09 PM
    #20
    wiljayhi

    wiljayhi 1. I don’t know … 2. I don’t care

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Member:
    #268685
    Messages:
    2,564
    First Name:
    Jim
    Murky Water, MB, eh?
    Vehicle:
    ‘18 ORSB, Tuned
    Not to mention that the hitch only supports a max of 640 or 650#s with the tow package.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top