Camp trailer towing.

Hello all. I know this is probably a question that’s been asked and answered before but here it goes. We’re looking at buying a new camp trailer. I’ve got a 20 Tacoma TRD off road double cab long bed. My wife has narrowed it down to a double axle with a 4400lb dry weight. Myself I think this might be too much trailer especially for long trips. We also have lots of hills and mountains where we live. I’ve narrowed it down to a trailer with a 3300lb dry weight with a single axle. I plan on getting a weight distribution hitch. I guess my question is what would you go with? Am I right about the 4400lb being to much especially for long distances? She keeps having people contradict me telling her it’s fine. Would you recommend anything else besides the hitch. Tranny cooler, airbags, etc? Let me know what you think. Thanks.

 

You could pull the 4400 pounder, but you will blow past the GCVWR when loaded, packed and ready to go.

Also the Tongue Weight (TW) will fall onto the truck as Cargo Weight. You're looking at roughly 450+ lbs for TW (10% trailer weight). Actually, that 10% should be based on the Loaded weight of the trailer, not the empty weight.

Most Tacomas have a Cargo Capacity (CC) of about 1000 lbs. Subtract off the TW, people, mods, anything in/on the truck and 1000 lbs disappears quickly.

I would urge the lighter of the trailers. Frankly, I suggest to take a strong look at folding campers.

 

You mean like RV salesmen? They're sorta like people, lol

I would think that's doable for the Tacoma. Big question is hitch weight vs. your payload. I would lean hard toward keeping the wife happy.

Oh, welcome to TW btw.

 

Also, consider posting here...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-kind-of-camper-do-you-have.87823/

Lots of members watch this thread.

 

Thank you, and yes the salesman was one of them. Not surprisingly.

 

What Knute said above is spot on. Go with a lighter trailer. It’s not so much what the max weight your truck is rated to tow but what weight is comfortable for the driver to tow. When the heavy trailer is loaded it’ll be around 5400 lbs. That will be a pita to tow specially on hills and in mountains. Driving that rig will not be pleasant. Either go for the lighter trailer or get a bigger truck.
Suggestion , rent a travel trailer that exceeds 4000 lbs if you can find one, load it up, and tow it on a couple hundred mile trip. See what you think. Be sure your wife does half the driving, she needs to know what it’s really like. Then decide what you want to do.

 

I’m really learning towards the 3300lb trailer. The trailer we have now is probably 2000-2500lb and it’s a piece of cake. No trailer brakes or sway bars and I’ve never had any issues. And I used to tow it with my 4cyl 99’ Tacoma.

 

3300 is a good number. That’s roughly half the tow rating which is what I like to aim for. With electric brakes and a WDH it will be a dream to tow.

 

I agree with the rest.
4400lbs dry weight is more than I’d want to pull through mountains and hills.

If there is an way possible to convince the wife, get the lighter camper.
Or buy a larger truck. I mean this in a sincere way.

I love my Tacoma, but it isn’t a full size truck.

 

I think that’s a good number too reading the other threads. I think someone said you want to be 50%-55% of the tow rating so it’s close. I think I got her convinced despite all the white noise of all the outside advise. Buying a tundra or something bigger is out of the question since I’m only a year into owning my new Tacoma. That being said do you think a bigger tranny cooler would be be worth it?

 

My last combination, a diesel e350 van and a 303BH, was right at the limit and it towed great when we full timed. Anyway looking for the trailer the first RV dealership I went to swore up and down I would be limited to 6500lbs (the V8 gas has a 8500lb towing capacity and the V10 and diesel have 10,000). Just so happened he had several floorplans in that range and none in the length we needed.

Anyway we ended up with a 35 foot travel trailer and nearly med towing capacity and all loaded up about only 50lbs over the GCVWR.

 

If your 2020 is equipped with the factory external tranny cooler, pin the t-stat open when you’re towing. It will yield much lower overall temp.

 

Do you know if you actually have a Trans cooler?
A lot of trucks 2020 and after didn’t get them.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/missing-transmission-cooler.671079/

This post suggest the change occurred around 3/2020.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/missing-transmission-cooler.671079/page-45#post-25068402

I don’t see how a larger cooler would hurt?
But I wouldn’t fool with it if it’s not needed.
If you are really worried about it, you might get a scanner and monitor temps.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/scangauge-ii-and-2017-tacoma-trans-temp-gauge.496465/

I have a 2nd Gen. I personally, use a lower gear and limit shifting.
I don’t stress too much over it, it is what it is. I’d rather run the engine a bit harder, than to have the Trans shifting all the time. You’ll seen soon enough. You need utilize higher RMP with these trucks to make towing more “bearable”.

This is a good read.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/enough-already-your-trucks-t-hp-and-rpm-explained.574429/

 

There is an aluminum cooler located in front of the radiator and a/c condenser. Not sure if this is for power steering or tranny. The manufacture date was 10/19.

 

Here’s a pic

 

if it looks like a mini radiator. It’s most likely the Trans cooler. +1 for you.

See here for pics of all 3 coolers.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/missing-transmission-cooler.671079/page-3#post-23562234

 

It's the Transmission cooler.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-transmission-cooler-upgrade.482280/

 

Good news!