Weight Distribution System Experiences

Hey guys, I’ve been considering getting a camper for a long while now and discovered these weight distribution systems. I’ve got an ‘09 dclb v6 that’s in great shape and would be using a camper for recreation on occasion.

What sort of weight campers do you pull with your tacos? The max limit of 6.5klb seems a bit overboard for the suspension system even with a WDS.

what are your experiences?

 

Long story short around 4500-5000 lbs is a sensible max. When you see max tow ratings that assumes nothing in the truck but a driver, at sea level and on level ground. Start adding passengers and cargo and the amount you can tow goes down. Start towing in mountains and/or at higher elevations where there is less O2 in the air and you can tow less. About 3% less for every 1000' above sea level is a good rule of thumb.

That applies to pretty much any truck, not just Tacoma, but Tacoma's limited payload hurts them more than most other trucks. You could tow right up to the max under ideal conditions, but most of us want to carry passengers and a few things in the truck. The more you put in the truck the less you can tow.

Your truck will have around 1000-1200 lbs payload. That means no more than 1000-1200 lbs including everything in the truck including passengers and the tongue weight of the trailer. Figure 13% of trailer weight as tongue weight. If you were to put 4 adult males in the cab, you may well already be maxed out and can't tow anything.

You don't really need a WDH until you get to 5000 lbs. I've towed 4500 without one and never had any issues.

 

I drive a 20 offroad with tow package, small trans cooler, nothing major. I wanted a trailler as well and I have 2 kids plus the wife. I was looking at the R-pods for the longest and Micro winniebago's. I was shopping for 3500 max dry weight. Like mentiined above loaded, supplies family it adds up quick. So i got the wulf pup black label, nice perfect size. Only regret, no slider, oh well next time. My purchase came with the weight distribution hitch. So I have always used it and had no issues. I live in CA and we do have some steep hills. I haven't tried going up to 6k elev yet, but having the sport shifter helps out a lot. I am no expert at towing campers, I just learned hauling my race car on a flat trailer to the tracks here and there.

 

As a long time mountain resident of cali, where were you starting from and headed with your camper and what “sport shifter” did you install?

I have an electronic shift tuner that I use regularly and considered using it to enhance my pull.

 

Sport shifter, electronic shifter samething, its just the oem shifter..lots of automatic cars/trucks with electronic shifter usaually just refers to sport mode shifting when you clicknit over.I havent been too far out, but truck tows pretty well when i go up the 152 san luis resivoir, i camped out several times at casa de fruta and just drive out to my destinations taking the family out. I wana try towing up to shaver lake one of these days, that will be true test for the tacoma..

 

Nothing tacoma specific, but I have a 18’ Funrunner toy hauler, about 3500 dry and tow it with either tundra or sequoia. Even though it’s not that heavy, with at most 3 motorcycles in the back and enough supplies for 2-3 days camping — the WD hitches are awesome.
Bone stock tundra will sag about 2-3” with just the trailer, using the WD hitch and setting it up properly the truck won’t sag an inch. The handling of the vehicle is great too, as the WD hitch puts force down on the front wheels making steering and highway stability perfect.
Much better than when I used to tow even smaller stuff with the Tacoma on air bags or Timbres bump stops.

 

Thanks bro!