Towing a camper

Hello
I own a 1996 Tacoma 2.7 4 cylinder 5 speed.
I am considering a 6 week trip with my wife, 2 young kids ,4 bikes and camp gear.
IN ADDITION, I am considering renting a trailer camper with a dry weight of 2700lbs for about two weeks of the trip.
The route would be from Flagstaff (elevation 7000ft) to Moab UT down to Vegas and back.
There will be elevation and at least 1 mountain pass.
I have hauled my Taco fully loaded with firewood but never have towed it.
I intend to get a safety check from a trusted mechanic.
Is this a realistic option to tow a camper or should I just tent it?

Thanks!

 

Is it a popup camper? Those would be far more manageable for a Tacoma (any generation).

 

Have you read the towing bible? https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

 

Not a chance…

 

Nope.

Rent an RV.

Ive done a 6 week tent trip in that area as part of a college assignment. I shared my truck with a classmate that was soon to become an ex-wife. But we were young, kidless, and with solid backs that didn't mind striking a tent on the daily. By week 6, even as a college kid I was feeling the fatigue. The tent was worn out, the truck was complaining, we were tired. Most of our camping gear, our boots, and a few car parts needed replacing after that trip.

Ive also done weeks long trips in the trailer, which has a dry weight of 2200 pounds. In reality, that popup camper might say 2200 pounds, but it weighs just a hair under 3500 pounds. Currently I share my truck with the person that will soon be my next ex-wife, if I ever marry her. Oh, and we also have three dogs. But I have the larger 3rd gen on a 3.5 liter that's doing the pulling. And even with the larger truck and fewer people, its still horribly crowded and slightly underpowered, but we have fun.



Family of four in a 1996 4-banger... for 6 weeks? That's insanity no matter how you load it out. It's theoretically doable in a tent, though its a bit of an understatement to say that it will be a challenge. It's not doable with a trailer, even if its a small trailer. That much weight in the high desert is going to be murder on your truck. You are going to want more vehicle. Get a van at a minimum, or an RV if you want to go full out.