Need TacomaWorld Litmus Test - Deciding Between Two Campers - Can My Tacoma Tow It?

While I have been scouring the many, many posts on this subject, I find I would still like to hear from experienced Tacoma AND travel trailer (camper) owners before I buy one of the following two travel trailers. Based upon numerous factors, these are the two models being heavily leaned towards, and I would prefer the heavier of the two. I am just not sure my 2023 Tacoma TRD Sport 4X4 Double Cab with Short Bed will haul it.

NOTE:
* The "hitch brake" is due to be installed in the Tacoma prior to the first trip with whichever of these is purchased.
* Will be using 6,000 lb Equalizer brand weight distribution bars (No chains and still going strong after 14 years!).
* Driver and Passenger in the truck.
* Guessing 600-700 lbs of additional cargo to go inside the camper.
* 640 lbs Tongue Weight (10% of towing capacity for my Tacoma)

My Tacoma is rated at 6,400 towing. The only non-factory items added are: Step tubes, Tonneau cover (tri-fold), and the Non-slip mat for the bed.

NOTE:
* Both travel trailers (campers) have tandem axles.
* Dry Weight (DW)/Hitch Weight (HW), Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW), Cargo Carrying Capacity = Payload Capacity (CCC), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

2024 Forest River Rockwood Mini-Lite 2109S
HW: 557 lbs
DW/UVW:4,493 lbs
CCC: 1,344 lbs
GVWR:5,837

2024 Forest River Rockwood Mini-Lite 2205S
HW: 634 lbs
DW/UVW: 5,132 lbs
CCC: 1,662 lbs
GVWR: 6,794 lbs

I feel like I already know the answer, but as stated, I want to hear other's proven experiences. Thank you.

 

You and your truck both aren't going to enjoy the experience.

You might look in the thread below. Those guys have actual experience with campers.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-me-your-campers.598346/
I have experience with farm, garden and lawn equipment on a utility trailer. So my experience will be "slightly" different.

 

"You and your truck both aren't going to enjoy the experience." - Do you mean with both of those campers or just the heavier of the two? I'm hauling a 3,600 UVW camper now and the Tacomo handles it fine.

Thanks @TnShooter for the feedback and additional thoughts.

Weight is weight, so I probably should have phrased that differently. I imagine the biggest difference with what you haul is it likely doesn't act like a big sail or windscreen going down the road.

 

Towing capacity is a marketing tool because what becomes clear is its only basically with a small naked driver that it could do that. Start with payload math. Short bed so that’s what? 1100lbs capacity? Check the door sticker.

the lighter weight trailer
UVW 4493
CARGO 700
= 5193
Minimum safe hitch weight is 10%
So say 520 lbs
1100 (mine is only 940 btw so check)
- 520
= 580
- hitch (you’ll want a wdh for that) 100
= 480
- accessories (step tubes and tonneau) guessing 150 ?
= 330
Passengers ? In my case it’s 310 total
= 20 left for everything else. (BBQ, tools, kayaks?, etc)
So you’re probably over capacity. But I do see a shit ton of Tacomas out there towing over capacity so it all depends on what you feel comfortable doing. Over payload means stopping will be an issue, so you could be in a lot of trouble in an accident, your truck will be working much harder too.

 

I have little experience hauling anything but I have.
Drivers always wondering how much their truck can pull, when I'd be more concerned about how much you can safely stop with.
Get too heavy and that thing will shove you right through a stop sign.

 

Will it tow it ? Probably. Should you, I wouldn’t
Don’t forget to factor in crosswinds, the trailer is a giant billboard catching all the wind

 

Ok I’ll bite: the tow capacity is one thing, yes it is rated for 6500. Does the truck tow nicely anything over 4k? No.
Both trailers are at the north end of the Tacomas capacity, and that is without any gear or passengers. Don’t forget about passengers and all loaded items in the bed too, that weight is calculated into the overall GVWR. Hitch weight on both trailers is too much for these trucks, no matter how much upgrades are done(airbags/leafs/regear/tune/etc). Think about the safety aspect of it: stopping distance/body roll/handling is all adversely affected by the weight of the trailer. At 6400lbs(trailer) you will not enjoy the tow, and your trucks components will wear quite quickly. The WDH setup that i commonly see on Tacomas with large trailers is baffling too, as our frames are not boxed(where does that torsion load extend??) which leads to premature frame wear(see bonded frames).
Overall, if you’re dead set on a 20ft+ trailer….id buy a 1/2 ton. Tacomas will reliably tow 3-4k, anything more is a crapshoot with the soft suspension and poor factory gearing/tune, and mileage will be single digits. More points to ponder

 

Add a thousand pounds to the dry weight cause that’s about what you’re are looking at when loaded. Yep your truck will tow them but it will be a shitty driving experience each time you tow. Towing will be stressful not enjoyable. Stopping will be a whole new experience. When you have to make a panic stop at freeway speed it’ll be memorable. You’ll need a lot more distance to stop to avoid hitting what ever is in front of you.
You either need to get a lighter trailer, lighter by 1000lbs or more or a full size truck.

 

There are a lot of people that are comfortable towing at capacity. I’m just not one of them. We live in Western Washington and to get anywhere requires us to travel over mountain passes. The Tacoma tows fine in 4th gear but struggles with wind and/or long steep inclines when towing. We have had a few white knuckle experiences in the past. In light of that, we now have something a little more manageable. Ours is right at 2080 lbs dry with a 190 lb hitch weight. By the time we add gear and propane we are at 2900lbs and we have spent more than a few trips figuring out the perfect load configuration for reducing hitch weight and balancing the load. 2013 Tacoma TRD Sport DCLB with a lift, canopy, cab rack, and 34’s. The lift, canopy, roof rack, steps, and tires reduce payload down to 550 lbs. just enough for me, the wife, and the dog with enough left over for the spare and a little bit of gear in the back. This works for us. The trailer is not as well equipped as heavier units but we are okay with that. In fact we are hybrid campers at heart. Trailer gives some additional comforts and conveniences while still allowing us to feel like we are camping. Plus it doesn’t mind the forest service roads we love to explore.

2023 InTech Flyer Explore

 

A lot of your planning on traveling what’s needed in the southern part of the country as opposed to the north or western states.
I can guarantee you that pulling either trailer through 6” of snow and a cross wind will be a life changing experience.

 

This^^^It is also highly advised that you pack additional pairs of underwear.

 

Thank you everyone for the great feedback.

In reviewing everyone's thought, I went back to reevaluate my existing camper and found fully loaded (cargo in the camper, minus all fluids except for propane, not including a passenger or anything in the truck), I am already hauling around 4,500-4,700 lbs. I guess years of adding one item at a time to the camper has really added up, weight wise. Also, looking at the new campers I am seeing items that may or may NOT being included in that UWR, such as the power jack stands and a 2nd solar panel on the roof (some dealers say that is standard and others say it's not!). As previously noted, I feel my Tacoma did a good job of towing the existing camper (yes, I have/used a WDH).

Throughout this research, learning process, and discussions (multiple here for the Tacoma and Towing, and other camper specific forums), I also ran across multiple discussions about beefing-up the suspension (IE. reducing squat) by adding springs, bump stops, etc. for a better towing experience. Seems there are a lot of opinions about that too and what choices people made. What never deviated was the strong recommendation / requirement to use a WDH and trailer brake. I could not agree more having used them for many years.

Looks like time to remove / clean-out items from the existing camper, but also revisit what new camper I will get.

 

Good Luck finding the perfect camper for your family. Little things really add up (I keep reminding my wife of that when she hands me something new “for the trailer” haha. I should have added that we have done suspension work on our Tacoma as well, including new shocks, full length custom add a leafs (Local Shop), and will be adding Timbrens at some point in the game. Our trailer is not WDH compatible which is why we have spent so long working out the perfect load configuration with the equipment we have. My wife warned me a week ago that she would like to look at larger trailers…I may be looking for a bigger truck haha. Stay Well…Stay Safe

 

I am sorry if this is a dumb question but is the tacoma not a 1/2 tonn?

I read that "Over time, payload capacities for most domestic pickup trucks have increased while the ton titles have stayed the same. The now-imprecise ton rating is presently used to compare standard sizes, rather than actual capacities."

 

I can assure you, I have zero intent or motivation of hauling this camper in the snow or ice. Been there, done that with friends in their full sized trucks and trailers. It was NOT an enjoyable experience to say the least.

 

A half ton refers to full size pickups. A Tacoma is considered a midsize truck. The ton designations are from decades ago. Originally they referred to payload. A 1/2 ton could carry 1000 lbs a 3/4 ton 1500 lbs etc. The 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton designations now a days refer to in general how much weight a truck can haul and tow. Basically how heavy duty they are. There is no specific haul/tow weight assigned to the different ton designations. So the higher the ton designations the higher the tow/haul capacity and the more heavy duty.

 

6000 lb hitch is too small I used a 10,000 lb hitch. Rear will sag way down with stock springs.
Trailers listed weight is empty and often a downright lie so put it to a truck scale and weigh it - dealer stands by sticker so they are useless. No battery, propane tank, water, waste etc.
Mileage drops to 8-12 based on terrain and speed.
Lots of towing also will shorten the life of the rear wheel bearings and diff bearings - been there.
Yor will add 1000-1500 lbs to it all the sleeping bags, blankets, food, drinks, bikes, toys, etc.
You can tow it - I did and does OK but never would again. Don't forget a good brake controller or you will never stop in time.
Starting point should be 3000 lb 19' bunk house one axle trailer.

Rent one and try it first as once you buy one it's yours - I see so many buy and sell within a year.

 

If that post is for me @muddog321, you're the first to mention the 6,000 lb WDH is not enough. I did read some other TacomaWorld posts about adding SomaSprings or adding a pair of third leaf springs. However, for the seasonal hauling I do, it will ride rigid the rest of the time with the third leaf springs.