Travel Trailers and Tacos

Hi,

I am contemplating getting a travel trailer to I can take my two young kids to dirt bike races. I have an 08 DC TRD which I think is rated for 6500 lbs. I am wondering what size of camper trailer (even model of trailer) people can tow comfortably with their Tacos. I do not want to buy a full size truck, and I am not really interested in changing trucks specifically to drive around with a trailer once a month. I tend to think that if I could find a trailer 5000 lbs. or less, I would be happy. Also, it is likely that any time I tow a camper trailer, I would have two dirt bikes in the back of the truck.

Any thoughts or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

Tons of great information in the "towing" subsection of these forums. (under "forum list" up top). Especially the "towing bible" put together by our members and includes everything you could possibly need to know about towing with our trucks.

If you have the towing package then you have a tow capacity of 6500#s.

Good luck and post pics once you get a TT.

 

I've been looking at these for just my wife and I (http://www.chaletrv.com/folding-trailers/alpine.) We've pulled a car trailer (4000lbs combined weight) with our '09 Pre-runner and got 14.6mpg.

The camper has an 1300lb dry weight, a 1700lb cargo weight for a 3000lb total weight. Well below the 6500lb capacity of the Toyota.

Ray

PS: Lots of towing info here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/4031-tacoma-towing-bible.html

 

Thanks but I am looking for something big enough for two adults and two three-year-olds.

Is it possible to tow something big enough for that?

 

You will find that opinions vary widely about what the appropriate limit is when towing over the road. If you flat land tow, you can handle more weight. Trailer weight really takes these trucks down fast when you are talking about climbing grades or contending with altitude. Side winds are a lot tougher to handle when your trailer weighs as much as your truck too. I spend on average about 10,000 miles a year with a 2500# trailer in tow. Mostly it is in western states where grades are the norm. I would not consider towing any more weight than that. I don't want the truck working any harder.

Things to consider are: grades, altitude, side winds, travel speed, and road surface conditions.

If you can, I would strongly suggest finding a trailer similar to what you want and try towing it. Maybe rent a travel trailer for one race. Don't rely on internet opinions.

No matter what you will need a good brake controller, air bags, and a weight distributing hitch for anything close to what you are considering.

 

go visit the tow section..your head will explode on the information overload..some of they guys pull HUGE trailers....stunning really.

 

I have been researching the same thing.

For the most part, a good rule of thumb is 17-19 feet. Anything more and you are very close to the weight limit.

Dont forget, loading the truck with 5 people+ a box full of their riding gear and bikes will also take away from your possible tow rating of 6500#.

What about one of those toy hauler tent trailers?

Decent on weight and easy to haul your bikes around.

 

Get a Jumping Jack!

Closed:



Open:



Loaded:

 

Seabass,

That trailer is EXACTLY what I've been looking for. Epic find!

 

I've seen the Jumping Jack in person, and they are very well made. The trailer itself is well built and the tent section can be separated easily if you want to use the trailer for utility purposes. I nearly bought one at one point. They are not cheap though.

 

Yes, $5000 for the basic trailer. Nearly $6000 with all the options.

The nice part is it is a tent, toy hauler and a regular high box trailer.

 

Way overpriced for how little materials go into the Jumping Jack. You can get a loaded popup for that priced just a year or two old on craigslist.

A metal trailer like that costs maybe a grand. That's a $5k tent sitting on it then, yikes.

When I saw the Jack I thought it was pretty cool and looked up the pricing thinking maybe under $3k, but $6k is loony.

 

21 to 25 ft lite hard side trail lite crusier shadow with 8 to 10 ft storage weight 4200

 

Bought the 05 DC prerunner specifically to tow my 2007 Kodiak travel trailer. It is 21 ft long, 4200lbs dry. I have a weight distributing hitch and the 4 leaf spring package. On mostly level ground it gets 12-14 mpg in 4th gear. Here is a pix of us getting ready to go camping during the 2010 Alabama snowstorm

 

Nice rig! I'd much rather be in that during a rare Alabama snow storm vs. some of the tent setups I've seen.

 

All Campers and trailers are way over priced. You will pay 7k - 9k for just an empty fiberglass or aluminum shell for a truck camper. You could literally buy all the tools and materials, then rent a shop, hire a helper, and STILL build a camper yourself cheaper than buying one.

 

been pulling a tent trailer many times, with dirt bikes in the the back. works great. but if your going racing. you may want a small trailer.( use to race mx) the pits are not much tent trailer nice. am think about getting a small trailer,myself.

 

Just picked this up yesterday, as I tow a few different trailers seemed like a good buy. I'm trying to see if I can get an additional ball mount for it, as I use three different size balls for towing.

$84 CURT 45901 Adjustable Trailer Hitch Ball Mount, 2" Receiver, 6-3/4" Drop, 1" Hole, 6000 lbs

http://www.amazon.com/Manufacturing...07&sr=8-4&keywords=curt+adjustable+ball+mount

 

I camp with the wife, and a 6 and 4 year old with this hybrid. Best of both worlds for the Tacoma. Only weighs 2700 lbs dry, and about 3500 fully loaded. 19' long closed, and about 27' with the tents open. The Tacoma pulls it pretty easy. Just pop it into 4th on the long uphill grades.

 

this:
http://www.livinlite.com/camplite-overview.php