3rd Gen. 4 cyl pulling camper question

I’ve always responsibly towed, so therefore I’ve never experienced being pushed through intersections.

 

If I were to get a trailer as such and add brakes to said trailer.. what could I expect to reasonable pay to have them installed? Is that something a RV/trailer dealership might include with a haggled trailer purchase or a local garage? Would I need a brake controller added to the tacoma cable as well? I live in central Florida. Wouldn’t wanna be be price gouged.

 

i would think that the travel trailer would come through with brakes already installed. especially at 2800 pounds. brake controller for the truck is a simple plug and play. it will trigger the trailer brakes through the factory 7 pin connector if you have one.

 

Weird. My camper is around 3500 loaded and my truck never “struggles” with it at all. It tows it great.

 

remember we are comparing results, but everyone has different environments and expectations.

 

Totally agree. There’s a ton of bs here about towing. So much comes down to driving skill.

 

It’s the internet- OP asks for opinions, he/she got them, some of them firsthand experience. Having a different opinion is not fear mongering. Most, if not all, didn’t say it couldn’t be done, they gave differing levels of not ideal.
Again, everyone has different environments, expectations, and an infinite amount of other variables.

 

In the end, one could simply test drive and form their own conclusion.

 

When we head north, out of phoenix, up the 17, we run into pretty long steep grades. Engine strains on these stretches.
On flat straight away stretches it's a piece of cake.

 

i don't know of any(maybe there is one out there,who knows) dealerships they will set up a WDH, allow you to hook up to one of their new/used trailers and take it for a test drive.

 

A regear can help both with acceleration and maintaining a higher gear but it’s not a cure for less power, it just gives the power you have a bit more leverage to get going and traverse the gear range. The penalty is increased revs at any speed.
Every Tacoma model is set up differently for wheel/tire size and power output/mileage. If you need to make an adjustment a regear is one place to do it. Almost automatic when people go up in tire sizes which is also a leverage issue.
You’ll also need to deal with tongue weight either by using a wd hitch, helper springs, sumo springs, air bags or you’ll be bouncing off your bump stops. Trailer load balancing can help with this but when the weight comes down on the rear end stock leaves are inadequate. If it’s a working truck you’re probably already aware of this. Personally I’d combine wd hitch with sumos as the best/safest/inexpensive bang/buck combo for a work truck that also tows. I use air bags and appreciate the flexibility but my install was more complicated than most(ie works for me but not everyone’s cup ‘o tea).

 

Can't imagine any dealer letting you test tow with a new vehicle.

 

if you need those bandaids you really need the proper truck to begin with.

 

Sometimes that’s true and sometimes that “proper” truck still isn’t set up the way you want and mods are still called for. It’s up to the individual to make that call based on their circumstances. These are basic common sense mods to dial in a truck to specific applications not turning a Yugo into a Ferrari.

 

You can always rent or ask a used seller, if you like it, buy it.
I’m not saying it’s as easy as test driving a new vehicle, but damn, just to accept it’s a couple more steps, and buying the unknown. Seems worth it to me anyway.

 

What does “strains” mean? When I encounter a long steep grade it gears down to 3rd occasionally and the rpm’s climb but the motor isn’t under any kind of stress at all. When the rpm’s are up its cooling is running at maximum, oiling is at its maximum and the torque converter is locked. The key indicator of any motor under stress is the temperature. If it’s operating temperature isn’t climbing it’s not straining. It’s louder because it’s working harder but it’s not hurting it.

 

sure you can ask, i sure wouldn't let someone hook up to my used trailer and test drive it.. not sure how many would. doubt there are many if any dealers that would allow it either.

 

ummm, thats is basically tryining to make a tacoma a good tow vehicle.. tacoma is what it is.. good little truck thats good for running to the hardware store for a few things, towing a atv or something similar, its kinda light dudy jeep wrangler like. its just not a great tow vehicle.. notthng wrong wth that.

 

I mean I have to kick it up a notch or two... push the RPM's into the 4k range, I thought the V6 ( compared to the wife's 4cyl subaru )
would have more power to maintain speed.

 

A lightweight popup might be your best bet. Tow capacities as shown are a joke sorry to say.