Camper Towing

I have a 2005 manual 2WD, 2.7 L truck and am shopping for campers. Hitch is connected to the frame and I have no brake controller (yet). Data says my max tow weight is 3500 lbs. What is a "safe" weight to tow at highway speeds?

 

3500 lbs., and even that is pushing it. Anything over that and you get involved in any kind of accident and authorities find out you could be in deep poo.

That being said I towed somewhere near 4000lbs in my regular cab when I moved from Oregon to Montana. Was not enjoyable at all, but it did it.

 

Problem is it’s the 2.7L. I would stay at or under the max rating for sure.

 

Other than towing a very small, lightweight popup you probably need a different truck. And in the real world no one actually tows the max amount. Most of the 6 cyl trucks are rated for 6500, but are best towing closer to 4500. I probably wouldn't want to pull over 2500 with that truck. Remember it isn't just the weight of the trailer, if you're camping most people tend to carry additional gear in the bed of the truck. It adds up quickly.

Virtually every truck ever made has been overloaded at some point. Done occasionally and if you keep the weight at least close to the max listed and driven carefully it can be done. But doing so long term just wears out the truck sooner.

 

My first Tacoma was a ‘13 2.7 auto. Loved the truck but when we got our tiny 900lb camper I couldn’t get over 30 mph going over the mountains here. I firmly believe it was the auto that killed it I think if I had a manual I would still have that truck. It just flat sucked towing anything. With the manual you may be fine. I looked briefly at another off road camper today but at 3000 pounds I didn’t even want to try it with the V6

 

I believe it was your automatic. I have a 5 speed 4WD and pull a 2300 to 2500 lb 6x10 cargo trailer over to Spruce Knob WV regularly. I use 33 over Shenandoah Mountain to Franklin. If you know the road it is steep and nothing but switchbacks. I have no issues at all pulling up the mountain as fast as one can safely do it.

 

I agree 100% it had to be the auto. I travel over 33 a bit also. The trip I had issues with was our first trip with the camper it was 211 over the mtn to Luray. If I would have had the manual I could have down shifted and maintained rpms. The week after we got back I stripped the truck back to stock and traded it for a V6 MT no problems now. Kinda sad I loved the 4 cylinder truck

 

I can't imagine towing even 2000 lbs with the 2.7L. I have one with the MT and it struggles to maintain 70 MPH up gentle grades at 1000 ft elevation in 5th gear. At 5k+ elevation it's 3rd gear at 50 MPH on steep grades. I would say get a 6 cylinder unless you're in a flat state and not towing far and often.

 

I've pulled my trailer with both my old 98 Regular cab 3RZ 5sp and my 2015 5sp. Pulling it through the mountains in WV has never been an issue. I also never go over 65 on the interstates for safety reasons. The area I tow too on a regular basis is at 4700 feet.
Have you ever towed anything with your 2.7?