Can I do this?

Have a new travel trailer E Pro-20-FBS and need to know ASAP is I can tow it with a 2023 Taco, 6 cylinder short bed with tow package. Great purchase deal pending the outcome of this question.
Tks

 

No offense meant, but do you really need TW forums to answer this for you?

Here are the specs:
https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/flagstaff-e-pro/E20FBS/7994

Hitch weight: ~400 lbs.
Unloaded trailer weight: ~3,550 lbs.

Your truck w/ tow package:
Max tow capacity ~6,500 lbs (ish).
Max tongue (hitch) weight: ~640 lbs (ish)

Yes, you can tow it.

Should you make a huge purchase decision on the basis of this single post, without a fuller understanding of the many factors that go into safe & comfortable towing of medium-heavy trailers with Tacomas?

No. IMHO you should take a few hours to days to read all about the ins and outs of towing with Tacos before dumping large sums into a vehicle and/or trailer purchase.

 

I'm rather new at this and while I did run the numbers I just wanted confirmation on the answer BEFORE I made the purchase. When it comes to safety I don't mind going an extra step to cover all the bases.

Tks

 

Noted and thanks

 

Welcome to TW forums & good luck w/ your purchase(s).

 

Many thanks. While this isn't my first rodeo when it comes to towing, I sometimes get too far into the weeds, have to back out, come up for air, and make sure what I am seeing and calculating is ground truth. This is especially true when I have a very short time to make a large financial decision; one that could easily impact the safety of several people.

 

That trailer is right up the Tacoma's alley. Just some advice you may already know, weigh the tongue weight yourself to see what you're working with. It's just that the actual weight is always heavier than advertised so if it exceeds 500 lbs then you'll want to look at a WDH (there's some good relatively lightweight ones for a trailer that size).

 

And remember not to tow during the break-in period.

 

If you have had tow packages with full sized vehicles from other manufacturers you may not know this: the tow package does not include the brake controller itself. You get the wiring the plugs and the harness that is at the driver's kick plate but you will need to purchase a suitable brake controller (Tekonsha, RedArc, other). That is your only "need" to tow that trailer (other than a hitch and the proper drop/raised tongue).

Plenty of other threads here about wants/upgrades to make the towing experience better, but IMO the above is your only "need" to safely and legally tow a trailer that size.

 

Thanks mic_sierra
Already identified that as a NEED to tow this trailer. What about ATF cooler, would this be needed also?

 

Weight Distribution hitch and Brake controller and you should be good. Use ECT when towing, and if it's shifting a lot still lock it to a max of 4th gear (assuming you've got an automatic).

 

I have a SeaTrab 900 series external cooler on my list of mods but I have towed a 3500# travel trailer slow and off-road with the stock setup without issues. You do not need an ATF cooler, but you'll just need a way to monitor those trans temps with an auto so members use apps or scan gauges (I use a scan gauge 2 but the new ones look pretty trick). Your ECU gives two temps: one returning from the cooler (ATF at its coolest) and one leaving the pan or tq converter (sorry I forget which but it is where the ATF is the hottest). The highest temps I have ever seen was towing on the freeway through Breckenridge, CO before the tunnel during summer. I didn't help things with stock gears and a stock tune. Temps spiked to 240 deg F for about 30 seconds... WAY WAY WAY to high and just shows you the stock cooler is good in most circumstances but just cannot cool when pushed to its limits.

I have since...
- Pinned my trans thermostat so it is always open, thus cooling
- Become used to trips in ECT S4 at 3100 RPM at 70 MPH to keep the converter locked (the unlocked converter and load towing in the overdrive gears is what causes massive heat)

 

Any feedback on the Toyota sway control? Is it effective? Do you need additional sway control? Is it similar to the sway control offered by Tucson?

Any recommendations on a WDHitch?

 

The tacoma is “rated” for 6500 tow, but I wouldn’t push the stock config beyond 4K towing. The transmission leaves a lot to be desired(even unloaded, check the forum for “transmission hunting”, so you’ll likely want a tune.Gears are a must with these trucks too(I’m 5.29), my truck pulls 5x better than the stock 3.70 ratio(plus KDMAXX tune). I run airbags for towing, run them at 25PSI when towing my waverunner(1,200LB), and 45 when towing my Samurai(4500lb w/ single axle car trailer). My camp trailer is 1000lb loaded, so it is barely noticed. With a trailer at the weight(4-4.5k), id suggest either airbags(firestone RideRite), AddALeaf(many options) or a new leaf pack(Deaver). Utilizing a weight distribution hitch on a 1/4 ton truck should point out the issue with a trailer that would require that setup, it exceeds the OEM capabilities(my opinion). Think safety- Braking(upgrades req’d in Cali when towing in MTNs), suspension roll, and power to move the trailer effectively(for other motorists). Id suggest a Tundra if you’re looking at anything beyond 18/20ft, but that is all up to personal preference.

 

mic_sierra

Looked at all your upgrades and already have the controller on the way. In order of importance/critical need what items shoul02d I be ordering next? Limited fund so I want to address critical items first.

Tks

 

My The TT is 21' and 4400 fully loaded. I can't upgrade to a Tundra so i have to make due with what I have. Planning on a WD Hitch and suspension improvements (Sumo springs or Air bags) not sure yet. Scan gauge for the trans has also been recommended.
I'm not well versed on the tune aspect. Where can I find good information on the various tune options?

 

Invest in a couple of trips to the local truck stop to weigh yourself. There is a how-to in my build thread if you have never done this. Weigh your Taco fully fueled with the family in it without the trailer, weigh it with your family in it and loaded for a trip without the trailer, then weigh it with your family and loaded for a trip with the trailer empty, then finally weigh it with the trailer loaded like you are traveling. Data is key. You need to understand what weights you are at and how those weights impact performance. Any good shop you go to will want these weight numbers so they can put you into the right class of products. If I remember correctly a weigh in is $15 and a re-weigh may be $5 or so -- I could be wrong. Last time I went to a Love's to weigh in was over a year ago.

My recommendation would be to go with minimal upgrades to start so you have a good baseline to start with. Something to monitor your trans temps and the brake controller is exactly what I started with along with a set of Hellwig helper springs. Your budget is tight so start there. I cannot speak to towing as heavy as you do and I believe a weight distribution hitch is necessary as others have stated but again, I cannot speak from experience there. This may be your next investment to make. After a few trips and some experience on the road you will quickly figure out if your setup works for your needs.

My experience: I started with a Leitner rack and a Roof Top Tent - no other upgrades. First trip to the Wyoming back country on easy Jeep trails I saw I was constantly on the bump stops. First upgrade was helper springs (

$256 Hellwig 980 Leaf Helper Spring

Hellwig 980 or 981s I forget which is for 3rd gens). I then bought the travel trailer and kept the same setup for some time and took it on many trips including South Padre Island for a TW meetup. That was when I decided a lift with a heavy suspension was needed as I needed a lot more stiffness. Tires and wheels were upgraded as well. I married into an inventory of vehicles, most of which do not run and are heavy as fuck so a winch and a winch bumper was needed to move vehicles around our properties -- that was one of the best investments I have ever made. My winch gets so much use I don't know how I made due without it. With the winch came accessories like bumper lights and while I was wiring those I added ditch lights because Wyoming is freaking dark and the Elk, Pronghorn, and Deer threat is real and could leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere -- ditch lights are another upgrade I didn't know I needed until I had them. You get the idea though with the upgrades -- you're going about it the right way... address NEEDS with gear and start at the bare minimum. Once you have the minimum you can figure out what needs you have that you don't know about, and then invest in more gear.

My $.02. Don't over think it. You need to be able to stop, go, and do distance with a properly balanced trailer.

 

Semper fi

 

Has anyone had an success in connecting their Rear TT Camera to the screen in your truck?

 

I purchased a Geo Pro 15TB in October last year and was informed by the tech that the Furrion system doesn't connect to the in-vehicle screen as there is nothing on the trailer plug to send a feed through. Best alternative I've found is purchasing a remote wireless camera on Amazon that is a drop-in for the Furrion mount with the screen mounted on the dash in the truck.