First time long distance towing- how dumb would this be?

Hello, I am looking for feedback on my idea to rent a camper for a cross country trip. I have very limited towing experience (as in I have towed a 5x8 utility trailer a few times and did not require me to back up at all).

I have a 2020 3rd gen tacoma and am considering renting a 15ft trailer that weighs 2700 lbs. I would pick it up halfway through my cross country trip and then drive an additional 12 hours with it. Basically this would mean no time practicing backing up or driving it before I start towing. I would be in somewhat of a hurry, learn the basics of the camper and then start driving. My destination is a private residence so I am not worried about backing up there. My hope is that gas station stops through north dakota and montana would not be crowded nor require me to back up.

-Does this sound like a really bad idea? My other option is to just tent camp
-Am i correct in understanding my tacoma should easily handle towing 2700lbs gross weight?

Thank you

 

Well the only way to get experience is to do something. You can watch some youtube videos, think before you sleep, and allow your subconscious mind time to process the idea, which all will help, but not be a substitute for actual experience.

I would do it, but I am not you. I learned to back trailers working on tractor trailers, then small trailers delivering small excavators and skid steers.

Main thing is set mirrors properly, stay relaxed, and be deliberate.

Hope it helps.

Now since this is tacomaworld I expect someone will call you names, and discourage you. I generally ignore them. The best feature of this site is the ignore button.

 

thank you

 

Should be fine. Leave more time for stopping and starting, and be patient. Stick to truck stops and you’ll have all kinds of room for sure, although mooost gas stations are pretty ok.

 

Go for it. Spend 30 minutes after you pick up the trailer in an empty parking lot figuring out how to back up and you'll be fine.

 

This doesn’t make sense. Need some more information. Why, what is the purpose of picking up a travel trailer half way through your trip and then driving it to someone’s residence???
Secondly, what ever the purpose it is a dumb and dangerous idea to drive a long distance towing that trailer with no experience towing. There’s a lot more to towing than being able to properly back a Trailer up. You jumping in your truck and towing a travel trailer a long distance with zero knowledge and no experience is not only a danger to you and any passengers but also to others you share the highway with. There are so many problems here that I don’t know where to start. I’m just glad I won’t be anywhere near N Dakota or Montana while you are towing.

 

I’m experienced with towing, but I did drive cross country (TX to CA) in the biggest U-haul truck pulling a car hauler without ever having to back up. It can be done, just plan your stops and take your time. I had to pass a couple of gas stations with limited access or tight parking lots.

 

Plan your exit strategy before you park. Most of the gas stations on the interstate out west are pretty wide open. When you get gas park at the furthest forward pump so you can’t get blocked in. I’m not great at backing up a trailer/camper myself but it’s not rocket science either, so in a jam you can probably either wait it out or figure it out. Worst comes to worst you can revoke your man card and ask some other dude towing a big ass camper to help you out.

 

I did something similar and it was fine. Had to ask for volunteer spotters at a few back-in camp sites. Folks are happy to help.

The trailer had a wireless backup camera though. Here is a portable magnetic mount cam you could have with you just in case. I have not tried it myself:
https://www.etrailer.com/Backup-Camera/Rampage/RA7710.html

 

Some great advise has been given but heres two more things to be aware of:

Black tank:
If you plan use the black tank(toilet) in the trailer then you need to learn about it and make sure you have decent sewer hose and connections. Grey tank is sinks/shower and should also go into the proper dump station or full hook up, but not a huge deal if you have to let some grey water out on ground when no ones looking(dump station not available).

Tongue weight:
Also need to consider that it will likely be ideal to have a weight distribution hitch to compensate for the tongue weight of the camper. If you have a good bit of tongue weight and don't have a WDH then the rear of the truck drops which raises the front end. This can make the truck feel a little "squirrely" (especially with some wind). My camper is listed as 3100 lbs dry weight and there's no way I'd want to pull it without a properly set up WDH.... preferably one with sway control. It can be done but not ideal IMO.

 

As long as you have the proper equipment (brake controller, hitch set the the proper height, etc.) I say go for it. I'll stay out of quoting individual members of this thread and everything I agree and disagree with what is being said and just share with you my experience. Background: I had limited experience towing long distance and had never towed with my Tacoma although I have towed trailers short distances and have backed them up and parked them (mostly equipment rentals like a stump grinder, etc.). I would say yours and my situations are similar before I began towing full time for a year.

• I had no long distance towing experience before picking up my 3500# (gross) XOC - I had no issues, like anything there is a learning curve
• I had never towed with my Tacoma before picking up the XOC - I had no issues, I monitor transmission temps with a scan.gauge.2 and keep it in S4 most of the time since I have stock gears and a stock tune
• Highway driving is less stressful to me unless it is grid lock or I am driving through a major city -- just be ready to floor it on on-ramps so you can get up to speed and merge with semis doing 70-80 MPH
• Plan ahead and be constantly monitoring your outs whilst driving -- you'll be fine
• If you are renting a single axle trailer just be aware that they take VERY LITTLE driver input to move one way or another so just make small adjustments when backing up and constantly be watching. If you have experience with tandem axle trailers you will see that single axles are much more twitchy.

My $.02 is that you should go for it, but set yourself up for success. I picked my trailer up in Denver then drove through the mountains in the snow to my friend's place and camped in his driveway for the weekend to learn about all the systems in the trailer. You'll be fine, just drive like an old woman at night time until you get the confidence up. Allocate 20 or 30 minutes to drive around locally with the trailer to get comfortable then grip it and rip it. Be sure you have the proper equipment to tow safely as well.

 

I don’t think the OP is much interested in our reply’s. He hasn’t checked back into this thread since Monday at 12:30am 20 minutes after his original post.

 

Abducted by aliens? Happens all the time.

 

Thank you all for the advice, I appreciate it.

To answer one of the questions, I am staying at a ranch so my options are tent camping or camper.

 

On a serious note...you need experiences to have experience.

Best trick to backing up a trailer: put your hand at 6 o'clock on the steering wheel. The trailer goes the same direction as your hand. For instance, if you want the trailer to move towards the driver's side, you would turn the wheel clockwise (6 o'clock position moved towards 7 o'clock position).

Usually a little input goes a long ways. Watch your front corners for clearance too.

 

To add to what's been said:

Drive SLOW! 65 MPH is the recommended top towing speed. You, and your Taco will be happier if you keep the speed down.

Assuming you have a V6 and 6 speed auto, keep it in S4 or S5. Otherwise, you'll be downshifting nonstop.

Take your time, leave extra room in front of you, and enjoy the drive!