First time towing

Hello!
I am looking into purchasing a 2020 Coleman Light 1805RB (dry weight ~4400, length 22.75, dual axle). I drive a 2011 Tacoma Off Road(everything stock). Planning to get the anti-sway bar with it. Plus the dealer will be setting up the settings for the electric brake with it. Any tips for a first time tower, concerns to be aware of, camp trailer owner or anything at all!?
Thank you in advance!

 

Welcome to the forum

 

I don’t tow but that seems like a lot of weight.
Check in here : https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

 

Howdy. That's quite a trailer. How good are you at reversing using only your mirrors?

Practice practice practice in a big empty lot.

Reversing into a defined spot.

Maneuvering around tight corners without hitting curbs.

Braking and acceleratign under load (Can you stop where you want, can you punch it to merge with those semis?)

Go read this:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

 

It does, and that is dry weight.

It will basically always be wet weight in reality, plus a bunch of stuff in your truck bed, when heading out. Need to determine that overall load on the truck. Even if you are within the amanua;'s
towing spec, you don't want to be at the upper end of it all the time, where wind and grades will beat you down even more.

Do you live in flat areas, or are you heading into mountains, and if so, what altitude?

 

A few things to start. Towing capacity is upwards of 6,400lbs depending on bed length.

So 4,400lbs dry is a decent size trailer. Likely 5,500lbs if you load it up with stuff. 22.5 ft is not super long by any measure but that is a big mass. You will be fine if you have towed before. Practice and experience building up to a bigger trailer is very helpful.

I tow a 2013 Keystone Passport 2300bh 26.5 ft 4390 dry weight. Short wheel base TRD D Cab. 4.0L. 5,000 plus pounds towing.

We tow all over the Northeast and Adirondacks from Upstate NY. We do Maine. Cape May, NJ. Just fine.

Apparently a Silverado 1500 can tow like 12,000lbs optioned correctly. No one bats an eye at one towing a 30 ft trailer or larger and relatively speaking it is no different. A 22.5ft trailer at 4,400 dry weight is fine for occasional use and an experienced person towing.

Dealers setting up hitches is hit or miss so it helps to find an experienced friend/stranger or small RV shop that may be willing to help. Can’t stress that enough! I would talk directly to the person setting up the hitch. It will likely need adjustment by the next tow. They don’t know what you carry in addition.

You will want to practice towing. On highways. In rain. On back roads. All of it. Understand when to engage only the trailer brakes from the controller. On ramps and sharp curves you have to take at a proper speed. Especially clover leaf style ramps. Windy days are also slower speeds.

 

Welcome aboard

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome. Keep it under 100 mph and you'll be just fine! As others have posted (at least 2x so far) read/learn/understand/practice the towing bible info.

 

Welcome. Here's another thread you might like...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-kind-of-camper-do-you-have.87823/

 

Living in Utah and plan to go to elevated altitudes a good amount (Tetons, Redwoods, Colorado, etc).

 

That's sounds completely awesome! But, it also means you'll be pushing limits A LOT.
Do you have an automatic or manual?
Did your truck come with the factory tow package?
Either way, you'll be getting much lower mileage and moving much slower. And spending a lot on fuel.
Seriously do some math, starting with your owners manual and load capacities. Max out your wet weight. Get real with the shitter being full.

Those kinds of driving conditions are exhausting, especially if you are battling semis and strong winds.

Given your ambitions, I'd recommend aiming for a setup that is no more than 75% of your max capacity. It will increase your quality time at those wonderful destinations.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome!