Gen 3 Towing Thread

My class C is a 2019 Entegra Odyssey. Pull a 2017 Wrangler behind it. I wish the Tacoma was flat towable and I could leve the Jeep at home. That said the Ford V10 pulls like a mule but drinks gas at an alarming rate. 9 mpg without pulling the Jeep, maybe 7 mpg with it. No more short weekend trips with the price of gas. Gotta go away and stay away to make the trip worthwhile. Would really prefer to go back to a small lightweight travel trailer but it's a hard sell to my wife but im working on it. The prices on the Class C went thru the roof. Going for over $40k more new than I paid for mine so i would come out ok if i sell it. She likes the bedroom and bathroom while I do all the driving. A 3500lb travel trailer like your Wildwood is probably right in the sweet spot for the Tacoma. I'd feel comfortable with a setup like that. Personally I don't think I'd want a 5000lb RV behind my Tacoma unless it was on 99% flat highway. I'd get a full size truck if I planned to pull on the regular with that size RV.

 

Very nice. Is 615 including your WDH or without? I get confused on how to calculate tongue when it comes to WDH. I know most 3rd Gen tacomas with tow are around 640 max tongue. I used a Jayco forum on how to weight trailer on scales and my tongue came up to 520 and near max for GVWR based on their description:
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f37/how-to-weigh-your-tv-tt-3871.html

i have plenty of European colleagues and I’ve seen their set up with trailers. They are very different. Not built like ours in most forms.

 

That’s a nice one! I’d rather have a class c but fuel and parking in some places are the biggest problem. In Dallas Fort Worth area, cheapest class c starts at $30k+ and that’s for mid 2000’s. Most of the terrain here in this part of Texas is flat with small rolling hills. My biggest problem is the movement, otherwise it’s not bad. I wouldn’t do any longer distance. I even cancelled a 600 mile on e way trip since I didn’t have enough driving time.

This wildwood is great but it’s tight when you add dogs and the weight limits are restrictive. It was a test to see if I even enjoy it. Might be looking into a slightly bigger option now. I wish I could buy a heavy duty but the car market is jacked. No sense in paying 20-40% more right now. Rather wait and enjoy what I have then spend tens of thousands because of a shortage.

Why sell the rv?

 

You can flat tow the Tacoma with a driveshaft disconnect, I was chatting to a gent about his taco he was towing behind his 500k coach.
The driveshaft disconnect is about a grand and you have a lever inside the cab to operate it. Slick setup…

 

Hello, I know this exact question has probably been asked on this thread before but I feel like I’ve been researching all day with no cut and dry answer. My girlfriend and I are planning on living in a travel trailer for about 2 years while we travel the country, I am new to all things camping and towing. I do know how to tow and back a small dual jet ski trailer just for reference. I drive a 2021 Tacoma SR5 with the crew cab 5’ bed 4x4 and I believe it has the towing pkg. I am looking into trailers that are around 3800lbs dry, will my truck do okay towing this full time for 2 years if I keep things slow? I am really confused about taking into consideration GVW, tongue weight, payload capacity etc. What are some things I might need to get for the truck to make it safer? Thanks for reading.

 

Most of this entire 90+ page thread is related to your question. It would strongly do you well to go through many of it and start identifying what each of those aspects of weights and capacities mean. It would help to define what you mean by safer? Everyone has different comfort and safety limits. There are things to consider and the biggest issue relates to payload, most tacomas have around 1K lbs of payload, within a 100-200 lb difference each scale. The door sticker will get you started, but best to have it weighted to know what was added after it left Toyota factory, typically. For example, my curb weight with all fluids and myself in it, weighs around 4,800 lbs, but Toyota put a payload max of 1,000 lbs, if I were to add 1,000 lbs of cargo (passengers, random crap in the bed, etc.), i'd be over the GVWR, that has a max of 5,600 lbs by 200 lbs. People often exceed this and don't care. Towing over weight has legal and safety implications. Keep in mind, anything behind the rear axle of a truck or trailer is held entirely by the back axle, therefore counts as the whole weight load. However, if you load gear into a trailer in front of the axle, then you can account for 10% weight addition to the tongue weight (remember there are gross axle ratings for truck and trailer and those need to be minded), instead of the full weight inside the truck, typically.

Going slow, getting a quality weight distribution hitch with sway control/elimination (this adds 50-100lbs to the tongue so be mindful of weights), likely decent tow mirrors, obd gauge for monitoring temps, maybe suspension based items depending on trailer size/weight, a rear view camera, brake controller, and properly adjusting your loading (both inside the truck and trailer) are all things to make you safer (toyota recommends 9-11% tongue weight from trailer; but most run between 10-15%, with a preference around 12-13%, I am in the preference as well). Without a tow package (you can verify on your truck either through the window sticker and/or verifying parts - look it up online there are 5-6 parts part of the package), you are limited to 3,500 lbs i believe, and up to 6,800 lbs (access cabs with 4x2) towing, with a tongue max of around 640-680 lbs based on the hitch receiver installed on these trucks. So without the package, the intended trailer is already over what you can do. A trailer at around 4,000 lbs dry likely has another 10% weight added after it left factory (adding propane tank/tanks, battery/batteries, other dealer installed options), so it adds up quick. Don't trust a dealer of any kind and verify the information yourself. For example, my dealer told me I could purchase a trailer that had a dry weight of 6,400 lbs but in reality that trailer would really weigh closer to 7,000 lbs, leaving me over by a lot and unable to even get in the truck, yet alone drive it. A good rule of thumb is to stick to 50-80% of weight (IE: no more than 80% of towing capacity). The scales will tell you all the information you need. Here is a link on how to weigh your truck and trailer combo when using a weight distribution hitch: https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f37/how-to-weigh-your-tv-tt-3871.html

Its the payload that makes it restricted for most people (several passengers, gear, etc.) that will likely land you around a 4,000-5,000 lb trailer, depending again on passengers and gear. Many stick in this range from what I've read. A hitch made by Hensley, is probably an amazing investment given you may drive long distance and live in the trailer (this hitch completely eliminates sway supposedly), but they cost a couple thousand, even used, if I recall. I personally do not like driving and when towing, it becomes stressful for me, so i keep my traveling to shorter distances. I'm also dialing in my set up to make it best for me, while learning what to expect and not expect. Most people stay around 60-65 mpg range, and truck can usually maintain. Might be harder on grades and/or with wind involved. Try renting a trailer to see how it goes in terms of what you need there, because traveling to stay for a day is vastly different than living in it. A 3,800 lb trailer is likely going to be between 15-20 or so feet long and does not provide for much room (less items you can bring due to GVWR of the trailer and space constraints).

You can look at my posting a few pages back on my set up and see where my problems lie and what I have done over the past month to help with that. There is a lot of really useful and practical/realistic information in here (some good and some bad), that will really get you understanding better. A bigger truck for your purposes may be in order.

Some questions that could help you are:
Since you are planning to travel, are you taking just the tacoma or another vehicle?
Are you stock or modified in any way (lift kit, tires, gearing, etc.)?
Do you plan on boondocking (out in the woods with no hookups) or staying at places that have full hookups (water, sewer, electricity)?
Have you narrowed down the trailer you want and matched it against your truck?

Hope this helps and feel free to engage us to learn more/answer better. There are many here that have decades of experience with this truck and/or towing, I am just reiterating what I've learned, read, and understood from them and other forums/articles.

 

3700 dry most likely means its over 5000 pounds loaded. you will most likely be over payload once trailer is on and loaded, you and your girlfriend are in the truck and your stuff is loaded. whats your door sticker say you have for payload? 900-1000 pounds? been there done that. it will tow it but it will take a while to get up to speed. constantly rev and be just plain annoying. in my experience owning a 2017 tacoma offroad DC long bed towing a 5000 pound loaded travel trailer with the family, it never felt unsafe but it wore you out on drives. i moved up to a max tow GMC half ton and the difference was incredible. truck towed with ease, didnt rev to 4000 rpm constantly abd didn't wear you out on trips.

in my opinion if you are going to be on the road for two years then trash the tacoma and get a half ton. you'll be a lot happier and safer in the long run.
join some of the travel trailer pages on Facebook... lots of knowledge there, especially with things like tongue weight and payload. they caution more on the safe and legal side then many here do. too many guys here claim the tacoma is over built so you can ignore the factory ratings and capacities...

 

392 mile drive today from Spokane to Redmond OR. A blustery day with winds up to 20mph. Averaged 12.4mpg.

Ran the rig over the scales and came in at 10,000lb exactly. This is the heaviest we’ve been in the past 7k miles.

2820 front axle
2840 rear axle
4340 TT axle

This puts me over on payload by 60lb and under GCWR by 1,300lb

I want to run the truck over the scales without the trailer to see how well the WDH is doing its job but judging by the above numbers I’m in the ball park. Todays drive had plenty of wind and semis and the rig felt perfect. I just wish I had a manual gearbox

P.S. I had a cool dream last night…I dreamt I installed a supercharger in my taco. Not sure I need it as OBD fusion recorded a max over 300lbft torque!!
.

 

@BM85_2022 has answered a lot of your questions. To give you more specifics on numbers we need to see your vin plate and tyre decals on the inside of your door along with any mods you’ve done to your truck.

Your truck being a 2021 (presumably a v6) will have the tow package, I think it became a standard option in 2019.

I’m currently doing something very similar to what you’re wanting to do. You can read about my setup here… https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...4-700lb-travel-trailer….760812/#post-27122598
We’re currently around 7k miles and the taco has done great. Wind resistance is the biggest kick in the ass. Try to keep the trailer under 7.5ft wide and pick one that has a sleek aerodynamic nose.

Feel free to ask questions… that’s what this thread is all about!!

 

This is very well written. Towing is very subjective and will depend on the current conditions. I took a 2200 mile trip towing a 4K lb travel trailer. The Tacoma is a “best case scenario” tower. It will do it. I found it wonderful on flat highway, great in the mountains, but the long slight grades of Southern Nevada were horrible. Not enough power in s4 to maintain any speed, way too much power in s3. I don’t have a problem letting the engine rev 4200 for miles upon miles, but it took such little throttle input it was very uncomfortable. Also, cruise does not work in s3. The next problem was the small tank, which meant I had to fill up whenever possible, which was expensive. If you are going to be on the road for a couple years, buy a bigger truck and don’t compromise on the trailer.

 

Ha ha I beat you! Last summer when we went MTB riding in Bend, we had 30-40 mph headwinds the whole way. I got 8.6 mpg! Made it to Tri-Cities with 0.9 gallons left. Should have filled up in Ritzville but was planning on 10 mpg. Headwind was a killer. Truck towed ok with that headwind. just ok.

 

Sounds like fun, not!

30-40mph winds and I don’t tow. Especially head winds!

Times like that I wish the torque converter locked in 3rd gear.

 

What are you carrying inside the truck? I thought you had most of the stuff in your wifes car. Your front axle is couple hundred more than I’ve seen most, I wonder why, and trailer seems lighter than I would expect.

 

This is badass. Sweet shots. Got a drone too? Do you boondock often or is this passing through?

 

Yeah, I don’t use it enough.

We boon dock when we can but do like some luxuries most of the time.

Biggest issue is being able to carry enough water.

 

Was that trip boondocking? I’d love to but I imagine that’s a bigger truck and trailer.

 

That trip started Nov last year and ended July this year and was over 6k miles WA, OR, CA, AZ, NM, CO, NV, OR, WA. That was with the two cars as we thought AZ was going to be the final destination.

We’re back on the road with just the truck now… WA, OR so far. Trying to relocate and find a new home… will be checking out central CA coast again and inland a bit then likely check out northern AZ and maybe Austin & port Isabelle…

 

Thats quite a few miles. You probably have nearly as many miles on your truck as mine. I was looking, your bed doesnt look much longer, but im surprised it is. Did you just do the one pass at the scales to get gross combined? I hear norther AZ is nice. I would stay away from Austin, traffic nightmare and overcrowded.

 

The long beds have a 13” longer wheelbase, 10% longer.
I have just clicked over 20k miles.

Yeah just the one pass. Based on previous weighings my front axle is maybe 60lb light, I’m okay with that.

Scarily the trailer is likely 5,000lb now. This is the absolutely max that I want it to be.

Side note, Bend is a beautiful place, really pretty neighbourhoods with lots of trees! I may have to try and get a day fly fishing in this weekend.