Help!! Please!! Realistic Towing Capability 22’ Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab V6 Automatic 4x4

Hello!! I’m brand new to this forum , however , I’ve always turned to it when looking for answers to questions that I have. I thought I’d become a member before asking the following question!!
My wife & I want to purchase an RV bumper pull travel trailer and I NEED to know if my RIG will tow it around the country!! My truck is a 2022 TRD SPORT DOUBLE CAB 3.5 V6 w/6 speed automatic transmission with the tow package. The trailer we have selected is 4,493 lbs Dry Weight and cargo capacity is 1,300 lbs but the max cargo we would have is around 600-700 MAX but let’s just say we might be towing 5,400 lbs. I know my truck is rated at 6,400 lbs and I’ll be at least 1,000 to 1,200 lbs under that but I’m wondering if ANYONE in this Forum can tell me realistically if my Rig will adequately pull a trailer with these weight specifications!! Looking to purchase the trailer fairly soon. Thank You , in advance , to any feedback!! Brian..

 

Welcome Brian, nice looking truck you have there!
Over 5k lbs is going to be a struggle with the Tacoma.
Other things to consider
-weight of passengers, fuel, luggage etc are part of the equation too,, not just the weight added to the trailer
-size of the trailer, or the wind resistance; while they make them light, there are still many that are essentially huge wind sales
-towing expectations; some folks are retired, and don't mind camping the right lane at 52 mph. Some have a family (adding more weight) and expect to jet out at 17:00 Friday, and need to have the kids back Sunday evening. Between the small fuel tank and horrible MPGs you will have, frequent stops will be necessary. Also add length, a 200 mile trip maxed out is much more doable than a 2k mile trip.
-terrain: towing in the mountains is far different from flat 4 lane. Same goes for wind, since you are looking to tow at near max
-not a huge deal, but the rear leaf springs are barely adequate for hauling a Cosco or Sams run, so you will be looking to add not only a weight distribution hitch (added to your bumper weight) but rear bags, springs, or some form of help

 

Couple questions? Did it come standard with the tow package? If so, it'll have the upgrade engine oil and transmission cooler, along with the bigger alternator and trailer sway controller. You'll have to install a trailer brake, if not done so already. Staying well under the maximum capacity, especially it mountainous ranges will greatly add to the towing enjoyment. ECT button for climbs and hills. Staying under 6k max weight will mostly reduced wear and tear on truck, along with giving the option of "best" achievable mpg.

 

Look at your drivers door jam and find your payload capacity. That capacity includes occupants, truck additions, everything being carried in the cab and bed and the tongue weight of the trailer. Tacomas reach their rated capacity quickly.

As for towing, a conservative but safe rule of thumb is to limit your towing weight to 80% of the rated capacity. Yes, folks exceed that often.....I don't and I tow a travel trailer.

You can improve the squat of the trucks rear and its handling with suspension improvements but that does not change the payload capacity or the towing capacity.

My 23' TRD Offroad double cab long bed has a very sucky payload capacity just under 1,000 lbs. My trailer has a tongue weight of around 400lbs so I have to be very careful what goes in my truck. I solve this problem by carrying items in my trailer because my towing capacity is 6,500lbs and my trailer weight is just north of 3,000lbs loaded up prior to adding some additional items that I balance out in the trailer carefully in relation to the trailers single axle. I also added a Road Active Suspension to the rear and use a weight distribution hitch....The truck has built in sway control as part of the factory tow package.

Take your time selecting your trailer. Do your research and don't get sucked into picking your trailer based solely on its interior size and amenities. Pulling a trailer that a tow vehicle can't do fairly easily or safely is no fun.

Good luck

 

Welcome to TW.
Looks like you have a long bed (6').
Tongue weight of the trailer you're considering should be around 500-600 lbs. Right off the bat that gets subtracted from your payload capacity (look at the sticker on the door jamb). As does the weight of the drive & passengers and any other stuff you load into the bed.
You WILL want a trailer brake controller. If your Taco came with a trailer hitch receiver and the 7-pin wiring outlet, the wiring should be in place to connect the controller (assuming that the trailer is equipped with brakes).
Pulling the trailer and your total cargo is possible, although your acceleration will be reduced.
Stopping the combined Taco + trailer is another story, especially if you DO NOT install a brake controller.
Good luck. All previous comments also apply.

 

Thanks “ Chew “ for the reply and helpful suggestions. It’s just my wife & I and we will be going up into the mountains. I knew it was going to be pushing it , that’s why I’m in this forum asking you guys in here that know much more about these trucks and their capabilities than I do. I special ordered this truck and it’s LOADED!! I went with every available Factory option except for the 360 degree camera ( I’ll never go off roading ) and the lock on the tailgate!! I’m assuming the “ Tow Package “ gives me everything I’ll need. Hmm So perhaps if I keep my Tacoma and purchase this trailer I should just do a ONE-DAY drive away from home trip and leave it at that so I won’t be hating a long 3,000 to 4,000 mile round trip. When I ordered this truck I wasn’t planning on towing at all , however , I decided to RETIRE March of 2024 at the age of 60!! Life changes , Right? I don’t want to damage my RIG , it only currently has 4,936 miles on it and that includes an 1,100 mile trip from Southern Oregon to Sun City West Arizona last year. We sold our home that we owned for 20 years and decided to move to an area where our retirement income goes a lot farther!!

 

With the right equipment your truck will do it.

Personally I wouldn't want to be towing a 5,400lb trailer up I70 in Colorado or I64 in West Virginia with my 3.5L Tacoma as the engine will be singing RPMs.

Up steep grades or at 9k ft elevation you're not going to have fun.

The flatlands at sea level will be a breeze.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIbNCARLLZA




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKMJdwJWggI




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG4BafVOn7g






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCxilrvtICM


It will tow yes, but it won't be as comfortable as towing with V8 Tundra or F150, and you will need to watch the transmission temp%.

From my own experience, i haven't towed anything but instead hauled over 1700 lbs with bed and rear & passenger seats full and truck felt very planted on the road and didn't feel much power shortage other than uphills on 5 hour trip.

 

Thanks xBloodxLinex for the reply and suggestions. Whatever my truck has for towing came with it from the factory!! I special ordered this truck with every available FACTORY option except for the 360 camera ( I’ll never take it off roading) and the lock on the tailgate. I’d be TOTALLY willing to add whatever necessary to give my Rig the ability to tow this trailer we want to travel around with! It’s just my wife and I.. I realize fuel mileage will suck and traveling at a nice 60-70 mph clip isn’t feasible either. When I ordered this truck I wasn’t planning on towing anything , however , my wife & I decided to retire March of 2024 and so here we are , wanting to travel and see the countryside with an RV..

 

Minimum (in my opinion) for the truck:

• Trailer brake controller - either Redarc or Tekonsha.
• Rear spring support to fix your sagging rear - either a progressive AAL (add-a-leaf) or firestone Airbags.

For the trailer:

• Weight distributing hitch.

For the driver:

• Patience while going from point A to point B
• Understanding the trailer's weight and balance (example.. where are the fresh/gray/black water tanks and how they impact weight distribution.)

Congrats and have fun.

 

Thanks Radd for the reply and suggestions. Sounds like I’m trying to do way more than my Rig will be capable of doing. Question? Based on my Rig what would be the MAX tow weight GVWR that you suggest? What trailer do you have? Thanks again for the help.

 

Thanks CT Yankee for the reply and suggestions.

 

Thanks Gen3TacomaOBX for the reply and suggestions.

 

I think you are asking all the right questions and I bet you will end up with a trailer and towing set up you will enjoy. You have a better cargo capacity that I do so you should be ok there just by doing the necessary math. As for towing capacity, most of us here will tell you that 6,500lbs is technically doable but really no fun. Just my take, the V6 Tacoma when utilizing the S drive and the ECT a total towing weight south of 4,000 lbs is pretty doable. Keep in mind that is nothing more than my unscientific opinion.

As for my trailer, I'm an ex tent camper and motorcycle camper so radwife and I don't look to a travel trailer as our main hang out. We need a full size bed, a small dinette, stove, sink, good sized fridge, heat, air conditioning and a bath room and shower, a wet bath works for us. We spend our time outside in camp unless the weather is bad.

I found that most folks at travel trailer shows or sailboat shows, when I was a sailor, go inside first and then get seduced by the interior. Capability, reliability and performance are far more important than a pretty interior.

I'm also very biased against stick built rigs, been there. They tend to leak and have no decent resale value in a few years. For all the reasons I stated we went with a fiberglass Casita. It is a family owned company in Rice Texas and they been building basically the same few models for 40 years. A plus, there is no middle man, no dealerships, you can only buy new from the company then make the pilgrimage to Rice for the pick up or they will deliver.

They cost more than stick built but they hold their value. My 10 year old one is selling used for what I paid for it or more.


Yes,I know....I'm a fan boy! However I have no affiliation with the company

I'll shut up now

 

Cute trailer!! Nice Truck!! I LOVE my Tacoma. It rides , drives , handles like a dream and feels like a full-size pickup the way it feels going down the road. Very comfortable

 

Casita fans unite. I've owned 3 Casitas over a span of 20 years.. all excellent and 2 were sold for thousands more than paid.

We've evolved to a motorhome and tow the Tacoma... but I miss the simplicity, low/no maintenance and affordability.

 

Hey Brian, well you’re gonna get a lot of good answers here. If you want some more
specific information, also check this post and the Towing forum:

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

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/towing.34/

 

Congrats on the early retirement!
Maybe see if they will let you take the camper out for a test drive? I doubt they will, as this would kill their (and the truck market's biz).
I'd hate to see you loose your shorts on either the truck or the trailer,,, though I'd bet the truck has a much better resale value.