Hybrid camper and Tacoma

How was the tow mode actuated?

 

There was a button on the shifter to select the tow mode.

 

Thanks for all the responses - good info!

 

The button on my shifter (it was on the end of the lever, marked with a D with a circle around it) locked out 4th and 5th gears.

This is from the 2011 Ridgeline Owners Manual. It is identical to what's printed in the 2008, 2012, and 2014 Manuals. There is no mention of tow mode in any of these manuals. It does not have tow mode. The button on the shifter is D3.

from the towing section…..

Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
When towing a fixed-sided trailer
(e.g., camper), do not exceed 55 mph
(88 km/h). At higher speeds, the
trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling.
When towing a trailer on level roads
under normal driving conditions, do
not use D3. This will increase the
automatic transmission fluid
temperature and may cause
overheating.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and use D3. Do not
‘‘ride’’ the brakes.

 

Ha.ve a 20 ft Wilderness trailer, 5100 lbs loaded. Just got back from a 900 mi. trip. Drove an average of 55 to60 mph and got about 12 mpg. No problems other than the hills. Am considering getting a supercharger to get the added power. Trying to find out if anyone has towed with one and if its worth the cost.

 

Damn , sold in 2 days

 

Read this thread….
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/performance-tuning/101063-trd-supercharger.html

 

I just started the whole towing thing myself. I purchased a used 2014 Starcraft RT 12, pop up toy hauler.
I learned very quickly that there is a concern with tongue weight. Tacoma's are not set up for much of a tongue weight as most other class III equipped tow vehicles.
The pop up is about 3300 or so, with a dry tongue weight of 450. That does not leave me much for the hauler part.
Consider where most of the weight is going to be on your camper purchase. It's very doubtful that the tongue weight of a non toy hauler will ever be a issue if the hauler part is in the rear.
When you start pressing tongue weights, then you get into load levelers etc....
stay small and light if you can.
I pulled the pop up from Denver to Pueblo and the Tacoma didn't indicate any issues with the 3300 or so, but I truly wouldn't want much more living in Colorado. If I ever load out the pop up and truck with a lot of gear, I can see that combo languishing up La Veta, WolfCreek, Monarch and others.
Good luck.

 

My 19' hybrid loaded had a 600lb. tongue weight and the weight distributing hitch made a big difference. I measured the height of the front bumper without the trailer then with the trailer hooked up adjusted the hitch spring bars to bring the front back down to stock height. That reduced the weight on the hitch and raised the rear so it wasn't squatting in the back, but still 2 to 3 inches lower than without the trailer. I had added the "Active Roadmaster" suspension system but later replaced that with air bags. My Tacoma has the tow package which has a class IV hitch.

 

Not to thread-jack but since this thread is about hybrids, I figured I'd post this here.

I have a 2013 Crew Cab Tacoma with 6spd & 3" lift.

I was thinking about upgrading my 16ft Travelstar(16rb) Hybrid to a 21ft Travelstar(21ssd) Hybrid with a Front Deck Toy Hauler.
I think it weighs in at around 4900lbs dry.
I'll never load any atvs but I thought the deck might be nice for hauling bikes and stuff.
Its overall length is about 31ft which seems like it might be a bit long.

Does anyone have any experience towing these or something similar?
I'm wondering how well the Tacoma will do with that kind of a load.

It pulls the 16 footer without even trying but it weighs in at about 3000lbs.
It's just a bit too small for the whole family.

 

My TT is 5k loaded. Don't think I'd want to pull anything heavier here in CO. You being in Utah and the trailer being 100lbs less than mine without putting a thing in it, I would not want to lug it around.

 

This is a 2014 Starcraft RT 12. I maxed out the water, put a generator on the deck (100lbs) and that was about it.
Previously the truck didn't balk with the trailer empty and dry, but it definitely noticed the water weight (350lb or so).
I also had the bed loaded with some propane, some tool, fuel, food, etc...
I would say I was close to 4K with trailer and gear. I haul it up to Lake DeWeese from Pueblo and the climb is 4600 to 8000 and most of it all in 20 miles.
IMHO, the tongue weight is the biggest issue with the Tacos. They will pull, but will suffer if you start creeping up to the 5K range.

 

I decided to bag the tow hauler idea. Too heavy. Starting at 500lbs and 31ft is a bit much I think. I bought a 21ft Kodiak 21QS with a rear slide out bed & bunks. Much better.
It actually tows amazingly well.
If anyone needs a 16ft hybrid, let me know. I'm selling mine.