I want to tow a Airstream Caravel 16, do I have this right?

Hi TW comrades,

I've got a 2020 TRD OR DCLB, with tow package, vehicle GRN310L-PRTSHA in the owners manual. We are looking at a 2021 or 2022 Airstream Caravel !16RB and I want to make sure the Taco is up for it. I am surprised at my research, as it seems the Taco will barely make the cut, do I have this all correct? All values in pounds.

Tacoma GVWR 5600 (max weight of Tacoma total, cargo, passengers etc from sticker in door)
Vehicle Capacity weight 940 (for GRN310L-PRTSHA in the owners manual & door sticker)
Caravel 16RB GVWR 4300 (from AS)
Tongue weight 430 (10% of trailer GVWR, although AS quotes 490 for TW)
Tacoma capacity with TW 940-430= 510
Wife and I 300
Leftover Taco cargo 510-300= 210 lbs.

Can I really only carry 210 lbs in the Taco with the wife if we are hauling this Caravel? So much for bringing the dirtbike and gear. This seems like the DCLB 4x4 really annihilates any cargo carrying capacity. Wish I knew I wanted an Airstream when I bought the truck, which I love only slightly less than my wife. Maybe I could put more of the cargo in the trailer, and keep the weight aft and add a WDH, but, that will not reduce the tongue weight.

If anyone has any experience hauling a comparable weight trailer with my configuration, please share you experiences. We live in the SE, and the Appalachians will be the most extreme hills and elevation we will be able to get to with our limited time off. Please let me know what you know. Cheers -Dave

 

I'll add we will probably only be able to use this one or two weekends a month at most. Not heading for Alaska or Patagonia. Unfortunately.

 

Looks like your numbers are right. You'll likely want a WDH which is another 75lbs or so subtracted from your payload. Tacoma's have low payloads, especially the double cab long beds. You won't hurt anything exceeding the payload rating but will need to upgrade your suspension to handle the weight without riding on the bump stops.

 

Thanks Crazy Race Doc, where does one start with adjusting the suspension knowing the trailer/tongue weight? Are you thinking of stiffer springs, air bags, other? I assume you're referring to the stock suspension being too soft, specifically the rear. Does the WDH not take some load off the rear axle and shift it to the front? Do you suggest upgrade the rear end even with a WDH? Cheers - D

 

I'm towing a 20' Flying Cloud (a few hundred pounds heavier than a 16") with my 2019 Offroad access cab (V-6 w/ auto). A correctly adjusted WDH really handles the trailer tongue weight.

I can't carry much in the bed, but even the Smart Cap caused a noticeable sag. A few other things that are still within the numbers cause a droop that needs correction. I added Firestone Ride-Rite airbags to help with the sag (not from the trailer weight). I'm still looking for a better solution. I can't figure out how to stop the high-frequency bouncing that occurs on some types of highway surfaces, so I just want to solve the unhitched rear end droop.

Pete

 

Yeah, I know, different trailer. I towed my Satelite 17RB(approx 3300lbs) with my ‘19 Sport. I’ve run Airlift bags on 5 previous trucks with no gripes. They work great. This truck I tried something different. I went with Wheelers 1.5 AAL because just adding the ARE topper, OEM bedmat and toolbox dropped my rear an inch or so. Not shown in pic is my Fastway E2 WDH. This trip we were just going to next county. Without it the truck handles fine, but it doesn’t bounce as much with it. I didn’t do the exact numbers but I’m still in spec. We, my wife and dog, travel light. Usually just my Weber 2000 grill in truck and sometimes our bike on the roof.

 

Thanks Aquatic. I'll give an AAL a try. I like the air bag's adjustability, but the shaking/bouncing is dangerous and has to be hard on the truck and the trailer.
Pete

 

A WD hitch and 5160s really helped my bouncing. Make sure to play with your hitch settings as well and set it up right. I leave two links hanging for short drives where I’m not to concerned about bouncing and three hanging when I’m going to be on the freeway or extended drives.

As for OP being at max weight
It kind of is what it is. I’m constantly over GVW and the truck handles it good. But you need to load your truck up and see how it handles. Try some quick stops and maneuvers and see how your truck handles it and if your comfortable with it. Everyone’s different. The ratings are made for a reason but I also think there’s a pretty big safety margin. Have fun with the new truck and trailer!

 

WDH and OME Medium Duty leaf spring upgrade made a huge difference for me. WDH alone didn’t help the sag created by the tongue weight from my single axle 18’ camper.

As an FYI, with the weight you plan to tow, just be ready for your mileage to be cut in half. I have the 6 speed MT, and can only get out of 5th gear if going down a hill. Our trucks don’t have good mileage in the base case, and towing a heavy load hurts any vehicles numbers.

I just wish we had bigger gas tanks to get further between stops

 

I have the Roadmaster active suspension and it controls bounce really well. Even left to right rocking. 5100 lb Grand Design 17MKE