Just purchased a 25ft travel trailer. Should I have any issues?

Yup. That's pretty much the basics in a nutshell. Spent 35 years driving a semi, and yes, I KNOW it's a different set of rules and a different type of vehicle, but common sense and taking it easy is ALWAYS a good idea! Maintain your oil level, coolant level, keep an eye in your temps, and you should be fine! And, most of all, HAVE FUN!!

 

Awww, damn it!

 

It's worth noting that your tow rating is based on stock equipment, any larger tires or aftermarket brakes have the possibility to change it for the worse.

 

Lol the people selling you these big expensive items assured you they were going to be great for you?!

It's not going to be pretty or ideal, but it can happen. Drive slow and be careful.

 

Which beaches, and what routes?

 

my toyota dealer assured me as well... not just the rv dealer.

 

We will be going to myrtle beach im sure as well as some trips yo Florida at some point. Not likely this year to fl.

 

Take it easy going out I-40 and down Black Mountain, or down I-26 and Saluda.

 

Oh I'm sure they did

 

Enjoy. Just take it easy towing and keep an eye on your transmission temperature.

I tow a Jayco x213 (4,500lbs dry and 23ft). We're in the mountains usually towing between 3,500ft and 6,500ft on mountain roads. You know the trailer is back there but the Tacoma does just fine if your not afraid to make the truck work a little.

 

That is more than I'd be comfortable with, you are right at the limits and probably a bit over. But be careful, pack light and see how it goes. I'm betting you end up with a bigger truck or smaller travel trailer soon. The published tow numbers are confusing and misleading. Truck and camper salesmen want to make a sale and most aren't particularly knowledgeable. Technically, yes you are within the limits, but around 3500-5000 lbs is the practical limit for a Tacoma. This isn't just a Tacoma issue either. Even 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks are optimistic with their published tow limits. The numbers published are for ideal conditions with nothing inside the tow vehicle except a 150 lb driver.

The thing that gets most people is payload capacity. My truck is rated to tow 6500 lbs, but my payload capacity is 1200 lbs. If the trailer is loaded to max and you're using a weight distribution hitch the tongue weight is close to 1000 lbs. That only leaves slightly over 200 lbs for passengers and cargo inside the truck. With just me sitting in the drivers seat I'd be over loaded with a 6500 lb trailer. If you pack the trailer light you should be just under your payload capacity.

The truck has enough power to pull 6400 lbs. At least on level ground and at sea level. Try to pull it from Knoxville over the Smoky's to Cherokee and you'll really be struggling. Your engine will lose about 3% of it's power for each 1000' of altitude you gain. Newfound gap is 5000', so you'll have about 15% less power to work with. If I planned on towing in most of the western states where mountain passes are often 8,000-12,000' I'd not want to have much more than 3500 lbs behind me.

 

In my opinion, a trailer that size is not even fun to pull with a full sized half ton. It CAN be done, but you'll be in the slow lane and white knuckled the whole time. As others have said, a load distributing hitch and trailer brakes are a must. If you get rain, make sure and put it in 4WD. make sure all of your tanks are dry when you hook it up.

Will they let you pull it around for awhile before you buy it? If it's possible, that would be my best advice.

Here's a good video to show you what pulling will be like with that rig.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCkBmiZV09w

 

Completely different drivetrain though.

 

Won't that hurt the truck on pavement for distances?

 

unfortunately no, they won't let me pull it around before buying... We went on those in the advice giving roles about what the truck is able to do, etc. From what im hearing here, it seems we have made a big mistake and are kind of stuck. We have a brand new travel trailer and a2013 taco that I love and in nearly paid off that im likely going to have to get rid of.

 

You'll be fine, just set it up properly. Is your truck lifted? You may want some stronger rear springs or air bags. I'm lifted with old man Emu leafs and it rides great. I do short of want a tundra but I'll never get rid of the taco.

 

You'll be fine

 

It's amazing what an RV dealer will say, to get you into a trailer.

And, what a Toyota dealer will say, to get you into a new vehicle after you destroy your Tacoma.

 

If you don't like the way it pulls you can always move up to a tundra, they are good trucks too.

 

Not lifted.. I have the trd tx pro package... standard to the setup... will the tundra pull it with no problems?