Let’s cut to the chase. Towing.

Use the towing forum.

 

Take your max tow capacity (lets use 6500)
multiply by 80 percent. Safe to leave a cushion, never go to the max.
6500 x 80%= 5200.
Now take 5200 and subtract your average load. You said 500 to 800 lbs.
5200-800= 4400.
You should be looking at max dry weight of 4400 lbs.

 

That’s it. Being able to do it vs it not sucking are two totally different things.

This is a tough question. Keep it under the max rating (tongue weight and combined vehicle weight) and drive slower the heavier you get. But you already knew that. Forget about dry weight though, you’ll want propane and water in the trailer and that plus some utensils and beer will add the better part of 1,000#.

Weight is a major factor but so are the aerodynamics of the trailer so we can’t just say stay under 4,000# and you’ll be fine. All we can say is the lighter the better and don’t buy it unless they let you test it (loaded, tanks full, etc) first. Otherwise you’ll just end up with regret.

 

If you don't have room for a First Gen Tundra then I highly doubt you have room for the Tacoma either.

 

Yup.... unless we’re talking inches of clearance.

 

It all boils down to performance, safety, weather conditions and terain. I understand people dont like throwing negativity at the tacoma but I can agree with the O.P. The Tacoma is not meant for Long Distance heavy load or rugged terrain towing. I use my tacoma to pull quads on a 12ft trailet and struggle all the time. I will gladly admit I love my truck but Ive learned to accept its not a tow rig. Any other belief is ......

 

It isn’t just about weight...




https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-towing-accident.508279/#post-15934378

 

Unless you’re boondocking I see no reason to be towing a camper with a full tank of water.

 

Just look at the yellow sticker in the door jamb. That tells you your payload (gross - curb weight) so you don’t need to go weigh your truck. I’d bet it’s around 1,200lbs for a 2WD. Then subtract passenger and cargo weight.

 

2nd. I always filled up at the campground when I had a camper.

 

That means nothing. Those crashes usually happen because the driver did something stupid. Either loading, securing, or driving. My minivan could tow that little trailer with ease.

 

This forum is full of people who think their truck is broken if it revs to 3000 ever. I’m in a second gen but it’s mostly the same. I’ve pulled a 4500lb boat + trailer hundreds of miles and it’s fine. Sure it’s not as comfortable as a half ton but the truck did it fine and safely. If you’re stressed about your MPG dipping when you tow buy a diesel.

 

I tow this with no problems. It looks bigger in the pic but it’s 4130lbs dry. Probably wouldn’t do 75mph, wouldn’t want to hear from all the winers who are scared to pu a bag of sand in the back of their truck. I have a good wdh and a good brake controller. I tow it maybe 5 or 6 times a summer. If I wanted to go cross county I would have kept my tundra.

 

Thanks for making my point. I was gonna say, don’t be this guy.

 

The issue is not reving to 3000. Listening to it for hours on end isn’t a comfortable towing experience. When you aren’t comfortable or are annoyed your whole trip you make mistakes and your attention is not focused on the road. When we talk about safe towing being relaxed and attentive are at the top of my list.

 

Thank you.

 

I just bought a 17foot Travel Trailer dry weight of 2900. brake controller, sway and distribution hitch on before moving off the stealership.
Coachmen allegedly has a rule you must take delivery with 1/3 tank of fresh water. Towing home sucked. By sucked I mean I forgot to put it in ECT so the transmission was hunting all over even in S4 because the wind and rain. Florida flat last weekend and this weekend towed 80 miles each way both times in S mode plus ECT, no water in tanks, one wife and one small dog. Still my perception was that I am really glad we didn't get a RV with slides or tandem axle (bigger). It tows fine, stops fine, but that damn engine noise when it drops to 3rd on the slightest grade (remember I'm in Florida). I had delusions of pulling it cross country but leaning towards either just short annoying trips or trading up. NO way even this (guessing) loaded weight of 3500 no water in tanks would be fun in the mountains.

 

You have to consider 2 things. How much weight the drivetrain pull is the only one most people want to talk about. That is 6500 lbs with my truck and I have no doubt it will pull that much weight. A few years ago I pulled an F250 diesel truck AND a loaded stock trailer for a short distance with no problems. The total weight was probably over 15,000 lbs.

But the real limit is how much weight the suspension will handle. There is a sticker on the drivers door with the payload and the Gross, Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) listed on it. Not all trucks are the same due to different cab styles, 4X4 or 4X2, bed length, options. This is your limit.

My truck has a 1200 lb payload. That means 1200 lbs including tongue weight, passengers, cargo, and any modifications done to my truck. The GVWR is 5450 lbs. If I subtract 1200 from 5450 that means my truck weighed 4250 lbs when it left the factory and the suspension can handle 1200 lbs. Your truck will be somewhat different, check the door jamb.

My truck has a 180 lb cap on it, and I weigh 220 lbs. That leaves me 800 lbs for cargo and tongue weight. A 5000 lb trailer with 13% tongue weight is 650 lbs. With a 5000 lb trailer I'm left with 150 lbs for my wife to ride, but no more payload for any other cargo in the truck. Which is cutting things pretty close.

Realistically my truck tops out at about 4000-4500 lbs. I'd probably pull 5000 if I were to pack carefully, I'd probably still be a bit over loaded.

This isn't unique to Toyota, almost all trucks run out of payload before reaching their towing limits. I have a friend with an F250 diesel rated to tow 15,000 lbs with a 2200 lb payload. With 3 adults in the cab with 200 lbs of cargo and a 10,000 lb trailer he is overloaded. The tongue weight + a WDH required for 5000+ lb trailers gives him 1400 lbs on the tongue. Leaving only 800 lbs for passengers and cargo.

 

Look at getting a dry weight around 75% max. You will also want to make sure you dont get something with a huge profile, and look for one with a curved nose. Try to stick to tandem axle with brakes on both axles. Get a good wd hitch with anti-sway. Sumo springs or airbags will help handling also.

 

Yes, tongue weight seems to be an issue with the tacos. These trucks are awesome, but towing isn't their most noted attribute. They can do it obviously. But many add airbags and aftermarket susp to do heavier items. If u tow often get a full size with a V8. If you tow heavy often get a diesel.