Need advise - 2014 2.7L 4 cylinder towing

I'm completely confused and need some straight forward help. Getting all kinds of mixed answers from RV dealers and other "experts" I have tried to find answer in the forums but having difficulty making sense of it all.

What I have: 2014 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab 2.7L 4 Cylinder. This model does not have a factory tow package and max tow is rated at 3,500. I had a 5,000 pound Pro hitch installed to pull our small pop-up camper. It does not have a brake controller installed as my current trailer does not have brakes.

What we want to Pull: GeoPro 15TB. Specs: 2483 dry weight, 366 tongue weight. We estimate gear/supplies for our typical trip to be 500 lbs spread between the trailer and truck bed. We will not pull loaded with water. Assume tanks empty for purpose of towing

It is just my wife and I. We live and camp in PA and most of our trips are weekends under 3 hours drive time. PA is not the Rockies but we still have plenty of hills.

Is this to much trailer for my Truck? In addition to a brake controller are there other additions i could make that might help, Weight distribution hitch etc.?

Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

Phil & Joanne

 

We'll I can relate my experience. I tow a 6x10 single axel cargo trailer with my 15 2.7 5 speed 4WD. Loaded down with my astronomy and camping gear I would think it weighs around 2300 lbs. Now add stuff in my bed (spare tire, water, tools), myself at 225 and my dog at 117. I tow over to Spruce Knob WV from Charlottesville VA about once a month. I use US 33 which has some pretty steep grades and switch backs. I have never had a problem. A manual helps with the hills. My truck also came with an installed OEM Hitch and 4 pin plug.
Where are you at in PA?

 

Thanks Nessmuk. We are from Lancaster Co and camp throughout the state. Sounds like you are into astronomy, just last week we were at Cherry Springs in Potter Co. I know very little about astronomy but there were a bunch of guys there with big expensive looking telescopes. https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/cherrysprings/

 

Any pictures of your 117lb dog?

 

That’s my trailer, scope and dog. When he was one year old he came down with an autoimmune disease that attacks the jaw muscles.He was on steroids for a year. He went from 97 pounds to 117, developed an obsession with food and is a wee bit overweight.
He rides on a shelf over the jump seats.
I’ve been to Cherry Springs several times over the years.

 

Refer to your insurance company. Watch out for clauses... loopholes.
"the case you describe, where you are knowingly (or a reasonable and prudent person should have reasonably known) exceeding the stated design limitations of your equipment, and your equipment fails causing some injury either to persons or property it's likely that you are incurring both criminal and civil liability. That's a very different scenario from the person who is towing within the design limits of their equipment and who makes a left turn in front of someone else. There may yet be criminal and civil liability in that case, but it's derived from an action, not necessarily derived from gross negligence, and it's doubtful that there would be punitive damages assessed on top of actual damages."