Pull a Airstream 25FB (25' - 6000 lbs) with 09 Tacoma w/tow package?

I have a 2009 Tacoma double cab with the factory towing package and an electric brake controller. I am wanting to get an Airstream 25FB trailer which weighs about 6000 lbs, close to the 6500 lb tow max of the truck. I would plan on a weight distributing hitch w/sway control and maybe air bags, which I have read help. I would like to know if anyone has towed this (or a similar weight) trailer and how it went. The Airstream rounded corners should help. I realize a full size truck would be better, but really don't want to get another vehicle. Probably would not pull it too far per trip and not too fast a speed. Thanks.

 

Unless you are going less than 50 miles, its not gonna happen. That is a lot of weight and wind resistance. Plan on not getting out of 3rd gear and topping 50 mph.

 

Toyota has been using the SAE J2807 tow rating standard for a while. Here a link to what is required to meet the standard.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/features/no-go-for-standardized-tow-ratings.html

Basically the truck must endure towing the max weight rated, up a 11 mile long steep mountain grade in Colorado with two people in the cab and the AC system at full blast. Truck must maintain a speed of 45mph.

As koditten said, It will do it but it won't be graceful. You'll essentially be maxing your truck to its engineered limits. You should look into trading to a larger vehicle like a f150 or tundra.

 

See if the camper place will let your drive around with the camper for a bit.

 

You're going to need air bags also. I would have to recommend finding a smaller camper, or a larger truck.

 

Then get a smaller trailer.

 

I pull a small aluminum two horse trailer with mine, usually with one horse on board. The trailer is tall, 9"3", and I figure the weight is approx. 4000lbs, including tack, gear etc. My truck pulls it without any problem, although I'm not climbing any mountains. Having said that, as you get closer to the design max, performance can drop significantly. I've used F150's at close to their maximum, and it gets dangerous with basically no power, and no brakes. I've considered smaller Airstreams myself, something 20" or less. Also, most of load these things to the hilt with extra beer etc etc. You've got to watch the weight of cargo when you're pushing the limits.

 

Yes, but always remember that just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you should. I can actually imagine what that rig would be like to drive, only because I've cut corners like that myself in the past, when I was young and more risk accepting. Others sharing the road have to live with that risk as well. And, heaven forbid anything untoward were ever to happen, even if it wasn't your fault, there's a legal concept called contributory negligence, that is an escape door so that insurers can discount their settlement to you. Good luck!

 

Please, take the time to compare the capacity of your truck to the specs of the trailers you are looking at. I've towed a 31' Airstream Classic for many years, and used a 3/4 ton full size with a diesel.
If you look at the 25FB, the weight will gross out around 7300lb fully loaded, and the tongue weight starts around 835lb. Both figures exceed the capacity of our Tacomas.
I'm looking at new Airstreams now, to tow with my Tacoma, and feel that the 23FB would be the largest I could safely travel with. Personally, the 22 Sport looks to have a better margin of safety.
As a personal margin of safety, I try not to exceed 80% of any rated capability, with any mechanical equipment.
Look into the 'Hensley hitch' when you purchase your trailer.
Best of luck, Airstreaming is a blast!

 

Thaks to all for responding, particularly gunmaker who is looking at Airstreams. I decided to downsize the trailer.

 

The egg came *BEFORE* the chicken, technically speaking... not after. This is because the first actual chicken was hatched from an egg that was laid by a not-quite-chicken bird, that was ALSO hatched from an egg.

What I mean by that, is that you are assuming that the truck's limits are set based on the result of the test, when in fact, the test is just to validate the limits that have already been dictated. The test only impacts the truck's printed limit if it happens to FAIL the test.

To extend that, what THAT means, is that the truck can be UNDER RATED with respect to its engineering limits, which means that it could very well do BETTER than the testing requirements.

In fact, I can guarantee that it is underrated. No sane engineer or manufacturer would print limits that precisely match the vehicle's TRUE engineered limits when the kind of situation the product will be up against are so highly non-scientific as loading pickup trucks. While there are a few people who are going to measure the weight on every wheel and the tongue weight with a precision digital scale, most are just going to eyeball it. That pretty much means that the actual load could end up significantly ABOVE the printed limits -- and it has to be able to take it without the truck collapsing and without running down a bus stop filled with school kids.

The engineered limits are *AT LEAST* 50% higher than the printed limits. Which of course, does NOT mean that you should go there. What it does mean, is that if you are going to be precise and scientific about your load, there is no reason at all to assume that the truck can't do the work very competently.

EDIT: I recall reading somewhere about someone running a 4-cyl 4x4 against the J2807 test with a load at the limit of 6-cyl with tow package, and passing it. BARELY, but passed.

Its an interesting thing to look at... where your vehicle's limits really are with respect to the J2807 test. Doesn't change anything in terms of what you should do, but it gives you an idea what the vehicle is actually capable of.

 

Just thought I would throw my 2cents in, I know you are going to down size the trailer and that's cool. I have a 2013 Tacoma, 4x4, factory tow package, it's just a standard crew cab truck 5' bed. no TRD package. I tow a 25' TT dry is 4500# and loaded is 6000# with weight distribution hitch . engine wise the truck pulls it no problem, suspension wise it is tough on the truck. So I up graded the trucks suspension, heres what I did

added, 2000# helper springs - Helwig
3" Rancho lift
BF Good tires 285/70/17
Volant cold air intake with air ram scoop
throttle spacer
Flow master exhaust

It's like night and day towing the camper now, what a major difference. I guess my point is no matter what you by for a camper, I would still up grade the suspension, atleast add the 2000# helper springs. You can install them yourself in about an hour, very easy to do.