Teardrop towing question

I'm renting a teardrop (one of the TAG Boondock things) for a trip from CO to Oregon. It's 2200 lbs max and I don't think I'll have it loaded that full but a bit taller than the truck and wider. I read some comments that they kind of pull like shit. Oh well, it's what I rented. I'll have a fair bit of gear in the back, my big dog, and daughter so probably getting close to payload weight.

I've read a whole mix of advice from not using overdrive to using the ECT button to S5 being fine to needing a brake controller to not needing one, etc. so not really sure what to believe.

I have a 2017 with tow package.

For those who have or have towed something similar what advice do you have and what seems to work best?

Thanks.

 

You won’t need a brake controller, since that thing likely doesn’t have brakes at 2200lbs.
You might need extended towing mirrors (clip ons work). I tow my teardrop with a 4cyl 1st gen and it goes just fine. With 2200lbs, even with the truck loaded up, you’ll be fine. Just go slow and leave lots of braking room.

 

Thanks. I'll take back roads a much as possible as I hate the interstate anyway, but on the interstate what is a good max speed to stay below? I was thinking 65 but is that still too fast?

 

I pulled a 3000 lb popup for 13 years before moving to an enclosed travel trailer. I also pull a 10X6 utility trailer that is 1000 lbs empty and I regularly have 1500-2000 lbs in it. I won't say you'll not know it's back there, but you won't have any problems pulling it. The short length is going to actually be harder to back than a longer trailer.

As a default I'd not use OD. But IME with a trailer that light you can often use it depending on the terrain. Probably not in mountains or at elevation. But on level ground closer to sea level maybe. But you can't just put it in D and forget it. If you will read the terrain and shift out of OD as the terrain changes and before the engine starts to work hard you can. But you have to drive it like a manual and do the shifting. If you don't want to do that then forget about OD when towing.

Most trailer tires are only rated up to 65. I will hit 70+ for short distances when towing occasionally. But as a rule like to stay between 65-70 and closer to 65.

 

My teardrop is in the 1700lb neighborhood when loaded up for camping. I can't speak to the ECT or OD other than to say that you should take a look at what the manual says. Per TAG's information, all of their trailers come with electric drum brakes.

I can speak on the brake controller based off of personal experience towing my trailer with and without it. Personally, I always recommend it. My experience has been that the brake controller, once properly set up, makes for a much more enjoyable towing experience. Do you NEED it? I've towed without it and didn't die. It makes enough of a difference to me that I use it. You can always try to drive as safe as you possibly can but you can't stop other people from doing stupid things. Just make sure to follow the setup instructions for your particular controller. I can't speak for all of them, but Tekonsha has you drive around at 20mph adjusting the strength of the response until you get it dialed in.

Have fun out there!

 

The manual is kind of useless. Unless I missed it, it didn't say much about ECT and towing other than how to turn it on "in the mountains or when towing". I guess it's okay to use when towing, but not really clear if it's recommended or necessary.

 

Out of curiosity, how much is the rental costing you?

 

$45/night. I found a really good deal but all the extra fees really add up.

 

Dang thats a good deal! What should one watch out for on the fees?

 

IIRC (and it's been a while since I've had a model with the ECT switch) but ECT changes the shift points to allow the truck to rev higher before the transmission shifts. This happens at the expense of fuel efficiency, so it's default status is off. I looked up the manual for the '17 and you're right, it doesn't mention much about it. It does recommend that you do not tow with the automatic transmission in "D". They say that it's to help with engine braking and to charging system performance. The only reason I can think of the charging system being an issue is that Toyota is concerned that there will be a higher electrical load due to charging the trailer batteries; alternators typically don't put out their rated power when the engine is closer to idling.

 

I used Outdoorsy. They added $200 for insurance that is probably a scam but maybe better than nothing in the event of a crash. Plus their service fees and taxes. Almost doubled the cost but that was partly due to the overall lower cost of the rental. Still almost $300 in fees.

 

Drive smart and don't be in a hurry. Does the teardrop have electric brakes? If so, look into adding a brake controller. After all, you have your kid with you.

 

Geezus christ. They sound like the ticketmaster of rentals

 

I am interested to know the basis for comparison used for "they tow like shit". My thoughts immediately below and about me at bottom. Take ALL advice on TW with a grain of salt (including mine) and before you believe some random person on a forum on the internet, request they show you their trailer.

• A trailer brake controller IS ABSOLUTELY necessary IMO for those "oh crap" situation where you need to stop in a hurry because a random Elk wants to play chicken with your taco. It is also required by law for a teardrop that size and the trailer comes with brakes. I recommend the Redarc Tow Pro elite and have towed my XOC through Colorado without issue.
  • Edit: my apologies for the misinformation, I looked up Colorado law and 3K + lbs. is the threshold where CO law requires trailer brakes. It is up to you OP, but I wouldn't think about towing 2K+ through the mountains without a trailer brake. 42-4-223 is the code section.
  • Here is my brake controller install post
• I use a Scan Gauge II to monitor TP1 and TP2 transmission temp readings in real time - I highly recommend some sort of ODBII display app or device to anyone who tows so they can see, in real time, how transmission temperatures are effected as driving conditions change.
• My XOC is 3500 GVWR on Timbren 5000k rated suspension and I have a max coupler articulating hitch. I have been over Kenosha Pass in high winds and didn't even know the trailer was behind me. I have towed my XOC across I 80 at freeway speeds in strong headwinds with big rigs and have had zero issues with sway. Also: ignore anyone who recommends a weight distribution hitch teardrops do not need them.
• ECT mode just moves the shift points in the electronically controlled transmission to hold shift points longer to accommodate towing
• Search for "Tacoma Towing Bible" and read up on why OD gears can be a bad thing in certain towing situations. With stock gears I never go into S6 when towing and only use S5 in downhill or flat situations where the Taco doesn't have to work to maintain speed. If you are in OD gears and the Taco is working to maintain speed you will see the temps leaving the torque converter (TP2) get hot quick.
• Don't be afraid to run your Taco in the 3-4.5 K RPM range. Through the Colorado mountains (285S) from Denver to Salida there were parts of the drive where I had to drop down to S3 and S2 in a few steep cases to maintain speed. Our V6s have more horsepower than torque and peak HP happens at or about 5K RPM so these engines need to rev to get the most HP and TQ out of them. Some people get uncomfortable when their motor goes over 3.5K.

My rig:






Note: I am running dry here since temps are below freezing still. about 350 lbs on Axle 1 is the trailer tongue weight. Keep that in mind.

 

Yes on the Redarc brake controller. Is your Tacoma pre-wired? Not flat pin...some of the more competent comments I've seen on this site have installed their own Redarc brake controllers. I am too old and "chunky" to fit my body under the dash so I had mine done for me. Good Luck!

 

Thanks for all the info. The "pulls like shit" came from someone's post here I think. I was just googling for info and saw that. One point of reference, but being a bit taller and wider I can see how that might be possible.

I think the rental might come with a brake controller. I'll double check. I have the tow package so assume I have wires under the dash for it but couldn't find them when I briefly checked.

I was also planning to pick up some ODB2 bluetooth device and just use my phone to check temps. Might run it for a while to get a sense of how things respond.

I've had to run in 3rd up I70 for sections with just an empty truck. Kind of wondering how it will pull a trailer. Fortunately, I'm actually picking up the trailer in Utah so no I70 . Was much cheaper there and I save pulling it for a section were I don't need it.

 

I just wanted to add a +1 on the brake controller - it only helps and can't hurt. Mine is a Prodigy P2 and it fits nicely in the storage slot above the cargo light switch, on the left side. Shop that installed it screwed it in under those buttons originally and I was hitting it every time getting in and out, so I cut off the back off the storage cubby and it works great there.

 

Check to see if the trailer has electric brakes, if not...a Brake Controller is not an issue for your Tacoma. Youtube has plenty of resources for installing a Redarc Brake Controller if you go that route.

 

What is smart and what many choose to do are many times different.
Yes, brake controller if trailer has brakes. Contact person you’re renting from and ask.
Go with your trucks owners manual towing section.
I tow my NuCamp 320 Boondock, the T@g’s larger brother with trans in S and ECT on. But it’s heavier, 2300 lbs and more wind resistance. I stick to 65 mph or less since I’m never in a hurry.
Btw, a T@g Boondock weight is around 1416 lbs.

 

I got an OBD scanner and the OBD fusion app. So far, I cannot find a way to add the transmission temp. I found some info about doing it manually using PIDs but I cannot find good info on how to do that. Is that best way or am I missing something?