The Taco That Could

Hey guys.... I'm sure that this has been brought up before but I'm curious about specifics and what everyone's input would be for myself specifically.

So my wife and I are going to be PCSing from Cali to Florida in February and then doing a bunch of moving around (due to training for my job with switching to the reserves from active duty and what not). We're heavily, heavily considering moving into an rv/travel trailer for the the next two years or so just to make our lives easier with the moving. So with that said...

What is the max length and weight y'all would feel comfortable with trailering in a Tacoma? For baseline I have a 2007 TRD Sport with the trailering package. It's lifted (3 in. up front with 2 in. blocks in the rear) but my wife has given me the go ahead on new leaf springs to combat the weight of a trailer.

We looked at fifth wheels and getting me a new truck to tow a 30 some odd foot trailer with, but with the economy and our age, we are no where near well off enough to afford that. So we are looking at smaller travel trailers for the time being. With upgrading in the future (fingers crossed!!).

Soooo with all that said, what do y'all think? Could I tow a 20 to 26ish foot long trailer with a tacoma from place to place in FL for long term living? Or should I look smaller? And if y'all can't recommend a large enough trailer to be towed by our trucks, I obviously have a plan for that but this is more so for ease of mind. (Because screw TMO!!)

Thanks everyone!

 

Here is the Towing forum so answers most of your questions in great detail:
The Tacoma Towing Bible | Tacoma World

The rear springs with a weight distro hitch and brake controller will be required. Any setup you decide on weigh it loaded as empty to full adds another 1500 lbs or so - really and if you pack all your living stuff in probably more. You have to find a place to park that trailer in FL so look at that cost. Long term will require a sewer hookup or you will be using the community shower and wife will hate you.
6 months at least AC will be ON and never off so loud inside as you are in basically an uninsulated metal box - we lived in a 26 ft by the beach and hard to hear the TV (over air only) with AC running.
After 1 year sold it and stayed married ha ha. Sounded great to save costs but reality of it kind of sucked. Sites with good hookups are not cheap but most bases have low cost campgrounds but may require moving the trailer every week or two so look into that before you buy a now overpriced trailer (cost doubled for them the last 2-3 years). Lastly hanging out in lawn chairs in FL may require alot of bug spray!!! Just wanted to give you some things we learned so enjoy whatever way you go. It was an experience.

 

I pull a trailer with a 2015 Dblc. Trailer weighs in at #3000. Truck and trailer weigh in at 8400. Truck has a Head Strong AAl in the back. Tows "heavy" and feels heavy. Constantly on the bump stops. Just ordered new springs from Alcan yesterday. Lew put me in #1300 over stock with 1" lift. In my opinion the truck needs springs if you tow anything but a canoe behind it...

 

Good to know I appreciate it!!

 

We did this when we were young and full of ideas and it sucked...sounds romantic and fun, for about 6 weeks it was, and then the Eglin heat and humidity hit...it was no longer fun nor romantic.

but to each their own, and call me in about a month and tell me how its going...August...Florida...what could go wrong..

as far as the truck, yeah, they dont tow much, and crossing the country while towing a trailer..better be a super light trailer! My advice, Do a DITY move, make some money from it, and buy a trailer once you get there. Good Luck on the PCS and are you going AGR?

 

Well I was born and raised in FL and camped all over the state as a kid so I’m used to the temps. No I’m going TR out of Herby.

 

Id say ~5K lbs max to tow comfortably.

 

I didn’t read the other responses.
Because the below is my opinion.

Short Answer (or opinion) is​

I wouldn’t want to tow a trailer that large and loaded with a Tacoma.

Long answer is​

Length is more about convenience. But with length comes weight.
It is the weight you should focus on. And personally, I feel like the Tacoma is working hard at 4,000 lbs or more. Use your gears, let the engine do the work. Not the transmission.
Trailer brakes are going to be a must. First thing on the list needs to be a brake controller.

My opinion is, Budget for a new truck. And up grade to a larger truck as soon as you can if purchasing a 24’+ trailer. (Again, it’s more about the weight)
Sure the Tacoma can pull about 6k lbs, but it’s not something I’d recommend doing often.
If you are only going to pull it a few times, and not too far. You might be ok.

While I personally have never owned a travel trailer, family members have and none have ever said more space wasn’t nice.
Only once, did anyone I know sell because the trailer was too large.
But that was because the trailer was bought to live in while the owner was going through a divorce.
Once the divorce was over, the trailer didn’t fit well at the new house. And the truck was a bit small for the size of trailer.