Towing 22 foot camper

A lot of thoughts about pop ups. I was there with a Starcraft RT 12 I think. Awesome to tow, nice storage deck...and then it sucks. Setting up on uneven ground can be a pain as the tent structure can twist, door is hard to fit if there is a slight tilt or twist, cables and lifting mechanics need TLC, hot and cold, just like a tent except a nicer bed. Pop ups sell to high, and hold no resale. I traded the RT for a Springdale mini hardside. It is going to kill the mpg....especially if I have any headwind. I will take the loss for the ease of set up associated with it. A hardside will hold its value a little better, but all RVs take a dump as soon as you buy. Research, research, research. Spend time looking at all the RV places you can get to.

Good luck.

 

This mirrors my experience with pop ups

 

Yup. I will say pop ups offer some advantages, but then there are the disadvantages. I can toss in my fishing kayak on the floor of the mini, and that meets my goal. Having a pop up is a drill and execution. I had a wood broom handle for the canvas to push in so the top would close. I sold it for just about the same as I paid after a year.

Hardside from now on for me. A/C, mirowave, if I need it. Sealed in for heat, but not 4 seasons, but no way in hell am I going out when it's below the 30's... on purpose. First trip is going to be Bueno Vista on the upper Arkansas, or Cotton Wood lake, or Deweese in a few weeks. Waiting for the ice to thaw. Trout should be very hungry for some Pistol Pete's.

 

Way over weight for that truck. Hope you wont be anywhere near my family on the road..Truck is too light to handle that much boat..

 

I also have a small tent camper that I've had for 8 years. So I'm used to tent camping.

I'd like a hardside camper but they were either older or more expensive. The new popup will work well for now.

 

Brake controller well worth cost.

 

Yep I would have to agree with this as well. On a side note my RPOD is actually lighter than a lot of pop ups too. Still a killer with the wind, but similar trailer isn't. The tear drop design does help with the wind some though.

 

Doubt "well" is the word to describe that towing experience.....over 2k over tow rating

 

'16 Taco TRD OR w/tow pkg. 09 Chalet high wall, 1800lb dry. Slipstreams very nicely. (Might to an axle switch from over to under for more clearance). No bathroom, but that's easily taken care of. Have camped in it well below freezing temps, toasty. Insulated walls.
Live on the coast of California (Up near Oregon) , but have pulled it all through the Oregon Cascades, to Yellowstone, and across Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.
Pulls very well. PM me if you like.

 

Isn't doing things like exceeding tow ratings on vehicles kinda setting one self up for nasty possibilities like, getting your insurance company to ignore you in case of incident, and getting sued with no defense? Just curious.
Not to say we shouldn't be able to do whatever we want, its OUR truck and trailer, etc.....

 

Exactly!

 

Agreed.
Important to note it says right in the manual recommended max tow speed is 100 km/h (60 mph).
I think a comfortable 90-100 km in good conditions is comfortable for the Taco. I was towing home a 3500 lb dual axle earlier this week (6 spd MT) and found between 90-100 was just right. No need to flap your dick in the wind and go 120 -130 km/h like some of the douches out there on the road (no matter what size your truck).

 

I have no problem driving 65-70mph when towing a reasonably sized trailer in good weather. I also have no problem driving 55-60 in snow, but there is no way you should be doing more than 45 when towing in the snow. You probably wouldn't want to do 70mph at the max capacity either.

 

I think 4000 lb would be just fine.
I picked up a camper unit this week (3500 lb dry) and towed it home with just my standard hitch (no weight dist) and no brake controller set up done yet because of time constraints. I felt confident in the trucks stability and power. I noticed big speed losses at rolling hills though and found getting into 4th gear (6 spd MT) before the hill I was able to maintain speed. Worth noting im running E range 265 / 70/ 17s at the moment. Also noting I was able to maintain cruising speed comfortably in 6th gear without downshifting. Even some passing on the flats in 6th gear as well.

Good luck

 

When driving w/o trailer your priorities are different than driving with a trailer. I always factor in more time driving into my itinerary. I have no issues going at a lower speed. I just turn up the radio, sip my coffee and enjoy the ride. What's the rush when pulling a trailer?