Towing a small RV

I'm considering a small truck because I want to eventually buy an RV (16-20') around 3,000-4,000 pounds fully loaded. I've read that you shouldn't tow something above 60% of the tow rating because power/handling diminishes quickly.

Should I go with a full size truck to tow something that's 4,000 lbs, or will the Tacoma have plenty of power for that?

 

Lots of other variables, like tongue weight, frontal drag, elevation, hills, etc.
4k loaded (actually loaded with all your stuff and passengers) is doable, but if you intend to travel often, far, and explore mountain ranges, I'd go full size. If you're only traveling flat land, a couple hours out, a few times a year; Tacoma will do fine.

 

If it's 4K total, meaning adding passenger weight+ everything in bed+ trailer+everything in trailer like food and water and propane tanks+dog+skid plates and mods and that all equals 4K, then the Tacoma will be fine.
Pretty much every new person to towing forgets how much stuff weighs.
If a trailer weighs 4K lbs, by the time you add everything I listed above you now are close to 6K lbs and that is full size territory. The Tacoma can do 6K but now you will be riding the struggle bus.
Good luck.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

 

Agreed, I don't think most truly realize how quickly weight stacks on.
I can't remember the number, but this did summer, my buddy bought his first travel trailer. He was weighing his combo to look at how the weight distribution setup affected truck and trailer individual wheel weights. He realized two things. 1. His weight distribution was spot on. 2. How much SHIT his family packed in the truck and trailer!

 

IIRC.....

Don't forget the "payload" allowed in the truck to bring it up to Gross Weight doesn't include fuel or passengers Put 4 big guys and full tank in your Tacoma and it's maxed out by the book.....

We used to have a class A motorhome on a 2 1/2 ton chassis that was this way. Full tank of fuel, full water tank and the "optional" factory installed generator raised the weight to a point that we couldn't (by the book) tow more than 800lbs.

 

Keep it on the lower side of 3000 dry and it’ll do fine!
S4 + ECT = success