Towing Suggestions

You're welcome btw MB=Mid Bath, RB=Rear Bath and BH=Bunkhouse.

This was my second choice but it was a brand new floorplan and hard to find a couple years ago.

https://www.keystonerv.com/travel-trailers/bullet/floorplans/211bhswe-travel-trailer/

Two of my buddies have Bullet's, they're nice.

 

I see, thank you! I'd thought mb was in reference to the bed haha. Thanks for clarifying

 

Edited after you quoted

 

Don't look at the jayco/forest river brands if your intent is to live in them full time. As a forest river owner, even camping 1-2 weekends per month requires constant maintenance. Constant. Campers just are not meant to be lived in.

Look at a tiny house. And then look for a truck that can tow a tiny house. Better yet, if you only plan on moving the trailer 2-3 times per year, rent a truck to tow the trailer and keep the taco.

 

If you're going to be living in it and move it rarely get the biggest you can and just rent a truck when it comes time to move it.

 

Go hire a towing company to move your trailer to your location. It will be cheaper and safer than trying to outfit the Tacoma.

 

I think as long as your within spec all the way around for the truck you should be ok. I’d save a little money and get a nice weight distribution hitch with sway bar and brake controller. Maybe gather up all the gear you think you will take with you and you can add that into your trailer weight. Also a long trailer can be just as bad as a trailer that’s to heavy. But if only towing a few times every few years I would get the biggest trailer I could safely tow and remember to take it slow and you won’t have any issues.

 

I went with the Jayco 184BS. I did NOT want to max out the towing or carrying capacity. Braking would be extremely dangerous at that point. 3500lbs dry weight. 340lb hitch weight. spent a few hours putting on airbags. Picking it up this Friday. Seems to be perfect for my wife and 2 1/2 yr old. I also had them throw in a double-sway and leveler bar kit for the hitch and the brake controller with free install, plus $1k off the total price. Truck has 4.88’s, 255/75/17’s and is tuned.

 

Hire a company to tow it for you, your truck will thank you and it won't be much fun to do with a Tacoma. You did say this would only happen every few years and who knows, you might not want the trailer after trying it for a while.

 

I tuned in to this thread because my family lived in a 24 footer (dad was a returning WW2 vet) so this was 64+ years ago. He towed it from Indiana (where he went to Purdue) to Tennessee, Mississippi, and Missouri (twice) in the next 6 years as he worked as a surveyor. He had a kit of parts he would install on the 2dr '50 Mercury - hitch, overload springs, temp mirrors and God knows what else - and away we would go on another trek. I'm sure the damn thing was heavy as hell! No interstate highway system and much later he told me that 45 mph was the max safe(?) travel speed. Yes it was a v8. Mom said he would pull over every so often and let the traffic pass .......... I can imagine the aggravated followers. When we sold mom's house, some of that towing stuff was still in the garage attic.

I think the issue is necessity - pop didn't do this because it was safe, he did it out of a need to economically house his family. Even though many years have passed, there are probably many others that have made this same choice. I've had welders and construction workers working with me for many years that were living the same sort of life. I'll bet my Tacoma is a better (safer) hauler than the Merc. Just take care and it can be made to work.

 

We compared a Jayco and Hideout when we bought ours- ended up with the hideout 19flb. It was better built but a bit heavier. 4200lbs dry and around 5000lbs ready to camp.

 

I’ve spent the last year living in and towing a RPod-179 around. I wouldn’t suggest going with anything heavier. I subscribe to the 80% rule, my CVWR is 82%.

 

I have a KZ Sportsmen Classic SE 18ft I pull around regularly dry weight is 2580 lbs according to the sticker, I'm sure its a little more than that. I always empty the tanks before moving it unless I'm heading to a site without water, then my fresh tank is full. I travel pretty light, few pairs of clothes, some beer, fishing poles, some dried food, etc. Never weighed it loaded but I probably should. Anyways, I couldn't really imagine towing anything larger. The truck handles it fine, but you DEFINITELY know it's there. I could only imagine something larger wearing my ass out towing it for 8 hours to the next camp site.
It's not spacious, but my wife and I and 2 dogs have lived out of it from time to time while traveling or when our AC/Heat went out in our house and we needed a little time saving to afford replacing it without using credit cards. It worked well. I doubt this trailer meets your 4 season requirements so I guess my point with this post is that maybe you should look at something a little smaller/lighter if you plan on keeping the Tacoma. Otherwise it looks like you need to upgrade your truck.

 

Nice choice! Let us know how it works out!

 

We just bought a Geo Pro 19FBS back in Feb. 3150lbs empty, 4500lbs loaded up. The Tacoma pulls it fine. We paired it with an Equalizer WD hitch and a Tekonsha brake controller. Overall really happy with the set up. The entire line of Geos are under 5000lbs fully loaded.

 

Thanks for sharing, the Geo Pros look very nice and nice Taco! Any cold weather experience in the geo pro?

 

Thanks, we’ve only had it a few months. Only camped in it in slightly below freezing temps. It has heated tanks but no enclosed underbelly. That might be something you could add though. Factory installed solar is a huge plus for dry camping.

 

+1 on getting someone else to move it, especially if your only doin it every couple years. Could probably find a decent used 5th wheel, have more space, and not take as much of a bath on resale. Most bumper pulls aren't meant for full timing and not all 4 season trailers are equal. Lots of marketing bs happening in that industry. Good luck

 

I'm trying hard to find something that depreciates as much as a new RV....I can't ;-)

Buy used and save thousands....^^^^ a used 5th wheel and paying to have it moved if/when needed makes a lot of sense...

Teton is the only brand I would even consider. Built for full time living and built better than most homes. This one was $100K+ new, pick it up now for about $25k, spend a couple of $1,000 to have it moved. Done.


https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2004-Teton-GRAND-LIBERTY-XT3-5011322577