Towing Travel Trailer questions

I have a 2007 Tacoma Double Cab TRD 4x4 with tow package. I am looking into a used Travel trailer at weighs 4700lbs at dry weight.

Is this realistic to tow? I am aware of 6500lb tow limit. I plan on traveling with water tank empty and some mods to travel trailer to decrease weight.

I was hoping to stay below 5500 lbs loaded. Is that realistic to tow?

Thanks

 

towing that much weight and towing that much comfortably are different things. For me I would not want to tow that with a Tacoma. How big is this trailer?

also welcome to TW

 

That's pretty close to the weight of my TT (4,500 lb dry wright, 5,500 lb loaded, 460 lb tongue weight).

You'll need a brake controller and I'd recommend a weight distribution hitch and ultragauge/scangauge to monitor your transmission temps.

 

http://reno.craigslist.org/rvs/5713548950.html

Here is link of TT. I know Tacoma isn't ideal for towing but I don't want to get a new truck.

How often are you getting gas sticky taco?

 

That will be way too much after you add people and gear.
You will need full size.

Mine struggles with my ATV and flat single axle trailer.
It has a very hard time holding highway speed and no way I would tow hills with it.

 

Another with a 4200lbs-ish trailer ~5000lb loaded; 19ft Keystone Hideout


Scangauge, tow mirrors, brake controller, equalizer hitch, friction sway bar..
Next will be airbags.

Towing is ~10mpg

 

Check this out OP. It's the Tacoma towing bible from this forum.

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

 

I tow a trailer with my 4 banger. 2253 dry weight.

After everything is loaded, I am right below the 3500 limit. Truck does just fine.
If you want to go fast and not have to downshift going uphill, yeah get a big full size beast.
If you can drive like a sane person and use your head, you will be fine.

These trucks are tough. Use it like its meant to be used.

 

I average about 10mpg towing (+/- a couple MPG depending on how fast I'm going) and can hold 55mph over Donner Pass.

Trailer is a 21ft Jayco X213.

 

What kind of country will you be traveling ? If flat or mild hills I believe you'll be ok, mountains might not be fun. You're fairly close to a reasonable maximum, allowing for additional weight once loaded. Verify that the weight quoted is real, not just a manufacturer's advertised (advertised doesn't always include items like a/c propane tanks, other options). Also ask about tongue weight.

Nice looking rig.

 

It will be my girlfriend and I. We will be traveling for work. Probably tow it 3-4 times a year. We live in Nevada. Looking to go to Arizona and Northeast. I figured we would hit a couple hills a year.

 

We've towed ours north on 395 as far as Diamond Lake OR (Crater Lake), west on 80 as far as Bodega (Pacific coast), and south on 395 to Walker. Worst stretches have been Washoe Valley and Cold Springs due to wind and coming back over 80 from the coast once we got caught in a spring snow storm. Really though, the wind is what sketches me out the most when towing. If you have an automatic, tow in 4th and don't be afraid to downshift to 2nd to hold speed going over the passes.

 

This little thing calmed ours right down; best $60 ever.
They are made for much bigger trailers so putting it on our 19ft was overkill but it dials out any sway or push from passing trucks..

 

I have a sway control...not really effective with cross wind gusts at 30+ mph which we commonly see around here.

Passing large vehicles isn't an issue.

 

Awesome.. Thanks for all the good info. It sounds like it can be done.. With the extra mods and some safe driving.

 

It's possible, but you might still be slightly over factory recommendations. There is more to consider than the weight of the trailer. You have to consider the combined weight of both the vehicle, trailer, passengers, any cargo in the vehicle, and any added weight from modifications. Most people overload the truck before reaching the trailer weight limit

Look at the sticker on the drivers door jamb. My truck has a 1200 lb cargo limit. A 5500 lb trailer will have about 700 lbs tongue weight that should be included. I weigh 220 lbs leaving me only 280 lbs for other passengers and cargo with a 5500 lb trailer. If the truck is loaded very light then you're there.

You also need to consider WHERE you tow. Your engine loses about 3% of its power for each 1000' you drive above sea level and loads should be reduced by about the same amount. At 5000' you need to pull about 15% less weight.

 

Been hauling my rig for 6 years now. Weighs in at 4200 or less. Truck pulls it just fine. I'm in DC and have pulled it to northern maine, south carolina, west virginia, Pa, and many more place. I do all the regular maintenance for towing and the truck has been great. i do service my trans every 30k miles. the max weight for these trucks is around 11,500 or so. As stated above with a 700lb tongue weight you may be over. If you have a weight distribution hitch the tounge weight goes out the window because of the WD hitch but the gross weight should ot be exceeded. Personallyi do not exceed 80% of gross vehical weight with anything i tow. Check out the towing section of the forum.

 

I don't think its correct to limit tow weight based on altitude. So many other factors go into it and I'm of the opinion that the weakness of the Tacomas when it comes to towing are brakes and tow vehicle weight. Sure you'll have less power at 5,000ft than at sea level but it does not limit what you can safely tow.

 

You also need to consider WHERE you tow. Your engine loses about 3% of its power for each 1000' you drive above sea level and loads should be reduced by about the same amount. At 5000' you need to pull about 15% less weight.[/QUOTE]

This is old school thinking from the carburated age. With MAP sensors and O2 sensors with fuel injection there should be no lose of power. Make sure you are running premium fuel and you will have all the power the truck has to offer at any altitude.

 

Above is TOTALLY untrue. At high altitude there is LESS oxygen. The only way to overcome the loss of power at high altitude is either super or turbo charging to pack MORE oxygen into the engine, which allows the fuel injection to add more fuel to match.