Travel Trailer towing input...

If you are intent on buying a FR, or associated brand trailer, make sure you do a very thorough inspection before you accept delivery. Maybe even have an experienced RV repairman inspect it with you, it would be worth the additional expense upfront. We are not talking about just minor repairs, but the potential for major time and expense to fix. From my experience, the big name centers are often much worse than a privately owned business where you can work with the owners directly. An honest dealer will be upfront with you regarding many of the issues, this is lacking with the bigger centers as the people you are dealing with are just employees and don't have a long term stake in the business, and unfortunately, often just there for the paycheck. The turnover in the Big Name Centers is very high and the salespeople are trained to sell as many add-on options as possible. Once the deal is done, they move on to the next unwary customer. It is an unbelievable shady enterprise, and unfortunately, unlike the auto industry, minimally regulated. Best of Luck with whatever you decide to purchase! If it was me I would take the suggestion of a previous poster and consider a good used trailer that has had the bugs worked out. Not only are you more likely to have a road worthy TT, but also save yourself a lot of money as well.

 

We bought this model last year and we love it. We had similar musts - one slide, bunks, u dinette, Murphy bed, outdoor shower. The outdoor kitchen was a bonus and the awning I believe is 14’ vs advertised 12’.

 

Not to beat a dead horse just wanted some opinions. Looking at these two options. 1st one based off weight. I am experienced with towing however never towed a camper or with a Tacoma above 3k pounds. All safety setup will be installed this is primarily just asking opinions between the two. Is it worth adding the weight difference to get the double axle.

Wolfpup 18TO - dry weight 3800. Single axle
https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/wolf-pup/18TO/2845


Grey wolf 22 - dry weight 4400 double axle
https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/grey-wolf/22MKSE/3718

 

The Grey Wolf 22 GVWR is 7,585 lb. with Hitch Weight of 585 lb. With this you need a Tundra to pull. Even with the Wolf pup 18 you wouldn't want to be in any hills, wind, or going for a longer trip with a Tacoma as the GVWR is 4,999 lb. It would, at the minimum be a miserable trip, at the worst, a potential safety issue. Most people would recommend that you try to keep your GVWR under 3,500 lbs with a Tacoma unless you stiffen the suspension and regear.

 

That is the max for the TT. Unloaded weight is 4400. I understand gear and supplies. That will be less than most as we won't load tanks and minimal gear. Regardless of camper we don't take much stuff. Chairs, food, clothes.

 

Speaking from experience, your wife is going to want to bring a lot more things than you may anticipate, even so, with just two adults, kids, propane, and truck fuel, you will be at 5,000 lbs quickly. Add the wind resistance with the trailer, the effective load is much greater. If you get into a wind with that sized trailer with the Tacoma, it can quickly turn deadly. Don't just take my word on it, talk to others, read up on reputable web sites. You need to also consider braking and maneuverability in real world traffic conditions, things can happen very quickly. It's not worth endangering the lives of you family and yourself, not to mention others on the road, to get a little more room, the Tacoma just can't handle that big of trailer safely.

 

Grey wolf is 8ft vs 7ft for the wolfpup. That's as much of a factor as anything