We just bought a new camper and my truck will be pulling it, questions and tips

can you share any posts you found helpful?

 

Axel-weight? Do you mean weight on top of the camper's axel?

 

Thanks. Will check out that thread. How do I figure out the tongue weight? How do I know how much weight all my stuff weighs - I mean to say we do have a lot of stuff we like to bring with us how do I know when I've reached the limit?

 

I'm thinking it is on the heavier side. What is that going to do to my transmission? How will I know if its too heavy?

 

It can tow it. It won’t do it well and you will def feel it but it will do it. You’re on the upper end for this truck. An f150 etc will do the job safer, better and with room to grow. That’s all.

safer = bigger brakes, stronger motor, stronger transmission etc etc

 

Obviously that's important also, but with two trailer axles I don't think the trailer will be an issue. There are weight ratings on the front and rear axles listed in the door jamb of the truck. It is highly-recommended not to exceed these weight limits. Generally the weight limits on the axles exceed the GVWR of the truck, in my case the axle weight ratings are 640lbs over the GVWR if the truck. Always stay under the GVWR. The weight distribution hitch helps distribute some the weight to the front axle and some to the trailer axle.

 

The problem with the Tacoma is there just isn't much payload to work with.

Read post #12 of this thread, a little long but answers all the questions:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...w-towing-capacity-works.719492/#post-25613840

 

totally agree on not pushing the speed. However, its a long way from SE Michigan to Utah, Colorado and Montana. My husband is intent on getting to the first destination directly. we take the interstates the entire way. how will my truck handle driving for 8 or 9 hours a day with the added weight of a trailer?

 

Put all your numbers into this link and it will tell you if you legal.

http://towcalculator.com/

 

I'll check out the sway control option, I had no idea about it. Thanks. I want to upgrade my bump stops for off roading and the dunes. I didn't know they would help with towing.

 

Yeah I am concerned about hitting that top weight. We like our stuff. My husband is all about being prepared as much as possible and brings a lot of tools, equipment and parts. We drive separate he has a jeep so when we go wheeling we don't have to take turns to drive, lol. I am thinking he needs to have a lot of our stuff in his jeep when we are traveling across country

 

Def going to get a WDH and brake controller, What is the benefit for going in S4? I use those lower gears when I am wheeling. I am concerned about the gear. We have decent amount of stuff. we go out for 15-17 days at a time. how do you determine how much stuff to bring in context of weight?

 

Everyone looks comfortable! Where do the humans go?

 

How do I know when the weight on the axels is too heavy? I know its important I just don't know how to figure that out. Do I weigh my cargo and add it up or just estimate some how?

 

A 1,000 lbs is a lot of stuff, but yes make the jeep carry the heavy stuff. Like someone else said "fill your fresh water at Destination". You will probably have to keep just the very light stuff in the truck.

 

Load it up and scale it. This is my Taco towing my trailer. This was mostly dry weight. I have about 460 lbs of payload left on my truck, but about 700 more lbs on my trailer.

 

It's still with in the trucks tow rating it will be fine. You just will not be able to race up any steep grades or do 85 mph. In my opinion you should not go faster than 65 or 70 typically when towing anything. I know I don't with my little pop-up.
I just feel safer because it takes longer to stop and not as easy to make fast moves to avoid something. I always look ahead farther when I tow and follow others back farther too.

 

We did that once when we owned a 40' RV and was towing an Xterra. We were 1000lbs over weight.

 

When you look in the rear view mirror ?
Ridiculous. I pull 4500-5000 easily.
You might want to get a trailer that doesn't sway, inflate your tires, etc.

 

It'll do it. I've pulled an 18 hour, Charleston to Fort Worth once with Taco and trailer. It wasn't fun, but it didn't hurt the truck.

The queen bunk, of course! Dogs sleep on the full bunk. Unless it's cold, or raining, or there's noises outside, or the dogs get to the queen bunk first...