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

I just took some pics of the door stickers and I noticed this sticker, which is new. Anyone get one of these before? Also, when calculating my trucks payload I need to add the following: heavier bumpers, skid plates, winch, roof rack and the box full of recovery gear and tools and what about the upgraded suspension? Isn’t it heavier than stock components?

 

Weigh your truck only and subtract that weight from your Gvwr and you will get your remaining payload.

 

The yellow sticker indicated a port added option like tube steps, bed mat, etc.. I believe they even put one on for the added tailgate letters.

And yes, all your bumpers, skids, recovery gear, people, dogs, tools, bikes, lunch all go against your payload.

 

Was thinking about visiting the local dump to weigh the truck. Might do that tomorrow.

 

Please report back.
I'm betting you will be surprised by how much the truck weighs as it sits right now with just your daily gear in it.

 

That's a great idea and free. Except any trash you leave.

 

That’s what I’m thinking. Using it as a dd it’s probably fine but adding 4000 or more lbs might not be ideal. I’m thinking if we keep the weight to a minimum in the trailer and also my truck it should be fine. Will have to load his Jeep up with gear.

 

I’m going to have to pull a fakie. I don’ t have the punch card for this year to get in there.

 

Thay will work but may not be as accurate as a CAT scale

 

This is my Travel Trailer fully loaded with, food, Ice chest, bedding, clothes and water (24Gal). Truck had my wife and I, 2 small dogs, 3/4 tank of gas, firewood, chairs and my tool chest. Total weight in the truck about 575lbs not counting fuel or WDH.

Fully loaded with water I was 140lbs over the GVWR, without the water I would have been under GVWR by 50lbs.

I was over GVWR but, I was under GAWR on the front and rear. Combined GAWR is: 6,220 lbs. I find it strange that the GVWR is 5600 lbs, but the GAWR (gross axle weight rating) is 6,220. Maybe it's out of caution, expecting people to overload truck.

Loaded Trailer Scale Weight ---------- Trucks GAWR

Steer Axle Weight 2700 LBS ---------- Steer GAWR=2,940
Drive Axle Weight 3040 LBS ---------- Drive GAWR=3,280
Trailer Axle Weight 3560 LBS
Gross Weight 9300 LBS

Super confusing but I hope it helps you out. I have spent long hours learning all this when we were towing our 5th wheel around the western United States.

 

I appreciate the info. I too am in the figuring it out stage. I don’t know how to calculate all of that yet. I was given a link that will auto calculate those figures.

 

Currently at General RV and our sales lady and I are talking about the WDH and I want it installed before I pick the Minnie up on Tuesday. She wanted to know if my truck had the 7 pin plug and before I could say yes she insists on trying out a test plug and on the way out she’s asking sales dudes to “help”. I’m like we don’t need help I know and she’s like but I need help. of course it’s me laying on the ground having dried mud fall in my eyes as I plug it in.

 

Ouch. I feel for your Taco.

A pop up would have been a better choice.

 

Actually, it sounds like it will be fine as long as I don’t load it up with a bunch of bricks!!

 

The 7-pin plug is in the bumper. Just add your trailer brake controller and the correct harness from the controller to the truck, and you are good.

 

Struggling to tow with a small truck will make you hate it. If there is one thing a full size pickup can do better then a ''compact'' one, it's towing. More HP, far better brakes for increased load, less of a feeling of being ''pushed'' by the trailer when braking, less sway in wind, more reserves of power when needed, heavier components in the drive train. I've tossed my ZT [it's a 30 HP Kubota] on a trailer behind my 4.0 and I could feel it a LOT. Hauling the little light aluminum boat with a 6 HP motor, it works well for.

And the fuel...........as I said, OUCH. [all vehicles suck mileage wise when towing but when you have to stay out of OD and keep the rev's up, it drinks even more fuel.]

A 20 footer, I'd want a 1/2 ton at the least truck wise, a 3/4 ton if I traveled/camped a lot or drove through the mountains frequently.

5000 RPM frequently is going to drive you absolutely batty.

 

You will be close, just keep the weight out of the truck and put it on top of the trailer Axle. Pain in the ass, but it will work.

 

Laying on the ground?? It should be in the bumper.

Do you already have a brake controller installed? The Tacoma doesn't have a built in one however the wiring is part of the tow package so it is plug and play.

 

Steeling @RustyGreen pic… the cover on the truck side of both the 7 and 4 pin connectors give the pin-out of what each pin does. Not to scare you at all.. but many moons ago, vehicle manufacturers or trailer manufacturers ran their pins differently. Todays world they are standardized between both for the most part. But there could still be a difference.

just throwing that out there.

Also the locating tab for orientation of the actual trailer harness to truck is on the cover as well. For any discrepancies in wiring issues between the two.

 

Look at the Anderson weight distributing hitches. They are some of the lightest out there. Some of these other units can push 100lbs just by themselves.