Does anyone have any experence towing a travel trailer with a Tacoma?  I just bought a 2009 Tacoma, 4.0 V6 with a manual 6 speed.  Thinking about a SMALL travel trailer for camping. I would put the bikes in the bed of the truck kind of deal. I know a tent trailer would be no problem, but really would want a flush toilet and some privacy! Any suggestions on if this is ok and what brands? I do not want to be "that guy" who tows way more than his rig is rated for and looking to talk to someone who has done it and what they think.

Thanks!

David

I think you are rated for up to 6500 pounds of trailer with an almost empty truck.   Less if you also carry some load in vehicle.



BB

I do not see many Taco's pulling trailers larger than 20 ft here.  The issue is not power but a soft rear suspension.  I know the tow rating is like 6k towing and 600 lb. hitch weight right?  I would keep it to 3-4k max which would give you a 400 lb hitch weight (approx).  Bikes in the bed would decrease your number.  If your trailer has a 400 lb. hitch weight so one 200 lb. bike would max you out.  See what I am saying?   I would get a Trail Lite 20 ft or something like that.  Get the weight distribution hitch, the prodigy brake controller and sway control too.

Not sure if you have ever towed but the "Total" weight is everything...You, the wife the kids, the dog, the food, gas, everything...all in.  If you pack like I do then you will have 1500-2000 lbs of "stuff".  Add that to the weight of your camper.  Weight adds up quick.

Here is the other issue and most important item that nobody ever talks about...BRAKES.  Get a 6500 lb camper and get to a crest of a long 4-6% downhill grade and get ready to pucker up my friend.  BIG brakes are where it is at man. It will push that little Taco right down the hill big time.

There might be some others here that might disagree with what I am saying...do not believe the hype. Stay at less than 4k lbs. total gross of camper and you should be fine.  Lighter is better.  The Taco's are awesome trucks but not great tow vehicles.  They will do fine when mated to the proper camper.  

Safe trailering is what it is all about.  The weight adds up quickly.  Think light and stay light and towing will not be a stressful venture.

Good luck.

I have a Trail Lite Bantam 17b.
Great small convertible rig.
I used to tow it with my 4.0 Ranger and it pulled it ok with 2 bikes.
Trailer weight wet was under 3000.
Would not go any bigger.

RX2RIDE said:

I'd try to keep it under 20 feet, look for the lighter ones to make it easier on yourself. Aerolite for example. That rig is rated for about 6500 lbs

I pulled a 20' toyhauler with my '06 for 55k miles without issue. This was in Floriduh and south Georgia, flat ground and moderate hills. The trailer goes around 7k lbs loaded. The truck never complained, but when we started heading for the mountains I resorted to a new Tundra.

RX2RIDE said:

Did you get the bed reinforced?

I thought Toyota says not to secure dirtbikes in the bed??

Kyron said:

I hauled bikes in the back of mine on the road as well as off road, even using the factory rails for tie down points. No problems ever, even with a pig DRZ in the back, bouncing around the eastern US from Floriduh to West Virginia and all points in between. Even 4 wheeled the truck loaded in the mountains of NC and played in the Jeep trails of ONF on the way home.

1: Don't pull the straps gorilla tight.

2: Don't let the bike bounce on the gate; the gate of the Taco is a little flimsy. Tie down the rear also.

I towed an 18ft Shadow Cruiser all over the place with my 04 Tacoma Doublecab. I added a leaf and airbags to the rear suspension, also a big trans cooler. Truck amazed me, the temp gauge never moved even while towing up steep (like 1st gear at 20 mph steep) hills in 100+ heat. The trailer was about 3000#, and I usually had 2 bikes and a generator + stuff for my wife and daughter. You just gotta be smart and pay attention to the truck..

bronc3 said:

Hey bronc3 - How do you tie down rear tires so they don't bounce?  I have a double cab wiht a short box and run a tie-down strap around the back tires and then to the loops on the rear floor of the bed but it isn't enough to stop any bouncing on my tailgate.  Any good tips or tricks?

Thanks,

RX2RIDE said:

Did I just talk to you on the phone a few days ago? Had a customer asking the exact questions.

toyota_mdt_tech said:

Nope, not me.  Maybe my Dad, he has the same truck, different color and is on his way to Yellowstone with a small Travel Trailer.  

Great Truck so far, just very disappointed in the bed tie down system.  I wish the front had the same loops on the actual base of the bed like the rear does.

Thanks everyone for the advice!!!

I have a 05 and pull a tent trailer.  We did a 2500 mile trip last summer with a bed full of firewood and the trailer packed full of stuff to keep 4 people fed and warm.  

No problems with power but slowing that train down was an issue sometimes.  Whatever you get make sure it has trailer brakes.

Also don't forget that your gas milage will be terrible when you combine the weight and massive amount of wind you will be pushing.


For the tie downs just pull the ones in the back and move them to the front.  Takes 5 minutes and is well worth it.

RX2RIDE said:

There is optional Toyota tie downs for the Tacoma like you mentioned. I have installed them for customers.

KLXgreen777 said:

My buddy has installed an eye bolts in the back of the bed that allows for straps to be secured to the footpegs.  It is a perfect solution.  Backed both eye bolts with a steel plate to disperse the upward pulling force.

toyota_mdt_tech said:

Right on, I did not see those listed on the Toyota website.  Do you by chance know the part number? i would like to order some.  Are they easy to install?

RX2RIDE said:

Yes, they were OE Toyota. Came with 2 per pak. Came with instructions on mounting. Yes, easy to install. I will see if I can locate the OE part number for you. But wont be able to till Monday. I mounted them for a customer right where it said. They are in a good location for tying down a motorcycle (forward, inside of bed on each side, not on the floor, but about 4 inches from the bed floor). But you can add a second set to further you tie down options. I suppose there is no limit where you can mount these either or how many you mount.

toyota_mdt_tech said:

Thanks in advance.  That would be great.

KLXgreen777 said:

Nope, that's pretty much what I do. Same thing, 4 door short bed.

Here is another option I found that works great for a tie down point

http://www.cabelas.c...0143&hasJS=true