2021 JAY FLIGHT SLX 183rb

Hi guys,
Wanted to get some thoughts about the limits of my Tacoma and a camping trailer I am considering buying.

the truck: 2021 Tacoma TRD off road 4x4 manual with tow package 6400 lbs and ~5600 payload

The trailer: Jayco 183RB 2021 JAY FLIGHT SLX
Dry weight: 3507
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 4150

not sure about the tongue weight but the dealer said with the WDH it should be somewhere in the high 100lb range?

I will be using a weight distribution hitch with sway control as well as a brake controller.

The dry weight includes a full propane tank. I plan on towing this trailer without water most of the time. Sometimes I may add 5-6 gallons of water to the system for certain trips.

Other than that most added weight to the truck would be my girlfriend and myself and my dog as well as clothes and wakeboards and other lighter things.

Is this trailer too much for the truck? I don’t plan on doing any significant elevation changes while towing.

The truck is a manual so from what I’ve read overheating the transmission will not be as much of a concern as the autos.

Just wanted to get some opinions or experiences from anyone who has experience towing trailers similar to this one.

Thanks!

 

Sounds totally doable. I say that based on my 3 seasons of towing a 32-3500 lb camper with a 2018 OR auto. But before you load everything up and head out, go get the rig weighed at a CAT scale so you’ll confidently know how much weight you can add to trailer and truck and where to put it. The numbers you and I are using here so far are guesstimates so it’s best to weigh and know for sure. Also, you can then manage the trailer tongue weight so its in a window of 10%-15% of towed trailer weight.

Based on the Jayco specs for the 183rb trailer and the dealer dry weight you’ll have 643 lbs available cargo weight in the trailer. The dry tongue weight is stated as 297 lbs, so with one propane tank and a battery it should be in the neighbourhood of 370 lbs plus the WDH of approx 100 lbs, so 470 lbs, dry. After you load the trailer for camping this weight will likely increase.

You truck payload is whatever the door sticker says it is. Maybe its 1000 lbs (or less). Subtract the supposed tongue weight of 470 (or more) and you have the payload weight remaining for truck cargo (you, GF, dog, boards etc). If you find you’re going over your truck payload, stash some of that truck cargo in the trailer.

Overheating the gear box is not a concern for you with a manual. What is a concern is backing the trailer up any incline because of a too tall reverse gear. Check out some of the MT threads to find out what the gearbox guys do about it.

Enjoy.

 

Thanks for the detailed info that makes me feel better about the trailer.

I’ve been obsessing over the numbers ever since I started considering getting the trailer. It’s definitely going to be a balancing act but I’ll just make sure to pay close attention to the loads.

I plan on picking it up on Friday and I wanna try and get the whole thing weighed fully loaded. I’ll post the numbers once I get them!

Reversing up an incline with a trailer behind sounds really tricky I’ll definitely need some practice on that. I’ve been driving manual my whole life but I’m a newb when it comes to towing. I have a lot to learn.

 

From what I’ve heard from the stick crew, that reverse gear is not ideal for pushing weight up an incline. 4lo works but the steering binds. There’s a 2lo mod that might interest you if you find it a problem.

 

Good to know. I just went down a mini rabbit hole looking into the 2lo mod. Interesting concept. Hopefully it won't be much of an issue. I think the most pushing I'll be doing in reverse will be getting it into a short and shallow driveway. Hopefully it can handle that haha.

 

@Tacotaquito, this is what you are getting?

2021 Jay Flight SLX 7 183RB | Jayco, Inc.

Nice choice! You'll have no difficulty pulling this trailer. I like the bathroom sink and storage, wish mine had that.

Make sure you get a good WDH (I have a Fastway E2), brake controller, and some Sumo Springs.

I have a 195RB. No issues with towing out to the desert. I like the 7' wide for trailer storage convenience.

You won't like the 20 gallon fresh water tank though, and also the stock mattress is crap. I ended up retrofitting the "Baja" 30 gallon freshwater tank, and getting a real mattress. Also, the bed pedestal may need reinforcement since the 1/4" plywood deck will bow in the center. Overall though I am VERY happy with my little trailer and I think you will be too.

 

I have a 2020 Jayco 184 BS and i pull it fine. I have a 2011 TRD OFF ROAD with towing pkg and transmission cooler. I live in Wyoming and take it over mountain passes, I just keep it in 4th and it does it(chugs gas and runs 3500-4000rpms) but it does it without worry. I do run firestone ride rite air bags and a weight distribution hitch with sway bar.Which I think helps a ton. You'll be good just take it easy.

 

2013 6spd manual here, I use 4Lo when parking the trailer back in its parking spot at my parents, and only occasionally at a hilly campsite. My folks place is gravel and grass and never had any issue even as I have to swing the wheels around to position the trailer. I take it slow and have no issues; definitely saves the clutch. If the slope was more intense I would look into the 2Lo mod.