Show us what you tow.

Added a queen-size bed frame to the inside to elevate the mattress off the floor, and give additional storage.

Also added a few things inside like curtains, relocated the cargo nets, added some hooks to keep the front cargo net up when parked, and invested in a ton of storage boxes for under the bed.

It’s been great having our own bedroom on wheels, though.

 

I think you’ll be fine, just make sure you’re not hauling wet mulch or dirt, or filling it with rock.

Also, pay attention to how you’re distributing the load in the trailer. Don’t put the majority of the weight behind the axles.

In terms of upgrading your rear suspension, I’d go for either an AAL or airbag setup, or both.

 

Do you recall who makes the bed frame you used?

 

Timbren bumpstops is an excellent replacement for OEM to help load supporting. I run timbrens on both my 2nd gen tacoma and my 02 GMC Sierra as OEM bumpstop replacements for towing.

 

Boyd:

Boyd Sleep Finnish Platform Bed Frame/Metal Mattress Foundation with Adjustable Hardwood Slats, Black, Queen

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IMWFKGW?ref_=pe_1811570_143775280_E_ReturnReceived_Asin_Title

The frame itself is fairly light - and goes together very easily. Instead of using the legs for support, I fabricated a ledge to mount the frame to on the outside walls of the trailer and only used 3 legs underneath.

We’ve slept in the trailer for the last 16 nights, and the slatted platform has really elevated the bed comfort levels, on top of being warmer now that it’s off the floor of the trailer. We’ve seen outside temps in the mid twenties at night.

 

Welcome to the group. Nice truck and trailer. There’s also Firestone air bags to consider which would help with the sag from tongue weight.

Stop over in the NE BS thread and say hi. Another member over there has a similar trailer he uses with a larger truck.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-england-b-s-thread.204874/page-8955

 

Just got back from 4 days in Borrego Springs towing a 2021 Forest River No Boundaries 19.8NB. 4000# dry, 5000# loaded. First trip towing with the Tacoma. I usually use my full size GMC, but this trip we wanted to do some trails, and the Tacoma is better built for trail runs.

The wind was pretty rough during our stay, luckily the wind was mild on our trip in/trip out.

The tacoma pulls this trailer a lot easier than my 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE with a 5.3L v8 LM7 and 4L60E trans. I think the tacoma has the better gearing with the 5 speed and 3.73 rear end versus the GMC 4 speed and 3.73 rear end. Both trucks have 31" tires. The tacoma is heavier than the GMC by 500# based on the cat scale I have at work.


We did a couple trails such as San Felipe wash, Fonts Point, Borrego Mountain Wash, and Coyote Canyon.

I did upgrade my trans cooler to a

$59 Hayden 679 Universal 11” Rapid-Cool Add-On Transmission Cooler to Enhance Cooling (not for direct replacement of the factory unit)

Hayden 679 replacing the factory OEM one. I have also flushed my trans with Valvoline Maxlife ATF. I'm also running a Tekonsha p3 brake controller, sway controller, and a WDH hitch.

Towing PSI: I did 34 psi front and 38 psi rear on the trip in and saw a bit too many micro cracking on the tires shoulders. I switched it up to 35 psi front and 40 psi rear on the trip out and didn't have any micro crack and had even wear across the tire.

The Tacoma suspension is ICON 2.5 CDCV front/rear, JBA standard UCA, all pro expo leaves w/ Timbren bump stops. I had CDCV set to 7 front/8 rear and it really did a great job on handling the bucking and bumps on the road when towing. I usually have about 2 inches of space between the frame and the timbren bump stops, but with camping stuff in the bed and the tongue weight, the frame was just touching the top of the timbrens. Never felt like I bottomed out or had any excessive sag issues.

The route in we took 10E, to 86S, to S22. The highest trans temp I saw was 204*F on the grade after turning from 86S.

The route out, I took S22 to Montazuma grade through Ranchita, then 76W back to north county SD. The S22 through Monyazuma grade, the trans temp got to 221*F with the ambient only being 58*F. I doubt I'll ever tow through the section when ambient is greater than 90*F.

 

Pick up my new Geo Pro 15TB next Monday!
Nice upgrade from the TAG.

 

We just left Borrego Springs today after hanging around the area for 4 weeks! It's a beautiful area!

 

Nice pick.. has been on my radar along with the Tag.. Really like to hear your impressions of this travel trailer when you get it, especially compared to the Tag.

 

Forest River Evo

 

Drug this home yesterday. Did much better than I expected. Now to figure out a towing mirror option.

 

my ambient hits 90° Without towing

 

1050lb cargo is rough with a family of 4, the tongue weight of travel trailer, the weight distribution hitch and a dog makes me maxed out SMH! I can’t even put anything in the back of the truck everything has to go in the trailer when towing

 

I used cheap mirror extenders bought at a trailer shop and they did the job!

 

Wasn’t the best towing...This isn’t the lightest camper or most aerodynamic. Hills didn’t help either. Need to find a campground that’s downhill both ways!

 

Finally picked it up!
The Tacoma did fine on the back roads.
Tomorrow will be a good test, headed out to W.Md, plenty of grades on I-68!

 

Lucky you! Looks nice.

Any initial impressions with it, towed behind the Tacoma?

 

I was only on back roads today, but it was fine. The WDH really helps.

 

Looking at a Forest River Wolf Pup 16TS, dry weight of 3300 #. Will probably upgrade the tranny cooler. Running the 4.0 v-6. Any thought on the potential issues, or possible problems? Think the taco will pull it comfortably?