Towing 22 foot camper

Does anyone here tow a 20-22 foot camper? I'm guessing weight is around 4000 pounds. Just wondering how a V6 with towing package would handle it.

 

Have you looked at the towing thread?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gen-3-towing-thread.413026/

 

Thanks. I'll take a look.

 

I assume you have the "tow package"? Single or double axle? A single axle will have more sway and you'll want an anti-sway bar setup. And if you have the factory OEM rear suspension then you should get air bags - the stock suspension is too soft. Do you have an integrated brake controller?

Basically... For occasional towing for short/moderate distances the Tacoma works well with the right setup. The new 3rd gen engine/transmission will be hitting some high RPMs probably approaching 5k.

 

That is helpful. I would have to add a brake controller. The camper is a double axle. Sounds like a smaller camper might be more ideal.

 

I agree a lighter trailer will make youfar happier from a towing perspective. Under 3k GVW will pull like a dream Still look for a double axle trailer (rare find in that sub 3k weight range) and a brake controller is a must and may be a legal requirement in some states. They are an easy install and even ones with no install. I have pulled a 1.5K tent trailer and 500+ pounds of gear in mybed all over the USA in my 2nd gen Tacoma and it drove like a dream.

 

You will get sick of hearing this but I wouldn't use a Tacoma to haul more than 4,000 lbs regularly. People often confuse "tow capacity" with what a Tacoma can comfortably pull. Two very different numbers.

 

I had a Mitsu Montero Sport which was rated for around 5000 pounds. I remember the engine was working when pulling a 2000 pound popup up small hills in Wisconsin.

 

I had a 3K lb pop up off road, atv deck and it wasn't a problem here in Colorado for the most part. I dumped the pop up, and have a 21ft, 3300lb mini, single axel. Pulled it down from north Colorado to southern Colorado with a slight head wind. HATE IT! That was with my '14 and the primary reason for the trade to an '16 and....based on the extra h.p. and torque curve with the 3.5.
There is the sales pitch from camper crooks that you can haul at 80% of the total weight with no problem. That is a lie here at 9000'+.
Altitude kills h.p. and quickly. If you are on the flats or around sea level 4K shouldn't be an issue what so ever.
You can see what people pull and there are some pulling some large bumper pulls.
I have a prodigy II brake controller, a leveling kit with sway control. Hauling with a small truck is no joke and shouldn't be taken lightly. Things can get ugly quick and depending where you are, could be the last trip for awhile.
good luck in your quest.

 

Lost my Toyota Tacoma and almuost my life in a towing accident. Combination of factors, mostly wind and icy roads. But when that 21' RV trailer slid it pulled my little truck around and flipped it. Towing is serious business and I'd gotten overly confident in my Tacoma tow abilities a bit. Be careful.

 

So you are saying that a popup will pull a lot better than a larger hardside? Another option I have is to get a 3500 pound large pop-up. A co-worker is selling a nice one. I just didn't want the setup hassle of a pop-up.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't be towing anything of any size in icy/snowy conditions. Windy on it's own I'd be cautious but add rain/snow/ice and it gets exponentially dangerous even in a full size truck.

 

A popup won't have the wind resistance and also a lower center of gravity so easier to pull. The wind resistance of a trailer adds a lot to the workload of your truck.

 

My Casita weighs about 2600 lbs or so dry. Cuts through the wind well too. I don't think a 2016 Tacoma would have much of a problem with this.

 

I think this is excellent advise.I have had two Tacoma pickups a 2006 and a 2012 both 4X4 and double cab.I towed 3500 lb boat and they did well.If I had been pulling a travel trail which is going to catch more wind increasing the drag I might have a different story to tell.I have a 2013 Crewmax that I use to tow a 5700 lb travel trailer and it tows it well.There is no way I would put my family in a Tacoma and run down the road with that trailer of mine in tow.The people that do have a Tacoma and pull a 5k plus travel trailer have a totally different view on what I consider a comfortable towing experience.

 

My neighbor has a Scamp that he pulls with a first gen Tacoma.

 

After watching popup setup videos and a remembering my old one I still want to find a small hardside camper. The popup is just too time consuming. We want to be able to basically park and quickly be in the camper if we happen to setup or take down in bad weather.

 

This puppy slices through the wind with ease. 1500 lbs.

 

My camper. They are great campers if it fits your needs.

 

Love popup trailers, hardly even know you're towing.