Towing a trailer/Airstream

Hey! Looking to pick up a camping trailer or a 19ft Airstream. The one I am looking at has a total GVWR of 5,000lbs, the dry weight is about 4,000lbs. Traveling with maybe tree people and some camping gear, food, etc.

We got a '21 OR with the tow package. Few mods, OME BP-51s, their standard leaf springs in the rear and on 285/75/16 KO2s. First time towing so looking for some guidance as plan to travel around California and Arizona. Any thoughts if the truck could handle it well?

Thanks!

 

Yes. It’ll dog some. Go slow on hills. Hit the ECT per the manual. Post the crash vid on YouTube.

 

It will be slow, get terrible gas mileage and suck with any wind or mountains. Doable but there are other trucks much more suited for the job. Your truck will also be close to or over the rated payload limit with 600lbs on the hitch and three passengers.

 

Let the engine rev up to where it likes it. And don’t surprise your brakes. No worries.

 

6-7 mpg maybe

 

I have a 20 ft camper i tow occasionally. make sure you get a good hitch.

Its not the most pleasant thing, but its doable. Your tire situation gives me a little pause. Ive heard there is a power loss with that size.

 

1000 lb payload seems awfully small for a 19 ft trailer. Be real careful when furnishing it; propane, batteries, water, pots, pans, groceries and linens add up in a surprising way.

If you haven't yet, get a brake controller installed. Get a good WDH.

Go slow. Take back roads. Enjoy life.

 

Thanks for the recommendations. This is what I expected the response would be. Thinking of traveling no full tanks and just our gear.

Thank you again.

 

Seen a few vis on YT and the engine seems to revs high. The tires I am not sure of since they are heavier.

 

you'll most likely be over payload. hell depending on the three people you may be over patload before you hook the trailer to it.

will it pull it? yes. will it take forever to get to speed? yes. will it constantly be revving? yes to the point that its annoying as hell. and wait till you come to an incline. . you be about 7-11 mpg. make sure you get a good brake controller. the p3 is a real nice one. and get a real good WDH.

trailer i towed with my 17 dclb offroad (completely stock) was 3750 empty snd a little over 5000 loaded. boy did towing with that truck beat ya up. if you have taller then stock tires and didnt regear its going to be even a bigger slob then a stock one. we ended moving up to a 19 gmc with a 6.2 engine and max tow package. man the difference was incredible. wasn't all worn out when i got to my destination like in the tacoma. full size truck is just a better tool for towing that heavy.

 

Take your time and do extensive research before buying.

 

Similar weight/length that I pulled to Yosemite. The truck can handle a variety of trailers. You should rent a few to see what you like and don’t like.

 

My wife always points out the "cute" trailers she see on the road. My answer is always the same, "your gunna need a bigger truck." Running on the edge of being overloaded is never fun. Can you do it? Sure. Do other do it? Sure. I've done it, got the T shirt and will never do it again.

 

S4
ECT
Brake Controller

Gas mileage will suck but who cares

 

Towed a 25' Micro Minnie rated at 6000lbs from Tucson to Mendecino along with various shorter AZ and CA trips no issues other than the long grade on I8 coming up towards Phoenix from Yuma.
Brake controller
Leveling/anti sway hitch
Pay attention to engine temps on long grades
I went up and down real steep winding narrow roads in NorCal without any complaints. Do 55-60 on the highway, use lots of back roads when available and have fun. Had mileage isn't great, but generally I was getting around 10-12

 

Good rule of thumb, tow at half of max capacity. Can’t do that move to a bigger truck.

It isn’t just weight you have to worry about, have think about wind resistance too.

 

thats a bit extreme. general rule of thumb is usually about 80%. but you may be right when it comes to a tacoma. 50% may be better in that case.. whats a tacoma rated for? thought mine was around 6400 pounds so 3200 would probably be about right for a tacoma.. still most likely be over payload though.

 

This is what 3200 pounds looks like. After luggage, dogs, and beverage cooler its right at max payload. (trailer sits a little tongue heavy for its size).


The real challenge to towing at 50% capacity is finding a wife who doesn't mind sleeping in a popup.

 

I have been pulling a 15ft travel trailer which fully loaded is around 3000lb+. IMO anything heavier I would get a full sized truck.

 

IMHO tow capacity isn't the problem with these trucks when towing, it's the payload. I use the 50% rule myself because once you add in tongue weight of a 3,000-3,500 lb trailer, trailer gear/luggage, my fat ass, and my wife in the passenger seat, you've pretty much used up if not exceeded your GVWR max. If I was going to own a trailer like what you're contemplating I would have a full sized pickup. But that's just me.