Newish to the board and have read so many post, but thought it was finally time to just go ahead and ask my question.
We are planning to buy a trailer for next spring but are trying to do our research and planning now.
We have not bought our tow vehicle yet but we are planning on buying an 09 Toyota Tacoma TRD with hitch. It is rated to pull 6500 pounds.
We have not decided on a trailer yet but are looking at some of the Light models.
We are hoping, based on using a recommended 80%ish rule to pull something around 4200 or less dry. Does this sound okay so far??
The next question is about length. I believe the wheel base on the Tacoma long box is about 130 inches. So what I want to know is what you all would recommend as far as length of Trailer?? I read one persons post about a formula for calculating that but that was only one persons comments and I haven't been able to find much else on that.
All your feedback is welcome, I have read so many posts and I know there is a wealth of knowledge on here and I hope you are will to share with me!
First, I'd like to address the weight. I take it that you are figuring on 1,000# of your stuff. That does get you to the 4,200# weight, but it's actual curb weight that you need to target, not dry weight. Yes, I know that complicates it a lot because the actual curb weight isn't readily available. So, find out what options, including the usual mandatory options aren't included in the dry weight and take an educated guess.
As for towing length. I've compared the data in the table at the
RV Towing Tips site and they match nicely with my personal experience. That would suggest a maximum length of about 25'.
Steve & C. J.
"Gracie" the Rough Collie & "Bo'sun" the Bichon Frise
I'm guessing something like the Jay Feather 25F or the older version the 25Z would work very nicely. My 25Z traveled ~20,000 miles behind our Jeep GC HEMI (119" W/B) without a problem and in some respects was a better matched rig then what I have now. We had it loaded to about 5800 lbs and it served us well on long trips.....3-4 months at a time.
The W/B to TV length in RV towing tips is a good start but are very dated (50's or 60's) and are also wildly conservative.
Don't get too hung up on the 80% guideline as it's just that.....a guidline and means differant things to differant people. To me, it's 90% of the tow capacity and 90% of the TV payload. To others it 80% of tow capacity.
You should have a good selection of TT in the 25 to 27 foot length (box not overall) that will be a good match for the Tacoma. Find a good Tacoma forum and find out what others are towing on terrain similiar to yours.
Good luck in your decision.
Dick
2008 Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited TRD
2009 Cougar 268 RLS ~8400 lbs road wt
Equal-i-zer 12,000 lb hitch, Prodigy BC.
2006 Jeep Liberty Turbo Diesel.....TV in Training
2005 Jeep GC 5.7 HEMI,(retired)
2005 Jayco Jay Feather 25Z, 4" lift (Retired)
We have a 2008 Toyota Tacoma with towing option and 4x4. We tow a 2005 Flagstaff 827 FLS. The weight is 4500#s unloaded and around 5500#s loaded and box length is 27 ft. It pulls fine. We travel though Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. Gas mileage is around 11 or 12 while pulling and 19 to 22 mpg when not pulling. We weighed ourselves on our first trip out and were within our limits. Happy camping!
I'll throw my 2 cents in here. I have an 05 Tacoma and a 5000# loaded trailer. Your towing experience will vary depending on where you're planning to go. I'm on my 4th season with my truck/trailer combination and it does fine however some things to note.
Others have said they get 11-13mpg when towing. I suspect that this is mostly flat towing and this is what I get in the flats. I have the TRD exhaust on my truck as well which has helped a bit in mileage. Towing in the mountains though and on grade expect the MPG to drop to 8-10. I had a heavy head wind once and only got about 7mpg.
Grades can be interesting. You'll be slow but probably not any slower than the big boys with the big 5ers. I just got back from a trip this weekend (2nd time there) where I pulled 600 feet up in elevation in about 3 miles. 3rd gear and 40 mph with the MPG about 7. I use a ScanGauge II to measure real time mileages and trip mileage. There have been times on some trips that I would have liked a larger truck like the new Tundra but the "little" Tacoma does do very well for it's size.
Point being here... carry extra fuel... if you're planing on towing a lot of mountains with large grades get a bigger truck. Load everything in the trailer and keep the weight out of the truck or you'll exceed the GVWR of the truck. Use your gears and keep your RPM above 3000 when towing heavy grades and use 4th or 3rd when going downhill. Recomend using a Prodigy brake controller with it set on Boost 1 for good control when stopping.
We tow a 22' TT with an all up weight of just over 4000# with a Honda Ridgeline. Weight on the ball is 410#. We live at 4600' and routinely travel to 7000-10,000' without any problems. Gas consumption varies with conditions with 10.8 for a low and 18.3mpg for a high.
jay2003 wrote: Load everything in the trailer and keep the weight out of the truck or you'll exceed the GVWR of the truck. Use your gears and keep your RPM above 3000 when towing heavy grades and use 4th or 3rd when going downhill. Recomend using a Prodigy brake controller with it set on Boost 1 for good control when stopping.
Good luck and happy camping.
I agree with him on the packing. I once put my tools, firewood, 138lbs generator, and some other junk in the bed of the truck...with the trailer on there too it sat pretty low. It perfomed a lot better when everything was in the camper. Don't put the Taco in OD when towing something that big, even on the flats, the OD gear is not a tow gear and will wear out plus you will shift more often. Your manual agrees with that statement. Oh, and if you have cruise, shut it off when you get to slight grade, it will downshift your truck when it doesn't need downshifted, even on slight inclines.
This is great. I just joined the site because I was looking for towing info for my new Tacoma. I have just purchased the same truck as Annieohh and am wondering what TT to get. I currently have a Jayco tent trailer but am looking to upgrade. I like the looks of the Hybrids, but haven't decided on a brand model or size. If anyone has any comments on their Hybrid TT I would really appreciate it. I was thinking of the Jayco EXP line (good or bad I would like to hear it) but am open to all.
My family consists of me, my wife, two boys and the dog (total weight about 600 pounds). Thanks for any input.
PS. Annieohh I don't know if you have bought yours yet, but I just saved 5.5 grand buying my Tacoma in the US. Brand new 09 DC TRD sport with the tow package. If you want the dealers name just PM me (they are in North West washington area).
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