towing with 2016 Toyota Tacoma

[TheOzz2011]

I am ready to buy a Surveyor TT 226RBDS and my TV is a 2016 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 with a 6800 max tow weight. The trailer dry weight is 4990 with a load capacity of 2668 and hitch weight of 658. I have looked all over the web but not sure if this is doable. I do not carry any water and don't pack much, most of my trips are fairly level, Florida and Kansas. I think I can keep the trailer under 6000 but worry if that will be good enough.

Any comments?

[D_B Travelers]

Ozz, even if your truck has the Max Tow package, I don't think you can pull the Surveyor without being either right at your maximum capacity or way over. I am not saying it will not physically pull the trailer, but rather will your truck be able to stop or safely maneuver all that weight in an emergency, and will the truck's components stand up to that maximum weight without wearing or breaking prematurely? There have been volumes of posts about this same subject for almost every combination of tow vehicle and RV imaginable in the history of this forum. There are those that are called the "weight Police" and are very strictly observant of capacities, loaded axle weights, and the balance between tow vehicle and towed vehicle. There are others that are...how should I say this...more lenient of the weight rules. Do some searches on towing weights. The Surveyor you are looking at is 26' long, with an empty weight of 5028#; it will never, ever weigh that again in its lifetime. That was on the day it rolled off of the assembly line without propane, without batteries, and possibly without any of the extra accessories that were added by the dealer. In the real world, they ALWAYS weigh more than the paper states; the only way to know is to look on the yellow sticker on the trailer side. I would wager it is nearer 5400# with a hitch weight now of 750-800# because most of the items added are on the tongue! Your truck is rated at 6800#, that is the additional weight you can add/pull over and above YOU the driver. Don't forget the weight of the hitch (100#), wife, girlfriend (not recommended for the same trip), dogs, kids, fuel, camping supplies, bicycles, tools, fishing gear, kayak, food, beer, firewood all subtract from that remaining available weight of 1400#. Trust me, it adds up very quickly, and you are now substantially over your truck's rated limits. The trailer lists a CCC (cargo carrying capacity) of 2630#, which would make the trailer GVWR 7656#, or way past your truck's listed ability.
We had a 2013 GMC 1500 with HD tow package when we bought our Windjammer and we had to pay very close attention to what we could pull and still take along food, supplies, and other normal camping items. Same for almost everyone out there, so don't feel bad. I now have a 1 ton Duramax GMC dually and we are looking to move to a 40' 5th wheel; found one I couldn't tow safely just last week! It was okay, because the wallet didn't like it either! I would tell you to read more on this forum to better understand ALL the factors that need to be known to make your trips fun and safe.

[D_B Travelers]

BTW - Pay NO attention to the dealer's salesperson telling you that your vehicle can pull the RV with NO problem. He is getting paid to sell RVs, he isn't going with you on the trip! And, sadly, many of them have no idea about real-world weight issues. Do your own homework before you buy something that isn't fun, or actually dangerous, to tow.

[Croaker]

My previous trailer a 23' Passport TT (about your same weight) which I pulled with a 2015 Tacoma TRD.

I was impressed by the power of that little truck. It handled the load with ease.

I was disappointed with the gas mileage.
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[D_B Travelers]

What are the weight differences between your 23' and the 26' mentioned? Ozz isn't too far over, so something in that size may be just fine.

[Ken K.]

Originally Posted by TheOzz2011

I am ready to buy a Surveyor TT 226RBDS and my TV is a 2016 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 with a 6800 max tow weight. The trailer dry weight is 4990 with a load capacity of 2668 and hitch weight of 658. I have looked all over the web but not sure if this is doable. I do not carry any water and don't pack much, most of my trips are fairly level, Florida and Kansas. I think I can keep the trailer under 6000 but worry if that will be good enough.

Any comments?

I just sold my 2015 Tacoma Prerunner SR5 it had a 6500lb max tow capacity. I towed a 2502KS with it. My TT's dry weight was 4500 with a 6K max cap. I towed that trailer about 10K miles in the year. I used a 12K Reese WDH with 1200lb trunnions. I also had to add Firestone Ride Rite air bags to smooth out the ride a little, only needed 25 psi in the bags, not to level but to cushion the bumps and bounces. They were no drill installation, so they were a no brainer. TV tires were a load range E BF Goodrich TA Terrains to limit the sway. I used 50Lbs in rear tires when towing. Once I did all this, and my WDH was set up correctly on flat land I hardly knew I was towing anything at all. I'm not sure if the 2016 has an integrated electric brake controller. Mine did not I used a Tekonsha Prodigy Trailer Brake Controller, it was proportional so the harder I pressed the pedal the more juice it sent to the trailer brakes. I didn't want the trailer trying to pass me when I wanted to stop. Finally I added a set of Tyger plug and play fold out tow mirrors I found on Amazon to replace the crappy factory mirrors that suck for towing. They were plug and play and bolted on in like 20 mins. Full electric mirror control. I was very happy with that setup never felt out of control. or felt like I was pushing the truck to it's max. Not even close. I did upgrade my TV to an F250 because I bought a big ass boat, and I'm seriously considering upgrading my TT to something more roomier as well. There were step by step videos for all my mods on youtube. You will find lots of nay sayers on here, truck snobs, hitch snobs that say you need a F350 with a v10 cummings, and an Allison transmission to haul anything. I did it for a year and 3 months without any issues. Just don't do anything outrageously stupid, and you will be fine. Happy travels!

[rwatson908]

I have forest river microlite 21 DS, 2015. My TV is a 2011 Forerunner Limited.
Recently traveled from Atlanta to Denver, northern route. My only issue as uphill, speed reduced average 15 mph.
FYI- Chatfield State Park in Littleton is a very nice destination!

[tande]

Originally Posted by rwatson908

I have forest river microlite 21 DS, 2015. My TV is a 2011 Forerunner Limited.
Recently traveled from Atlanta to Denver, northern route. My only issue as uphill, speed reduced average 15 mph.
FYI- Chatfield State Park in Littleton is a very nice destination!

I hope you meant 15 mpG......

[TheOzz2011]

After reading the responses and doing more homework I have decided to back off a bit. I really like the Forest river Surveyor trailers and they have the 201RBS that is 24'5" Dry weight 4120 Load capacity 1305 and hitch weight 425. that would be 5425 gross, I feel that would be a much safer weight for my toy.

Thanks again for all the input.

Dave

[RFGTLG]

You are asking for trouble to pull that much with Tacoma; no room for error. Also, think about stopping...
Move up to a Tundra or go smaller. My 2 cents! 😊

[Ken K.]

Originally Posted by RFGTLG

You are asking for trouble to pull that much with Tacoma; no room for error. Also, think about stopping...
Move up to a Tundra or go smaller. My 2 cents! 😊

I pulled a larger trailer with my Tacoma, I logged a little over 10K miles in 15 months. I had zero issues. That being said I did have to modify the suspension, and upgrade to some real hauling tires etc...

[rwatson908]

The gas mileage was bad, 8-10 mpg.
Cruise speed 65-70 on flatter roads. 55 up hill
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[itat]

Ozz, you've made a wise choice to go with something smaller and lighter. Those dry weights you're quoting - are they the listed dry weights in the brochure? They are notoriously optimistic. Count on being at least 600# (likely 1000# loaded) heavier than the brochure weight. Ignore the brochure weights and find out what they really weigh according to the sticker on the actual trailer.

I towed a 5200# (loaded actual weight) Rockwood Roo with my '08 Tacoma TRD double cab. I knew it was there as soon as I touched the gas or brake pedal. Don't believe anyone who tells you different. Upgrading tires and adding air bags makes the ride more stable but it doesn't increase your GVWR. I was right at my GVWR with only 2 of us in the cabin, I had all 5 of use to take at the time, so I upgraded to my current F-150. The Tacoma is great for light loads and for off-road, not so much for travel trailers with higher weights and pulling that wall through the air.

[itat]

Originally Posted by Ken K.

I pulled a larger trailer with my Tacoma, I logged a little over 10K miles in 15 months. I had zero issues. That being said I did have to modify the suspension, and upgrade to some real hauling tires etc...

If the Tacoma was that great for you, why did you change to F-250 as your TV? Are you planning to move to a 5er?

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by itat

If the Tacoma was that great for you, why did you change to F-250 as your TV? Are you planning to move to a 5er?

Because he wanted a real truck !!!

[D_B Travelers]

Ozz, I REALLY hope you find something that you like and something that is comfortable to tow. The Toyotas are very good trucks and should work fine within their rating. I am attaching a link here to the Learning to RV website showing much of what I wish I had known before buying my first TT. The magazine Trailer Life also has a lot of very useful information in this link including tow ratings for almost every vehicle in the past several years. Also, here is a link that will walk you through weighing your rig once you have made your selection. You will know then just how much camping gear you can add for your adventures.
Just reading and understanding will make your selection of a camper so much more enjoyable, you will know your limits, what things to watch out for that might be a problem down the road, and certainly know more about your capabilities than the salesperson that is assuring you "You can pull that will no problem"! I equate RV salespeople the same respect as I do for the typical used car salesperson.

[53flattie]

I towed my 2015 RW 2306 Mini Lite (3850# dry) with a Tacoma double cab. Twice. Then sold the Tacoma and bought a Tundra...

It was marginal at best, but I live in the upstate of SC, so all my travel takes me into the mountains. Just like someone else on here stated - I didn't feel like I had enough margin to be comfortable. Especially on the interstate with big-rigs passing.

REALLY loved my Taco and hated to get rid of it. First trip home from the camper dealer:




2015 Rockwood 2306
2015 Tundra CrewMax

[TheOzz2011]

Well I bought and towed home a:
2016 Coachmen Apex 212RB I was surprised at how well it towed and stopped. Got a anti sway hitch and backup camera. Next thing is to actually camp in it.

Dave

[Ken K.]

Nice congratulations. Happy travels.