Looking to tow a 2021 NOBO 19.6 with a Tacoma

[JoeCampsNE]

On my second 3rd gen Tacoma in three years (lease rollover). I'm hauling a 2017 MicroLite 21FBRS and it pulls just fine with a WDH. The gas mileage is what is expected on any truck hauling a trailer more or less and I like the maneuverability of a smaller truck. We've been up and down the eastern seaboard and no complaints. It's just my wife and I these days as our kids are off and on their own, so this compact setup meets our needs.

[172av8r]

Originally Posted by JoeCampsNE

On my second 3rd gen Tacoma in three years (lease rollover). I'm hauling a 2017 MicroLite 21FBRS and it pulls just fine with a WDH. The gas mileage is what is expected on any truck hauling a trailer more or less and I like the maneuverability of a smaller truck. We've been up and down the eastern seaboard and no complaints. It's just my wife and I these days as our kids are off and on their own, so this compact setup meets our needs.

Hi, Joe. I'm happy to see your write up about the Tacoma. I'm looking to get a new TV. I really like the Tacoma. I'm towing a Rockwood Roo, which is almost the same specs as your Microlite (4200 empty) I only travel about 10 weekends a year and only 1-2 hours away each trip.

I'm Assuming your camper loaded is ~5000 lbs, you haven't experienced any problem accelerating onto a highway or going up a hill on highway? That is one of my first concerns.

Also I'm concerned about the tongue weight. Toyota says tongue weight max is 640. And they don't distinguish between with or without Weight Distribution hitch. At 5000 pound camper weight, 15% would be 750lbs, thus exceeding rated weight (albeit not by much) Wondering if you've seen any issues here? Do you have a WDH on your setup?

If anyone else has comments, I'm interested. I know lots of people will chime in and say just get a half ton, but this will be my daily driver too, and I really don't want to drop $60k on a half ton for 10 trips a year if I don't have to.

Thanks

[drp.deluxe]

The empty weight of 19 series really pushes the boundaries of the Tacoma. Once you loaded camping supplies and equipment you would for sure be overweight. We settled on the NOBO 16.8 instead and my Tacoma doesn't struggle pulling it but it gets around 7 to 8 mpg while towing it.

[tonymydicom]

I have a 19.6 NOBO and a Toyota Tacoma 2nd gen off-road.
I have not had any issues towing for the last year here in Texas.
At first I thought I might want to add a brake controller but after towing without one for a while this is no longer a concern.
Be sure to check your tongue weight and always follow your truck towing recommendations. Get it weighed and do the math.
Take it slow when your off-roading. These things do have limits.
It's a good idea to get your NOBO tires balanced ASAP. Vibration can also cause internal damage.

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by tonymydicom

I have a 19.6 NOBO and a Toyota Tacoma 2nd gen off-road.
I have not had any issues towing for the last year here in Texas.
At first I thought I might want to add a brake controller but after towing without one for a while this is no longer a concern.

With all due respect.... how do you manage your trailer braking?

[moose074]

Originally Posted by 172av8r

Hi, Joe. I'm happy to see your write up about the Tacoma. I'm looking to get a new TV. I really like the Tacoma. I'm towing a Rockwood Roo, which is almost the same specs as your Microlite (4200 empty) I only travel about 10 weekends a year and only 1-2 hours away each trip.



I'm Assuming your camper loaded is ~5000 lbs, you haven't experienced any problem accelerating onto a highway or going up a hill on highway? That is one of my first concerns.





Thanks

Please don’t take this the wrong way, I am probably mis reading your post. So I apologize in advance, but I think you hit on a common myth.of “ I don’t even no it’s back there “ I drive a a 3500 CTD Dually it takes my truck more time to merge onto the highway pulling than it does when I’m not. Going up hills empty or pulling I have to press the accelerator pedal down further, and I’m rarely in 6th gear especially if it’s long climb. My mpg ranges 8.5 to 10 pulling depending on conditions and terrain. It’s 14.5 to 17 mpg not pulling. So even though the truck handles great and other than checking the mirrors, I know it’s back there, but everything is working as it should. I read a lot of post and often feel it’s u realistic expectations of how a tow vehicle is supposed to handle vs the tow vehicle not being up to the job. ( NOT ENDORSING overweight towing)

[2wTraveler]

Regardless of what the sticker in the door jam says. My 2021 Tacoma TRD Off Road struggles to pull the NOBO 10.6. Also, I only get about 10 MPH when towing. I wouldn't dare try to pull a 19' trailer with it.

[Stowed]

Just bought the NOBO 16.6 2021, pull with my 2019 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Double Cab. (Truck has a 2.5" lift) Pulls fine, I have an e2 roundbar weight distribution/sway hitch. No issues get between 10-12 MPG however...

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Stowed

Just bought the NOBO 16.6 2021, pull with my 2019 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Double Cab. (Truck has a 2.5" lift) Pulls fine, I have an e2 roundbar weight distribution/sway hitch. No issues get between 10-12 MPG however...

but the OP's NoBo has a tongue weight at least 130lbs heavier and 3ft longer than yours.

[DES-1]

Originally Posted by Stowed

Just bought the NOBO 16.6 2021, pull with my 2019 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Double Cab. (Truck has a 2.5" lift) Pulls fine, I have an e2 roundbar weight distribution/sway hitch. No issues get between 10-12 MPG however...

10-12, really? that's not too bad. What is your cruising speed?


If you have the cargo capacity to pull the fully loaded 16.6 and Taco, you should be good. If you haven't run the calculations based on the sticker, though, you should!

[Stowed]

Originally Posted by DES-1

10-12, really? that's not too bad. What is your cruising speed?


If you have the cargo capacity to pull the fully loaded 16.6 and Taco, you should be good. If you haven't run the calculations based on the sticker, though, you should!

Between 60-70mph

[DES-1]

Originally Posted by Stowed

Between 60-70mph

Mileage-wise you are doing VERY well

[Rorschach]

My personal experience with a 19.5:


I had an Explorer when I got the trailer and got it specifically because it fit within the towing specs of my Explorer at the time I got the trailer. I knew that it would not be ideal, but it would work.


Took it on many trips, some long. Some short. Took it through some mountains.


While it did fine on flat land, it def struggled in the mountains and merging onto highways and such. I knew this would be the case, but was not in the market for a camper and a new truck.


The Explorer did well for what I was asking of it, but it was not idea. This year I upgraded to an F150 and it is a much better towing experience.


Can it? Yes. Will it be great all over? No.


If that is what you can do until you upgrade, then just keep in mind that you will be stressed going through the mountains and up an grade and merging into traffic, but if you know that going in, then you will be fine for a while.


I was within my weight ratings with the Explorer, but I am much happier now with a better tow vehicle.

[drp.deluxe]

Here is mine.

[Damon No B.O.]

Taco’s have higher towing capability than Jeep Gladiators, 4 Runners, and a lot of other TVs people post pictures of, but no one questions them.
Mine did awesome with a 19.3, and it’s one of the heaviest. Especially with a WDH and sway control.

[Damon No B.O.]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

What is your payload - from the sticker on the driver's door pillar? What is the GVW of the trailer? Take 15% of the GVW and subtract that from payload and that is what you have left for people, dogs, and gear. Note that 15% is a maximum and therefore conservative.

Actually the GCWR number tells you all you need to know, and for the Tacoma it is 11,390 lbs. Its curb weight is about 4,500 lbs. Your empty Nobo will be between 3,500 and 4,500 lbs (unless you have the 10 series)
You have at least 2,390 lbs for people, gear, and holding tanks with a Tacoma

[BrandonSmith]

Originally Posted by Damon No B.O.

Actually the GCWR number tells you all you need to know, and for the Tacoma it is 11,390 lbs. Its curb weight is about 4,500 lbs. Your empty Nobo will be between 3,500 and 4,500 lbs (unless you have the 10 series)
You have at least 2,390 lbs for people, gear, and holding tanks with a Tacoma

Oh boy

[Damon No B.O.]

Originally Posted by BrandonSmith

Oh boy

I'm not sure which engine you have in your Ram 1500, but the Tacoma beats 3 of them

[DES-1]

Originally Posted by Damon No B.O.

Actually the GCWR number tells you all you need to know, and for the Tacoma it is 11,390 lbs.

According to Toyota the taco's cargo capacity (payload) is so-so. Roughly 1100 lbs. Be careful!!





https://www.toyota.com/tacoma/featur...7594/7544/7582

[Damon No B.O.]

Originally Posted by DES-1

According to Toyota the taco's cargo capacity (payload) is so-so. Roughly 1100 lbs. Be careful!!





https://www.toyota.com/tacoma/featur...7594/7544/7582

It depends which model you have. Mine is 1175, some F-150s are 1900. The Ram 1500 is around 1300.
Personally, I never get anywhere near 1100 lbs of payload in my truck.
And that doesn’t really matter to towing except for the GCWR OF 11,390 lbs which is combined truck and trailer capability.

That number is as high as and higher than several 1/2 ton trucks on the market.

The Tacoma is very capable