Tacoma TV for 2306?

[53flattie]

My family of 3 (nine year old daughter) is ready to move up from our 1999 Rockwood Freedom pop-up. It aged so well that we insist on another Rockwood. The 2306 looks perfect for us with the rear bunks, the Murphy bed, and the light weight. I have a 2006 Tacoma double cab (TRD off-road) with the 4.0L V6, and a six-speed manual. I *think* this will be fine to pull the 2306, but I would like to get some opinions before I make the purchase.

We are in the upstate of SC, so we do encounter some hills, particularly if we venture into western NC or northeastern GA, but nothing like the long steep grades of the Rockies.

Thanks!!

[53flattie]

And let me add that I know a weight distribution and sway-control hitch as well as a brake controller will be mandatory. I also have replacement rear springs and shocks already installed (Old Man Emu).

[Joelh]

I have the flagstaff version and love it. Can't speak to the Tacoma, I two with a Chevy express van, but it is pretty light up front. Less than 400 lbs tongue, I think

[PSUFan1]

As you can see by my signature we also have the Flagstaff version and did pull it with a v6 GMC Envoy. The Envoy towing capacity was 5,000 lbs. it did ok. It dogged on the hills so we upgraded to the V8 version Envoy (6000 lbs towing). Much better but still not great. I like parking in the garage with the Envoy versus a pickup. What's the towing capacity on the Tacoma?


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[53flattie]

Originally Posted by DisDad01

As you can see by my signature we also have the Flagstaff version and did pull it with a v6 GMC Envoy. The Envoy towing capacity was 5,000 lbs. it did ok. It dogged on the hills so we upgraded to the V8 version Envoy (6000 lbs towing). Much better but still not great. I like parking in the garage with the Envoy versus a pickup. What's the towing capacity on the Tacoma?


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Tacoma towing capacity is 6500, which is definitely ample. I'm just concerned with hills and cross-winds. The Tacoma weighs about 4500lbs, and I have a few aftermarket add-ons that make it a bit heavier. But I don't want the tail to wag the dog, so to speak.

[PSUFan1]

Hills and cross winds won't be great but doable. I'd say try it out for yourself and see what you think. If your trips are mostly short I think you will be fine.

By the way, the camper is great. Great space for the kids. Although my 12 Year old is tight on the top bunk.


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[Martingale]

You'll have to run all your weights to know for sure but I would bet that you'll struggle with the Taco's payload capacity as the limiting factor.

I have a buddy who pulls a 1809S with his DC (SoCal) and he does OK but feels he is at the limits - especially through the mountains out here. He's currently looking to upgrade to a bigger truck.

I had an 06 Access Cab TRD w/V6 and loved everything about that truck but it wasn't enough truck (IMHO) for us when we decided to move from our heavy PUP to a hybrid trailer.

That V6 is strong but you'll be carrying two adults, plus growing child, plus plus, plus... It adds up quickly. Plus you'll be pushing a lot more wind in the process.

If you can accept the thought of moving to a bigger truck you can take advantage of the incredible resale value of your Taco - just like I did - and get yourself into a bigger used truck for little to no additional cash outlay.

I sold my 06 AC Taco and bought an 07 5.7l DC Tundra and still pocketed a little cash out of the deal. I gave up a few MPGs in the process but gained a lot in towing capacity, much bigger and comfortable rear seat - and all the space we need in the cab and bed of the truck - and of course the 5.7l motor is just a monster.

The Tacos are great for daily drivers and PUP tow vehicles, but the Tundra (or equal) will make your whole towing experience much more comfortable and relaxing when you start to go up in trailer size.

Something to think about... Best of luck in your decision!

[53flattie]

Thanks so much for the insight Martin. All good points to consider, and a few I had already thought about. I'm not totally averse to getting a bigger TV, but I'm going to give the Taco a try to see how it does first. I live right on the cusp of "hilly" terrain - at the eastern side of the Blue Ridge mountains. If we head west, to the coast, things are relatively flat. Heading east puts us in the hills and I figure it's going to strain the truck. The wind load is probably one of the biggest factors, although - luckily - most of the hilly routes are on state roads, so it's not necessary to maintain freeway speed.

Like you pointed out, the Tacos are crazy high in the resale market, so that's good.

[ColoradoRick]

When we went from the 18-foot to a 33-footer TT, we had to trade in my 05 Taco (that I loved) for a Tundra. But they gave me $13k for the Taco and I found a used Tundra so we got a $50K truck for $35. (Even with the light trailer, the Taco worked very hard and we got a lot of chucking...not so with the Tundra...she's a beast!!)

[HONDAMAN174]

I think you have the right idea of trying with current equipment and keeping an open mind. We had taken a few trips in two vehicles before we got Clifford.

We got to try out the AFE intake and TRD exhaust this last weekend as we headed to Flagstaff and Sedona. Only one hill was starting to bog us down to 55 @ 7400 ft but ran like a champ everywhere else


2014 Stealth Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7 "Clifford"

[Jhochst]

We have a 06 Jeep Wrangler LJ with 4.0 to pull our 3200# dry Rockwood 1905. Does good for local. Take top off and have fun. Upgraded wife's edge (no tow) to a 2011 durango crew with 5.7 v8 hemi with tow package for long trips. I'm sure it will do good. You will know real fast what your Tacoma can do and be safe. We know jeep limits and stay close. Have fun


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[Jhochst]

Originally Posted by Jhochst

We have a 06 Jeep Wrangler LJ with 4.0 to pull our 3200# dry Rockwood 1905. Does good for local. Take top off and have fun. Upgraded wife's edge (no tow) to a 2011 durango crew with 5.7 v8 hemi for long trips. I'm sure it will do good. You will know real fast what your Tacoma can do and be safe. We know jeep limits and stay close. Have fun


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[cohuttariverrat]

We went from a popup to a 2306 and couldn't be more pleased. We tow with a 4.7 v8 4runner which is an extremely strong motor for that size vehicle."wish they put them in the tacomas and I'd own one." It does just fine for us except intestate travel cause of short wheel base and light vehicle. I also tow it with 5.2 dodge ram and it is better on interstate but on mountain roads prefer the 4runner. Expect your fuel to drop below 10mpg. good luck on your camper search

[itat]

I agree with Martingale. We had a 2007 Tacoma pulling our 5200# (loaded) Roo 23SS with a 600# tongue weight. It worked just OK. Hills were a problem and we were at max. payload with just me and 1 DS in it when we took it to the CAT scales.

Give it a try but I suspect you'll need to upgrade to a 1/2 ton like I did.

[Glindz233s]

I'm new to RVIng but have a 2008 taco prerunner and have had no problem pulling my Shamrock 233s hybrid (4500 lbs unloaded). No mountain hauling so far but hills have not been any trouble. However, I do see a Tundra or Silverado in my future.
🎄

[pappcam]

Originally Posted by cohuttariverrat

We went from a popup to a 2306 and couldn't be more pleased. We tow with a 4.7 v8 4runner which is an extremely strong motor for that size vehicle."wish they put them in the tacomas and I'd own one." It does just fine for us except intestate travel cause of short wheel base and light vehicle. I also tow it with 5.2 dodge ram and it is better on interstate but on mountain roads prefer the 4runner. Expect your fuel to drop below 10mpg. good luck on your camper search

Sounds hardly fine when driving straight on a 4 lane highway isn't going well....