Forum Discussion

kfp673's avatar
kfp673
Explorer II
Aug 29, 2020

Small Trailer Weight suggestions

Hello All,

Throwing this out there to hear some thoughts. I am helping my in-laws find their first every travel trailer. I have had travel trailers for 20 years but have only ever had a HD truck and larger trailers. My in-laws are looking for a small trailer they can pull with their new Tacoma. We have found plenty well within the weight but the inventory right now is slim pickin's everywhere.

So, here is the questions. The tow rating for the Tacoma is 6000 lbs. They found a 20' trailer with 3200lb empty weight and 1300lb cargo rating. I know the story on tow ratings vs GVWR but either way this trailer is well within. Problem is they are nowhere to be found. They then found a 22' Jayco that has an empty weight of 4500lb with 900lb cargo capacity. So now we are getting on the high side for that Tacoma when loaded. BUT.. The Jayco empty Tongue weight is only 340lbs vs the light trailer 430lb. AND, the jayco is dual axel vs the smaller trailer being single

My initial thought is that while the Jayco is really pushing the limits of the Tacoma's weight and tow ratings, it may actually tow better due to the lighter tongue weight and dual axels. They will be buying a good hitch setup. Most likely the BlueOx sway pro.

What do you guys think? Is that too much to ask of a little tacoma? Saftey is my main concern mostly becuase they are not super experienced towing trailers. Thoughts?
  • badercubed's avatar
    badercubed
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2020
    I highly recommend an Apex Nano. I tow the TT in my signature easily with a 2018 Canyon and there are a few floor plans for all different needs.

    Edit - I also use a BlueOx Sway-Pro and love it.
  • GrandpaKip's avatar
    GrandpaKip
    Explorer II
    Aug 30, 2020
    More than likely, they will be close to 6k# loaded. That would be about 720# tongue weight.
    Leaves about 450# for passengers and stuff. That would be uncomfortably close for me, both the truck and the trailer.
    Our trailer brochure dry weight was about 3800# and weighed over 4200# dry as scaled. We average 5k# loaded and have over 1000# as a cushion.
    We had a Frontier 4x4 that pulled it fine all over the US. It was maxed out on payload and axles but not on max tow.
    An actual dry weight of about 3500# would be my max target.
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2020
    vermilye wrote:
    I towed a 17' Escape fiberglass trailer with a 2016 Tacoma, 3100/360 pounds. No problems & a good combination. Switched to an Escape 21 and while the trailer & tongue weight were well within specifications at 4950/500 pounds, the truck itself was over payload by 200 pounds. I carry lots of stuff in the truck since I'm out 6-8 months of the year dry camping in the desert. These are loaded weights.

    The other problem was with the new 3.5L engine. The truck spent far too much time at 4000RPM sucking down gas and getting 10 - 11MPG. I switched to a F 150 3.5L EcoBoost and am getting 13MPG and well under 1800RPM at 63MPH. The 10 speed transmission, great tow mirrors and 36 gallon gas tank are a big improvement.

    I loved the Tacoma for off road, parking, and size, but it wasn't up to even a 5000 loaded trailer.
    And that was when towing a trailer with small frontal profile, only 7'4" wide and 108" to the top of the A/C. I bet the 22 footer under consideration is both wider and taller. Wind resistance on the highway is a huge factor.
  • vermilye's avatar
    vermilye
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2020
    I towed a 17' Escape fiberglass trailer with a 2016 Tacoma, 3100/360 pounds. No problems & a good combination. Switched to an Escape 21 and while the trailer & tongue weight were well within specifications at 4950/500 pounds, the truck itself was over payload by 200 pounds. I carry lots of stuff in the truck since I'm out 6-8 months of the year dry camping in the desert. These are loaded weights.

    The other problem was with the new 3.5L engine. The truck spent far too much time at 4000RPM sucking down gas and getting 10 - 11MPG. I switched to a F 150 3.5L EcoBoost and am getting 13MPG and well under 1800RPM at 63MPH. The 10 speed transmission, great tow mirrors and 36 gallon gas tank are a big improvement.

    I loved the Tacoma for off road, parking, and size, but it wasn't up to even a 5000 loaded trailer.
  • ssthrd's avatar
    ssthrd
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2020
    With the 2009 V6 auto Tacoma with tow package that I had, I pulled a 21 foot TT that weighed about 5,000 on the road. The tow rating on it was 6500 lbs, with a cargo capacity of just under 1400 lbs. I had a basic Husky hitch with 8,000 lb spring bars and one friction sway control bar. I also had overload springs and airbags.

    Getting into tight spots with it was a piece of cake. In hindsight, for the weekend local stuff, it was a great setup for what I had, but I definitely would not want to tow long distance with it. Available power was marginal, driving was a full time job, and gas mileage was poor.

    Loved the truck, but not for towing that much weight.
  • kfp673's avatar
    kfp673
    Explorer II
    Aug 29, 2020
    Lynnmor wrote:
    If I read this right, the tongue weight is way too low and sway is a real possibility. That 900lb tells me that it has toys for tires and it will not carry enough. Skip it.


    After further research, the dealers website does not match Jayco. Imagine that ;-) jayco website has it listed as dry weight 4700lb, 6k GVWR and 465lb dry hitch. The truck payload is 1155. Online Toyota shows a tongue load rating of 640lb max tow 6400lb.

    I know all about dry ratings so after doing some simple estimates, it seems like this trailer is basically right at the max. Obviously payload is the big variable depending on what they load the truck/trailer with, but in general it seems right at the max. Do you all agree? Too much for that truck? Think it will be ok?
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Aug 29, 2020
    In laws made the classic mistake...bought the TV before buying or selecting the trailer.
  • GrandpaKip's avatar
    GrandpaKip
    Explorer II
    Aug 29, 2020
    Average tongue weight should be between 10 and 15% of trailer weight. Brochure tongue weights are usually on the low side.
    Payload of the truck is more important than tow weight.
    What’s the payload of that truck from it’s yellow sticker?
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Aug 29, 2020
    Light tongue weight doesn’t make anything tow better. You never mention the Tacoma’s payload max. Unusual for an experienced trailerite. What is it? Two in law’s batteries, water, propane, lawn chairs and other stuff in the TT will be under 900 pounds? Unlikely.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2020
    If I read this right, the tongue weight is way too low and sway is a real possibility. That 900lb tells me that it has toys for tires and it will not carry enough. Skip it.

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