Toyota Tacoma towing Travel Trailer/Casita

[Breaky0self]

Alright guys, im currently saving up to take an extended trip across the U.S. next summer. I have been going back and fourth debating if I should upgrade to a tundra from my 2011 Toyota Tacoma Trd sport dbl cab w/tow package. I absolutely love my truck but after countless hrs of research I understand it's not the greatest tow vehicle. But I still think it's capable for what I will be using it for. I'm not looking for a huge trailer, Just need something with a bed/bath/shower/dinette small/kitchen.(under 3500lb fully loaded). Been thinking about a casita/scamp or something similar.(any sort of pop up is out of the question). Any other suitable suggestions? I do plan of going through some steep inclines/mountainous areas. My question is: what will I need to do to equip/setup my truck to tow the kinda trailer I'm look for? It's bone stock right now with 50,000 miles. Also what kind of maintence should I be doing w/that mileage to get it ready?
And what do you "estimate" that it will cost to set it up properly?

Thanks in advance!

[Atlee]

WRT to the truck, I would have a good trusted mechanic check the brakes, fan belt(s), and hoses.

You don't need to automatically replace them, but should any be slightly questionable, I'd change them out.

In 2014, we took a trip across country to LA and return. Before that trip, I had my 2005 F150's systems, brakes, hoses, fluid quality checked before I left. I also had the transmission and rear end drained and refilled with synthetic fluids.

[jerem0621]

Breaky0self wrote:
can anyone suggest a good after-market trans cooler?

B&M or Derale....make sure you get a stacked plate version...I would highly recommend a thermostat for it too.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Breaky0self]

can anyone suggest a good after-market trans cooler?

[AH64ID]

profdant139 wrote:
AH64, you said that your Tacoma had a towing package -- wasn't a transmission cooler included? It was on mine -- and the transmission fluid does not get above 220, according to my Scangauge.

I wonder if there is another parameter that I should look at, other than trans fluid temp.

Yes there was a trans cooler included, but IMHO it isnt't quite adequat for intermountain driving.

I had a temp sensor installed in the torque converter output line which is always hotter than the pan temp where the OEM sensor is. A pan temp of 220 is pretty hot.

Fluid breaks down prior to heat damaging parts which is why it is reccommended to monitor temps where they are the hottest.

[profdant139]

AH64, you said that your Tacoma had a towing package -- wasn't a transmission cooler included? It was on mine -- and the transmission fluid does not get above 220, according to my Scangauge.

I wonder if there is another parameter that I should look at, other than trans fluid temp.

[gmw_photos]

Yes, good point on keeping the auto trans cool. My Frontier has a manual trans, so I tend to forget that issue when posting in these threads.

[Breaky0self]

AH64ID wrote:
I had an 07 Tacoma with the Tow Package and 4.10's. I towed a 1500b popup and was unimpressed with the truck. It had OK power but the transmission would get to 250 plus VERY easily and that was a trailer with no wind resistance.

I am not sure if they increased the size of the cooler since then but I would be cautios.

My folks now have the truck and my mom will tow a 5x8 enclosed trailer with firewood that weighs about 4K max and has the same issues. The 5x8 has a fraction of the frontal area of most TT's...

An aux trans cooler may not be a bad idea.

I would definitely have an aftermarket trans-cooler.

[rexlion]

profdant139 wrote:
Rexlion, depending on how small you are willing to go, there are sometimes used X-139 Fun Finders available on Craigslist.

This 189 might fill the bill -- it's in DeQueen, about two hundred miles from you:

Just over the border in Ark

Thanks Dan, but I'm staying out of the market until next spring. (I only get to camp during summer months anyhow.) I want to have some available funds until I can see where the economy goes in the next few months.

[AH64ID]

I had an 07 Tacoma with the Tow Package and 4.10's. I towed a 1500b popup and was unimpressed with the truck. It had OK power but the transmission would get to 250 plus VERY easily and that was a trailer with no wind resistance.

I am not sure if they increased the size of the cooler since then but I would be cautios.

My folks now have the truck and my mom will tow a 5x8 enclosed trailer with firewood that weighs about 4K max and has the same issues. The 5x8 has a fraction of the frontal area of most TT's...

An aux trans cooler may not be a bad idea.

[washie26]

Just my .02, I tow an Econ 16RB with a 2010 Frontier, no problems going up grades or mountain roads in the Sierra Nevada's. I do have a WDH, and an anti sway control and of course a brake controller. Of course I am looking for a bigger TV because we are looking at a bigger TT. As long as you are within the towing specs for the TV with a little to spare you shouldn't have any problems.

[gmw_photos]

profdant139 wrote:
Rexlion, depending on how small you are willing to go, there are sometimes used X-139 Fun Finders available on Craigslist.

This 189 might fill the bill -- it's in DeQueen, about two hundred miles from you:

Just over the border in Ark

....and if they really get that many dollars out of it, then that is an amazing bit of resale value. That's more money than I paid for my brand new 189FDS in Nov in 2011 ( 2012 model ).

[Breaky0self]

Thanks for the suggestion, definitely don't want a aligner. I do like that fun finder, but I think I'd rather pull that with a tundra because of the aerodynamics!

[profdant139]

Rexlion, depending on how small you are willing to go, there are sometimes used X-139 Fun Finders available on Craigslist.

This 189 might fill the bill -- it's in DeQueen, about two hundred miles from you:

Just over the border in Ark

[jackquontee]

Breaky0self wrote:
I'm not looking for a huge trailer, Just need something with a bed/bath/shower/dinette small/kitchen.(under 3500lb fully loaded).

A possibility?

http://www.aliner.com/campers/Expedition