Who's towing a travel trailer behind a Tacoma?

Larry
Profile picture for user Larry
Posts
5094
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Fayetteville, GA US
Larry 2/5/2010 8:22pm
2/5/2010 8:22pm
When we get a National in the SE we will put you up.
P
Profile picture for user P
Posts
6054
Joined
11/21/2006
Location
Greensboro, NC US
P 2/5/2010 9:11pm
2/5/2010 9:11pm
I have no idea how it will work out for you, but I would imagine that you are gonna spend a ton of cash on gas. Towing really drops the mpg. Driving a van and just sleeping in it might be a better bet.


P
tunedlength
Profile picture for user tunedlength
Posts
2754
Joined
12/9/2006
Location
Ontario, CA US
tunedlength 2/5/2010 9:52pm
2/5/2010 9:52pm
txmxer wrote:
OR...don't do it. The trailer and all is a great idea...if you can get into something with all the comforts of home. You can't tow anything...
OR...don't do it.

The trailer and all is a great idea...if you can get into something with all the comforts of home. You can't tow anything worth staying in practically all summer with a Toy. Just the facts.

If you get a fifth wheel or something like that (with the right truck), you'll be a lot happier.
soilsample
Profile picture for user soilsample
Posts
64
Joined
12/5/2007
Location
Welsh, LA US
soilsample 2/6/2010 6:22am
2/6/2010 6:22am
The new v6 Tacomas come with 3:73 rear end.

It is my understanding that the Torque converter locks up in these trucks when the cruise control is engaged.......
That may sound strange, but from researching transmission coolers it appears to be the case.
Any time transmission temps are monitored, engaging cruise control always cools off the tranny temps. This is because the lock up converter kicks in and the slip is reduced.

The Shop

See All »
pelted
Profile picture for user pelted
Posts
661
Joined
6/25/2007
Location
. US
pelted 2/6/2010 8:02am
2/6/2010 8:02am
I´ve towed a moving trailer several thousand miles with my Tacoma. Not a travel trailer with a lot of wind resistance, but heavy nonetheless. I have the manual so the transmission wasn´t an issue, but braking was. It towed like it was dragging an anchor, which I can live with, but stopping required some planning. With an automatic it might be more of an adventure, definitely recommend fresh brake pads.

Overall it got the job done but was not up to the same ease of towing level as a full size truck, despite some of the advertising claims.
txmxer
Profile picture for user txmxer
Posts
9770
Joined
8/21/2006
Location
Weatherford, TX US
txmxer 2/7/2010 7:26am
2/7/2010 7:26am
txmxer wrote:
OR...don't do it. The trailer and all is a great idea...if you can get into something with all the comforts of home. You can't tow anything...
OR...don't do it.

The trailer and all is a great idea...if you can get into something with all the comforts of home. You can't tow anything worth staying in practically all summer with a Toy. Just the facts.

If you get a fifth wheel or something like that (with the right truck), you'll be a lot happier.
tunedlength wrote:
[img]https://www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/data/500/medium/HPIM0583.JPG[/img]
you wouldn't want to go very far like that.

What pelted said is true.
Racer92
Profile picture for user Racer92
Posts
17965
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Central, TX US
Racer92 2/7/2010 12:49pm
2/7/2010 12:49pm
txmxer wrote:
you wouldn't want to go very far like that.

What pelted said is true.
Yep, youre right. Pelted is right and so was I. Im not trying to be a Debbie Downer, I love my Tacoma. But its no tow vehicle,, not even close.
oldx
Profile picture for user oldx
Posts
3046
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Camano Island, WA US
oldx 2/7/2010 1:48pm
2/7/2010 1:48pm
Good luck towing with a Toyota when the throttle sticks WFO and the brakes fail.
docweedon
Profile picture for user docweedon
Posts
941
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Escondido, CA US
docweedon 2/7/2010 4:58pm
2/7/2010 4:58pm
GuyB...why deal with the trailer when you can just go with one of these...




While you 'could' pull a little pop-up trailer around with your Taco and be fine, you will still put a lot of strain on your motor and tranny(if you don't have a tow gears). You can modify your truck to make it more reliable traveling all around, too. Just depends on what you want to spend.

Maybe look for a good van.
Racer92
Profile picture for user Racer92
Posts
17965
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Central, TX US
Racer92 2/7/2010 5:07pm
2/7/2010 5:07pm
oldx wrote:
Good luck towing with a Toyota when the throttle sticks WFO and the brakes fail.
Hey Einstein, my 2004 isnt on the recall list.
docweedon
Profile picture for user docweedon
Posts
941
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Escondido, CA US
docweedon 2/7/2010 5:23pm
2/7/2010 5:23pm
oldx wrote:
Good luck towing with a Toyota when the throttle sticks WFO and the brakes fail.
Racer92 wrote:
Hey Einstein, my 2004 isnt on the recall list.
Recall list or not...all newer Toyotas are suspect, even an 04. The Prius wasn't on the recall list and it has major issues. So just because it isn't on the list doesn't mean that you are off the hook.
GuyB
Profile picture for user GuyB
Posts
35725
Joined
7/10/2006
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA US
GuyB 2/7/2010 7:11pm
2/7/2010 7:11pm
I was looking at something like an 18-footer, and taking my son along. That's why I wasn't considering something like a pop-up.

Yeah, I figured it would need both engine and tranny coolers.

I was talking to my dad about it a while back, and he said, "It's not what you can tow, it's what you can stop."
captmoto
Profile picture for user captmoto
Posts
5429
Joined
4/22/2009
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
captmoto 2/7/2010 8:32pm
2/7/2010 8:32pm
Save your money for hotel rooms. You will cut travel time by 25% at least and break even on fuel vs. lodging costs. Real bed, real shower, yada, yada.
wildbill
Profile picture for user wildbill
Posts
4368
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Christmas Valley, OR US
wildbill 2/7/2010 8:57pm
2/7/2010 8:57pm
There's something about being at the track during nat. weekend that is funner than heck and you and your kid will love it.

Your Dad's right about the stopping. One year, me and humtercarrot left shougie in our righteous ghetto setup which included an 82 1/2 ton Ford 2wd with flat six towing a leaky, rusty trailer. Coming to a stop at the bottom took all the power the only brake (right front) had to offer... Scary ride!
sc961
Profile picture for user sc961
Posts
2242
Joined
12/11/2006
Location
Hutchinson, MN US
sc961 2/8/2010 7:13am
2/8/2010 7:13am
captmoto wrote:
Save your money for hotel rooms. You will cut travel time by 25% at least and break even on fuel vs. lodging costs. Real bed, real...
Save your money for hotel rooms. You will cut travel time by 25% at least and break even on fuel vs. lodging costs. Real bed, real shower, yada, yada.
I use to think this way, right up until we bought a motorhome.

When you have a set up that allows you to stay at the track, from start to finish, it's a much better weekend for everyone involved.

Steve, you should check with Toyato directly to see what they say for weight and towing.

A motorhome is the way to go, but I realize the initial expense is big.. There are a lot of campers sitting in the backyard, never being driven.. Find one of those, work out a rental agreement, and give it a shot.

Pit Row

See All »

Post a reply to: Who's towing a travel trailer behind a Tacoma?