Author Topic: Tacoma/Frontier generations for Towing an RV. (Read 1145 times)

vicali · « **on:** March 24, 2011, 01:17:56 pm »

We just spent the weekend RV shopping with the inlaws in their 2006 tacoma double cab,
they ended up with an 18ft 4000lbs trailer. This got me thinking;

We have always said when the time comes to get a truck we like the earlier 2001-2004 Double Cab Tacomas,
but now I’m thinking about towing capacity and pulling RV trailers..

Is 5000lbs enough for a trailer? We would get an RV in the 18ft range but hopefully less than 4000lbs.
Would the extra towing capacity of the newer Tacoma be necessary?

The same question could be applied to the Nissan Frontiers, as I’ve started looking at them as an alternative to a Tacoma as well.

opinions?

Thanks,
mike

ktm525 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2011, 01:46:14 pm »

Quote from: vicali on March 24, 2011, 01:17:56 pm

We just spent the weekend RV shopping with the inlaws in their 2006 tacoma double cab,
they ended up with an 18ft 4000lbs trailer. This got me thinking;

We have always said when the time comes to get a truck we like the earlier 2001-2004 Double Cab Tacomas,
but now I’m thinking about towing capacity and pulling RV trailers..

Is 5000lbs enough for a trailer? We would get an RV in the 18ft range but hopefully less than 4000lbs.
Would the extra towing capacity of the newer Tacoma be necessary?

The same question could be applied to the Nissan Frontiers, as I’ve started looking at them as an alternative to a Tacoma as well.

opinions?

Thanks,
mike

I never like to tow right up to the maximum limit. Just because they can doesn't mean it is an enjoyable experience. Keep in mind payloads. All people/cargo and trailer tongue weights are added to payload. This can easily be exceeded before maximum trailer towing weight is reached. If I was going to be pulling 4000 lbs+ regularly then I would strongly consider a F150, Silverado etc.

Great_Big_Abyss · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2011, 01:59:18 pm »

Keep in mind that the weight specified by the trailer manufacturer is usually dry weight. That means weight when empty. You can easily add 1000 lbs to the weight of a trailer by the time you've filled up the water tank, added dishes and personal effects.

In that case, you're right up at the 5000lb towing capacity of your truck. Also, don't forget the Gross Combined Weight Rating of your truck. Often, you'll only be able to use the maximum towing capacity with the actual truck itself lightly loaded. Put 4 people in the cab, and load the back with a bunch of suitcases, hook up your 4500lb trailer, and you could easily pass the GCWR. One of the many disadvantages of compact trucks....

That being said, if you're only going to tow your trailer a few times a year, then no problem. If you're planning on living in your trailer while moving around the country constantly, you're probably better off with a fullsize truck with a small V8.

Great_Big_Abyss · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2011, 02:00:01 pm »

Looks like KTM got to it before I did.

ktm525 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2011, 02:04:00 pm »

Yes but you added the GVWR bit.

GVWR - Vehicle curb weight = payload (people/cargo tongue weight)

HeliDriver · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2011, 05:11:21 pm »

+1 to everything said above.

I owned a 2000 Nissan Xterra and thought I was being smart when I bought a 3,000lb, 21-foot trailer to tow behind it. The Xterra had a 5,000lb tow rating, so I thought I was being conservative. I wasn't 20kms from the RV dealership before I realized that towing with the Xterra was going to be miserable and I'd need to sell it for something more capable. We traded our Xterra for a half-ton Suburban and haven't looked back.

The newer Xterras (and Frontiers and Tacomas) are undoubtedly more capable, but I still believe you'll want a half-ton to do the job properly.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:20:16 pm »

Ford Ecoboost F150: 365 hp and 420 lb-ft on regular unleaded, and it can tow up to 11300lbs.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/09/first-drive-review-2011-ford-f-150-35-ecoboost-v-6-and-50-v-8.html

Trainman · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:37:43 pm »

Heh Mike, I think the Forester would work just fine! May have to "upgrade" to an XT

What is happening to Daisy?

How much towing will you be doing? Would renting a 1/2 or 3/4 ton when you need it make better sense? And don't forget the hills around here can be pretty brutal to vehicles when pushed to their limits. I am sure you have seen the burnt carcasses and burn spots on the Coq!

Also think about how many of the compact trucks you see actually towing the kind of trailer you are thinking of compared to full size trucks. I don't see too many.

That being said, if it just a few times per year, you may be able to get away with it and have a more practical vehicle for everyday use. Decisions, decisions $:-\$

rrocket · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:42:12 pm »

Quote from: vicali on March 24, 2011, 01:17:56 pm

We just spent the weekend RV shopping with the inlaws in their 2006 tacoma double cab,
they ended up with an 18ft 4000lbs trailer. This got me thinking;

We have always said when the time comes to get a truck we like the earlier 2001-2004 Double Cab Tacomas,
but now I’m thinking about towing capacity and pulling RV trailers..

Is 5000lbs enough for a trailer? We would get an RV in the 18ft range but hopefully less than 4000lbs.
Would the extra towing capacity of the newer Tacoma be necessary?

The same question could be applied to the Nissan Frontiers, as I’ve started looking at them as an alternative to a Tacoma as well.

opinions?

Thanks,
mike

Check out A-Liner trailers. Can tow them with damn near anything...

http://www.aliner.com/

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2011, 10:33:58 pm »

Check these guys too:

http://www.taylorcoach.com/

Very light weight. One of the guys on here has one.

rrocket · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2011, 10:37:05 pm »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on March 24, 2011, 10:33:58 pm

Check these guys too:

http://www.taylorcoach.com/

Very light weight. One of the guys on here has one.

Yes, they are light. But I like the low profile of the A-liners. Less drag and easier to pull because of that.

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2011, 12:44:16 am »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on March 24, 2011, 09:20:16 pm

Ford Ecoboost F150: 365 hp and 420 lb-ft on regular unleaded, and it can tow up to 11300lbs.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/09/first-drive-review-2011-ford-f-150-35-ecoboost-v-6-and-50-v-8.html

If you are wanting to tow a 11,300 lb trailer with a half ton you have the same problem. Time to move up to a 3/4 ton!

wing · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2011, 10:03:38 am »

Speaking from experience. I towed a 4000lb trailer with a Tacoma and thought I was going to sway off the road! It felt like the front end was no longer touching the road it was so light in the front. The same trailer with my Titan I can't tell it is even there.

Never again

bridgecity · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2011, 10:08:28 am »

Quote from: wing on March 25, 2011, 10:03:38 am

Speaking from experience. I towed a 4000lb trailer with a Tacoma and thought I was going to sway off the road! It felt like the front end was no longer touching the road it was so light in the front. The same trailer with my Titan I can't tell it is even there.

Never again

If that was the case, then you didn't have the weight distribution hitch set up properly, or you didn't have one at all and should have.

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to tow a 4000lb "wet" trailer with a vehicle that had a 5000lbs towing capacity. If set up properly, it should tow very well.

wing · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2011, 10:16:38 am »

No weight distribution hitch. Heck I tow 6000lbs regularly without one no problem. Nissan recommends to use one after 9000lbs.

bridgecity · « **Reply #15 on:** March 25, 2011, 10:29:39 am »

Quote from: wing on March 25, 2011, 10:16:38 am

No weight distribution hitch. Heck I tow 6000lbs regularly without one no problem. Nissan recommends to use one after 9000lbs.

My comment was in reference to the situation with the Tacoma.

If you have any significant amount of tongue weight, a WDH will improve the stability of the combination significantly. If the steering felt light and unstable on the Tacoma, a WDH would have greatly improved the situation.

My Dad tows heavy loads regularly with his Titan also with no WDH, usually on a car hauler, in which the tongue weight is very dependant on how the trailer is loaded.

Great_Big_Abyss · « **Reply #16 on:** March 25, 2011, 11:49:15 am »

I know they make small, light weight fifth wheels. That would be ideal since it would place the tongue weight in the ideal spot, right over the rear axle. Fifth wheels are also a lot less prone to swaying, which is one of the biggest dangers in a small truck.

If you could find an 18' or 20' fifth wheel, that would be best, I think. Then I woudn't hesitate to say tow it with your Tacoma.

Great_Big_Abyss · « **Reply #17 on:** March 25, 2011, 11:51:45 am »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on March 24, 2011, 09:20:16 pm

Ford Ecoboost F150: 365 hp and 420 lb-ft on regular unleaded, and it can tow up to 11300lbs.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/09/first-drive-review-2011-ford-f-150-35-ecoboost-v-6-and-50-v-8.html

Top of the line engine, and very expensive.

A used F-150 with the 4.6L V8 would be more than enough truck for his needs.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #18 on:** March 25, 2011, 12:25:10 pm »

Quote from: Great_Big_Abyss on March 25, 2011, 11:51:45 am

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on March 24, 2011, 09:20:16 pm
Ford Ecoboost F150: 365 hp and 420 lb-ft on regular unleaded, and it can tow up to 11300lbs.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/09/first-drive-review-2011-ford-f-150-35-ecoboost-v-6-and-50-v-8.html

Top of the line engine, and very expensive.

A used F-150 with the 4.6L V8 would be more than enough truck for his needs.

The Ecoboost is a $2000 option. Not that bad for a twin turbo direct injected engine.

vicali · « **Reply #19 on:** March 25, 2011, 12:27:32 pm »

Quote from: Trainman on March 24, 2011, 09:37:43 pm

Heh Mike, I think the Forester would work just fine! May have to "upgrade" to an XT

What is happening to Daisy?

Decisions, decisions $:-\$

lol Thanks Will, don't worry nothing is happening to Daisy, except maybe some more rally work..

Thanks everyone for the comments, Yes a F150 or other fullsize would do well for towing a trailer around, the only problem would be the other 345 days a year.. I'm just not a big truck kind of person, I've driven a lot of crew trucks in the field at work and they just don't feel like my kind of rig.

I drove an 86 toy for 8 years;

So my idea of a truck may be different than yours. I think the current midsize doublecab trucks (either a Tacome or a Frontier) is going to be as big as I'm going to go. I see lots of ~3000lbs trailers around too, that would be low enough to work.

Our current vacations involve driving our westfalia around BC, so slow uphill and careful downhill are nothing new!

mike