Need help on towing capacity.

[Danmer]

Hi guys!...hope you are doing well,

This is my dilemma. I have a 2011 Toyota Tacoma 4.0L V6 capable of towing 5000 lb. and the travel trailer that I like weights about 3820 lb. unloaded.
I'm not to sure if the truck will handle this load, even though I'm not planning to carry a lot on it.

2011 Tacoma
2013 Swift 185

[yrralrellim]

I'll bet money that you will at least have to install a weight distribution hitch (WDH) to tow safely. You may also find some valuable help in the 4/29 "Soon to be first time TT owners, need advice" thread.

[Rustic Eagle]

Here is a another thread on a Tacoma and 185RB that may be helpful:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/sh...ghlight=tacoma

If you are considering a TT other then the 185RB, what year/model is it? Is the 3,820lbs the published UVW or the UVW stated on the yellow sticker located on the side of the TT?

Bob

[kvangil]

I assume the one you "like" is not the Swift 185 in your sig? I think it can be done, but you'll likely be right at max capacity. For comparison, my 2004 X23b:

UVW from brochure: 3600lbs
Actual dry weight from sticker: 4026lbs!!
WD Hitch: ~80 lbs
Dual propane tanks: 80 lbs
Battery: 50 lb
Camping gear: Est 300 lbs
People in the truck (kids are small): 500 lbs

Travelling with empty tanks, that puts me at just over 5000 lbs (I have 6000lb tow capacity). Depending on how you pack, that "3800" dry could approach 5000 pretty quick. Best of luck whatever you decide.

[Danmer]

Hi Rustic Eagle,

Yes the UVW is from Jayco's webpage specs and is a 2014 198rd TT. Thank you for your help, it's greatly appreciated.

2011 Tacoma
2013 Swift 185

[Danmer]

Thank you Kvangil, every little piece of information helps a lot. I'm also planning to travel with empty tanks, I don't do dry camping at all, good luck to you too.

[Rustic Eagle]

Danmer,

Thanks for the follow-up information.

The 198RD as you mentioned has a published UVW of 3,830lbs, but the actual ship weight from the factory will be around 4,030lbs (GVWR of 5,900lbs). If there is a 198RD on your RV dealer's lot, look for a yellow sticker for the actual factory UVW, that's your starting point. Then add another 75lbs for RV dealer battery, misc., etc..

So (4,105lbs) + (500lbs conservative cargo estimate) = 4,605lbs TT weight.

Your Tacoma's Tow Rating of 5,000lbs is based on it's curb weight, not as it sits in your driveway..., so any option weight (cap, upgrades, etc.), passenger weight, and cargo weight in the Tacoma gets subtracted from the 5,000lb tow rating.

Tow Ratings: http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3866

With your Tacoma's "actual" tow rating dropping below 5,000lbs and the 198RD's loaded weight actually approaching 5,000lbs (possibly exceeding), IMO you will be maxing out your Tacoma's weight limits at the very least...., and that's under some very controlled loading habits.

Hope this helps.

Bob

[SouthCo]

It may tow it, but it wont like it... Unless you are going very short distances with no hills, I would not recommend.

[Heady]

Agree with others. I purchased a Jay feather x20e, my Tacoma pulled it but was not happy, especially on any incline hills.

[Danmer]

Thanks to everyone very, very much for all the information, now I have a good idea of what to do with what I have, looks like I need a bigger truck anyways. = )

2011 Tacoma
2013 Swift 185

[MonkeyClaw]

I tow an X20E (~3990 lbs yellow sticker) with a FJ Cruiser w/ 5K capacity and it does a fine job. The only caveat is that you need to know your engine. The Toyota 4.0L in my TV makes max power (torque and HP) above 4000 RPM. You can't throw it in 'D', set the cruise control, and expect it to be happy. I manually shift, downshift when climbing hills, never use overdrive, etc. I've traveled CA, Utah, AZ, NM and the mid-West with this configuration without issues. The engine is revving higher than you are used to, but it is designed to run at these higher RPMs. It is not struggling, it just sounds like it because it's not the 2000 RPM you are used to.

I'd suggest removing extra stuff you don't use though. I've noticed TT's start to gather 'stuff' over time. I also travel with minimal water.

[SkyBound]

My 2014 198RD has an actual weight (yellow sticker) of about 4200lbs. That also does not account for the weight distribution hitch or battery weight, not to mention everything else you put into it. Your Tacoma will struggle to move this trailer at highway speed because although it is relatively short and light, it is still a full profile trailer and produces the same aerodynamic drag as larger trailers. That being said, with the right truck it tows incredibly well.

[Danmer]

Hi Tim, I guess our trucks are very similar, HP, RPM, etc. I would like to know when you mention "overdrive" is that "DR" (drive)? and the downshift are the numbers on the left of the stick?

Dan
2011 Tacoma
2013 Swift 185rb

[Danmer]

Thank you SkyBound, that's a first hand information from someone that owns the actual TT I would like to have. Now I need a big favor from you, can you measure your TT from the edge of the roof to the ground, I need to know to make sure that it will fit on a very limited area I have next to my house. Thank you in advance for your help.

Dan
2011 Tacoma
2013 Swift 185rb

[DocBrown]

One thing not discussed was the GVWR of that trailer. Jayco's web site lists it at 5,900#. Even if you say you'll pack light, the temptation is always there to take more because you can store more.

Over the years I have twice towed very close to my rated capacities. Both times I knew what I was getting into and what the limitations would be. The first was a 3500# hybrid with a mini-van (summer of '03). The second time was with our X20E (4750#) and a Chevy Trailblazer (summer of '13). I would describe both experiences as adequate. Both times I knew that towing in mountains would be out of the question. However I was setup properly and never felt unsafe or had "white knuckle experiences". In the case of the mini-van we replaced it after the first season for 2 reasons, we really hated owning a mini-van, and we wanted to tow on long trips, and in mountains. We just sold the Trailblazer because it had 160k on it and I really didn't want to spend any money on it anymore. In both cases, prior to towing close to capacity we towed trailers with those same vehicles that were well within capacities and with plenty of spare capacity.

That said, there is a definite difference between towing up to your limit and having spare capacity. I've heard in the past that some people use "the 1000 lb" rule. That is, for maximum flexibility and towing "pleasure", tow no more than 1k lbs less than than your towing capacity. There is a lot to be said for that rule.

[MonkeyClaw]

Hi Dan-

Yes, when I talk about overdrive, I mean the 'D' setting on the stick. I usually start in '3', then shift to '4'. I could really just start in '4' and be fine most of the time. The only time you need to worry is when the transmission shifts back and forth between gears (called 'hunting'), usually during a climb but also possible in a really strong headwind. This will heat up and wear on an automatic transmission. You are better off just using the lower gear until the climb is over.

Obviously a bigger vehicle will be easier to tow with, but we like the capabilities of the FJ when we've reached our destination. We use a nice WD hitch with sway control and haven't had any issues. Gas mileage seems to be virtually the same regardless of tow vehicle.

[Danmer]

Thank you Tim for your time and patience, have a great camping season !!

Dan
2011 Tacoma
2013 Swift 185rb

[SkyBound]

I'll be able to get a measurement to you next weekend, as I'm away from home for work stuff. You just want me to measure from the roof to the ground?

[Danmer]

Thank you for the follow up SkyBound,
Yes, from the edge of the roof to the ground, I need to know how tall it is, thank you very much.

Dan
2011 Tacoma
2013 Swift 185rb

[SkyBound]

Just so you know, I haven't forgotten about you. My stay away from home was extended by a few days (for now) and I really can't say when I will be back again. Sorry to jerk you around like this lol but I'm in the middle of a pretty hecktic time right now.... Don't even have a single camping trip planned yet and no idea when we will be able to get some days off. If you can hang in there let me know, otherwise try to summon some other 198 owners on here. There aren't a lot of us that's for sure.