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01-13-2021, 06:57 PM
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#21
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4 Rivet Member 
2013 20' Flying Cloud
2014 16' Sport
2019 23' Flying Cloud
Dunedin
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 367
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Note my TW is published at 631 but it generally weighs in at 525 or so. I think the caravel line dropped the TW to the mid 500’s. I rarely have both propane tanks full as one tank even during winter travel lasts forever and use the two bikes on the fiama on the tail and FW (.375 - .5 tank) to adjust TW to about 12% of GVW. Wine and tool bag in the shower offset the side by side difference from kitchen appliances.
We’re kinda hunkered down here so haven’t looked locally, but when in EUG I had a County maintained/state inspected ag scale a .5 mile from storage that was never used (except the day I had to wait for the state inspector to do his work). I could move stuff around to truly get a sense of loading for the axle as well as TW, DS tire vs CS tire. Generally is about 2350 per tire or 4700 on the axle. No have 35K+ on t GYE’s. A perfect solution to the no margin GYM/20 FC combo.
For the record, just purchased a 2021 jeep GC Limited with tow package, putting the tow capacity at 62OO and the receiver from a likely class III (highlander manual says 500 -550 TW) to a IV rated at 620 TW…plus a few extra hun of payload capacity. To be clear, ABSOLUTELY NO complaints about the capabilities of the Highlander. The 55K mileage speaks for itself. Always towed straight and true and we’ve been thru it all. Just wanted a new vehicle (highlander now at 140K) , price was very good and a little more margin for tow capacity, hitch capacity and weight capacity thrown in.
So I guess my comment is, big trucks aren’t always the solution. Find a scale, know your weights and how to manage them. Not all TV’s work but certainly more than most folks would consider acceptable.
Happy Trails
*************
Bob. Glad to see your input. I have a 2017 Jeep GC and a 2013 20' FC. I am glad you have weighed yours and explained how to distribute side to side weight. I always carry plenty of wine. Have been concerned about TW as I only had weighed AS axles and Jeep axles. AS came in at 4375 lbs.that day fully loaded. Jeep was 750 lbs. underweight. Didn't think my TW was that heavy so reading 525 is relief as the Jeep was rated at 620, same as AS. Thinking WD helped level out the weight off the hitch.???
__________________
“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list”.
Rosalita WBCCI #12814
Florida Unit #027, Southeastern Camping Unit #012, Florida Suncoast #129, Stella's Sisters, Grapes & Grains, Indie Streamers Save
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01-13-2021, 07:57 PM
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#22
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Rivet Master 
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Washington
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,593
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Native you're welcome. Thinking the Jeep will be good t both of us and a better match. With the two package, the TW jumps from 500 on the Toy to 620 on the Cherokee. That was where I was most nervous.
My understanding (and it took me awhile to believe/understand it) the WD doesn't lesson the TW just shifts it forward.) But like I said, loading management was my solution and the 525 was a reachable goal considering water/bikes in the rear and propane/under-bed loading in the front. The WD also helps bring the tail up, especially with the highlander's design that always looked lower in the rear.
Happy Trails/
p.s. I hear ya on the wine. Used to have to carry some in the TV, but also the shower for the l/r adjustment. Always had trouble adjusting load at the end of the trip  Exp was always the kitchen was the heavier even with food in the above dinette storage.
__________________
WashMoBob
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01-13-2021, 11:25 PM
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#23
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1 Rivet Member 
2018 Basecamp
Rexburg
, Idaho
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 13
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Hi, and welcome! Very excited for you as you start your AS adventure
I sympathize with your concerns. I recently went thru these calculations for a Chevy Colorado quad cab, off-road, long-bed Duramax diesel, to make sure it could handle our trailering needs. It took a fair amount of reading before I felt I understood the important variables, had the specs for our particular engine in hand, and was ready to tackle the unavoidable number crunching. It took awhile to find the definitive chart from Chevrolet that listed the exact payload and towing specs for my particular vehicle and engine, and that was essential for the task.
In the end, like SMSASF, I concluded the *towing* capacity of our Colorado was perfectly adequate for our needs, but our truck’s limited *payload* capacity was turning out to be a real issue. Payload includes tongue weight, fuel weight, weight of truck topper, bed liner, tools, etc., plus passengers, dog(s) and everybody’s gear. From what I read online, I learned that limited payload capacity is commonly a glossed-over item your dealer will likely not mention when touting these mid-sized trucks’ towing chops.
From what I find at Toyota’s 2021 Tacoma specs page, I think your Tacoma’s payload capacity is around 1155. I’m guessing your tongue weight for a 22’ Bambi—empty—may be around 450. Propane, water and other gear will likely add to that. Your max allowable tongue weight is about 650. Subtract either of those numbers from 1155 and then think about the weight of everything else you may want to pack along in your truck.
For us, towing our AS Basecamp is no issue at all. We can even tow it with our Honda Ridgeline, no problem. But we had wanted to be able to go camping with our saddle donkeys in their trailer (like we used to do when we had a big truck). Unfortunately we realized too late that we’re now prohibitively limited in what we can throw in the truck for our own camping needs. Not something we thought about when we traded in our Chevy 1-ton quad cab diesel truck for the nimbler Colorado.
As the author said in one article I read, you’re better served to choose *what* you want to tow *first,* and then choose your tow vehicle accordingly. On the plus side, it’s good you’re exploring this now before you have bought the whole rig! I do hope it works out for you.
Best regards,
Wendy
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01-14-2021, 01:26 PM
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#24
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1 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Lacey
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 7
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Hey Scott,
Yes I have a V6 and my tacoma has the towing package as you outlined. So it sounds like I will be okay .... just to be aware of my weight distribution, etc.
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01-14-2021, 05:22 PM
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#25
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1 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Sherwood
, Arkansas
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 17
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The Tacoma/Hilux is world-renowned as an overlanding platform. As such, it's my choice for pulling my 22FB to boondocking base camps all over the west.
I've thoughtfully engineered the suspension on my 2014 TRD OR to account for towing the AS as well as overlanding. No weight distribution required due to added weight of armored front bumper and winch. I use a Gen-Y drop hitch which provides close-coupling and never tow over 65mph. Brakes are upgraded to PowerStop at all four corners.
My Tacoma's odometer is closing in on 300K with 15K of AS towing over the last 4-months. Everybody has their preferences and this is mine. Thought I'd share.
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01-19-2021, 12:22 AM
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#26
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1 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Lacey
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 7
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Hey Amxpress, Seems like the same combo I am working on. I have that truck and looking at the same bambi you have. Do you find yourself easily hitting the max payload for the truck? Doing the calculations for payload, (2 people-say 230 lbs, tongue weight - 500lbs, weight of WD system -100 lbs, fuel for truck - 132 lbs, accessories for truck -??, etc.) ...what amount of gear can you actually load in the truck? and not go over payload. Thanks. tom
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01-19-2021, 06:55 AM
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#27
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Rivet Master 
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
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As long as you're sharpening your pencil, Tom, realize that WD will redistribute weight from the vehicle to the trailer so you can subtract about 130-150 lb for that, but as was mentioned previously your loaded for camping tongue weight will be greater than the published dry tongue weight, so you may want to add 80-90 lb for that.
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01-20-2021, 11:24 PM
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#28
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1 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Lacey
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 7
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Hey Turbo, do you have issues staying below your payload max? Tom
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01-20-2021, 11:37 PM
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#29
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1 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Lacey
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 7
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Hey BayouBiker (Brian)... Yes I am wearing down me pencils for sure. Thank you for that addition insight.. It adds a little relief for me. I have an appt. to visit the airstream dealership this saturday. Have already installed the P3 brake controller. I'll See how it goes. The shorline scale seems to be a good addition for me to know my tongue weight with full trailer. tom
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01-21-2021, 07:41 AM
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#30
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Rivet Master 
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
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Tom, it may also help to realize payload is a number that best applies when you're not towing a trailer and is based on braking, suspension travel, axle and tire limits and passenger comfort/experience. Rarely it is a structural limit. If you are close to or going over payload when hitched up but you are under on axle limits and tire limits, consider doing something to stiffen the rear suspension just a bit. Helper springs, springs over shocks, airbags, etc. Don't go crazy, but with many vehicles you can safely eek out a couple hundred extra and still get a safe comfortable ride. Get an infrared thermal scanner from Harbor Freight and shoot brake rotor temps immediately after a long steep grade.
Bias the cargo weigh forward as far as possible, and add 5-7 extra psi to the rear tires so go 20-25% margin above minimum rated load.
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03-25-2021, 03:52 PM
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#31
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Rivet Master 
1966 17' Caravel
1972 21' Globetrotter
SW
, Missouri
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 811
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fawudd
I towed our 19CB with a 2012 Tacoma 6 cylinder, and it performed well as long as I was not in the mountains. I also added helper springs. On long inclines (or even shorter ones), it would gear down and scream along. Mileage falls off a cliff and gas stops increased accordingly. On long descents, the brakes got mushy towards the end. I now have a Tundra pulling the same trailer. Ironically, I am getting the same average mileage while towing, but much more relaxed, much better range, and a better sense that it has a good margin of error in any given situation.
The Tacoma is a brilliant truck, and gave me legendary reliability, but if you have a choice, nobody ever complains about having too much TV.
That said, if 98% of your truck use is without a 4000-500lb trailer, the Tacoma is the best all around vehicle I have ever owned. YMMV
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I really like how you said all this. It has been my exact experience. I am a big fan of use what you got, and there are a lot of body on frame 4runners and Tacomas that make perfect small AS tow vehicles.
Also made the switch to a Tundra 4.7 for the more relaxed drive.
Before that the 98 4Runner took us all over the country. I managed 6 MPG driving through western KS.
What kind of fuel mileage are you 6 cyl Toyota people getting?
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