Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-09-2020, 08:46 PM   #1
1 Rivet Member
 
2020 22' Bambi
Melbourne , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 10
Advice on towing

I am renting a 22ft Bambi. I have a 2019 Toyota Tacoma, V6. I do NOT have a brake controller. My questions are:
Is this vehicle sufficient to pull this trailer?
Does this trailer have brakes? It is a single axle.
Do I need a brake controller?
Do I need a special hitch equalizer or sway bar assembly?
Thanks very much!
James
Ny3299 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2020, 08:57 PM   #2
Rivet Master

 
2007 22' International CCD
Corona , California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
Advice on towing

I tow a 22’ international CCD with a Tacoma. You absolutely need a brake controller. I use a Tekonsa P3 controller. It plugs into the Tacoma harness with an adapter cable.

The Tacoma CANNOT properly handle a 22’ trailer without working trailer brakes. The Tacoma is marginal on horsepower, but can be adequate if set up right.

You also need a decent weight distribution and anti-sway hitch system. An equal-I-zer dual cam system will work.

Since my trailer is mine, I use a ProPride system but for you it’s honestly total overkill.

Lots of data all over the forums and lots of conflicting opinions.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
rmkrum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2020, 09:17 PM   #3
1 Rivet Member
 
2020 22' Bambi
Melbourne , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 10
Thank you. It looks like I have a lot of added costs with the brake controller and sway bar.
Ny3299 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2020, 09:19 PM   #4
2 Rivet Member
 
Santa Fe Springs , California
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 33
I rented a 22ft once before purchasing my own airstream. I towed it with Nissan Frontier with v6 3.5l engine which should have similar capacity with Tacoma.

I did installed a brake controller on the truck but the owner of the trailer has tekensha prodigy RF installed and it worked very well. However, I didn’t use the weight distribution hitch the owner has as he has a taller towing vehicle.

The trailer swayed at highway speed, 55 mph, and I didn’t feel comfortable when towing.

I’d suggest checking with the owner about the brake control and WDH before go pick up the trailer.
pickupjason is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 05:51 AM   #5
1 Rivet Member
 
2020 22' Bambi
Melbourne , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by pickupjason View Post
I rented a 22ft once before purchasing my own airstream. I towed it with Nissan Frontier with v6 3.5l engine which should have similar capacity with Tacoma.

I did installed a brake controller on the truck but the owner of the trailer has tekensha prodigy RF installed and it worked very well. However, I didn’t use the weight distribution hitch the owner has as he has a taller towing vehicle.

The trailer swayed at highway speed, 55 mph, and I didn’t feel comfortable when towing.

I’d suggest checking with the owner about the brake control and WDH before go pick up the trailer.
Thank you! Good advice.
Ny3299 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 07:24 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
2009 34' Panamerica
2005 28' Classic
Still , in the thick of it
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 677
In a nutshell, yes to every question. Not trying to be cute, but really, yes to every question.
panamerican is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 07:35 AM   #7
Site Team
 
azflycaster's Avatar

 
2002 25' Safari
Dewey , Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,615
Images: 62
Blog Entries: 1
Hopefully you have experience towing. There is a big difference between renting a utility trailer from U-Haul and a travel trailer.
__________________

Richard

Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
azflycaster is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 03:45 PM   #8
1 Rivet Member
 
2020 22' Bambi
Melbourne , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by azflycaster View Post
Hopefully you have experience towing. There is a big difference between renting a utility trailer from U-Haul and a travel trailer.
I’ve trailered boats, but not a camper.
Ny3299 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 03:48 PM   #9
1 Rivet Member
 
2020 22' Bambi
Melbourne , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by panamerican View Post
In a nutshell, yes to every question. Not trying to be cute, but really, yes to every question.
Thanks.
Ny3299 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 03:49 PM   #10
1 Rivet Member
 
2020 22' Bambi
Melbourne , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 10
For the trailer hitch mount, I know I need a 5/16 ball, but they come in different drop lengths; 2”, 4”, etc. how do I know which one to get?
Ny3299 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 03:59 PM   #11
Rivet Master
 
2017 20' Flying Cloud
Williamson County , Texas
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 813
Images: 1
Rental truck

Also look into renting a full size pickup truck equipped for towing. You have a trade off of all the things you need to do to in order to tow safely and comfortably vs rental cost. That's what I would do anyway.
__________________
2018 GMC Canyon CCSB V6 Mallet Supercharger
2006 Chevrolet CCSB 2500HD 6.6T LBZ
SYC2Vette is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 06:46 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Bartlett , Tennessee
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,055
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ny3299 View Post
For the trailer hitch mount, I know I need a 5/16 ball, but they come in different drop lengths; 2”, 4”, etc. how do I know which one to get?
You buy the one that matches the ball height to the trailer tongue to make the trailer level. If the trailer is nose down, you need less drop. If the trailer is nose high, you need more drop. No one who is not standing at the trailer can answer that question. And that is, of course, after the proper dialing in of the WD system to restore the necessary weight to the front axle.

That is the reason that my Reese Strait-Line has an adjustable height hitch head. I can raise or lower it as needed.

As a starting point, and I stress STARTING POINT, I would get the trailer level on level ground and measure from the ground to the top of the coupler. I would want the top of the ball about 1" higher than that number. But, like I said, that is only a STARTING POINT and may change.
__________________
Bobbo and Lin
2017 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab 3.5l EcoBoost V6
2017 Flying Cloud 23FB "BobLin Along"
Bobbo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 07:20 PM   #13
1 Rivet Member
 
2020 22' Bambi
Melbourne , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by SYC2Vette View Post
Also look into renting a full size pickup truck equipped for towing. You have a trade off of all the things you need to do to in order to tow safely and comfortably vs rental cost. That's what I would do anyway.
Where do you recommend I go to find a suitable tow vehicle?
Ny3299 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 07:21 PM   #14
1 Rivet Member
 
2020 22' Bambi
Melbourne , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 10
I mean rent a suitable tow vehicle.
Ny3299 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 07:39 PM   #15
Rivet Master
 
2017 28' International
Jim Falls , Wisconsin
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,300
Blog Entries: 1
Enterprise rents pickups and vans. You could consider a 3/4 ton van as well as pickup. BUT you will need to make sure that in these instances they have a brake controller. Most 3/4 ton pickups would have brake controllers since they are used more for towing. I’ve never done it myself, but others have. It makes sense. Cheaper than buying a new pickup.

Most WDH’s have height adjustments of some type. The biggest learning curve will be setting up the hitch and learning how to adjust it. Since you are renting the trailer you are going to need something that is easy and quick to install without drilling holes into the frame. But it can be done.
Daquenzer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2020, 07:27 PM   #16
2 Rivet Member
 
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Denver , Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 45
I towed horse trailers gooseneck extensively with a Toyota T100 V6 in the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.
Your Tacoma can certainly do it. My opinion is that you do not need a full size truck. See the post I started on Toyota tow vehicles to see what people are towing with. Take your time. Don't expect to pace with the sedans. Instead stick with the trucks and you should be fine. Learn how to use your gears!
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f46...ra-214452.html

You will definitely need, and want, a brake controller to actuate the trailer brakes.

Often times the rental company will have the hitch and sway bars for you to use. I would double check on that.
djabl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2020, 07:38 PM   #17
Rivet Master
 
2018 25' International
Slidell , Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ny3299 View Post
Thank you. It looks like I have a lot of added costs with the brake controller and sway bar.
For infrequent use, you can get an inexpensive or used hitch. The Knock Off brands including the cheap Harbor Freight model will do fine if you get the WD and the sway friction bar. They are fine for infrequent use, but are likely to wear out more quickly. Just be sure the hitch is designed for 600 lb or so tongue weight. Don't go with 1000 lb or more tension bars.

The Curt Echo or similar brake controllers plug into the seven pin connectors which you may need to add if yours is only the 4 pin type. They will move easily from one vehicle to the next. Again you can likely find one used.

If you give us more info on how long you intend to rent this, we can help better. Also you can get a used good quality hitch and then sell it on eBay or Airstream Clasified after you are done with it and you won't take too much of a hit.
BayouBiker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2020, 08:28 PM   #18
New Member
 
1978 Argosy 27
Indio , California
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 2
I towed a 42’ Spartan imperial mansion over the grapevine without using my brake controller in my diesel van without any issues at all. The connector cable and brakes in trailer were toast from sitting when I bought it. Sure it wasent great for my brakes but it felt plenty safe driving like a semi truck slow and calculating.
Senorpink is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2020, 05:47 AM   #19
Rivet Master
 
2018 25' International
Slidell , Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ny3299 View Post
For the trailer hitch mount, I know I need a 5/16 ball, but they come in different drop lengths; 2”, 4”, etc. how do I know which one to get?
To add to ball height setting, the Bambi top of ball is about 18 inches, and depending on the vehicle and rear springs (SUV's and light trucks have less spring travel than 4WD trucks, HD trucks and off-road vehicles) so use 1 inch more for light vehicles and 2 inches for others. So with your light vehicle you will want the mounted ball top at 18 3/4 to 19 1/2 inches. The top of the receiver square hole is where the bottom of the ball is located for zero offset. The ball is 3 1/4 inch tall so the top of ball with zero offset is 3 1/4 above the receiver hole top. The shank hole spacing is industry consistent at 1 1/4 inch but the location of the shank the lead hole is drilled varies. Also hitch makers use different geometries with the ball mounts relative to the shank holes so the required drop or rise will depend on the manufacturer and the specific shank you use. Follow the manufacturers recommendation for drop or rise to get the final ball height as close to 19 (for a light vehicle) as possible.
BayouBiker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2020, 03:08 PM   #20
1 Rivet Member
 
2020 22' Bambi
Melbourne , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ny3299 View Post
Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Senorpink View Post
I towed a 42’ Spartan imperial mansion over the grapevine without using my brake controller in my diesel van without any issues at all. The connector cable and brakes in trailer were toast from sitting when I bought it. Sure it wasent great for my brakes but it felt plenty safe driving like a semi truck slow and calculating.
Thank you for the input.

I towed the 22’ Bambi without a WDH or sway bar, and without a brake controller and didn’t have any issues. I was wondering if I actually benefitted from some trailer braking without the actual controller. I mean, with the 7 pin plug, doesn’t that activate the trailer brakes a little bit? And a controller would only enable further adjustment to the vehicle/trailer brake percentages, right? Anyway, I was running 70 mph at 2000 rpms and didn’t even feel the trailer. Sway started at slightly higher speeds so 70 was my max for this setup.
Ny3299 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Towing 19ft Bambi with 2009 Tacoma v6sr5 w towing package Shany Tow Vehicles 6 07-03-2017 10:44 PM
Avoiding Chicagoland while towing? EZ-Pass when towing? JustSomeGuy On The Road... 86 04-24-2015 10:33 PM
Sprinter one-ton towing/non-towing hwy mpg? gecko Tow Vehicles 18 08-02-2014 10:57 PM
MPG difference between towing and not-towing? yiesyisyeno Tow Vehicles 11 09-01-2008 02:35 PM
Good towing/Bad towing! ViewRVs Hitches, Couplers & Balls 5 03-09-2003 07:37 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:06 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.