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09-07-2020, 04:29 PM
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#21
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1 Rivet Member
2015 16' Sport
Santa Rosa
, California
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 7
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GVWR vs actual
So if 23' flying cloud is 100% fully loaded up @ 6000lb, and my GVWR for my Tacoma is 6700, doesn't that put me only at 85% capacity?
Say I have a high-end weight distribution hitch and only have it loaded to 50% of water and cargo. That puts me at 5400lb. Still too much?
As a corollary, do you all find it inconvenient to ride with just a minimum amount of water and cargo? Right now I have only about 200lb of cargo in my Bambi, and that lets me get plenty of food, plates, fold-up chairs, blankets... everything I need!
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09-07-2020, 06:24 PM
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#22
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,592
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A weight distribution hitch doesn’t change your maximum capacities. It just spreads the load a bit. The max capacities on the sticker or in the owner’s manual still apply with a WDH.
You need to consider GCWR, front and rear GAWR, and the truck’s cargo & occupant capacity. Tongue weight capacity is important also. It all fits together like a puzzle, as others have said.
__________________
Dennis
Past:
Airstream International Serenity 23FB
Newmar Ventana 3715
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09-07-2020, 07:06 PM
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#23
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Hendersonville
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,092
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Tacoma Safe Towing Capacity
Quote:
Originally Posted by happy frog
So if 23' flying cloud is 100% fully loaded up @ 6000lb, and my GVWR for my Tacoma is 6700, doesn't that put me only at 85% capacity?
Say I have a high-end weight distribution hitch and only have it loaded to 50% of water and cargo. That puts me at 5400lb. Still too much?
As a corollary, do you all find it inconvenient to ride with just a minimum amount of water and cargo? Right now I have only about 200lb of cargo in my Bambi, and that lets me get plenty of food, plates, fold-up chairs, blankets... everything I need!
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You sound pretty convinced that your Taco will handle towing the 23' AS. Go ahead and purchase the 23" and let us know your experience after your first trip. Look forward to the update. Depending upon where you travel (mountains of the west or the flatlands of Florida) it may work for you. Or it may not. P.S. You may want to do a 3 pass weigh in at the CAT Scale just to get a baseline and see that axle weights are within limits, and that your not exceeding the CGVWR of the truck.
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09-08-2020, 11:31 AM
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#24
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2 Rivet Member
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 52
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We've towed our 2012 23fb Airstream approximately 7k miles. I would not consider towing a 25 footer or any other 23 model as the fb has the lowest hitch weight. We have a WD hitch, tow package, aftermarket cat back exhaust. trd pro air intake, upgraded shocks, Tekonsha brake controller and Ride Rite air bags. After recently towing through NM/AZ with 108+ temps I'm now adding a bigger radiator and corresponding thermostat. We only had 5 minutes of moderately high temps while doing a 7% grade and 106 degree temp, but it made me nervous. I was glad we had TPMS to monitor the Airstream's tire pressure and temps. I also have an after market monitor showing transmission and final drive sensor readings. I will also likely be regearing with Nitro Gear's 4.88 package as I have the TRD sport with stock wheels. After that I may consider Magnusun's 3rd gen supercharger as it is finally available, but expensive.
We do limit cargo, but also have a Lear shell and will also include a 250 Kawasaki on the front hitch for local trips. It's doable, even in bad conditions, but we also have a RAM 250 diesel and will start using that more for towing duty. This rig uses all available margin and a few panic stops left me wanting more margin.
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09-08-2020, 11:36 AM
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#25
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2 Rivet Member
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 52
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Also of note. I have the long bed which also adds to the weight, but IMO it tows better because of wheel base. I towed a different trailer of slightly less weight with the short bed version and did not like the stability and ride as much.
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09-13-2020, 11:25 AM
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#26
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1 Rivet Member
2020 27' Globetrotter
Mobile
, Alabama
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 6
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We recently bought a 27GT and temporarily pulled it with a GMC 1500 (5.3L gas, 2WD) on relatively flat terrain (S. AL). It was marginal as I felt the GT was "pushing" the truck. When my F250 arrived (6.2L gas, 4WD), it was much better towing but also control and stopping, something most people don't consider. The brakes on a 3/4 T truck have much more surface area and stopping power as well as the overall "beefy-ness" and suspension of the truck make me feel much better on the road. But a 1/2T with the right engine should pull the 23's and maybe 25's ok unless you spend a lot of time in the mountains. I like to keep the margin of safety WIDE for the unexpected events, but that's just me. Hope this helps.
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09-13-2020, 11:38 AM
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#27
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1 Rivet Member
2022 27' International
2018 19' Flying Cloud
Las Cruces
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 7
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Tacoma’s are not good tow vehicles, 6speed transmission is the major problem! I traded my 2018 Tacoma for 2019 Ford Ranger and what difference! 70-75mph all day long! I pulled my AS 23D over 20k using the Ranger with NO sway or equalizer.
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09-13-2020, 02:41 PM
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#28
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2 Rivet Member
1956 16' Bubble
San Luis Obispo
, California
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 23
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Stop it!
Having been rear-ended by drunk/overloaded vehicles and their drivers, consider not only towing but also STOPPING. I own a Tacoma and a dedicated GMC Yukon. I would only use the Yukon on my ‘56 Bubble when it is fully loaded for travel. The Bubble has a reinforced frame, 30 gal propane tank and is a heavy little bugger. No way the V6 Taco is going to stop the Bubble, even with “real brakes” on the little bitty trailer. The Yukon tows in the twisty Sierra roads n stops no problem.
Old story of Indian Chief who sees his first locomotive in the station. “ It will never move.”. Then the engine takes off. Chief
says, “It will never stop”. Words to live by.
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09-13-2020, 05:10 PM
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#29
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New Member
Saugus
, California
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4
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Tacoma's are Great Trucks, but...
I had a 2004 Tacoma V6 Prerunner. It was a great truck and we towed with it for many years. First we had a 21' Trail Cruiser which seemed like a perfect match, then we upgraded to a 25' Star Stream. The Star Stream was about 6,000 pounds and the Tacoma had the power to tow it up and down the coast of California. But we had two emergency braking situations and that was enough to convince us to upgrade to a Tundra. If not for the ProPride hitch we may have had a really bad ending in both of those situations.
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09-13-2020, 05:13 PM
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#30
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New Member
St Albert
, Alberta
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
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GVWR, GCVWR and Payload calculations
We tow a Flying Cloud 23 FB with a GMC Canyon. With all the spare gear in the bed we have about 200lb of payload left over going over the scales. There is a great explanation and spreadsheet at https://www.keepyourdaydream.com/payload/ that explains payload vs GVWR vs GCVWR. The advantage of the 23FB is that the hitch weight is low compared to the other 23' models.
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09-13-2020, 06:12 PM
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#31
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
2019 27' Tommy Bahama
London
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,343
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We have several customers who tow 25's with Tachomas. Of course they have a dialed in hitch setup. As well we modify the tire size. Once done they are actually surprisingly stable considering the long rear overhang. If you like send me an Email and I can send you information on how to set it up properly. Include the current tire size.
andy@canamrv.ca
Andy
__________________
Andrew Thomson London, Ontario
"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions." Tex Johnston, Boeing 707 test pilot
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09-13-2020, 11:10 PM
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#32
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1 Rivet Member
2015 23' International
Los Angeles
, California
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Markj10
Tacoma’s are not good tow vehicles, 6speed transmission is the major problem! I traded my 2018 Tacoma for 2019 Ford Ranger and what difference! 70-75mph all day long! I pulled my AS 23D over 20k using the Ranger with NO sway or equalizer.
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I’m so glad somebody brought up the Ford Ranger. I have a 2015 International 23D and a 2019 Ford Ranger but haven’t had it that long. I pulled my 23D home from Santa Barbara where there’s a pretty long grade around Camarillo and the Ranger pulled it up the grade like a champ, hardly even slowed me down. I have beefier rims and tires on my Ranger and a Redarc Pro Controller for the brakes and everything feels really solid. I have heard that the Tacoma’s tow rating was not accurate and that Toyota even had to revise it publicly. The Ranger’s tow rating is an accurate 7500 lbs. best in the smaller truck class. I’m going to see how it goes before I run out and buy a new TV. So far I was really surprised how little I felt the trailer back there.
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09-13-2020, 11:22 PM
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#33
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1 Rivet Member
2015 23' International
Los Angeles
, California
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Markj10
Tacoma’s are not good tow vehicles, 6speed transmission is the major problem! I traded my 2018 Tacoma for 2019 Ford Ranger and what difference! 70-75mph all day long! I pulled my AS 23D over 20k using the Ranger with NO sway or equalizer.
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I’m so glad somebody brought up the Ford Ranger. I have a 2015 International 23D and a 2019 Ford Ranger but haven’t had it that long. I pulled my 23D home from Santa Barbara where there’s a pretty long grade around Camarillo and the Ranger pulled it up the grade like a champ, hardly even slowed me down. I have beefier rims and tires on the Ranger and a Redarc Pro Controller for the brakes and everything feels really solid. I have heard that the Tacoma’s tow rating was not accurate and that Toyota even had to revise it publicly. The Ranger’s tow rating is an accurate 7500lbs. and I feel pretty confident that I will be able to tow the 23D with it. I certainly don’t wanna run out and buy a new TV unless I’m absolutely sure the set up won’t work.
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09-14-2020, 09:15 AM
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#34
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2 Rivet Member
2019 23' International
Jensen Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 20
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Have you thought about a 23? We have a 23 FB which we tow behind our Dodge Durango and it works well and we love it.
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09-14-2020, 09:32 PM
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#35
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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How much can a 2020 Tacoma tow?
BTW, my 2016 Tacoma 4x4 and a ProPride system tows my 6,900 pound 22 foot 2007 International CCD well enough. Spare me the comments about Tacoma’s being underrated.
__________________
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.
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09-15-2020, 06:28 AM
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#36
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2 Rivet Member
2018 23' International
Germantown
, New York
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happy frog
Just got a 2020 Tacoma SR5 (6700lb towing capacity)
We have a 16' Bambi and have no problem hauling it, but we want to go bigger. I'm thinking 25' is the cap, but it might even be less than that?
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I've got a 2016 Tacoma manual tranny pulling a 2018 - 23'CB. So far so good. I'm not breaking any land speed records and it's slow going up big hills. The next truck will probably be bigger but I love the size of my Taco!!
Tim
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09-15-2020, 11:45 AM
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#37
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2 Rivet Member
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 52
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Did you add a leaf spring or air bags? I am glad I added Ride-rite Airbags to my 2016 Sport LB automatic. I'm thinking of adding the Tuson Sway Control (asymmetric braking control) after I upgrade the airbags with an onboard compressor. We had to brake hard coming into a sharp down hill corner in Colorado because of a car/trailer pulling onto the road. It was a little unnerving, but could have become a problem if it happened a few seconds later. Nice rig. We pull a 2016 23fb and love it (Pics on page 1 with the Kawasaki on the front).
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09-15-2020, 06:21 PM
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#38
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1 Rivet Member
2015 23' International
Los Angeles
, California
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 9
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Sounds like the setup works really well but what are the airbags for (airbags in an Airstream????), please explain, I’m really curious 🙂
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09-16-2020, 10:51 AM
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#39
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2 Rivet Member
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 52
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I use a Firestone Ride-rite air bag to adjust the rear sag, similar to adding a helper leaf spring in the Tacoma's rear suspension. I dial in the anti-sway hitch, then adjust the air pressure to dial in the sag even further. I also adjust the pressure up slightly from my road settings when off-roading, It's like an instant 2 inch rear lift.
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09-16-2020, 06:38 PM
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#40
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,592
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Airbags have a place in towing and hauling, but you have to be careful when using them in combination with a weight distribution hitch. The airbags can actually counter the effects of the WDH and lead to a dangerous situation if you're not very careful, and don't have them dialed in properly. You have to know what you're doing to use them safely - it's not as simple as inflating them until the sag is gone. I'm sure that those with experience towing trailers already know that, but I point it out for the newbies.
__________________
Dennis
Past:
Airstream International Serenity 23FB
Newmar Ventana 3715
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