Help with deciding travel trailer to buy

Wife and I are looking into getting a travel trailer. I have a 2016 TT Crewmax TRD Pro 5.7.


When originally shopping, we though if we stayed about 20% or more under the 9200lbs towing capacity we would be fine. Now I have been driving myself insane for the past week trying to figure out the best weigh to pull. I literally can't sleep over it.


Noticed on the hitch max tongue weight of 600lbs with a 6000lb capacity? Now is that the most I can tow with my truck and the hitch? I thought for sure they came with Class 4s.


Originally we were looking at the coleman 295qb which dry weight is 6350lba roughly.. now looking at the 242bh coleman and dry weight is 5500lbs. This even seems a bit much?


Any suggestions on weight to stay around for a travel trailer with my tt would be very very helpful.

 

Take a pic of your payload sticker and post it here. That's going to be your most limiting factor.

 

The comments around the hitch are strange. Did the truck come with the factory tow package?

like what @aggie_tundra said, payload sticker will be the deciding factor. But either way I would also beef up the rear suspension whether you get air bags, beefier leaf packs, or a roadmaster suspension spring all of these will help handle towing better than the stock suspension

 

IMO you'll be fine with those weights.

Mine is about 6000 dry, 7500 theoretical max, though we probably run it at 7000 when full. I figure 30% margin on tow rating, and of course maxed out on payload

 

Weight distribution hitches help tremendously as well. What size trailer are you looking for....sleeping capacity etc.

 

Honestly, you can worry less about gross trailer weight and focus on hitch weight. If you are within your payload numbers (hitch weight and everything you carry with you) you can safely tow the camper.

 

You are not alone sir. I thought I could put any TT behind the Tundra. Even though we want to keep it small anyway, looks like the hand is forced to keep it small and light. I just ran some quick numbers last night and looks like I can safely(payload) tow a 3600lb(360lb tounge weight) max payload with my topper, decked system, dogs, and beer. Which I'm cool with but that's right in the range of dual axle and single axle trailers. Leaning hard to the double axles for many reasons. And don't we take trailers camping to get the heck outside?! Really just need a bathroom, place to sleep and something to keep the beer cold. I'll figure out the rest.

Best of luck playing the numbers game. It's a rough one.

 

@Keithlbpi - Here is the problem with Tundras: they are very capable at towing for a half ton. As a result, experiences vary wildly.

It's always best to shift the question from "can" to "should".

The answer to "can" is mostly yes.

The answer to "should" is a combination:

1. Available payload after you put the family and gear in the truck.
2. Weight of the trailer overall when loaded up and ready to go.
3. Weight of the hitch of the trailer when loaded up.
4. How and where you are towing - this includes the aerodynamics of the trailer.
5. Most of all = your comfort level. Remember, almost every "Overland kitted" Tacoma out there is 500+ lbs over payload. (see the answer to "can" above).

@aggie_tundra is right - post a pic of your weight sticker on the inside of the door plus the estimated wet weight of the trailer and the group can help you from there.

 

All I really need is a fridge. An air mattress is way more comfortable than any RV bed.

 

We roll find with a RTT and a cooler now and love it but the bathroom thing is killing her. Even though I bought her 2 shewees.

 

I pushed my kids out of the house as soon as they turned 18! lol, This is what we use.

 

@jeremyd I shared yours with her the other day because I love the size. You find it tracks well with the single axle? Think you also said in another thread that the bigger it is the more it sits. I wanna use it and feel like it's not a burden to hook up and roll.

 

I put a deposit down on this unit. Going to check it out tomorrow:

https://www.keystonerv.com/product/passport-sl/comfort-travel-trailers/floorplans/219BH

 

Yea, tracks no problem. Super easy to pull, I don't worry about tongue weight or anything, just hook up and go. I just put on three new tires, we take this thing everywhere. A 2000 watt portable generator runs the AC unit.

 

https://taxaoutdoors.com/habitats/mantis/

Light weight, but probably not to the wallet.

Just a bit under 3000lbs.

 

I have looked and looked, ask questions of people, IF you can afford it, an Airstream is the way to go.
It's an investment that hardly depreciates.
Solidly built just like our Tundras and I've been told by those who own them that your pulling MPG is better and they handle better in windy conditions.
I'n holding back on purchasing until we have enough coin for one.

 

Buy a used one and redo the inside if you’re handy with tools

 

It would also be helpful to know where and how often you plan to pull. Do you want to go to the lake a couple of weekends a month, or are you planning a 10-week trip to Alaska?

We recently bought a 2021 Keystone Outback Ultralight. With a 22' box I think it weighs in at about 6000 pounds --dry weight of 5100. Our 5.7 L Tundra rocks right along with it doing 70+ easily. We bought the truck for the trailer and expect the truck will spend 90% of the rest of its life -- well, my life anyway -- with the trailer attached. We do, in fact, have that 10,000 mile trip to Alaska planned for July / September of this year. If it were going to be my daily driver just doing occasional duty to pull the camper to the lake for the weekend I'd have been comfortable with a trailer closer to the max stated capacity.

Definitely do the weight distribution hitch. Our truck squats like crazy until we put the weight distribution bars in place. Then it's level and handles the load well. Our hitch is a 10,000 lb Fastway e2, but there are several good manufacturers.

As far as trailer recommendations, I'd strongly suggest you check out the Keystone Outbacks before making your final decision. We've had other trailers, class C, class A, yada, yada, and we're delighted with this unit. But, then it's just me, the wife, and the mutt

 

I would agree with you after 7 years of ownership.

 

If only my wife didn't think they're ugly.

 

Mine did too for a year but, after seeing them on upscale lots and talking to a few owners, she's changed her tune.
The resale really got her which is also one of the reasons she likes our Tundra.
Even though we will just give it to the kids.
Walk her through the construction of it, how solid it is.
My wife's big on safety of construction when it comes to cars / large item purchases.

 

We bought an Airstream in November.

Has always been my dream, after many years of owning Coleman Pop-Ups.

Not cheap for sure.

Now just have to wait for Spring.

November 21, 2021 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

SPP

 

Sweet!

 

It sounds like you have a class III receiver which, I believe, comes standard with the 4.6L engine. I thought all the 5.7L's come standard with the Class IV hitch and the tow package.

 

There is a helpful "calculator" from KYD that will help determine if your truck/trailer are safe based on the weight ratings of your tow rig.

KYD Towing Capacity Calc

Example for my truck and Casita TT. As others have stated, you'll run out of payload before you hit max towing capacity.