New to RV, need encouragement

[Bluesjam]

We want to purchase a travel trailer. I have a 2020 Tacoma, we like the Winnebago 2326RK model. It fits our weight limit and we like the layout. I’m retired and the wife retires at the end of the year. We live in the north Georgia mountains so we have a lot of campgrounds near by. We do have 2 mini Aussies so we dont how to handle that. We have rented a RV in the past but I want to do more that just doing that.

 

[Jackiemac]

Welcome to the forum.

You also need to check your payload. Your Tacoma should have a label on the driver's door pillar.

Let us know what your reservations are and we can give some tips.

 

[Bluesjam]

The payload is well within the limits of the Tacoma. Thanks for the reply.

 

[tlmgcamp1]

I tow with a 2022 tacoma. My dry weight is 900 lbs lighter. I would not try to tow the trailer that you are looking at.

 

[RayIN]

We want to purchase a travel trailer. I have a 2020 Tacoma, we like the Winnebago 2326RK model. It fits our weight limit and we like the layout. I’m retired and the wife retires at the end of the year. We live in the north Georgia mountains so we have a lot of campgrounds near by. We do have 2 mini Aussies so we dont how to handle that. We have rented a RV in the past but I want to do more that just doing that.

The dry weight is not useful IMO. Use the GVWR of the TT when looking at trailers.
This online towing calculator will accurately and impartially match your pickup and a TT.

Towing Capacity Calculator

canitowthis.com

 

[Bluesjam]

Thanks

 

[chrlydonsrf]

You can, but if you observe the 80% rule of thumb, your Tacoma's max tow capacity should be 20% less than it's 6,800 lbs, making it 5,400 lbs.( it's practical tow capacity).That units gvw is 6,000 lbs. Doable but you'd be up against it and could have the tail wagging the dog.

 

[ferfer]

You also need to check your payload. Your Tacoma should have a label on the driver's door pillar.

Please listen to Jackiemac and check the drivers door pillar for specific weights of your Tacoma vs published weights.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma’s maximum towing capacity is 6,800 pounds. The configuration required to reach the max tow rating is the two-wheel-drive Access Cab with the V-6 and automatic transmission. This configuration can be had in the SR, SR5 and TRD Sport trims.
https://www.cars.com/articles/breaking-down-the-2020-toyota-tacomas-towing-capacities-454811/

Dry Weight 4,510 lbs.
GVWR 6,000 lbs.
Hitch Weight 412 lbs.

2024 Winnebago M-Series 2326RK specs and literature guide

www.rvusa.com

 

[Bluesjam]

My Tacoma is the double cab 4 door, short bed 4x4. It’s says 6700 gross weight.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Welcome to the forum. My opinion is when you’re close to max weight, you will strain the tow vehicle. Could cause break downs early. Suggest you try it a few times, taking it easy, and decide then if a larger truck is needed. Hope you have a tow package. You will need it.

 

[Bluesjam]

I’m still confused, my truck is 6800 max and the dry weight of that trailer is 4510. Isn’t that in a good range. My truck said it had the tow package from factory.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Looks like it should be good. But dry weight is nothing added. If your wife is like mine, she will pack it full. If you can, after packing it up for a trip, go weigh it at a scale so you will know your not over weight.

 

[tlmgcamp1]

I’m still confused, my truck is 6800 max and the dry weight of that trailer is 4510. Isn’t that in a good range. My truck said it had the tow package from factory.

The tow capacity is weight only. Once you get up to 50 mph the wind resistance starts to suck up power.

 

[Larry N.]

I’m still confused, my truck is 6800 max and the dry weight of that trailer is 4510. Isn’t that in a good range. My truck said it had the tow package from factory.

Dry weight is a useless figure. Will you ever tow it at that weight? Does it currently even weigh that little on the scales? Try adding water, clothes, dishes, food, cameras, tools and such things and see how much weight you gain -- it'll be at least in the several hundred pounds range, perhaps 1,000 lbs or more of additional weight, depending on what you choose to load.

This is why dry weight is useless, and you need to figure your towing by using the max allowable weight, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, including figuring that the tongue weight will be a minimum 10% of GVWR, preferably closer to 12% for decent handling.

 

[Derby6]

What encouragement do you need? It sounds like you have some experience and done your homework on truck capacities?
Don’t take the above posts wrong. They not encouraging like you asked for but just want to ensure you and family are safe.

 

[Bluesjam]

Derby6, you’re right. I want to be safe and buy a trailer big enough for the wife and I and 2 dogs to enjoy but also make sure I can tow it. I’m retired so I can’t make a mistake with the dollars.

 

[No cats]

Too much speculation on your truck and the "particular" trailer you are considering. Take a picture of your door jam sticker as Jackie suggested and post it here. There are two things to consider, max tow rating and payload, we need the door sticker to help you.

The other thing we need is the actual sticker on the trailer you are considering. Different options change the final weight of the trailer. For instance, I see that a 15k BTU AC is optional - it is not included in the dry weight, but adds to the final assy true weight.

Even if your truck can tow the trailer, mountains, winds and other factors may not make it much fun getting there.

 

[RayIN]

I’m still confused, my truck is 6800 max and the dry weight of that trailer is 4510. Isn’t that in a good range. My truck said it had the tow package from factory.

Anything you put in your pickup besides a 150# driver and ½ tank of fuel subtracts from the trucks GCWR and towing capacity.
That 3,510# dry weight is only useful if that's how you plan to go camping, that's why we repeat- only use the TT gross weight rating to match a trailer and tow vehicle.
Sales people only want to sell their products. What happens after you sign the contract is on you, not them.
This link is to an article that explains everything: https://www.etrailer.com/faq-how-much-trailer-can-i-tow.aspx

 

[Oldgator73]

I had a Nissan Quest with a tow rating of 3500 lbs. We looked for a small TT that we thought our van could handle. We settled on a Winnebago with a “dry” weight of 2500 lbs. A thousand pounds leeway seemed reasonable to me. Not so much. After a few trips towing the TT, one trip a long one from Delaware to Texas, I told my wife the van was not cutting the mustard. I purchased a Nissan Frontier with a tow rating of I believe 6200 or 6300 lbs. it was smooth sailing from then on. I could pretty much pack anything I wanted for our trips with no worries.

 

[Bluesjam]

RayIN, thanks for the link. I’ll be studying that today.