I’m looking for a small toy hauler to camp with my family of 4. I need something that can carry kayaks, bikes, or a canoe, and I also have a SXS that might fit in a 2011 ATC PLA 450 model. My tow vehicle is a 2020 Tundra Pro Crewmax with a 1500# payload and 9200# towing capacity. I mostly camp in Appalachia but might take a trip out west to Yellowstone with the camper in tow. What are your thoughts on a setup like this with my truck? Anyone here with similar towing experience? I’m worried about having too much camper for the truck and ending up with white-knuckle driving on the trip. Looking for some real-world experience from the Tundra owners here!
With gear, you’ll be close to max towing capacity. It’s possible but not very comfortable. If you go for a 2500, you’ll lose some comfort, fuel economy, and maneuverability, but it’ll handle the trailer better. I’d recommend a lighter trailer for a more comfortable experience.
@Lex
Thanks for the response. I get what you’re saying, and even though I don’t want to admit it, I think you’re probably right. I don’t plan on loading it too heavy for a cross-country trip, but I still don’t want to overwork the truck. It’s tough to find a smaller trailer that’s compatible with a family of 4 and the Tundra, though.
@Wyatt
I had a 29’ camper and it was under the ratings, but the wind and semis really pushed it around. It was a white-knuckle drive every time. I sold it and bought a 22’ model. It was night and day—much easier to drive, and backing it into campsites was a breeze. The 29’ really needed a 3/4-ton truck, in my opinion.
Wyatt said: @Mason
Do you remember the weight? Was the 29’ the box length or overall length? The one I’m considering has a 20’ box length.
It was the box length, because that’s what they use for model numbers. It’s been a few years, but I think it was about 6500# empty. The 22’ was light enough that I didn’t have to get it inspected every year—only about 4000# empty. I’m surprised the 20’ weighs that much. But the 20’ will tow better because it’s shorter and has less wind resistance. Is it a camper that can hold toys, or is it just a toy hauler?
@Mason
It’s a camper. It has bunk beds in the front and a fold-down bench in the cargo area. The queen bed drops down from the ceiling in the cargo area. Sounds like the one I’m interested in might be a bit heavier than your 22’. It’s starting to sound a little more promising.
@Mason
I also looked at an Intech Flyer Forge, which is about 4k empty. It has a hybrid tip-out bed, but I’m not sure it would work well for Yellowstone/grizzly country. It might be perfect for East Coast trips, though.
I had a 29’ bunkhouse I pulled with my 2016. It was definitely a lot to pull, or should I say, a lot to stop. I was always traveling alone for work, but it was too much trailer for my truck. It pulled fine, but it was just too big. It weighed 5200# dry, and I used a weight-distribution hitch.
