So you think you have enough tow vehicle ??

[rfinley]

Was a minute or two behind this on 87 south bound just south of the New Baltimore NY rest area. They were headed south. The truck is a Toyota Tacoma. It appeared everyone was out of the truck so hopefully there were no serious injuries. Not sure what happened but it sure spoiled their day.........

http://rlfinley.com/images/trailer_crash.jpg

[poncho62]

And, I bet they passed you a ways back, going much faster than they should be

[SAD]

I do not understand the thread title?

[tileman]

Was a minute or two behind this on 87 south bound just south of the New Baltimore NY rest area. They were headed south. The truck is a Toyota Tacoma. It appeared everyone was out of the truck so hopefully there were no serious injuries. Not sure what happened but it sure spoiled their day.........

http://rlfinley.com/images/trailer_crash.jpg

Looks like a big trailer for a Toyota Tacoma but I could be wrong.

Was coming back from GA last night and a guy passed me in a dodge 1500 must of been running 80 at lest the trailer was a older model but wow was it ever swaying side to side.

[RGene7001]

Looks like older model in basic configuration due to dark plastic bamper. Can pull 6500lb of gravel in the utility trailer with 6 cyl. Pretty meaningless number for TT. Would not be surprised to see a towbar extending the rear overhang by another foot or so.
However we should not assume it's all because of TT. Even with trailer the major reason for trouble would be usual lack of judgement or attention, unsafe speed, booze, cellphones, sleep deprivation, behaviour of other driver forcing avoidance maneuver and so on.
Sad picture anyway

[Bluewater]

I'd really like to know what he gets now for a two vechile???

[rhagfo]

I do not understand the thread title?

Small short wheel base TV, with a long TT. Without a perfect hitch setup can quickly become a hand full with sway.

[tundraman67]

If he would have read enough of this forum he would have known that he need at a minimum a one ton dually to pull that trailer....and have a PHD in mathematics to figure out that he was way over capacity with that set-up....lol :D

[SAABDOCTOR]

that is a sad picture! but if everyone is ok that is good news. Whatever leason was presented, hope it was well learned.

[Woodsrider]

I doesn't look like anyone standing there was in that truck for the ride, all of them seem to have pretty clean britches.:D

I wonder what his insurance agent is going to have to say about that.

[RGene7001]

I live in Florida which is a no fault state. My insurance policy states clearly when no coverage will be provided and none of this reasons has anything to do with trailers, overloaded or otherwise. I believe they will get a check. Other states may have different regulations but it should be in the policy. Trailer related accidents make around 1% of all crashes, so I doubt they will make a big deal, the cover even drunks with no questions.
Of course, if all these rather big five persons came from the Taco, it would be badly overloaded even without trailer.

[GaryWT]

Saw a Toyota pulling a fifth wheel last night seemed to be ok but maxed out. Anyway, hope all are well.

[davidjsimons]

Just because you can tow it does not mean that you can safely tow it down the road. The truck was obviously maxed out to begin with. Once something went wrong, there was no capacity left for compensation. I get harassed and joked with by my friends as to not having enough trailer for my truck. I know that is not a luxury afforded to everybody, and finances most time dictate decisions with respect to trucks. Fortunately, I live in rural Virginia and already drove a DRW 3500 before ever considering buying a RV, so the tow vehicle was never a consideration. My occupation already dictated the truck. With that in mind, it is easy to get hung up in the excitement of purchasing a new RV and buying the most trailer that you can afford. The problem then becomes not having enough truck. You are assured by the salesman that what you have will do the job and you go ahead and buy the trailer. Some then figure on upgrading the truck in the next year or so, just hope the results do not match the picture on this tread in the meantime. I know that my truck is maximum overkill for my unit and I'm not advocating that everybody must have a DRW 3500. I'm just saying be wise and careful in the decisions that you make. Nobody is going to take the time and consideration for your safety as seriously as you should.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.

[tileman]

Just because you can tow it does not mean that you can safely tow it down the road. The truck was obviously maxed out to begin with. Once something went wrong, there was no capacity left for compensation. I get harassed and joked with by my friends as to not having enough trailer for my truck. I know that is not a luxury afforded to everybody, and finances most time dictate decisions with respect to trucks. Fortunately, I live in rural Virginia and already drove a DRW 3500 before ever considering buying a RV, so the tow vehicle was never a consideration. My occupation already dictated the truck. With that in mind, it is easy to get hung up in the excitement of purchasing a new RV and buying the most trailer that you can afford. The problem then becomes not having enough truck. You are assured by the salesman that what you have will do the job and you go ahead and buy the trailer. Some then figure on upgrading the truck in the next year or so, just hope the results do not match the picture on this tread in the meantime. I know that my truck is maximum overkill for my unit and I'm not advocating that everybody must have a DRW 3500. I'm just saying be wise and careful in the decisions that you make. Nobody is going to take the time and consideration for your safety as seriously as you should.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.



Very well said.

Me and my wife are self-employed in flooring for well over 23 years so we need and drive the bigger trucks.
My work truck is a 3500 box van and my wife's truck is the 3500 dodge.
And we have a small toyota for the kid's.

When we went to look and buy our 5th wheel fuzion not once did anybody asked what we drove. Seems to me that would be my first question.

[audio1der]

Just because you can tow it does not mean that you can safely tow it down the road. The truck was obviously maxed out to begin with. Once something went wrong, there was no capacity left for compensation. I get harassed and joked with by my friends as to not having enough trailer for my truck. I know that is not a luxury afforded to everybody, and finances most time dictate decisions with respect to trucks. Fortunately, I live in rural Virginia and already drove a DRW 3500 before ever considering buying a RV, so the tow vehicle was never a consideration. My occupation already dictated the truck. With that in mind, it is easy to get hung up in the excitement of purchasing a new RV and buying the most trailer that you can afford. The problem then becomes not having enough truck. You are assured by the salesman that what you have will do the job and you go ahead and buy the trailer. Some then figure on upgrading the truck in the next year or so, just hope the results do not match the picture on this tread in the meantime. I know that my truck is maximum overkill for my unit and I'm not advocating that everybody must have a DRW 3500. I'm just saying be wise and careful in the decisions that you make. Nobody is going to take the time and consideration for your safety as seriously as you should.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.

While I agree with the latter part of your statement, how can you look at that cel-phone quality pic, and determine it was "obviously maxed out to begin with?" That seems a bit presumptuous IMO.

[davidjsimons]

While I agree with the latter part of your statement, how can you look at that cel-phone quality pic, and determine it was "obviously maxed out to begin with?" That seems a bit presumptuous IMO.

Look at the length of the trailer and it is a Toyota Tacoma, not a Tundra. Camera quality is not an issue with that presumption.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.

[SAD]

Look at the length of the trailer and it is a Toyota Tacoma, not a Tundra. Camera quality is not an issue with that presumption.

How long is that camper?

[davidjsimons]

How long is that camper?

Too long for a Tacoma.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.

[SAD]

Too long for a Tacoma.



What's the max length for a Tacoma?

[tileman]

What's the max length for a Tacoma?

My kids have a Base 4x2 with the Access cab looks to be around 16' to 17' long

[SAD]

My kids have a Base 4x2 with the Access cab looks to be around 16' to 17' long

David was implying the trailer was too long for the Tacoma.

My question was meant to ask what's the max length trailer for a Tacoma.

[tileman]

David was implying the trailer was too long for the Tacoma.

My question was meant to ask what's the max length trailer for a Tacoma.

That I have no clue ;)

[davidjsimons]

What's the max length for a Tacoma?

I'll tell you what, if you want to engage in a battle over what your personal opinion is over mine, I have no interest in going there.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.

[SAD]

I'll tell you what, if you want to engage in a battle over what your personal opinion is over mine, I have no interest in going there.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.

Wow. Interesting response.

You implied it was too long. I was just curious how long was ok.

:(

[davidjsimons]

Wow. Interesting response.

You implied it was too long. I was just curious how long was ok.

:(

Interesting indeed. I'd say it handled the load just fine.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.

[SAD]

Interesting indeed. I'd say it handled the load just fine.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.

Can you tell by the photograph how fast he was going?

[davidjsimons]

Simply amazing isn't it.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.

[davidjsimons]

Simply amazing isn't it. There's one in every crowd. In this case I'm not alone.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.




2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.

[SAD]

Simply amazing isn't it.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.

What's amazing?

[JRTJH]

At the risk of sounding like "dad", this conversation really isn't going anywhere and needs to either be productive toward the thread subject or stopped.

The question was asked, "What's the max length trailer for a Tacoma?" So far nobody has offered an answer so in the interest of getting back on track with the thread, I'll offer the "generally accepted guidelines" which are a wheelbase of 110" for a 20' trailer and 4 inches of added wheelbase for each foot of trailer length. Now, if anyone is "really interested" in the answer, just find the wheelbase for the model Tacoma involved and you should easily be able to determine the "suggested (or recommended) length RV for that truck.

I hope this guides the discussion back on track.

[Hansel]

I see it all the time someone towing what looks like way too much camper, I have a laredo 285BH that when I took my truck and TT too the CAT scales the total weight was just short of 15,000lbs. ounce I took out the truck weight the camper came in it just a hint over 8,000lbs.

So for me my truck a 2000 F-250CCSRW with a 7.3L Powerstroke it is just right for my truck, I don't know if I'd go much higher on a trailer because I have enough fun towing it (lot's of sway) which I will be upgrading too the Reese Dual Cam system in the future. I think some guys just want that "look what I'm pulling" and are not taking into consideration the safety of a overloaded tow vehicle. And I really don't blame the owner as much as the RV dealer because they are suppose to have the knowledge of what is safe and what is not safe. I've only seen a few camper accidents and most nobody looked injured, but the trailer and tow vehicles did not fair well:(

[kiwi2000]

I am a second year RV'r and still learning every day about this hobby.
One thing I never read about while researching my purchase(s) is the effect the weather has on towing.

I now know if its windy stay put for an extra day.
My gas mileage is ridiculous as it is and any sort of wind makes it not even worth moving.

I never read anything about this issue ever when I was researching this hobby.

The wind comes up I loose speed, the truck gears down and the mileage just evaporates.

I never thought about it and sure never read about this issue.

There you go, if you are looking at getting into RV ing take the wind into consideration. Plan for extra days to get to your destination because of it you will need it.

I also did not know about the difference between a tow vehicles ability to tow and the payload capacity.
Check this out as well if you are considering a tow vehicle. What the truck can pull is a good start but the truck must also be able to handle the pin weight of whatever you are attaching it to.

The advertisements and most printed specs all refer to the towing capacity. One must delve much deeper to find the payload capacity.

That said any tips for inclement weather towing other than staying put?

[audio1der]

^ Good points. I would add length to that research, as weight is not something any dealer brought up with us. I now know the effects of that much side area on a half ton.