Advice on Towing Setup with Stock 2024 TRD OR Pulling a Small Camper

[Go_Gata]

Hey everyone,

I’ve got a stock 2024 Tacoma TRD Off Road and I’ll be towing a small single axle Forest River Salem FSX around 20 feet. It probably weighs around 3800 to 4000 pounds loaded. The camper has a rear slide out for a queen bed and is in decent shape, but not perfect. I want to make sure my Tacoma is well set up for safe and stable towing, especially for trips into the mountains like Taos and Colorado resorts.

So far it tows fine on smooth roads, but I’ve noticed a bit of front to back jerkiness on rougher roads.
I’m considering upgrading the tires and possibly adding something like Timbren SES or rear shock upgrades, but I’d like your input:

• What upgrades do you recommend with this setup?
• Is a rear spacer with shocks and Timbren worth it, can I just go Timbren SES for now?
• Has anyone run Bilstein 5100s up front with Timbren in the rear and a 1 inch spacer? Would that help with towing balance?

I’m not trying to overland, just looking for more towing confidence and access to dispersed sites. Any advice from those with experience towing with this platform is much appreciated.

I do eventually want to go with a suspension lift like the 5160 + 6112, +25 offset rims and Wildpeak AT4s

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[Powhunter]

A proper anti-sway weight distribution hitch like the Blue Ox Sway Pro is absolutely THE first towing “mod” anyone should do to their tow rig.

What a properly set up hitch does is spread out the extra towing weight evenly across your braking axles. Adding air bags or Timbren’s could mask a potentially unsafe situation.

Now if you have a properly set up hitch and then want to do a levelling kit, I absolutely would not hesitate to add Timbren’s in order to prevent rear end squat.

 

[Mtnbikes]

Have you weighed your setup yet? Truck and trailer together and separatly, loaded like you’re on a trip with a full tank of gas. What is your tongue weight on that trailer? Have you exceeded the payload of your truck? No matter what you do to your truck you still need to be within specs of that vehicle. I would figure out your numbers first and then make necessary changes.

 

[Dirt]

I've not towed with this Gen 4 TRD OR, but did a lot with the Gen 3. Do you tow all the time or just once in a while? What level of comfort and performance do you want most of the time? Does your pickup get you down the road when towing? If you look on some RV websites you'll find weight police are adamant that their way is the only weigh. When I towed with our Gen 3 we made sure that we had a tow package that included a transmission cooler, the weight distributing hitch and anti-sway were the right setup for our trailer weight, and we were mindful not to overload the front of the trailer (hitch weight) too much. If we were going to tow longer distances over rougher gravel, dirt roads we disconnected the weight distributing feature and took it easy, letting the OEM suspension work. Our last trailer weighed about 4K loaded.

 

[Mtnbikes]

It’s not going to matter what you’re setup is if your over payload capacity of the tow vehicle and/or the trailer. It puts undue stress on the vehicle and possibly puts your life and the life of others at risk. Weight does matter.

 

[carguy4471]

Hey everyone,

I’ve got a stock 2024 Tacoma TRD Off Road and I’ll be towing a small single axle Forest River Salem FSX around 20 feet. It probably weighs around 3800 to 4000 pounds loaded. The camper has a rear slide out for a queen bed and is in decent shape, but not perfect. I want to make sure my Tacoma is well set up for safe and stable towing, especially for trips into the mountains like Taos and Colorado resorts.

So far it tows fine on smooth roads, but I’ve noticed a bit of front to back jerkiness on rougher roads.
I’m considering upgrading the tires and possibly adding something like Timbren SES or rear shock upgrades, but I’d like your input:

• What upgrades do you recommend with this setup?
• Is a rear spacer with shocks and Timbren worth it, can I just go Timbren SES for now?
• Has anyone run Bilstein 5100s up front with Timbren in the rear and a 1 inch spacer? Would that help with towing balance?

I’m not trying to overland, just looking for more towing confidence and access to dispersed sites. Any advice from those with experience towing with this platform is much appreciated.

I do eventually want to go with a suspension lift like the 5160 + 6112, +25 offset rims and Wildpeak AT4s

With this setup you should be well within specs. As stated you are best served by adding a weight distribution hitch. I use a fastway E2 but there are many on the market. In my opinion this should be setup before towing. The Tacoma springs have a lot of squat and this will remedy most or all of it. It will also provide a great deal of anti sway.

 

[PlinyTheGringo]

Hey everyone,

I’ve got a stock 2024 Tacoma TRD Off Road and I’ll be towing a small single axle Forest River Salem FSX around 20 feet. It probably weighs around 3800 to 4000 pounds loaded. The camper has a rear slide out for a queen bed and is in decent shape, but not perfect. I want to make sure my Tacoma is well set up for safe and stable towing, especially for trips into the mountains like Taos and Colorado resorts.

So far it tows fine on smooth roads, but I’ve noticed a bit of front to back jerkiness on rougher roads.
I’m considering upgrading the tires and possibly adding something like Timbren SES or rear shock upgrades, but I’d like your input:

• What upgrades do you recommend with this setup?
• Is a rear spacer with shocks and Timbren worth it, can I just go Timbren SES for now?
• Has anyone run Bilstein 5100s up front with Timbren in the rear and a 1 inch spacer? Would that help with towing balance?

I’m not trying to overland, just looking for more towing confidence and access to dispersed sites. Any advice from those with experience towing with this platform is much appreciated.

I do eventually want to go with a suspension lift like the 5160 + 6112, +25 offset rims and Wildpeak AT4s

I tow a 2024 Keystone Hideout 175BH (21 ft, single axle) with a 2024 Tacoma TRD Off-Road and it tows like a champ. Well within limits. My trailer is 3,055 lbs dry, about 3,400 lbs typical towing weight with stuff in it, and max is 4,300 if I load it up with fluids and a bunch of gear. Here are some tips for you:
- Make sure you tow the trailer dry, as full tanks will add lots of weight.
- Make sure you have a good weight distribution hitch, adjusted to the ride height of your vehicle.
- Use the multi-information display in the Tacoma to select the correct trailer type "vehicle settings/trailer" interface. I chose "camper" with electric brake.
- Once connected to trailer and 7-pin connector, adjust integrated trailer brake (+/- on dash) to about 4.5 or 5.0 assist level).
- Make sure you select "tow/haul" mode from the dial on console.

You should be good to go. If you get a suspension lift, you will likely have adjust the weight distribution hitch. It's pretty easy. Good luck. Don't kill anybody.

 

[Mrknowitall]

A proper anti-sway weight distribution hitch ...is absolutely THE first towing “mod” anyone should do to their tow rig.

I agree 100%. I pull a Jayco 213X (also rear slide) and the tongue weight is WAY more than 10%. I really like my Camco EazLift TR3. Huge upgrade over the Husky hitch that came with the camper.

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