Considering purchasing a TrailManor

[mmayville]

I have a tendency to agree. I had the 2007 and traded it for the 2015. WDH and heavy duty towing package is a must. But still do not want to push it over the limits. 22-24' in the lowered position is about as comfortable as we are going to get I think. Thanks for all of the input as it helps making the decision of which model to look at.

[Dchisenh]

Well, since you're looking into what your Tacoma can tow, I've got a 2007 with the factory-installed tow package and have towed my 2004 3326 without a problem. I do have a soft-topper removable 'shell' on the back that might help with the drag and gives great extra storage as Padgett mentioned and I use a WDH, but in all honesty I barely notice that I'm towing it. Extremely good gas mileage as well. Pretty much any TM out there should work for ya and good luck hunting!

-Dan

[Bill]

Originally Posted by TM Pilot

With a tongue weight of about 500lbs on my TM2619 and a tongue weight limit on my F150 of 500lbs without a WDH, I wanted to decrease the 2.5" squat of the rear of my F150 when the TM is hooked up. Since my TM2619 has a 3500lb axle, I didn't want to use a WDH to distribute any more weight to that axle. So I installed an Airlift RideControl adjustable airspring.

Wait a minute. I don't mean to be disagreeable, but if I'm understanding, you were concerned that the tongue weight of the trailer was right at the max for your tow vehicle. This is a very valid concern, since the tongue weight on the hitch removes weight (and hence steering and braking capability) from the front end of the tow vehicle - where most braking and steering are accomplished.

But you addressed it by installing air bags? Air bags have absolutely no effect on tongue weight of the TM, or the tongue weight rating of the tow vehicle - other than adding 25 pounds or so to the weight on the rear end of the tow vehicle. So the front end of the tow vehicle remains unweighted, and steering and braking are still impacted as before. Yes, you decreased the squat, but did nothing to address the real problem.

The air bag advertising is very convincing, but the reality is not.

Again, my apologies if I sound unpleasant, but the safety issues hiding behind airbags really bug me.

Bill

[rvcycleguy]

I've been using air bags under my Tundra for several years along with a WDH. Allows me to add payload to my truck bed and then level out the squat with the proper setting of the WDH.

I would agree with Bill that without a WDH, you've not shifted the tongue weight or load safely. If you've not measured wheel openings from the ground, on both axles, you may not be level.

[Padgett]

Agree with Bill. Air Bags have a place but it is not weight transfer but rather to raise the rear suspension so it is not sitting on the bump stops. (or use one to control wheel spin with an open rear end).

True, raising the rear does tend to level the vehicle somewhat but to change the weight distribution you need a weight distributing hitch.

I do not have one but am in a special case where I consider the trailer axle to be at its limit already plus my Jeep is designed for towing & the attitude does not change much when hitched - the front has never felt light.

[mmayville]

I found this on google.com. It has the towing capacity of tow vehicles from 1999 to 2014. Maybe helpful for some people.

1999-2007
http://trailmanor.com/WebDocs/Campin...FTgrOAodiUvBXw

2009-2014
http://www.trailmanor.com/WebDocs/Ca...-vehicles.html



Thanks

Mike

[Padgett]

When reading those charts note that (t) means factory towing package required (at top of lists). Is often a lot more than just a hitch.

[mmayville]

I agree because without the towing package the tow weight is a lot less.