We bought our tow vehicle first. I picked a Toyota Tacoma after driving a Prius for 12yrs. Our 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-road 4×4, crew cab short bed is rated to tow ~6400lbs. So we shopped for small trailers under 4000lbs, starting with teardrops. We bought the Geo Pro G19RD because we loved its floor plan – rear dinette, front bed, adequate storage, tank volumes, dry bath – and its low GVWR. The sticker on the frame read 3150lb GVWR, but many rv’ers say this weight does not include the extras Rockwood adds. So reviewing Forest River’s 2021 G19RD specifications, the UVW may be closer to 3271lbs. Following the “80% rule” of not towing more than 80% of your rated tow weight. We should be able to tow up to 5000lbs. We wanted to keep it closer to 4200lbs loaded. We have not stopped at a weigh station but it’s on our to-do list.
Update: Towing With A Tacoma 2022
This model of Tacoma is equipped with a tow package which means there are some manufacturer’s add-ons that help when towing. The class IV receiver hitch with trailer wiring, transmission cooler, engine oil cooler, 130-amp alternator and heavy-duty battery to allow you to tow 6400lbs.
We added an Equal-i-zer 10k E4 weight distribution hitch with 4-point sway control. I installed a Tekonsha P2 brake controller, using the appropriate Tacoma pigtail that integrates it with the Tacoma’s 7-pin wiring. A ScanGauge II OBD monitor is installed & configured to readout transmission fluid temperature. Which some people feel is the most critical engine item to monitor when towing w/ a lighter truck. The Geo Pro has a tire-pressure monitoring system factory installed which is also critical for any trailer, especially a single-axle trailer.
Since picking up the trailer in Nov 2020, we’ve done five trips, mostly short & within 270mi of home. Our 1st was a 3-day shakedown trip to Campland-By-The-Bay in San Diego, 30mi from home. The longest & farthest, a one-week trip to Ventura-Pismo Beach-Carpinteria. Two other short trips: 2 days in Joshua Tree; 5 days in Indio.
We’ve been very weight-conscience, only taking what we need. On our last trip, we added two folding bikes and dog to the Tacoma (~100lbs) and found the truck rode more smoothly. In the trailer, we distribute gear weight throughout the compartments – hoses, hardware, hookup accessories – in bins. The griddle, power cord w/ surge protector, leveling blocks, and safety cones in the rear compartments. We’ve been bringing food and 1-2gals of drinking water, depending on the length of the trip. For the Joshua Tree “dry-camping” trip we added 12gals to our fresh water tank, which adds ~100lbs.
Following the advice of another Tacoma tow’er, we shift our automatic transmission from “D” to “S4”. We’ve found that “ECT PWR On”, another towing feature of the Tacoma, so far does not make significant difference. Our mileage has been averaging 11.5mpg with it on. It’s too early to tell but we towed with “ECT PWR Off” last trip and may have averaged 12.4mpg. But we need more miles since this stat is based on towing with very few inclines.
