How big of a trailer should I start with?

[jasen7]

I am looking to purchase a trailer to start my build. Only problem is, I don't know what size to go with. Right now my current tow vehicle is a 2007 Toyota Tacoma 4x4, 4 cylinder, 5-speed. I would like to get at least a 6x12 or 7x12 if it isn't going to be too much for my truck to tow. I would really like a 7x14 but I think that might be too much for the little truck. Any advise?

[d30gaijin]

I am looking to purchase a trailer to start my build. Only problem is, I don't know what size to go with. Right now my current tow vehicle is a 2007 Toyota Tacoma 4x4, 4 cylinder, 5-speed. I would like to get at least a 6x12 or 7x12 if it isn't going to be too much for my truck to tow. I would really like a 7x14 but I think that might be too much for the little truck. Any advise?

Jasen,

Welcome to the forum!

I suspect, from my experience, that the 7x12 will be a bit much for the Toyota 4cyl. But then again, it depends on where you're towing to. Towing to flatlands likely won't be a problem but going in to the mountains will.

We'll need more info as to where you plan to camp to be of much help to you.

Don

[BC_Explorer]

I would think that any 7' wide trailer is too big for a 4 cylinder. The squared frontal area on a 7' is huge and I can see wind resistance causing that 4 cylinder engine to be severely strained. Those engines only produce 235 hp at 5,000 rpm and only 266 lbs of torque at 4,000 rpm. There are not too many engines that can sustain those rpm levels for any appreciative time. I would also imagine that with the 5 speed transmission, this may be a weak point and you may want to check some of the Toyota specific forums on these. Lastly, the gear ratios in the axles are probably too high (numerically low) and again, you should check into these before purchasing.

[GPW]

Jas , the best way to find out what size you need is pile all the gear you intend to bring on the floor , arrange it like you want and measure the space it takes up ... don’t forget the sleeping accommodations ...
This all makes me start to think again about making a Foamie CT ... very light , and a streamlined nose of most any shape , V or rounded ... 4 cyl could easily pull it .. 500-700lbs ...

[jasen7]

I realize the 4 cylinder is not a high H.P. engine. I figured the 5 speed would be better than an automatic though because I could just drop a gear or two on the hills. Also as far as the gear ratio, it is 4:10. I would mainly be pulling it on the flats with some slight inclines. No plans on pulling it through the mountains.

[David_L6]

I wouldn't even consider a 7' wide trailer if I was going to try to pull it with a 4 cylinder. A 6' wide is a big maybe. I'm thinking 5' wide.

Take a look at the trailer in this post: http://tnttt.com/viewto ... ht=#862612

That trailer is all aluminum - very light weight. It's like pulling a parachute though. I tried to pull it (completely empty) one time with a 1991 Toyota 4 cylinder pickup. 4 cylinder, 5 speed. On the floor in 4th trying to pull it. Never tried that again. The Passport in the picture had a V6. It would pull it OK loaded - but just OK. Not real well. The motor box on that trailer is 6' wide.

I have a 6 X 10 that my son pulled home from where I bought it with his 4.8 liter Chevy V8 pickup. He only got ~ 12mpg...

Pulling an enclosed trailer with a pickup is like pulling a parachute. I've talked to several friends that pull(ed) their trailers with vans or pickups with a camper shell and they have all said that a van or pickup with a camper makes a difference. Cuts down on drag.

[capt4903]

my first cargo was a 6 x 12 h & h steel framed trailer....built like a tank...got 9 mpg with 5.3 liter silverado.....switched to a 6 x 10 aluma all aluminum v-nose and got almost 12 mpg with same camping gear and harley inside.....
traded for a new chevy colorado with the I-5 engine.....pulls real nice with same gear and bike inside....not getting great mpg's yet due to newness of the colorado's engine.....
taken 2 camping trips so far.....
if you can afford extra expense, i would go for an aluminum trailer.....or at least get a v-nose to tow behind the toy.....personally i wouldn't go wider than 6' with the small pickups....

so many choices!