There’s something incredibly freeing about hitting the open road, leaving the hustle of daily life behind, and immersing yourself in nature’s grandeur. For many outdoor enthusiasts, the perfect blend of adventure and comfort lies in the realm of pop-up campers. These compact, lightweight trailers unfurl into cozy living spaces.
And when you pair a pop-up camper with the rugged capability of a Toyota Tacoma, you’ve got a winning combination for unforgettable camping excursions. Before you embark on your next journey, it’s crucial to ensure that your trusty Tacoma can safely tow the pop-up camper you have in mind.
Overloading your vehicle can compromise handling, braking, and overall safety, putting a damper on your adventure before it even begins. Fear not, fellow wanderers! This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge to choose the perfect pop-up camper for your Toyota Tacoma, allowing you to explore the great outdoors with confidence and peace of mind.
Toyota Tacoma Pop Up Camper Towing Capacity
The towing capacity of your Toyota Tacoma is a critical factor in determining the suitable pop-up camper for your rig. Recent models of the Tacoma boast towing capacities ranging from a respectable 3,500 pounds for 4-cylinder engines or V6 models without a tow package.
The capacity goes all the way up to an impressive 6,400 pounds for V6 engines equipped with a tow package. It’s worth noting that exceeding your vehicle’s towing capacity can have severe consequences.
Imagine trying to tow a behemoth camper with your trusty Tacoma – it’d be like trying to pull a freight train with a toy truck. Not only would it strain your engine and transmission, but it could also compromise your ability to brake and maneuver safely. This puts you and your fellow adventurers at risk.
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Find Your Toyota Tacoma Pop Up Camper Towing Capacity
Determining your Tacoma’s specific towing capacity is as easy as cracking open the owner’s manual or utilizing handy online tools. These resources provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information tailored to your vehicle’s year, make, and model.
For instance, when I purchased my beloved 2017 Toyota Tacoma, the first thing I did was consult the owner’s manual. I wanted to ensure I wouldn’t be overreaching with my camper selection. Knowledge is power, and in this case, it’s the power to tow with confidence and safety.
Here are some helpful links to Toyota Tacoma owner’s manuals and online towing capacity tools:
Toyota Tacoma Owner’s Manuals:
- 2024 Toyota Tacoma Owner’s Manual
- 2023 Toyota Tacoma Owner’s Manual
- 2022 Toyota Tacoma Owner’s Manual
Online Towing Capacity Tools:
- Toyota’s Official Towing Capacity Calculator
- Third-Party Towing Capacity Lookup Tool
What Trailer Weight Should You Consider?
When shopping for a pop-up camper, you’ll often encounter two critical weight measurements: dry weight and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Understanding the difference between these two figures is paramount in selecting the appropriate camper for your Toyota Tacoma.
The dry weight of a pop-up camper is the weight of the trailer itself, without any additional cargo, water, or gear loaded into it. Think of it as the baseline weight before you start packing for your adventure. On the other hand, the GVWR represents the maximum weight the camper can safely carry, including the trailer itself, all your gear, and any water or waste stored in the tanks.
So, what’s the ideal weight range for your Tacoma? As a general rule of thumb, your Toyota Tacoma should have a tow rating that meets or exceeds the dry weight of the pop-up camper you’re considering. This ensures that you’ll have some wiggle room to load up your camping essentials without pushing your vehicle beyond its limits.
However, if you plan on packing heavy or carrying substantial amounts of water and waste, it’s wise to lean more towards the GVWR when selecting your camper. By doing this, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you’re operating well within your Tacoma’s towing capabilities. Even when the trailer is loaded to the brim.
In my case, with a towing capacity of 6,400 pounds, I opted for an ALiner Expedition pop-up camper with a GVWR of 3,500 pounds. This decision allows me to load up my camper with all the gear and supplies my family needs. I don’t have to worry about exceeding my Tacoma’s towing limits.
What pop up campers can Toyota Tacomas tow?
Now that you understand the importance of towing capacity and trailer weight, it’s time to explore the vast array of pop-up campers compatible with your Toyota Tacoma.
Buckle up, folks, because we’re about to dive into a comprehensive list of current models, complete with their weights, towing requirements, and compatibility with different Tacoma configurations.
Brand | Model | Dry Weight | GVWR | Trailer Brakes | V6 Tow Req. | Sway Bar Req. | Weight Distributed Hitch Req. |
Sylvansport | TRAILOFT | 117 lbs | NA | No | No | No | No |
Tentrax | Overlook | 500 lbs | 1800 lbs | No | No | No | No |
Tentrax | Ascend | 600 lbs | 1800 lbs | No | No | No | No |
Kamparoo | Vacationer | 725 lbs | NA | No | No | No | No |
Kamparoo | Trans-Continental | 840 lbs | NA | No | No | No | No |
Sylvansport | GO | 840 lbs | 1650 lbs | No | No | No | No |
Chalet | LTW | 900 lbs | 2000 lbs | Yes | No | No | No |
Kamparoo | Cargo Utility | 1140 lbs | 1840 lbs | Optional | No | No | No |
ALiner | Scout-Lite | 1180 lbs | 3000 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Taxa Outdoors | WoolyBear | 1270 lbs | 2100 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
ALiner | Ranger 10 | 1300 lbs | 3000 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Off Grid Trailers | Switchback | 1300 lbs | 3500 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Taxa Outdoors | TigerMoth | 1310 lbs | 2200 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
ALiner | Scout | 1395 lbs | 3000 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Taxa Outdoors | WoolyBear Overland | 1400 lbs | 2200 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Coachmen | 9.0TD : Clipper Express | 1587 lbs | 2172 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Viking | 9.0TD : Viking Express | 1587 lbs | 2172 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
ALiner | Ranger 12 | 1450 lbs | 3000 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Taxa Outdoors | TigerMoth Overland | 1458 lbs | 2400 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Chalet | Alpine | 1505 lbs | 3000 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Chalet | Arrowhead | 1585 lbs | 3000 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Coachmen | 860XLS | 1642 lbs | 2897 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Viking | 1706XLS : Viking LS | 1642 lbs | 2897 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Tribe Trailers | Basecamp | 1654 lbs | 3307 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Off Grid Trailers | Expedition 2.0 | 1700 lbs | 3500 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
ALiner | Classic | 1725 lbs | 3000 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
ALiner | LXE | 1795 lbs | 3000 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Taxa Outdoors | Cricket | 1800 lbs | 2700 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Coachmen | 107LS : Clipper LS | 1801 lbs | 2938 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Viking | 2107LS | 1801 lbs | 2938 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Safari Condo | R1713 | 1825 lbs | 2700 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
ALiner | Expedition | 1850 lbs | 3500 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Coachmen | 108ST | 1863 lbs | 2687 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Viking | 2108ST | 1863 lbs | 2687 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Safari Condo | R1723 | 1867 lbs | 2700 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Taxa Outdoors | Cricket Overland | 1978 lbs | 3000 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Chalet | XL-1920 | 1995 lbs | 3500 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Chalet | XL-1930 | 1995 lbs | 3500 lbs | Yes | No | Maybe | No |
Rockwood | A122S | 2120 lbs | 3284 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Coachmen | 12.0TD XL : Clipper Express | 2147 lbs | 3720 lbs | Yes | Maybe | Yes | No |
Viking | 12.0TD XL : Viking Express | 2147 lbs | 3720 lbs | Yes | Maybe | Yes | No |
Chalet | XL-1935 | 2165 lbs | 3500 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Rockwood | 1910ESP | 2199 lbs | 2904 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Coachmen | 128LS : Clipper LS | 2204 lbs | 3223 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Viking | 2308LS : Viking LS | 2221 lbs | 3223 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Rockwood | 1940F | 2223 lbs | 3240 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Coachmen | 12.0 TD MAX : Clipper Express | 2225 lbs | 3259 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Viking | 12.0TD MAX : Viking Express | 2225 lbs | 3259 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
ALiner | Evolution | 2300 lbs | 3500 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Opus | OP Lite Air Tent | 2380 lbs | 3527 lbs | Yes | Maybe | Yes | No |
Rockwood | 2318G | 2458 lbs | 3263 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Rockwood | 2280BHESP | 2578 lbs | 3838 lbs | Yes | Maybe | Yes | No |
TrailManor | 2518 KB | 2580 lbs | 3300 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
V-Trec | V2 | 2581 lbs | 3790 lbs | Yes | Maybe | Yes | No |
TrailManor | 2518 KS | 2600 lbs | 3220 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
TrailManor | 2518 KD | 2600 lbs | 3220 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Rockwood | A213HW | 2670 lbs | 3372 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Rockwood | 2514F | 2673 lbs | 3295 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Rockwood | A214HW | 2700 lbs | 3353 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
V-Trec | V4 | 2790 lbs | 3897 lbs | Yes | Maybe | Yes | No |
Coachmen | 1285SST : Clipper Classic | 2840 lbs | 3296 lbs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Viking | 2485SST : Viking Legend | 2840 lbs | 3296 lbs | Yes | Maybe | Yes | No |
Rockwood | 2318ESP | 2868 lbs | 3875 lbs | Yes | Maybe | Yes | No |
Rockwood | 232ESP | 2952 lbs | 3794 lbs | Yes | Maybe | Yes | No |
Test Drive a Pop Up Camper With Your Toyota Tacoma
If you’re considering investing in a pop-up camper, ensuring it aligns with your needs is paramount. Personally, I aimed to avoid overly heavy models that would prove cumbersome on the road, prioritizing ease of handling. A swift setup and takedown process were essential.
Conventional avenues like dealerships or private sellers rarely offer trial runs. Fortunately, alternative platforms such as RVshare, RVezy, or Outdoorsy provide the option to rent for a weekend. This offers invaluable insight before committing to a purchase.
After trying out various campers, I decided to rent an R-Pod from Outdoorsy, thinking it would suit our Tacoma well. During a week-long road trip, I discovered it didn’t handle as smoothly as I hoped, and the limited visibility was a drawback.
Opting to rent from Outdoorsy, RVezy, or RVshare proved beneficial as it led me to realize my preference for a pop-up camper for my Toyota Tacoma. This realization prompted me to choose an ALiner as the perfect match for my truck and family.
Summary
Choosing a pop-up camper for my Toyota Tacoma was a no-brainer for someone like me who values towing convenience over fancy features. ALiners offer a diverse array of amenities, ensuring you don’t compromise much.
My decision to go with a pop-up camper has been vindicated; it effortlessly glides behind my Tacoma. When our family inevitably outgrows our ALiner, we’ll gladly explore other pop-up options. It’s reassuring to know there’s a plethora of choices awaiting us in the future.