Toyota Tacoma Pop Up Camper Guide: Models Tacomas Can Safely Tow

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.

Read More : Establishing RV Domicile in Florida: Your Ultimate Guide

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.