Toyota pickup towing pop up trailer VS sleeper van

rongi#401
Profile picture for user rongi#401
Posts
1636
Joined
6/20/2016
Location
southern, CA US
rongi#401
Edited Date/Time 12/2/2020 9:11am
So I’m currently driving my e350 extended van with a sleeping area up front, back fits everything I need, we sleep in it when we go racing, and cook on our Coleman grill and bring a cooler, gas is a killer, 60 bucks in gas to go to glen Helen and back

What I’m thinking is to get a pop up trailer, put my bike the the back of the mini truck and the. We will have a kitchen, outdoor shower, and fridge, heater and a c, plus sipping gas

Does anyone have experience with towing anything w a 4 cylinder Toyota pickup, I see scrap guys driving around with Toyota’s LOADED, will I still get better mileage than the van,

or should I just fix up our beat up motor home that’s rotting in the yard... it’s been converted into a fun mover where the back drops down and the rear bedroom is a mobile shop, I’ll post pics when I get home, you guys will get a kick out of it, but then again motorhome is a major gas hog. what would you do, yes money is a limiter, I can’t just go buy brand new everything at the moment.

Ok go

What’s the better package

|
hypermoto
Profile picture for user hypermoto
Posts
314
Joined
11/10/2020
Location
Bostwick, FL US
hypermoto 12/1/2020 12:38pm
12/1/2020 12:38pm
Fuel economy that truck will still be better towing that. They are really lightweight.
2
dl117
Profile picture for user dl117
Posts
1549
Joined
2/8/2007
Location
Cambridge, MN US
Fantasy
2577th
dl117 12/1/2020 4:51pm
12/1/2020 4:51pm
I like all 3 ideas, each has there strong points. But it would probably be most comfort for the buck in the pop up.
1
bodean123
Profile picture for user bodean123
Posts
305
Joined
1/7/2014
Location
CA
Fantasy
2112th
bodean123 12/1/2020 5:05pm
12/1/2020 5:05pm
Toyota trucks and fuel economy just don’t go hand in hand.
3
4

The Shop

See All »
hypermoto
Profile picture for user hypermoto
Posts
314
Joined
11/10/2020
Location
Bostwick, FL US
hypermoto 12/1/2020 5:29pm
12/1/2020 5:29pm
bodean123 wrote:
Toyota trucks and fuel economy just don’t go hand in hand.
Who can forget the amazing E350 fuel economy.

You missed where he said it’s the 4 cylinder. They are amazing on gas.
2
sumdood
Profile picture for user sumdood
Posts
5541
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA US
Fantasy
1282nd
sumdood 12/1/2020 5:45pm
12/1/2020 5:45pm
bodean123 wrote:
Toyota trucks and fuel economy just don’t go hand in hand.
hypermoto wrote:
Who can forget the amazing E350 fuel economy.

You missed where he said it’s the 4 cylinder. They are amazing on gas.
Amazing if they're empty Laughing , wonder what the difference per gallon is. Full size van cruising in it's sweet spot vs the yota wfo ? If it's 60 bucks in the van, what's it going to be in the toyota ? 35 -40 ?
1
Blackie59
Profile picture for user Blackie59
Posts
190
Joined
8/23/2020
Location
Rockwall, TX US
Blackie59 12/1/2020 6:31pm
12/1/2020 6:31pm
I think you should consider how you’re going to stop a loaded Toyota hauling a trailer.
1
kb228
Profile picture for user kb228
Posts
6161
Joined
1/31/2018
Location
Mansfield, OH US
kb228 12/1/2020 6:37pm
12/1/2020 6:37pm
How far are you going? $50 gets me 350-400 miles in my 5.0 f150. Pop up campers dont weigh anything.
yzf162
Profile picture for user yzf162
Posts
259
Joined
6/23/2020
Location
Grant Park, IL US
yzf162 12/1/2020 7:03pm
12/1/2020 7:03pm
Truck and camper. That truck will still get better gas then the van and most importantly you will have the camper instead of the van. Even if it was a push in gas mileage it's still a win having the camper. I've done both campers the way to go.
captmoto
Profile picture for user captmoto
Posts
5139
Joined
4/22/2009
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
captmoto 12/1/2020 7:14pm
12/1/2020 7:14pm
That Toyota four banger is way underpowered. Does the trailer have brakes? What is the cargo cap of the truck? Is your van your daily driver? The tongue weight of the trailer deducts from your trucks capacity. If you currently own all 3 right now, just give it a try and see how you like it. FWIW, sleeping in the pop up is way better than sleeping on a van floor. Will you will have to disconnect from the truck to use the trailer? If you got hurt riding, who is going to put it all together to get home?
2
ktmdan
Profile picture for user ktmdan
Posts
1219
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Houston, TX US
ktmdan 12/1/2020 7:32pm
12/1/2020 7:32pm
I bought a ‘21 four cylinder Tacoma yesterday to replace my ‘14 silverado 5.3 that I can’t stand. I wouldn’t attempt to tow soup cans on my wedding day in that 2.7 Tacoma but that’s just me. The thing is pretty sweet otherwise but clearly lacking in power.
Im selling my 2002 tundra 3.4 tomorrow and will be sad to see it go.

That being said if I were you I’d look into a 6 cyl Toyota and go with the trailer.
1
1
Bobby Skeet
Profile picture for user Bobby Skeet
Posts
65
Joined
3/2/2020
Location
Boulder City, NV US
Bobby Skeet 12/1/2020 7:39pm
12/1/2020 7:39pm
I stay stick with the van. I've done the truck and pop up thing before. I didn't like it. Especially in the Socal area. I was always sleeping with one eye open, wondering if my tools, gear or the bikes were gonna get stolen. and the one time the pop up tent cable snapped and got stuck and I couldn't lower the tent down all the way. So I had to drive home with it halfway open. lol With everything in the van you'll sleep a lot better having to worry if some tweaker is gonna steal your stuff. Get a good fold down bench with a good mattress and it'll be good to go.
2
stantdm
Profile picture for user stantdm
Posts
442
Joined
7/17/2011
Location
Belle Fourche, SD US
stantdm 12/1/2020 7:44pm
12/1/2020 7:44pm
Truck and trailer far more versatile. Adequate for the races too.

Van is bad mileage and not as useful as the truck w/o the trailer.

Motorhome fix up is okay but don't throw money at a dead horse.
1
1
dadofagun
Profile picture for user dadofagun
Posts
1720
Joined
3/28/2015
Location
Satan's Hollow, OK US
Fantasy
1962nd
dadofagun 12/1/2020 8:02pm
12/1/2020 8:02pm
Truck with pop up. What you save in fuel, can feed you a couple days in the pop up. Get a cheap solar panel kit for the trailer, you could literally make a week out of a trip if you wished. I take my Sirius boom box, 50 bucks in a local grocery store, my dual sport, my GT hardtail, outdoor fire pit, and sling it all in my truck bed with my pop up hitched on..... Forget life for a few days. Toss in a couple steaks on the grill in a quiet spot, you'll be hard pressed to find a better place to not worry about shit for a spell..... Oh, and some cold ones don't, either.
2
dadofagun
Profile picture for user dadofagun
Posts
1720
Joined
3/28/2015
Location
Satan's Hollow, OK US
Fantasy
1962nd
dadofagun 12/1/2020 8:04pm
12/1/2020 8:04pm
Cold ones don't hurt either.... my bad.
1
BigBoreFan58
Profile picture for user BigBoreFan58
Posts
736
Joined
8/11/2019
Location
Beverly Hills, CA US
BigBoreFan58 12/1/2020 8:06pm
12/1/2020 8:06pm
Seems you already own the van. If you bought a trailer, would you sell the van? If you go the trailer route, how may trips till you are at break even?

Lets say you own the van outright. So you know it cost $60 to go to GH. If you buy the trailer, lets say it now costs $30 to go to GH? How many trips does it take before you break even on the cost of the trailer and start seeing a true savings. If the trailer cost $300.00, then it will take 10 trips to break even. Then on the 11th trip you will see a savings of $30. $3000 trailer will take 100 trips to GH to break even. Now if you sold the van for $3K and bought a trailer for $3K, your savings would start immediately.
1
KMC440
Profile picture for user KMC440
Posts
7764
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
KMC440 12/1/2020 9:38pm
12/1/2020 9:38pm Edited Date/Time 12/1/2020 9:49pm
Had an '87 Nissan and towed a very light trailer fron NoCal to Ft Worth for a race. 5th gear is set way back in the transmission and even with the light trailer it put too much torque on the shaft. Was 34k into a 36k warranty. New tranny for me! Wheeeew!!
Moral is I never towed in 5th ever again.
rongi#401
Profile picture for user rongi#401
Posts
1636
Joined
6/20/2016
Location
southern, CA US
rongi#401 12/1/2020 11:28pm
12/1/2020 11:28pm
BigBoreFan58 wrote:
Seems you already own the van. If you bought a trailer, would you sell the van? If you go the trailer route, how may trips till...
Seems you already own the van. If you bought a trailer, would you sell the van? If you go the trailer route, how may trips till you are at break even?

Lets say you own the van outright. So you know it cost $60 to go to GH. If you buy the trailer, lets say it now costs $30 to go to GH? How many trips does it take before you break even on the cost of the trailer and start seeing a true savings. If the trailer cost $300.00, then it will take 10 trips to break even. Then on the 11th trip you will see a savings of $30. $3000 trailer will take 100 trips to GH to break even. Now if you sold the van for $3K and bought a trailer for $3K, your savings would start immediately.
Yeah I would sell the van and get a trailer, but I also have to buy another mini truck....or I could sell the van buy a mini truck and fix the motorhome and stay overnight at the races in ultimate comfort, and get almost the same mileage as the van 😂
1

Pit Row

See All »
rongi#401
Profile picture for user rongi#401
Posts
1636
Joined
6/20/2016
Location
southern, CA US
rongi#401 12/1/2020 11:30pm
12/1/2020 11:30pm
captmoto wrote:
That Toyota four banger is way underpowered. Does the trailer have brakes? What is the cargo cap of the truck? Is your van your daily driver...
That Toyota four banger is way underpowered. Does the trailer have brakes? What is the cargo cap of the truck? Is your van your daily driver? The tongue weight of the trailer deducts from your trucks capacity. If you currently own all 3 right now, just give it a try and see how you like it. FWIW, sleeping in the pop up is way better than sleeping on a van floor. Will you will have to disconnect from the truck to use the trailer? If you got hurt riding, who is going to put it all together to get home?
The woman
rongi#401
Profile picture for user rongi#401
Posts
1636
Joined
6/20/2016
Location
southern, CA US
rongi#401 12/1/2020 11:32pm
12/1/2020 11:32pm
Bobby Skeet wrote:
I stay stick with the van. I've done the truck and pop up thing before. I didn't like it. Especially in the Socal area. I was...
I stay stick with the van. I've done the truck and pop up thing before. I didn't like it. Especially in the Socal area. I was always sleeping with one eye open, wondering if my tools, gear or the bikes were gonna get stolen. and the one time the pop up tent cable snapped and got stuck and I couldn't lower the tent down all the way. So I had to drive home with it halfway open. lol With everything in the van you'll sleep a lot better having to worry if some tweaker is gonna steal your stuff. Get a good fold down bench with a good mattress and it'll be good to go.
I forgot to mention the van already has a wall with a futon bed on a homemade bed frame, the mattress is the thick futon not the thin ones, I almost forget I’m at the races in the morning, but just shooting out to a quick ride day kills me on gas, it takes 20 bucks in gas to go to my local spot and back, mini would take ten or less
mxracer666
Profile picture for user mxracer666
Posts
678
Joined
10/28/2010
Location
NE Iowa, IA US
mxracer666 12/2/2020 1:06am
12/2/2020 1:06am
Is the van in good condition and reliable? Do you really want to be towing a trailer in CA traffic? (remember, you are limited to 55 mph pulling a trailer in CA) You are talking about saving $10 in gas, inconveniencing yourself hooking/unhooking the trailer (twice per trip!), having to deal with the trailer when it's unhooked, at home, and way less security vs the van when on the road. Is the answer obvious to you now? Lol! (keep the van)
1
Sawfish
Profile picture for user Sawfish
Posts
792
Joined
6/8/2013
Location
Las Vegas, NV US
Sawfish 12/2/2020 2:38am
12/2/2020 2:38am Edited Date/Time 12/2/2020 2:44am
Ride that fast ass dog in front of your van Grinning

I would get the rv going or drag a pop up. Comfort is pretty high up on my list these days. I’ve done my time slumming it.
1
AxlBundy
Profile picture for user AxlBundy
Posts
212
Joined
2/14/2020
Location
Saint Paul, MN US
AxlBundy 12/2/2020 2:58am
12/2/2020 2:58am
Pop up trailer+mini truck+dirtbikes sounds like a gd nightmare. Drastic reduction in fuel mileage the second you hook up to tow, unhitch the pop up to get the bike out, dealing with the pop up.
If that vans gas mileage is so terrible, look into why.
2
EZZA 95B
Profile picture for user EZZA 95B
Posts
9111
Joined
11/3/2010
Location
AU
Fantasy
1154th
EZZA 95B 12/2/2020 3:22am
12/2/2020 3:22am
Sawfish wrote:
Ride that fast ass dog in front of your van :lol: I would get the rv going or drag a pop up. Comfort is pretty high...
Ride that fast ass dog in front of your van Grinning

I would get the rv going or drag a pop up. Comfort is pretty high up on my list these days. I’ve done my time slumming it.
CG118
Profile picture for user CG118
Posts
628
Joined
6/27/2014
Location
Kennesaw, GA US
CG118 12/2/2020 5:37am
12/2/2020 5:37am
If you want more luxury for you and the lady on those long Glen Helen weekends, go with the pop-up and truck combo.
Then you still have your truck for local-ish track practice days.

You’re still sucking tons of fuel however, so the fuel $ savings almost become irrelevant overall?
foreman52
Profile picture for user foreman52
Posts
632
Joined
5/29/2018
Location
CA
Fantasy
3178th
foreman52 12/2/2020 5:57am
12/2/2020 5:57am
Hands down pop up. It was the best money I’ve ever spent.
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
10110
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
Fantasy
798th
Falcon 12/2/2020 8:38am
12/2/2020 8:38am
You'll be sucking down more fuel in the Taco than you think. I've towed semi-heavy loads (1300 pounds or so,) with my '99 Tacoma 4-cyl and it was less than wonderful. My '13 is basically the same truck underneath (different engine, but it performs about the same. I think the frame is identical.) However, the braking was the biggest issue, anyway. It was pretty janky with two PWCs on a double trailer. I bet the pop-up is about the same load or more, so beware.
str8line
Profile picture for user str8line
Posts
3660
Joined
9/20/2018
Location
Sandy, UT US
str8line 12/2/2020 9:05am
12/2/2020 9:05am
Have you done the calculation on savings with the Toyo? My guess is it's less than you think. I vote van and camper.Grinning
Hollywood007 12/2/2020 9:11am
12/2/2020 9:11am
now I am a big fan of Toyota trucks, and those old 4 banger trucks are reliable. However, when you load one of those up, and hook a trailer up, you are adding a lot of weight and your MPG is going to go down. not to mention the added wear and tear and the suspension, and stress on the motor, clutch, and transmission that the weight will cause. in the long run are you really saving much?
Idaho747
Profile picture for user Idaho747
Posts
558
Joined
8/4/2014
Location
Idaho Falls, ID US
Idaho747 12/2/2020 9:11am
12/2/2020 9:11am
My family owned a pop up trailer quite a few year back and I have to say. They are not worth the “convenience” of a small trailer. They jam a lot and are honestly no easier than a tent. I would stick with the van.
1

Post a reply to: Toyota pickup towing pop up trailer VS sleeper van