Hitch hauler on Tacoma for long trips need more cargo area

[Pkmst]

I was thinking about getting a hitch hauler for my Tacoma I take several trips to my hunting lease about 6 hours away, this was my first trip in the Tacoma which is a 2001 regular cab 4x4 with a Lear topper, after loading the bed with my equipment and clothes it didn't leave room for my 2 deer without getting blood on my stuff, so I purchased coolers and quartered up the deer, the weight of the coolers with meat and ice plus the other equipment caused the rear to sag some, I think the 500 lb haulers are kind of heavy , i plan on using the hauler to carry deer on leaving the bed clean for my gear, anybody using one on their tacoma and what is a good brand that's heavy duty that can handle a few deer for extended road trips

 

[SWITAWI]

Not a Tacoma owner, but I do run a hitch carrier on FJC pretty much full time with trailer brake lights fitted, 600lbs rated, approx 62lbs empty. I have carried hogs and deer and everything else that would normally go in a truck bed. I would never get close to my Class III hitch rating of 500lbs, but when you get 200-300lbs in the basket that far back from the vehicle's normal center of balance it can be unsettling to drive. Helper air bags on the rear springs are highly recommended for carrying hefty loads on a hitch carrier.

I have a ROLA 59502 and would highly recommend it except for the weight, though it did take out the grille and a headlight on a 5-Series BMW that was following too close once, only suffering some scratches. For the occasional user an aluminum or folding hitch carrier might be a better alternative. Hitch manufacturer Curt also makes quality hitch carriers.

 

[SWITAWI]

I forgot to address the obvious issue of departure angle... My carrier has a bend in the main support arm that raises the basket an extra 2in over the hitch height. This gives just enough extra clearance on the street that I have never dragged it leaving parking lots and driveways. I've only dragged it offroad a couple times and that was simply because I tackled a ditch head-on. An angled approach would have been better, obviously. Then again I live in South Texas and most of my travels are over mostly open terrain. If I lived somewhere there was actual 'trail' driving I'm sure my hitch carrier would quickly prove to be a liability offroad.

 

[surlydiesel]

I have a set of Hellwig helper springs on my 01 Tacoma and it was a night and day difference in load carrying ability. It also made it ride a little worse but nothing compared to my old one ton, so I'm ok with it. I just got the 1000 pound springs and even when I have a hitch carrier on, I do not get a lot of flex or sway from the rack. I usually carry heavy coolers or firewood on the rack. The toyota rear springs leave a lot to be desired. The correct route would really be to get a new set made but I'm kinda cheap and not looking to spend a lot of money on this truck.

 

[Pkmst]

Thanks for the info guys, I am definitely going to get an aluminum hitch hauler for the weight advantage, after seeing how my Tacoma set stock on level ground I never dreamed the rear end would sag, it looks like the rear end is jacked up higher than the front so I figured the extra weight might level it out but the rear end dropped lower than the front, if it wasn't for the aggravation I could pull my trailer, but I hate to pull it that far just to haul deer on,I'll look into upgrading the suspension so it doesn't sag so bad. I wander what the max weight carrying capacity of the bed is and if it would be any better putting heavier items all the way forward in the bed to get the load between the axles, I had the coolers with deer all the way back by the tailgate so I could add ice easier

 

[austintaco]

For our first big adventure, I put together a 500 lbs rated hitch carrier for the rear of the Tacoma. I added the optional lights and installed a lighted "Toyota" license plate holder from a 4runner for some bling. We loaded up the truck and the carrier and I had so much sag that my tires were rubbing on every dip in the neighborhood. This was with 3 year old AP regular springs. We had to ditch the carrier at the house and rearrange our gear.

They are heavy.

 

[SWITAWI]

Well, you will always be better off carrying the heaviest loads at least as far forward as the rear axle itself. Big loads at the very back of the bed or on a hitch carrier are going to change the truck's balance obviously, but it's a compromise we sometimes have to make (as long as it isn't blatantly unsafe). And it's not that the carriers and their loads are all that heavy... You could easily haul 500lbs in your truck's bed, but put that same weight a foot behind your back bumper and it will feel like you doubled it. It's going to have extra leverage hanging out there.

You'll be okay hauling game and coolers with it.

 

[JWP58]

Just make sure it does not cover your license plate.

 

[zidaro]

I have a cheapo metal one rated for 500#, couldnt tell you who made it. It only weighs maybe 25# and has taken many a trip and carried more than i thought it should over rough roads. Keeps on ticking, dragging, and carrying. Departure angle sucks but makes all the difference in how much stuff we can bring.