towing

I have a 1998 tacoma v6 4x4 TRD. i'm looking at some boats about 20 feet long, some on tandem axle trailers. Is this too much for my truck to tow? any info helps. thank you!

 

the 3.4l v6 Tacos are able to pull 5,000 pounds. If these boats are within that then your golden.

 

Tengo's right. Not sure on the first gens but on the 2nd gens you need a tow package to do all 6500. so I'm not sure if you need the tow package to do all 5000 with the first gens.

 

You wont need the factory tow package but check to make sure you hitch is at least a class 3

 

Thanks! I have a uhaul hitch rated for 10 thousand pounds and my receiver is rated for 6 thousand. thanks again for your input!

 

What is out on the market for changing the stock gear ratio if you want more pulling power? Thanks

 

Thats not the only thing that determines how much you can tow. Its a small truck. i wouldn't go over what the factory rating is.

 

Got yea.

 

The 1st gen trucks (95-04) have a tow rating of 5,000lbs regardless of tow package.

 

cool thanks for the info. I'm assuming you're refering to v6's.

 

With all the talk about towing, dont forget stopping power. Remember the more tongue weight on rear axle , the less weight on front end= the faster the front brakes will lockup on wet and gravel roads when towing.

 

I would not be crazy about towing anything that weighed more than my towing vehicle regardless of the hitch rating.
Imagine getting pushed around in a 4000# taco by a 6000# trailer with a blowout at freeway speed
Better have good trailer brakes.

 

It happens all the time......

Tacoma curb weight is 4070 and the GVW is 5350. Towing capacity is 6500lbs (comparing numbers for 4.0L Access Cab).

 

Hey guys. This weekend, I picked up a termite back hoe with my 4.3, 1996. I drove 2 miles and parked it and picked up a friends 3/4 ton. No way this truck is safe to pull that much weight. Also, by hich is mounted on the frame..not the bumper.

Just a friendly input. this termite back hoe is about 4200 lbs. It scared the hell out of me pulling it and the truck would not stop.

 

That is a lot ot weight..... I pull 5000# regularly with my 05 V6... You can't just drivel like you normally do..Just like truckers have skills to drive there rigs, you also have to learn a whole new way of driving...Much of it will come from close calls and reading/learning....

Did this backhoe trailer have its own separate breaks? Normally they will have Electric breaks that will require you to have a unit inside your truck to adjust the level of braking done by the trailer...Some times they are not and are surge breaks mounted on the trailer tounge and work separate from your trucks brakes but at the same time.

 

i have a reg cab 4x4 tacoma with the 2.7. and i pull my 18 foot stratos boat and it does ok. if that helps.

 

Is there a lot of difference in my 96 and the new motors/power trains? I have a friend at church with an 08 and he pull his 21' bass boat with no trouble. Could it be the 1st gen trucks?

 

first gen trucks (95.5-04) are rated at 5000 pounds.

2nd gen trucks (05+) (with towing package) are rated at 6500 pounds.

Your first gen is a 4 speed auto. The autos on the 2nd gens are either 5 or 6 speed I think. I'm assuming the bigger motor + more gears makes towing easier.

 

I haul a 16' contractor's trailer with my '00 TRD, 2.7L, 5sp, 4.30 geared Taco with 31X10.50 tires, Curt class 3 hitch. The trailer weighs 1450# empty. It has trailer brakes, properly adjusted, and I installed a good controller in the cab. The trailer is properly maintained, good tires, brakes, etc. and I don't overload it. It has a GVW of 7,000#, but I don't haul it with more than about 3-4,000# (construction trash, mostly). The truck handles the trailer well, loaded or empty, but then I only haul it around town and down to the landfill, about 15 miles or so each way. I wouldn't use my Tacoma to haul this trailer cross-country, but it handles it fine for my purposes.