Can you tow a car with a 4cyl regular cab?

[08BlackTacoma]

I have a 4cyl automatic regular cab, i use for work. I have a Dodge Viper i go to the track with a lot, and i would like to tow it there, the car is about 3,300lbs i know they say the tacoma can tow 3,500lbs. How much does a trailer weigh about? 800lbs? more or less? do you guys think this is possible?

Thanks

[LRH]

Just a little over the limit, but on flat ground at lower speeds it would prob do alright; but if you happen to get in an accident and the truck is over the published limit you might be in trouble, depending on the circumstances/severity, and the officer(s) that show up and there opinion/mood. I would make surer to use or add if not equipped trailer brakes (surge or electric), and go ahead and add an aux trans cooler to the 4spd automatic OD; if you decide to tow.

[Mingy]

Thats a lot of weight, so you'd have to drive very cautiously.

[08BlackTacoma]

Originally Posted by Mingy

Thats a lot of weight, so you'd have to drive very cautiously.

How much different are the brakes on a V6 that can tow 6500? If anything i think a trailer with brakes would help a lot.

[Mingy]

Ok, it would be on the hills and taking off, agreed, but as soon as you take turns, things can get dangerous as you get > 3,000 pounds unless electric braking etc., is used.

Actually, I believe the 6 is a few hundred pounds heavier.

[genxer36]

Originally Posted by 08BlackTacoma

I have a 4cyl automatic regular cab, i use for work. I have a Dodge Viper i go to the track with a lot, and i would like to tow it there, the car is about 3,300lbs i know they say the tacoma can tow 3,500lbs. How much does a trailer weigh about? 800lbs? more or less? do you guys think this is possible?

Thanks

Load it up and go to a truck stop with a scale. So you know for sure how much it weighs. You can look on the web for truck stops with scales, in your area. It would probably be best to know how much for sure. Instead of putting to much strain on the truck from constant use.

[08BlackTacoma]

Forgetting the braking, say the trailer had electronic brakes. Does the car have enough power to drive on the highway and pull this load? I mean the track is about 80 miles away on a highway drive.

[LRH]

An access cab weighs a few hundred more, and the V6 adds a little more weight, and the brakes on the 6 lug trucks are bigger, but the brakes on the 5 lugs evidently meet the criteria for 3.5K towing, but most manufacturers (and states) call for trailer brakes once a certain trailer weight is achieved; usually +/- 2,000-2,500 lbs. Lots of folks totally ignore most towing rules, because everything works out most of the time; but 1 time not working out is all it takes for a disaster, so be careful, and also don't glaze the brakes, and burn up the trans; remember heat is an auto trans worst enemy, and most of the tow time the trans will not lock up the converter; thereby producing even more heat for the in-tank cooler to handle. I would not be afraid to hook up and just drive around town and head to a scale. CAT® Scales will allow at least 2 re-weighs after you enter the scale to get all 3 (or 4 if dual axle trailer) axle weights. Don't let the tail wag the dog.

[mws4ua]

Sorry, I have no answers for you, but it looks like others are helping out. Can we get a pic of the Viper????

[05TacoTRD]

I would NOT do this. With just the car and trailer your over your weight capacity. Add in cargo, fuel, and yourself and your putting quite a bit of stress on the vehicle. Add in the fact that your doing this on a regular basis, doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

I would sell the reg cab and look for a V6 with a towing package.

[LRH]

Originally Posted by 05TacoTRD

I would NOT do this. With just the car and trailer your over your weight capacity. Add in cargo, fuel, and yourself and your putting quite a bit of stress on the vehicle. Add in the fact that your doing this on a regular basis, doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

I would sell the reg cab and look for a V6 with a towing package.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The above is not a bad idea, but if you like your truck and need the economy of the drivetrain and the compact size, look around for a used full size about 4-6 years old, as folks are dumping them left and right for cheap. Other than initial cost, insurance, and how much $$'s is the only other problem you would need to worry about. Save your Tacoma as your runabout and tow with the used full size, and maybe in a few years fuel cost will stabilize and you can sell the full size for about what you paid. The last time gas prices jumped several years ago, a guy I know bought 2 Surburbans, drove them for 2-3 years and sold them for close to what he paid.

[Mingy]

Originally Posted by LRH

An access cab weighs a few hundred more, and the V6 adds a little more weight, and the brakes on the 6 lug trucks are bigger, but the brakes on the 5 lugs evidently meet the criteria for 3.5K towing, but most manufacturers (and states) call for trailer brakes once a certain trailer weight is achieved; usually +/- 2,000-2,500 lbs. Lots of folks totally ignore most towing rules, because everything works out most of the time; but 1 time not working out is all it takes for a disaster, so be careful, and also don't glaze the brakes, and burn up the trans; remember heat is an auto trans worst enemy, and most of the tow time the trans will not lock up the converter; thereby producing even more heat for the in-tank cooler to handle. I would not be afraid to hook up and just drive around town and head to a scale. CAT® Scales will allow at least 2 re-weighs after you enter the scale to get all 3 (or 4 if dual axle trailer) axle weights. Don't let the tail wag the dog.

Thats what happened to me with a load of concrete - basically jackknifed and slid sideways into the ditch. Incredibly, do damage done, but I need to change underwear!

[RoadKill]

I'd say forget it... unless your car is very light
I have a suzuki samourai for off roading, id say about 2000lb.
on a tandem trailer around maybe 800lbs max. The 3,4 V6 could use some help especially running up hills
tho my tires are oversized and not helping this cause (33" ) I can't wait to get the supercharger on and prob change the transfer-case ratio or gears in diff

note on brakes: its a must... I have electric brakes on the trailer but first outting was without since I didn't have time to wire the brake plug and the little samy in back was pushing hard at stop signs so forget about emergency braking in this situation.

I had a 2,7 before and no way I could pull that thing with reasonable speed and take-off. Very good truck but has its limits

[08BlackTacoma]

thanks for the reply's everyone. i probably will not attempt to do this since it had mixed reviews and can be potentially dangerous. Who ever said to buy a V6 and sell mine, well that is not an option. My tacoma is a trunk i use for work, does the job very well at it too. If i was buying a truck to tow cars with, i would just go out an buy a dully

[devilsalmostfree]

ahh, u can do it, ive hauled a 2 horse bumper pull trailer, with 2 good sized horses with my taco! it was in some pretty good sized hills i guess u could say, wouldnt advise it to do too much though!

[08BlackTacoma]

Originally Posted by devilsalmostfree

ahh, u can do it, ive hauled a 2 horse bumper pull trailer, with 2 good sized horses with my taco! it was in some pretty good sized hills i guess u could say, wouldnt advise it to do too much though!

Just out of curiosity, what do you think the weight of the loaded trailer was with the horses and all including the trailer of course.

[paintdiddy]

if you got the money for a viper you got the money for a v6....i think. i wouldnt try towing the viper. it would suck to burn the taco out or wipe them both out.

[Toynbyu]

I'd worry more about stopping than pulling.

[paintdiddy]

Originally Posted by Toynbyu

I'd worry more about stopping than pulling.

i would worry about stopping and going. wait ....just tow the taco with the viper

[devilsalmostfree]

Originally Posted by 08BlackTacoma

Just out of curiosity, what do you think the weight of the loaded trailer was with the horses and all including the trailer of course.

hmm, im gonna say bout 3500lbs, not too sure on that, dont really know what the trailor weighs, horses were 900 -1000lbs, it was a pull, & i had it in 4h & 2ng gear in the toughest part!