Confused 1st gen towing?

I recently traded my tundra for an 03 tacoma double cab 4x4 I don't personally own a trailer but from time to time borrow from family usually my grandfathers 25' dutchman. The trailer has a GVWR of 7700# but dry weight is 4700# we usually just sleep in it (i.e. Tanks stay empty) and the most we'd add is firewood for 3 nights and some food I'm estimating that would be right at 5000# which is the capacity of the valley hitch that was on the truck when I got it. I plan to add a transmission cooler and brake controller my question is this too much for my truck? would probably only be going 25 miles at 55-60mph.

 

the 1st gens are rated for up to 5500#'s...you will need to travel uber carefully, but it should be okay if you have the tranny cooler, brake controller and trailer to hitch tensioner...

I wouldn't drive cross country, but short trips should be okay...

 

yeah you're hitting the upper limit for Gen1s but like said make sure everything is buttoned up and give more room than you normally would even considering the trailer brakes.

also keep in mind what you add to the "truck" counts towards your tow limit. so if you plan to take 3-4 people you're overloading

 

There's no way I'd tow 5000lbs with a first gen. You'll need a weight distributing hitch and will still wear out your rear end in a hurry. That is an unsafe weight.

If all you do is sleep in it, what's the point? Get a small used utility trailer to carry some wood/gear and throw an RTT on it.

 

I'd get a weight distribution hitch and trailer brake before I towed that much personally, but you should be good,

 

YIKES !!!

That is too close for me. You could burn that transmission, or even break the hitch assembly.

The reason for my concern is the stated "Dry Weight". This term is not universally defined and may not include weight of batteries, optional equipment and upgrades (like an awning, AC unit, etc).

You'd better get that trailer weighed. You need to know the "Curb Weight".

I talked my local dump into weighing mine on their scale. Drop by on a non-busy day-time.

 

Thanks for the replies, My grandfather has a WD hitch I believe it came with the trailer not for sure, I do plan to have a brake controller and trans cooler installed before I even attempt to tow this trailer. What would you guys recommend for help with the rear as my leafs are basically flat should i do bags? my grandfather usually tows this trailer with and F150 and he has air shocks on that.

 

Given the propensity for frame rust (which dramatically decreases the structural integrity of your hitch!) I'd be VERY hesitant to tow something that close to the limits of my truck and hitch when they were 10+ years old.
At the very least, have a mechanic you trust look over the hitch, the mounting points, and the frame very closely before you even hook on to that sucker. I've seen older hitches that have bent, broken, and pulled cleanly out of frames before (not just on Toyotas; living in the rust belt I've seen it with GM's, Fords, and Dodges too). It'd really suck to have this happen at 50mph.

 

I made sure before I bought the truck that the frame was not an issue with rust as I'm in the rust belt I've seen what can happen. The hitch does have surface rust on it but is solid.

 

That's good then. I'd still be hesitant, just because it's so close to the limit of what your truck is rated for, and your springs are already flat.

 

any suggestions on a remedy for flat springs? helliwig? bags?

Eventually I will have my own trailer that I'll make sure is well within the limits of my Tacoma in the mean time I plan to travel carefully and like I said no more than 25mile and I definately will not go to the interstate no more than 55-60 but no matter what to tow a TT I'm still going to want to have a trans cooler, brake controller, and something to help my springs even when I get my own trailer. Thank you all for your help, suggestions, and concerns I will update once I get the items and install them on the truck from there I'll see how it tows to the closest camp site only 12 miles away. If I don't feel ok with it I will definatey stop and have my grandfather tow it back.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/4031-tacoma-towing-bible.html

 

Sorry sometimes I forget the resources I have already. Thanks!

 

No problem. There's just a lot more info there than I could put into a single post.