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suspension towing question

Discussion in 'Towing' started by JDMonster, Aug 12, 2008.

  1. Aug 12, 2008 at 3:45 PM
    #1
    JDMonster

    JDMonster [OP] Member

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    I have a completely stock 06 Tacoma Double cab 4x4 and im looking at towing a Datsun 510 on a car trailer. Is it going to sag bad in the back? how well will it be able to pull it power wise?

    And is there anything that will help with the sagging while towing? I will be driving it from Pheonix to amarillo, Tx.


    Thanks
     
  2. Aug 12, 2008 at 3:50 PM
    #2
    JDMonster

    JDMonster [OP] Member

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    Just noticed this is the wrong section,....... sorry. Mods can you move it? thanks
     
  3. Aug 12, 2008 at 3:51 PM
    #3
    Khaos

    Khaos Big Member

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    To help with sagging you can get a set of airbags or helper springs.

    How much does that Datsun weigh? Do you have the towing package?
     
  4. Aug 12, 2008 at 4:07 PM
    #4
    JDMonster

    JDMonster [OP] Member

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    no towing package. car weights about 2125 lbs
     
  5. Aug 12, 2008 at 11:20 PM
    #5
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    What's the trailer weigh?

    I would assume you have a hitch?

    The sagging can and will depend on the amount of tonque weight. And that will depend a lot of other things....like trailer height, receiver setup, and how far front/back the car is located on the trailer.

    I'm not sure what the tonque weight limitations are on these trucks... but a good rule of thumb is, you want a slight amount of sagging (proper amount of tonque weight) to help with controllability. Too much tonque weight and you'll lose steering responsiveness. Too little tonque weight and you may have swaying issues.

    Ultimately, you wanna shoot for the proper tonque weight for safety. However - your suspension might not be 'beefy' enough to handle the tonque weight (whatever that may be).

    Do you have the Leaf Spring TSB performed?
     
  6. Aug 13, 2008 at 12:36 AM
    #6
    genxer36

    genxer36 Lord of Tomfoolery

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    You shouldn't have any sagging. I have an 05 DC, no towing pkg or TRD. I pull an 18' Ranger bass boat. Boat & trailer weigh about 3100lbs. Trailer only has 1 axle. It never sags, even when having to come to a sudden stop.

    You may want to put the car on the trailer backwards. This puts the engine(obviously heaviest part of the car) away from the tongue.
     
  7. Aug 13, 2008 at 4:43 AM
    #7
    maverick491

    maverick491 Towing Guru

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    genxer covered the most important part. Put the vehicle on the trailer backwards, to keep the heaviest part back over the trailer axles

    Then play around with your drawbar height before you actually get on the road with it.

    Example it will sag some, every trailer causes a truck to sag to some degree or another. If your drawbad is a 2 inch drop, you can un-bolt the ball and flip it over and make it a 2 inch rise. Or perhaps what you already have might not be enough, you may need to go out and get a 4 inch drop drawbar and then mount that in a 4 inch rise position. The idea is to keep the trailer completely level or just slightly nose down.

    As for your springs, they would have been no different than a truck with towing package springs, but without the extras from the factory towing package your tongue weight and max trailer weight are 500lbs and 5000 lbs respectively, and that is ONLY if you have installed a class III receiver.

    UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT TO DO THIS IF YOU WERE JUST PLANNING TO STICK A BALL THROUGH THE BUMPER!!!
     
  8. Aug 13, 2008 at 6:49 PM
    #8
    genxer36

    genxer36 Lord of Tomfoolery

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    Listen to Maverick! He has said it all. Good job +1(you will have to wait till after midnight, I'm out of rep).
     
  9. Aug 20, 2008 at 1:11 PM
    #9
    SamSter0077

    SamSter0077 Happy Camper

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    I towed a 2300lb pop-up by the bumper, 300lb tongue weight or so.. truck drove great, no problems. My Bumper did get Bent slightly.. watch the toungue weight on the Bumper. :)

    -Sam
     
  10. Aug 20, 2008 at 5:06 PM
    #10
    genxer36

    genxer36 Lord of Tomfoolery

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    Think of it this way. It might be 300lbs sitting in your driveway. But what kinda force is it when you have to slam on brakes & all the trailer weight is pushing on your bumper.
     
  11. Aug 20, 2008 at 6:05 PM
    #11
    SamSter0077

    SamSter0077 Happy Camper

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    You don't have to tell me, I have the Bent Bumper to remind me. :)

    -Sam
     

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