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Towing over 6k lbs with a 2017

Discussion in 'Towing' started by DenvCamp, Dec 6, 2017.

  1. Dec 6, 2017 at 6:03 PM
    #1
    DenvCamp

    DenvCamp [OP] New Member

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    Relatively new Tacoma owner here. I have been diving deep into the forum here about towing in a 3rd gen Tacoma. I have a questions due to my overall newness to owning a truck in general (previously owned a 2014 4Runner).

    I own a 2017 TRD Sport with tow package. The max amount states 6,700 on brochure. I was wondering what experience have you all had around pushing it over 6k lbs. I am currently in a lease with it, because I am eyeing a 2020 Tundra (with the hopes of a redesign). That said, the reason I am asking about towing something over 6k lbs is because I don’t want to have to repurchase another trailer for camping when I get out of my lease. I reside in Colorado and intend on camping in the mountains several times during summer.

    Thanks in advance and sorry if I couldn’t find an older thread with the answer to this.
     
  2. Dec 6, 2017 at 6:09 PM
    #2
    Garyji

    Garyji Well-Known Member

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    6K plus in Colorado. I'd say get the Tundra. The Taco may do it, but you won't be happy.

    G.
     
  3. Dec 6, 2017 at 6:20 PM
    #3
    crisanalex

    crisanalex Well-Known Member

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    As long as you don't mind the sound of that 3.5 screaming at you should be fine.
     
    Maxcustody likes this.
  4. Dec 6, 2017 at 6:48 PM
    #4
    daddy_o

    daddy_o Well-Known Member

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    Of course there is a fudge factor built into the tow rating, and that is to protect Toyota. They are not going to rate it at the max. On that note, that rating is within reason for safety factors, so will the Taco tow 6700 lbs safely, sure it will, but here is where things come into play on your end.

    1. How much towing experience do you have?
    2. Will said camper have trailer brakes, and if so will you have a brake controller installed on the truck?
    3. Not only do you calculate the trailer weight, but you must consider gear in the trailer, as well as in the truck plus passengers.
    4. Consider distance and terrain you will be towing. Colorado you will be putting a lot of strain on the Taco, and definitely coming down steep slopes can be sketchy at best.
    5. The design of the camper will have a lot do with how it will catch cross winds, be aware that a wind gust against the camper can throw your whole set up on its side.
    6. Since it is a lease, better check your policies (both lease agreement and insurance) to see if there are any clauses on using the vehicle for towing.
    (I´m not saying there will be, I am just throwing it out there for something to look for, you never know).
    7. If you know you will be getting a bigger truck in a couple years, can you go camping with friends or borrow someones camper or even full size truck and get the set up you really want in 2020 when you have the right truck?

    Just a few things to think about, because getting close to the max suggested capacity can cause a lot of headache on you and your truck. I know you said the truck is a lease so long term reliability may not be your top priority, however, you still want to operate the truck in a safe and responsible manner while in your possession.
     
    Maxcustody, Chris24, x2GENx and 2 others like this.
  5. Dec 7, 2017 at 3:54 AM
    #5
    airsavage

    airsavage Well-Known Member

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    You will be working that taco like a mule. You need less camper or more truck
     
    Capt Jrod and Mtn Mike like this.
  6. Dec 7, 2017 at 3:57 AM
    #6
    Iamraiderpower

    Iamraiderpower Well-Known Member

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    This.
    /end thread
     
  7. Dec 8, 2017 at 9:33 AM
    #7
    fattony16

    fattony16 Member

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    Stock for now.
    Get a brake controller if your going to tow heavy. Brakes are good but they wont last long if they dont have help.
     
  8. Dec 9, 2017 at 5:18 PM
    #8
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

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    What exactly are you towing and what is its dry weight?
     
  9. Dec 9, 2017 at 5:32 PM
    #9
    Marshall R

    Marshall R Well-Known Member

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    It'll pull it, but most likely your suspension will be over loaded. The tongue weight of a 6000 lb trailer is almost 800 lbs. You'll need a weight distribution hitch with loads that heavy and that adds another 100 lbs on the tongue. My truck has a payload of 1200 lbs. I weigh 220. That leaves me less than 100 lbs in the truck for other passengers and gear. You may weigh less and your truck may have more payload. But a 6000 lb trailer is cutting it close regardless.

    You CAN modify the suspension to get the truck to ride level and take some of the bounce out of it. But that doesn't solve the real problem. When too much weight is on the rear of the truck, especially the hitch, weight is taken off the front axle. Think of is as a see/saw. You never get enough weight to actually lift the front wheels off the ground, but there is enough weight taken off them to negatively effect braking and steering. Modifying the suspension does nothing to add weight to the front axle.

    Realistically these trucks are best towing something 4000-4500 lbs, maybe 5000, regardless of the listed tow ratings. This is the case with all trucks. Even 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks will rarely actually tow the amount listed, and for the same reason.
     
    Shortbus47XYY likes this.
  10. Dec 10, 2017 at 7:49 AM
    #10
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

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    The OP states over 6000 lbs. That’s why I asked exactly how much it weighs dry and what exactly it is. If it’s over 6000 lbs dry then when he loads it with equipment, water, full propane tanks , clothes, food etc. etc. he will exceed the max tow weight. If that is the case then he should not tow it at all!! End of discussion. Also With tongue weight of the trailer, passengers and stuff in the bed of the truck he may also exceed gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and gross payload weight. This is all bad, bad, bad.

    If the weight comes close to the maximums but doesn’t exceed it then I say tow it but just pray he makes it to the end of his lease without some major failure. Doesn’t make sense to me why someone would buy/lease a truck knowing it may not be or isn’t adequate to tow a trailer he already has. Towing in the mountains of Colorado and in the summer heat with that truck and trailer combo will more than likely cause failure to some components of the drive train or suspension. If he is exceeding the manufactures max weight ratings then if he has an accident his liability will be greater, he’ll be screwed.
     
    Garyji likes this.
  11. Dec 15, 2017 at 5:29 AM
    #11
    Indy

    Indy Master of all I survey.

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    That's not what a brake controller does or why it's needed.
     
    Aquatic Tacoma likes this.
  12. Dec 15, 2017 at 5:32 AM
    #12
    Indy

    Indy Master of all I survey.

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    I'm thinking op hasn't actually bought the camper yet. Towing at max for any truck has been a miserable experience every time I've done it. Add in mountains and it truly sucks.

    My advice, get a cheap used and light camper now. Get the nice camper when you can actually move it. Especially if right now all you have is the intention and not the history of doing it. You might be on night 2 if trip 1 and say F this. There is a reason that campers are so easy to fi d used that only have 1 or 2 trips on them.
     
  13. Dec 15, 2017 at 10:35 AM
    #13
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

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    I assumed he already had the trailer but I think you may be right. The op posted his first and only post over a week ago and hasn’t been back since. I’m kind of doubting we will hear from him again but I hope I’m wrong
     
  14. Dec 19, 2017 at 4:43 PM
    #14
    stickyTaco

    stickyTaco Fuck Cancer

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    There's a lot of bad information in this thread.

    A travel trailer in the weight range OP is looking at is going to have trailer brakes. He will need to add a brake controller to his truck to use those brakes.

    You will need a weight distribution hitch. This WILL transfer the weight to the front axle to help maintain proper weight distribution for steering and braking.

    While I don't have personal experience with the 3.5 and new transmission, everything I've read tells me it is not up to towing like the 4.0. My trailer is between 5,000 and 5,500lbs loaded (approx. 4,300lbs dry weight) and my 2nd gen pulls it fine in the mountains but the highest pass I deal with is 8k ft. I wouldn't want another 1,000lbs back there as I'm at the upper limit for transmission temps with the current setup.

    [​IMG]
     
  15. Feb 7, 2018 at 10:27 AM
    #15
    JGary

    JGary Member

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    For the past couple years, I have been researching the possibility of towing an RV with my '06 Prerunner. The opinions run anywhere from it being a suicide mission, to "sure it'll pull a 40' gooseneck". I travel for work and am kind of tired of living in cheap hotels. So I finally decided to bite the bullet. I purchased a Keystone Passport 2510. 4880 dry weight. I added universal mirrors, break controller and the trailer came with a weight distribution hitch. My Prerunner has 197k miles, so I figured if it wouldn't tow it I was due for an upgrade if needed. I just towed the RV back from Atlanta GA, home to middle TX (about 900 miles). No issues to report, 70-75 MPH on the interstate. Hills lugged it a little, but that was expected. I also just did a short trip to Colorado Bend State Park, just outside Lampasas TX. Loaded with gear and fresh water. Some winding roads and steeper grades, the Taco handled it just fine. I'm sure I will upgrade at some point, but for now the Mighty Taco is holding its own.

     
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  16. Feb 7, 2018 at 10:54 AM
    #16
    PorterWilliam

    PorterWilliam Member

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    Hey, first of all congrats on the Passport, you shouldn't have any issues with your PreRunner. But wanted to share
    Pair 05-14 Tacoma Pickup Towing Mirror(L+R) w/ Textured Black Cap/Manual Extend. These are the mirrors I've added to my '07 4dr SR6 longbed for towing my bullet. That was after having 2 sets of the mirror fall off on various trips. They work great and fit perfect and yes they are made for the Tacoma not the Tundra. Hope this helps?
     
  17. Feb 7, 2018 at 2:38 PM
    #17
    TRD_LB17

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    That is good to hear and congrats! Did you get a chance to weigh the trailer (loaded)? Or have an idea of how much weight you added to it?
     
  18. Feb 8, 2018 at 4:38 AM
    #18
    JGary

    JGary Member

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    Dry weight 4880 per trailer specs, 200 lbs water?, another 300 lbs gear, 2 bikes clothes food pots pans plates. The hitch is a heavy chunk of metal itself. I would say I was around 5400 +-. I did not drive over scales, but that will be close if the dry weight on the spec sheet is true.
     
    TRD_LB17[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Feb 15, 2018 at 9:14 PM
    #19
    j-utah

    j-utah Well-Known Member

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    I’m in Colorado and went with the land yacht for my 6000 lb load. I think the new Tacoma could do it but for me I wanted cushion and uphill power. We love the camper but if I had fewer kids I’d get an off-road trailer that you can add an RTT to the top then add the Tacoma and you can go anywhere!565B03C7-12FB-4605-8D7A-56637689F59B.jpg
     
    Jaybird Tacoma and PorterWilliam like this.
  20. Mar 23, 2019 at 10:21 AM
    #20
    bugeyedriver

    bugeyedriver New Member

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    stickyTaco,

    I completely agree. My 2008 Taco, currently with 242,000+ miles pulled my 4,000 lb travel trailer 111,000 miles with ease all over the Lower 48 states, and even to Newfoundland Labrador. It towed across the Rocky Mountains 6 times and still runs perfectly! I LOVE this Taco! But, due to the high mileage I felt I was rolling the dice by continuing to use it as a primary tow vehicle to far flung places. During my research for a new TV, I was disappointed to learn current Tacomas have smaller displacement engines. I believe they are capable of pulling the loads as stated, but have trepidation when it comes to regular, high mileage towing over hill and dale, throughout this great nation (and beyond).

    Reluctantly, I settled for some-other-brand full size truck to continue my wandering ways. The Taco is my primary driver when I'm home half the year, but my V8 5.0L TV now has the long distance towing duties assigned to it. Should Toyota ever return to a larger displacement engine in the future, I shall return to the fold.

    bugeyedriver
     

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