I'm freaking out about a trailer I bought!!! Thoughts/comfort on towing please lol

@jethro as well.

I guess if this thing can't tow a 14' v-nose trailer at 75% of it's rated tow capacity with a $500 anti-sway weight distributing hitch, tandem axles with trailer brakes, a $100 brake controller and a second trans cooler it's time to questions why these things are worth twice what an F150 costs. The reality seems to be the Tacoma can't tow squat, the bed is all but worthless, it doesn't have a great ride and can't offroad like a solid front axle. There is literally nothing my FZJ80 couldn't put a whooping to the Tacoma at. It's basically just a people hauler and a slight step up from a Ridgeline or Forester and even those ride better.

I mean, I'm a Toyota nut and have owned many, when my dad bought this truck new I teased him for buying a girls truck as I was a Land Cruiser guy and the Tacoma was a joke in comparison. So I'm not beating down Tacoma's and I'm going to have this thing forever but they really are fairly pointless and even more so when you factor in for what this thing is worth I could buy a same year F150, my enclosed trailer and a used quad, small boat, and a jetski.

Is there something this truck excels at other than insane resale value and an awesome forum? I'm actually thinking about just viewing it like a car that can go over curbs and getting an actual truck after reading this thread. Honestly, my ranger with a locked rear end could do more offroad than the Tacoma (shorter wb).

 

Yes, there is. The customer satisfaction and reliability record. The half a million miles I towed with Tacomas I spent ZERO money on anything more than brakes, fluids, filters and tires. They are simply amazing mechanical machines.

 

Is that the 193BHS? Been looking at one recently.

 

245bhs

 

I crawl to the mall like no other.
In all seriousness, its a light work truck. meaning, you can go to home depot and throw some large items in the back.

I always loved SUVS, but being able to throw something dirty or large in the back was a pain. Hence, i should get a tacoma. It does everything want, except tow. I live in more of the countryside, but driving to cities is no problem for parking.

As much research as i usually do before purchases, i was still surprised at some of the limitations. The ratings are way off, in particular towing and bed payload.

 

That trailer is totally fine for that truck, 1500lbs is nothing for that truck. I tow a 1500lb snowmobile trailer, 17ft long, with 2 sleds in it and am comfortable. Sure, not as comfy as an f250, but waaaaay better than my Ranger. haha. I also pull my 4100lb wakeboard boat and yea that takes some focus but the taco gets the job done easily.

also, you said something about adding 3k lbs in the trailer, and i doubt that trailer can handle another 3k. something to consider.

 

Don't listen to the people telling you the truck is not up to the task for towing, they have unrealistic expectations.

 

These are fun trucks not work trucks. They won't do as well as a full sized truck will do in towing. Knowing this you can still use the Tacoma for towing, but it would be my second choice over a Tundra. I also have OTR experience, 28 years and over two million miles.

So many opinions...just have fun with it!

 

thats the point of this thread, adding weight

 

Most guys I see towing with their Tacomas are usually pulling a bass boat or a small trailer like my 5x8. Mine is perfect for hauling my landscaping equipment around to my rental properties, moving some furniture, appliances, etc...

I just think towing a 6000lb load is asking a lot from a 236hp V6.

 

What are you basing that on? Per the OP and craigslist ad the trailer is rated at 7,000lbs and has a 1,500lb curb weight.

 

I'll just leave these here for the doubters

Diamond Lake Oregon


Hwy 80 at the Gold Run rest stop (just before going over Donner Summit)


Snowflower Lake by Yuba Pass


I've also towed it from Reno to Bodega Bay and back a couple times. Its been to June Lake and Walker River and most of the reservoirs within 2 hours of Reno that have campgrounds including half a dozen trips to Eagle Lake outside of Susanville. Even went through Crater Lake NP in a snow storm.

But yeah, the Tacoma can't tow your little trailer

 

Didnt catch the comment about 7000 lbs.. but if that's an all aluminum frame trailer theres no way you could put 7k in there. id be hesitant with 3k... just because the axles are 3500# each doesnt mean the trailer can handle 7k. my Triton all aluminum 14' dual axle snowmobile trailer has a weigh cap of 3650... and it's bigger than this trailer.

 

Agreed. The angle as it sits now may also contribute to a lack of traction in some conditions. Could even be dangerous at Speed on wet pavement, particularly cornering (road curves).

 

With it angled up, the trailer lifts the rear end of the truck under braking which is no bueno.

 

I'll add-- it's not just traction alone that can cause a problem on curves. The problem becomes the interplay between traction (tire grip strength) and the force pushing the back end outward due to the trailer weight (in addition to lifting the rear end, as mentioned above). With your current set-up, quick breaking from speed could cause issue even on dry pavement.

Not to be a fatalist, but a small stone could be the thing that puts you "over the edge" when trailer/tongue weight isn't properly distributed on light trucks like ours.

 

22' trailer loaded weighing about 8k lbs. you'll be fine

 

I bet that handled like shit

 

Pulling the weight isn't the issue. You're gonna have to watch the weight. I think a 4500 lb trailer is doable, if you don't have too much weight on the truck. I wouldn't drive the truck in post #78 around the block. I wouldn't pull that load with my 1/2 ton.

Most of these trucks have a payload of around 1200 lbs. A 4500lb trailer and WDH puts almost 700 lbs on the hitch. You've added 150-200 lbs with the bumper. That leaves you around 400 lbs for passengers and gear inside the truck.

Ideally you have close to 50% of the vehicles weight on each axle. The more you put on the rear, the less you have on the front. The less you have on the front, the worse your steering and braking. Modifying the suspension may level the truck, but that only hides the problem. You still don't have enough weight on the front axle.

There is very little difference between how much most 1/2 tons are rated to tow. But in the real world they do much better. Not because they have more power, but the weight distribution is much better. Most 1/2 tons have 1800-2200 lb payloads and can handle the tongue weight much better.

 

Oh lord, not only is the trucks ability to pull 5,000 pounds in question but now aluminum trailers as well? Arrrrrg, the internet is a dangerous place, lots of amazing help and feedback and information but so many opinions and experiances to sort through as well. The total weight capacity is 7,000 pounds on the trailer, the trailer weighs 1,500 so you have 5,500 left for cargo. Your Triton trailer isn't the same thing, the low weight capacity is due to the cargo it's intended to haul and the materials used to build it not the fact that it's aluminum. They make $100,000 race trailers out of aluminum, it isn't by any means inferior and there's a reason they cost more. I assure you the trailer is just fine with 5,000 pounds in it!