Towing with 33s?

Something's wrong if you're noticing a 600lb utility trailer that much. I hardly notice it when I'm towing my Harbor Freight 4x8 unloaded, and with the decking and toolbox I have on there it's around that weight. Have you checked the hubs lately? You may have a bad bearing.

Once it's loaded, are you using ECT mode and S4 or S5? You need to use ECT when towing and keep it in S4 or S5.


As for the rest of this thread, there's a ton of armchair analysts telling someone to go get a regear before even trying towing. My Taco on 33s tows great on the factory gearing - again the key is ECT and S4. The Taco has a little engine so you WILL have to floor it to get up to speed on steep uphill onramps, but the truck is fine and up to the task.

I say if you're towing on 33s, just try it, you'll be fine if you're a decent driver and not trying to set a world speed record. You shouldn't really tow over 65mph anyways. Worse case, regear later, but it's not needed. I did add additional trans cooling, as my transmission was getting hot, but I'm way over the weight capacity of the truck.

Here's my latest pic of the rig on a trip. We've been on dozens of 1k+ mile trips now with no trouble. DCLB 4x4, 2" lift, 33s, full armor and camp setup... pulling a lifted 20' travel trailer on 30s.

 

We started out with 4x8 utility trailer but had issues with the trailer and rented a U-Haul 4x8 enclosed trailer. Both trailers pulled the same. Yeah I pull in S mode 4th gear with ECT on, but for the light weight I’m towing you’d think I had a 3000lb load. I still have the steel 16” wheels that came with the truck I may test with because from the very moment I put on 33s I knew something changed. I tried ect mode, then pedal commander, then OV Tune for daily driver and was happy with the results of ov Tune. 37lb stock tire vs 55lb tire is what I’m leaning to as the issue, but I wanted to hear others experiences. How much do your tires weigh?

 

I towed the same Uhaul trailer from Los Angeles to Denver (16 hours) up and over the Rockies without issue. I also have Toyo At3’s but they’re 265/75/16. Maybe go to a smaller wheel/tire setup. They weight 41lbs each. Lightest tire I’ve found in an aggressive pattern like the Duractac’s.

 

cooper discovery at3 tires are 45lbs in 285/70/17 if I get the P rated. I’d hate to go smaller because the 33s with 3” look perfect. I know that size can reduce power when towing also but I think the weight is the #1 culprit. Again, I’m not towing the Max capacity. I’m basically towing what a 4 banger car can so I expected more. I’ll report back with my findings once it’s all said and done.

 

We towed our Jayco 145rb Baja which loaded is about 3000lbs all over BC this summer including the Coq (the highway on Highway Through Hell) and Rogers Pass, Monashee Pass and Paulson Summit. The truck is on stock gears with 295/70r17 E rated Ridge Grapplers and armored. It tows just fine. Is it going to win any races? Nope.

ECT (always use it, towing or not) in S4 and change gears manually as needed. I use Torque to monitor temps for the pan and converter while pinning the thermostat on the tranny open.

Don't be afraid to let it rev, that's where the power is. It's ridiculous to claim these trucks don't have power. There's plenty if you know where to find it.

 

I pull our 5x20 trailer quite often with my setup, 285/75/16’s with Toyo at2’s. Not uncommon to pull approx 1500 lbs and yes it’s not gonna win any races but it gets me there. I also have skids, armor front and rear along with fiberglass shell so the truck is not light. Stock gears and ovtune 2.0 beta. So ect button is not utilized.