How much can my truck tow? I'm confused by the manual.

My in-laws bought this absurd RV toy hauler thing from a friend of theirs dying from cancer. Now the friend wants them to come pick it up. I looked up the model number and information but I am very concerned that my truck cannot haul this thing. It is 30' long and its "dry weight", according to the brochure I found, is 5,110lbs. See attached, sorry for potato quality pics I am on my phone.

Anyway I have a 2013 DCLB Limited with the tow package. The model number on the door is GRN250L-PRADKA. According to the manual the truck weight (including passengers and cargo) and the trailer weight combined can't be more than 11k and change. How much does my truck weigh, though? I wish they would just say "don't tow a trailer that weighs more than X".

So my in-laws asked if I could go and pick this thing up. It's only 22 miles from their house where they want me to park it. They said if the truck can't handle it they'll figure something out but I'd like to help if I can.

So can my truck tow this behemoth they bought? Appreciate any help.

 

For that distance no problem, your rated for about 6400 lbs

 

Tongue weight on that trailer is 870lbs. The Taco is rated at like 650 lbs. Dont go over any big bumps or dips. Your frame will thank you.

Make sure it's empty, the tanks are empty, the tongue is empty (no propane)

Personally I would find a 3/4 ton truck (f250, 2500hd, etc) to tow that thing.

 

Wise man once said:

It's not if you can tow it but if you can stop it.

 

Sure if you like white kunkle driving.

 

Do you have a brake controller? Like RJ said , how r u going to stop it?

 

Yes, you can tow it. Add a brake controller if you don't have one. Your truck should be pre-wired for one.

 

I'd pass on that.

You are short on equipment and tow experience.
The trailer will put your truck near or over the tow limit.

Do the sellers have a vehicle that could be borrowed for the move? If so, then I would ask them.

I take it that the In-laws don't have a suitable tow vehicle.

Remember, the trailer weight on the Dry Weight of 5110 lbs is for the EMPTY trailer. No propane, no battery, no water, no black water, no grey water, no pots/pans/kitchen, no anything in the trailer or added to the trailer.


Could you pull it.....probably. Can you control it....maybe. Can you stop it......with enough distance. Can you handle an emergency maneuver......doubtful.

Ultimately, your choice, your risk.

 

Have your in-laws rent a truck that can tow it and bring it on home, I think Home Depot and SunBelt rentals have tow ready 3/4 and one ton trucks… probably a 4 hour rental is the same price as a brake controller.

 

Your in-laws bought a monstrosity RV and they do not have anything to tow it with??? What’s up with that? In this case I’d tell them the size and weight are just a little too much for you and your truck to “safely” tow. There are so many negative’s here I don’t know where to start. I’ll give you just one. With your stock mirrors you’ll be able to see nothing behind you or on the side of you. You’ll just be able to see the giant front wall of the trailer. You can’t safely change lanes and you obviously can’t back it up should you need too. Besides it sounds like you are not experienced at towing, that makes everything worse and more unsafe. They themselves need to deal with this. They can rent a truck.

 

NOPE.

Have them rent a U haul / home depot half ton truck. That will be 100$ well spent.

 

I'd worry about the hitch weight and stopping the truck with that trailer. If as stated earlier, the trailer tongue weight really does exceed the Tacoma's tongue weight rating by over 200 lbs, you really should have a weight distributing hitch setup on them and working trailer brakes adjusted correctly for your truck. Towing is supposed to be done with both vehicles level or as close to it as possible at the hitch ball.

If you haven't towed anything before, I'd politely decline and suggest they call a local tow company for the job.

 

I'd pull it 22 miles assuming you have a brake controller in your truck. And assuming you have no other passengers or cargo in your truck. And assuming the trailer is stripped of everything possible. No water, no propane tanks etc. Empty the cabinets of food and other gear stowed in the trailer.

If fully loaded (7800 lbs) that is borderline 3/4 ton truck territory. There are lots of 1/2 tons that won't handle that much weight. But the empty weight of 5100 lbs is within a Tacoma's specs. Technically you'd be good to go if you use a WDH. But even without one you'll be OK for a short trip if driven carefully. Where people get in trouble is buying a trailer that is right on the borderline empty. Then they load up the truck with kids, camping gear, dogs and do the same with the trailer. Then they try to take it on a 500 mile road trip over mountain passes.

 

i would pull it the 22 miles. like someone else said, early saturday/sunday morning when there is less traffic. no big deal.

 

20 + 50 miles @ .79 = 60$....


Seriously, is this even a question. for 60-130$ (around the price of the trailer brake controller you would need to install) you shouldnt even consider towing something like that with your truck.

 

If that tongue weight is correct, that should probably flip the switch from “this is ok over a short distance” to “maybe I better not”. God forbid you get in an accident and you’re doing something outside your vehicle’s limits, and insurance becomes a nightmare.

 

Exactly, OP not your trailer, all your risk. Not that I dont like helping people out but tell them to rent a truck (or find some other poor sap) and they can deal with their own purchase.

 

Remember not to tow in overdrive! No point in wrecking your transmission over doing someone a favor lol.

 

Also this thread makes me think of the "it's a truck!" crowd that thinks all trucks are all the same and that they're all the same heavy-bodied, bench-front-seat, V8 glug glug, rusted rocker panel things on 4 wheels from the 50s.

The crowd that is like "iTs SuPPoSeD tO vIbrAte And sPeW bLack SmoKe" and throws crap in the bed, lets ratchet ties slam against the tailgate, and applauds when rocks and debris fly at painted surfaces.

I'm like..bitch..this Tacoma is a Camry with better ground clearance and more open air storage than a 4runner. It's not the huge yellow Tonka truck that you visualize when you think of a pickup.

 

Read the fine print on that Home Depot ad re: the conditions of availability of a hitch with the truck... some of it is cut off, but I'd confirm with them if its ok to tow your trailer with it, and confirm with your own insurance company as well to see if they'll cover damage and liability for everything if you decide to tow it with your Tacoma: truck, trailer, other vehicles involved, etc if the worst happened... especially since you are not the owner of the trailer you will be towing. Insurance companies are not your friend.