Towing past the limit

2021 Tacoma TSS model 4 cylinder double cab:
-Need to tow my pressure washing trailer anywhere from 20miles to 50 miles one way for jobs.
-trailer weight is 5500 pounds dry and always dry when driving.
-300 gallon water tank is 2500 lbs when filled (7900 total) but only driving 5mph around parking lots to clean sidewalks at 100 foot intervals.

Logic:
-V6 tacoma rated to 6800lbs
-I4 has the same frame and transmission but weaker engine obviously. No tow package like an transmission cooler.
-figure I can roll with this for 2-3 months until I can afford a new truck.

Driving conditions:
-4th gear, ECT power, 55-60mph max and RPMs kept at 3000 or less.
-Football field distance maintained for braking from cars in front. Extremely conservative driving.

Questions:
1) If I maintain 3000rpms or less will that prevent the transmission fluid from overheating? I plan to install and transmission cooler asap.
2) If the frame and transmission are the same as the V6 version what would be damaged by towing this weight (5500lbs) in the I4? I think I heard the V6 has a different clutch but I'm not sure. I change the oil every 3000 miles and it's an Iron block engine. Never had coolant overheat when towing.


The point:
I want to upgrade to a Tundra asap but financially I just can't right now. I know tacomas are solid and reliable and the towing estimates are made conservatively. So am I out of my mind here trying to make my business work with what I have at the moment? Believe I desperately want a new truck but this is all I can do right now.


this is with about 120 gallons of water in the tank. Not very squatted.

 

I bought a 2001 F150 v8 for 1000$ just to move houses a few years ago. You need to do this or you'll get a mega ticket.

There's commercial inspectors all over the place that will catch you with that.

It's not safe and you're definitely working the transmission way more than it's intended for. Especially daily.

 

Walking speeds in a lot is fine, but getting it to the lot doesn’t sound very safe.
I’m hoping at the very least, you have trailer brakes.
I can’t fault a guy for working and trying to start his own biz. Seems a used half ton or greater would’ve been better than a new small truck.
In the end, it doesn’t matter what we think, if you hurt someone you’ll most likely have hell to pay.

 

Having lived / worked the majority of my life in Texas, you almost certainly will NOT ever have to worry about a ticket or a commercial inspector (unless you are drinking beer while driving and throwing your empty beer cans out the window).

If you tow empty (5500 lbs) it is doubtful your truck will have any issues. However, I suspect your transmission will not last long if you drive much with your water tank NOT empty.

I have personally towed many very large boats many thousands of miles, and have long realized the manufacture tow ratings are meaningless. Every Dodge that my fellow offshore boat owners and I have owned will not tow anywhere near the factory ratings without overheating or toasting a transmission. Some Fords have had the same problem, some Fords would successfully tow well above their ratings. My recent 5.7L Tundra towed boats well above its specs with zero issues.

I have not attempted to tow anything with either of my Tacomas.

 

if I could find a used work truck for that price I'd get one. Pre 2010 f150s are at least $23,000. Impossible to find cheap trucks anymore. Better to buy new for what they charge for used.

 

I tow almost daily for work. If you're not in a hurry, you can get there pulling with any sized engine. If you need to maintain highway speeds through the mountains, you'll need a bigger truck.

+1 hoping you have trailer brakes. The biggest issue is stopping a heavy trailer with a light truck. Good luck maintaining that football field sized stopping distance. Most people have never towed and have no concept of increased stopping distance. All they see is "plenty of space to merge". You can probably install brakes on the trailer and add a brake controller to the truck. Definitely worth the investment.

 

Like some people have said before trailer brakes are key and of course, crossing your fingers and praying.

 

The SAE tow rating standard is all acceleration-based i.e. to make sure the vehicle can merge into traffic safely on a steep mountain highway. There's no braking test, as it's expected the trailer brakes will be sufficient to stop the trailer. Make sure your trailer's brakes are in good condition.

It's actually better to run a lower gear and keep the revs up - it moves the radiator fan faster, the water pump faster, and the transmission fluid pump faster for better cooling.

Run heavier weight engine oil (0W30) and rear diff oil (75W140). If you haven't changed the rear diff oil after break-in (500 miles), do it now.

Drain and fill the transmission with WS fluid once a year.

Any way you can fill up the tank at the destination? That'll reduce the weight on the highway.

 

Are you sure that trailer is 5,500 lbs dry? Seems to me it would be less that that, but hard to see the equipment in front of the holding tank. And 300 gallons of water is 2,500 lbs.

 

Are the 4 cylinders even set up for trailer brakes? I wouldn’t tow 5500 lbs faster than 15kw has without trailer brakes. It’s a great way to kill someone.

 

UPDATE:
okay so I've been towing 80-100 miles daily for the last 3 weeks or so. No issues with transmission or engine temperatures. Acceleration is what you expect but I just right lane it and do 60mph. 4th gear, ECT.

Braking is "ok" as long as you're not stopping short. I keep my foot over the brake and always am looking for upcoming slowdowns.

Point being, these trucks can punch above their weight however long term I'm not sure. Haven't done a fluid analysis. Would I recommend doing this? Only if you have to. It's a slog driving any distance because you feel the trailer the whole time and are more on edge about braking. The trailer will push on you. I will be upgrading to a Tundra soon. Should make those long tow trips safer and way more comfortable.

I commend my 4-cylinder taco for taking the abuse. Of course I regularly change the oil at 3,000 miles with mobile 1 synthetic formulated for towing.

 

They are conservative for safety reasons, but can definitely handle more. I doubt it would even hurt your transmission at that speed, but I'm no engineer.

Reminds me of my old Honda CRV which was rated for 1,000 lbs max, and I towed a 1,500 lbs camper, + full of camping gear. Did it for years, and didn't have engine, transmission, nor brake issues. Of course some people would say it could have been a safety hazard, and they may be right! I live dangerously!!!!

 

Thats a sweet hotsy unit. Is that a hot water or just massive PSI/sidewalk cleaner?

 

I don't think 'round-town reasonable driving a bit over the limit would cause much damage. In Europe, the Subaru Forester is rated to tow much more than the same car in the U.S. due to safety concerns in the U.S.

My subaru dude said it was strictly a limit in the U.S. and that my subaru had much more capacity. I suspect the Tacoma does as well but I haven't looked up the towing capacity of a Tacoma say in France or Italy or wherever....

The only thing I would worry about is if some accident happened I'm sure a lawyer would love to come at you for towing over the limit... so watch out for that.

 

Do you have 3 different trailers? Cause in every picture you have a different set up.

 

It’s a Diesel burner. There is a large coil set up inside that the water passes through and heats up to about 150 or so depending on the unit. They have a Honda engine most the time that runs the pump.

 

[QUOTE="Chew, post: 27878533, member: 285575"
In the end, it doesn’t matter what we think, if you hurt someone you’ll most likely have hell to pay.[/QUOTE]

this. The truck can handle it, especially if you maintain it.The problem is that if your brakes break or something similar and you hurt someone you’re in huge trouble.

 

I was looking at a 2020 double cab 2wd for $28,000 with 65,000 miles. Max towing is 10,100. I tow with the water tank empty.

I rent my trailer units atm. Will be buying one soon.