Towing Capacity and GCVW

Hello! I've been searching TW for hours about towing and there are a ton of threads so I can imagine this is another headache of one but i need some help. I have to tow a vehicle and auto transport about 900 miles down to southern CA from Oregon. Everything all checks out when I put stock weights for curb weight, GVWR, GVCWR, Payload and Capacity. Last time I weighed my truck it was about 5,500 with driver and payload. I obviously will drop some payload but Im not sure if I am going to be able to tow fully because when at 5,550 my GCVW would be 11,750, which the rating is set for 11,360. The weight of my trailer and car being towed will be 5,600 total, trailer is 2,210 dry. I haven't towed anything this heavy or this long distance so any advise helps or should I go a whole different Direction? Here is the Spreadsheet calc i was using.

https://www.keepyourdaydream.com/payload/

2018 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 Offroad, w Towing package and Trailer brake module

Trailer: U-Haul Auto Transport and vehicle on trailer is a 2005 BMW 325CI.

Bilstein 6112 on front and 5600s on the back with Icon RXT Springs, and 285/70/17 Falken wildpeaks.

 

You're not going to like this reply, and maybe others will have a different take, but --

Basically, if you have to ask about this tow, you shouldn't do it.

Doing a max-weight tow over a 900-mile distance, no doubt with a certain amount hills up/down, with little or no experience doing it -- probably not a good idea.

If you really, really want to do it, I suggest you rent the trailer, load it up with the car, and drive it around on local roads for 30-60 miles, provisionally, to see what the drive feels like and whether you think you'd be safe for 900 miles. If it feels at all dicey, then cancel the rental & return the trailer, and look into other options.

(Someone with plenty of experience towing very heavy w/ their Taco might not have a problem doing it.)

 

I will definitely do that, I hauled the same trip with one of the smallest Uhaul trailers fully loaded over max payload.The only hill or mountain that I will have to travel over is Mt. Shasta but going down hill. I won’t be traveling the Grapevine in southern CA. Im going to head to a weigh station to get curb weight.

 

Check out page 29 of this PDF for 2018 towing specs.

https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/toyota/2018-tacoma.pdf

 

Weight distributing hitch is a must, and make sure the loaded trailer rides level. Other than that, remember that you are towing, so your vehicle length is increased, and you require more time and space to pass anything. Best bet is not to pass unless absolutely necessary. Braking and accelerating will take more time and space as well.

Does the rental trailer have brakes?

 

Okay, all noted. The trailer has surge brakes and i have a controller

 

@541 Tacoma I would strongly encourage getting a way to monitor transmission temperature. I have a scangauge 2 and it works great.

 

Get some smaller tires before you do it. Your already putting additional strain and hurting your power output with the weight there. I have an 18 sport on 295's and tow a smaller aluminum jet boat that in the ballpark of 2500lbs and I personally wouldn't want to do more that sucker screams in 3rd on any hills to maintain 20km under the speed limit.
Trans temps should be monitored very closely aswell.
For what your going to burn extra in fuel you could likely rent a truck and do it better

 

Ill grab a trans monitor while Im at it. I just sold my stocks like 3 weeks ago too. There arent any crazy hills that I have to climb at all, and the trailer has surge brakes not sure if those are different from regular ones either. Most of the drive is flat, just have to go down the I-5 from Weed CA then smooth sailing from there.

 

TRUCKS CURB WEIGHT is 4,900.

 

I'd rent a truck and trailer for the move. Save the wear and tear on the Tacoma.

 

With surge brakes you don’t need a brake controller. Essentially there’s a section of the trailer tongue that under braking compresses a hydraulic brake actuator. U-Haul likes them because they don’t rely on a vehicle having a 7 pin connection, a brake controller or a driver knowing how to use a brake controller.

The truck can do it but it will be slow, not handle great and get crap fuel economy. As long as the driver can manage the combined vehicle behavior the trip will be fine. A larger truck will do it far better but the Tacoma will be good enough for a one time trip.

 

Alright, Thank you. Im going to drive it around and see how it does/feels. Im expecting horrible MPGS etc. Just a once thing. My taco barely ever tows anything anymore. I appreciate your input!

 

1. did you read the manual
2. rent a full size p/u and save wear and tear on yours
3. tacomas have problems moving their own weight around

 

Dont got a manual and my truck, and person paying me wont rent one

 

Just be ready to really manage your speed expect to be below the limit regularly. I personally wouldn't do it with that much weight for thst long. Make sure you nearly plan to double your expected fuel budget it will be bad. These are great vehicles but you have to remember they are small trucks 5500lbs is in 1/2 ton territory to do comfortably and with any real longevity.

One other thing did you level your truck or does it still have some rake? That will dictate how it behaves loaded.

Leveled truck without anything extra in the bed. Any extra weight and it really unloads the front end and it feels loose and uncomfortable.

Same truck same boat but more rake and stiffer leafs added. That is with a full load and you can see it still has some rake to the rear. Makes the handling characteristics muuuuuuch better. No more of that loose floaty feeling it the steering.
It's somthing else to consider when your assessing the set up.

 

I did fix it. I didnt know when the shop replaced it they put one add a leaf on the left side so i was worried about that, In the end if it doesnt drive right or something ill just skip out on it. I have 2/34 ish in the front and the back is around 2 inches. I dont want to tow it that long but not much i can do. im trying to do it most in the hours between 12-9 so that its cooler and not 115 out side lol

 

Those rims tho

 

I'd slap on some Sumo Springs just to help level it off a bit. I think my Tacoma has a paltry 990lb payload. I'm putting on a set this week when I get the cap installed. Cheap upgrade to the suspension.

 

I need to get mine out of storage and mounted. They look so cool in full sun!