Towing - 6500lb but how tough is it on the truck???

Hello all,

I am in the process of buying a new travel trailer which is one of the reasons why I got the tacoma. The trailer that my wife and I really like weighs exactly 5800lbs (includes propane tanks and battery). The trailer is a 2012 Jayco Whitehawk 28DSBH.

That leaves 700lbs for cargo, which I am comfortable with. My question is, will it be a big wear and tear on my truck if I am to pull this trailer? I would be pulling once or twice a month for around 200 to 300kms but there would also be the occasional trip to florida (2400kms).

Obviously assume I would use some common sense and not push it past 100km/h very often and do things like change fluids regularly and frequent during long hauls. The pull truck is 2012 Tacoma V6 4X4 DCSB Manual Transmission SR5 (includes tow package).

I have towed with Toyota's before, had a 2008 highlander with a tow capacity of 5000lb and pulled an dry weight trailer of 4100lbs, so with cargo going to florida would have been right at 5000lbs. It towed great, knew it was back there but never got a bog or stalling feeling and seemed very stable. So, the way I look at it, if Toyota says it can tow 6500lbs, it can tow it.

 

Tacoma towing bible

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/4031-tacoma-towing-bible.html

I think the trailer is to heavy 700lbs is not enough. You dont want to be at max weight it will be a white knuckle towing trip every time. IMO

 

More abuse than I would want too put the truck through.
O

 

I might have pulled that trailer with my 06 tundra DC not with a tacoma.
Once you add firewood, charcoal, bbq grill, water, bikes and whatever else you like to travel with you will be over or way over you need to look at gcwr, tongue also.

Tongue weight looks pretty high (dry) what is it wet?

You have a stick with that much trailer you will be in 4low backing up hills otherwise plan on smoking your clutch.

IMHO a 31 foot trailer is way too much for a tacoma having owned a jayco I would tell you to look at other brands ours was absolute junk amish craftsman my ass! These things are thrown together in just a few hours and fall apart quickly.

If you want to stick with jayco I would be looking at the jayco jayfeather line model 228 would probably work if you are set on the trailer you like you should look at the tundra or a cheap dedicated tow vehicle and keep the tacoma.

http://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/jay-feather-ultra-lite/floorplans-specs


I Love my tacoma but would not pull anything more 5000lbs with it allowing room for passengers and cargo. Have you considered a high low popup or conventional popup camper? Much better fuel mileage, easier to tow and great for smaller quieter campsites.

 

06 tundra has the same towing capacity of 6500lbs or 6800lbs if it's a 2wd version, I don't see how that is much better that the tacoma?

I am thinking of getting a similar trailer in the near future and believe as long as you pack light (which I plan to do) and stay below 6500llbs it will be ok. There will be more preventative maintenance req, but no more than any other towing weights (under 6500lbs). It won't kill your truck. It's a truck, use it as such. I towed a 2800lbs trailer with my 01 highlander and with all my stuff it was right below 3500lbs, which is the limit. I did not have a problem with it, because that's what it was designed for. My point is if you properly equip your truck with WD, sway control, and evenly distibute the weight there is no reason not to safely tow anything under the limit.

 

I can tell you that 6500 lb is non issue. I think part of it is Tacoma can tow more then 6500 but legally has been limited to 6500 to be in midsize category. So truck will be fine and just keep your legal weight at 6500lb.

 

Agree with what BlueT said. Toyota says they can tow 6500 pounds, and that is going to be pretty conservative considering liability etc. on Toyota's part

 

I would never tow any thing that weighted more then the truck, tail wagging the dog.

 

What about 18 wheelers? I'm pretty sure those trailers weigh many times over that of the trucks towing them

 

No. I wouldn't recommend it. Might be ok on flat terrain, but once you get into any type of elevation you're going to hate life.

Also, you're not accounting for your holding tanks. That's going to make up your 700lbs right there. You also need to include yourself, and passengers, and any luggage. You're going to quickly eat up weight and get over the GCWR.

I wouldn't tow it with a Tacoma. I'd look for something a little smaller with less overall length, or go to a full size pick up truck.

 

That's true, but they also have massive breaks, air bag suspensions, 10 speed (minimum) manual transmissions, and engines with 7-10 times the torque of our V6.

They're purpose built to pull 50,000 pounds. Driving a semi bobtail (no trailer) or with an empty trailer is damn near dangerous, because they're just built to drive loaded to the gills.

Can't compare apples to oranges. I think 6500 is a little steep, OP, but you sound experienced, so best of luck.

 

Yes 18 wheelers are engineered to tow that much weight, just like the Tacoma has been engineered to tow 6500lbs. I seriously doubt Toyota would make that the limit if it was unsafe

 

When I load my Jeep on the trailer, the combo weighs 5500#...... well under
the Toyota claimed limit. I came out of a Duramax, figuring I can use the
Tacoma when I need to tow. I only pull far a couple of times a year, usually
300 -600 miles. Loaded up and did a couple of test tows around home, and
while the Tacoma will probably handle it, I won't be using it on any long
trips, it's just too close to the limit. It's working hard, stopping and going....
Trailer has electric brakes also. I may use Tacoma for a close ride, less than
a hundred miles, but anything more and I'll use the Wifes Tahoe.

 

I would agree about the safety aspect. I was commenting on the silliness of comparing a semi's ability to continually haul max weight to a tacomas.

Most I've had is 3800 behind mine (no brake controller) and that was enough for me.

My opinion, no more, no less.

Oh, by the way - toyota has engineered its 1st gen frames not to rust, its 6 speed manuals not to have throwout bearing issues, the water pump in my 4.0L not to spring a leak at 30,000 miles, and so on.

Load her up if you fancy trusting engineers. Most of them don't pull trailers, if you catch my drift.

 

Ford says their F-150 can tow 11,300#... anyone that believes a
1/2 ton truck can do that SAFELY and on a regular basis is, sooner or
later, gonna get a big surprise...

 

I would just get a travel trailer that is a little smaller and lighter so I have more margin for error. You can probably get away with it but it will always be in the back of your mind.

 

Like most vehicles, I'm sure the Tacoma will pull it's rated limit of 6500-lbs. The issue is how much you'll enjoy doing so. That's a lot of weight to deal with over a long trip. One or two thousand pounds less will probably be less hassle, and less strain in the truck.

I'm new to the Tacoma, so much of this is based on prior experience with other vehicles. After several attempts at towing heavier loads, I now generally set a limit (for long trips) of roughly 2000-lbs (loaded) under the maximum towing capacity of the vehicle. For the Tacoma, that suggests trailers in the 18~21-ft range.

And, indeed, I've got my eyes set on a 18-ft ultralite for next year (this year - weeks - is our new house). I was attracted to this particular trailer because it's setup like a hotel room inside (fixed bed, separate toilet/shower, etc). After all, much of our remaining time will be spent outside (sitting, grilling, etc). Of course, this might not be an option for those seeking sleeping arrangements inside for kids (tent or tents perhaps).

Good luck on whatever you choose.

 

Everything you ever wanted to know about towing--WOW this is a GREAT post-any and all info is there.
Limits,extra weight.ect ect.
As a general rule for my personal towing--2/3 rated limit has worked for me.

 

I tow at least #6,000 many times a year. I've towed my 1st gen over 10k miles with the truck. It is no travel trailer though...

Truck does 50x better than I ever expected it to tow.