Significant Brake Upgrade Needed...pics.

4 Cyl Regular Cab 4x4 FTW!

 

Yes. From my research, I believe a standard transmission should not build up enough heat to cause problems from towing this setup. I'll look into it again, but I'm pretty sure we're safe here.

 

Well, in that case: Along with the Expo rear leafs, it might benefit from air bags in the rear as well if the truck is still squatting and perhaps some 5100s up front to help with overall handling since the front OEM suspension is pretty squishy.

The factory brakes on these trucks are pretty decent. Besides braided lines and some good pads, not a lot you can really do. I'd imagine heat isn't too big of a worry with the brakes since it's low speed towing you're doing, and that trailer has brakes as well, right?

 

Ok we'll keep the bags & 5100s in mind - thanks.

Right. Slow speed towing...probably maxing out at 30mph. Most of the "towing" will be driving through orchards between 1 and 4 mph. Only when the customer needs to return to his business location, or drive to a customer's orchard for spraying, will he be travelling on the road (and even then, it will be 100% rural country driving...no highway...no freeway).

 

Here's another customer's rig that you might like to see.

 

made me lol.

 

I would absolutely get Firestone air bags. Even before the leaf pack. Exactly what they are intended for. Also I agree with upgraded brake lines and pads. As long as the trailer had brakes he should be fine. Does the trailer have brakes?

 

Ok thanks for the input

Edit: Yes, trailer has brakes.

 

SS braided lines improved my braking very noticeable

 

That's a lot of weight to be towing in sand in between the rows. Here in FL, sand is way to deep to pull that think through with anything but a tractor.

 

My truck is a 2005 dcsb v6 TRD OR Prerunner SR5 Tow package Automatic tranny. At one point I was towing 2 horses in a fully enclosed trailer. Large long sucker. Sometimes it was a 4 horse flavor.

At the time, all I had some was SS break lines and Firestone airbags. Was doing highway speeds in excess of 3k miles at a time. Lots of back roads and farms.

If going the airbag route. Might want to just do the full on self leveling kit with the on board air vs just the bags with individual fill ports. Just makes the user experience easier.

I had looked into the bb kits. Still want one. Couldn't justify the costs. Don't remember any issues. Changed fluids and checked tranny regular. I'm over 140k and still running strong. For the price if the bb kit. I'm going to hold off and get the SC instead. Rather have the low end torque. With the truck fully loaded with 6 people, horses and trailer, she had power but starts were ruff off the line.

I feel the way to approach this build might be to get a budget and work from there.

The EBC break kits sold on here are a substantial update/ upgrade.slotted dimpled rotors with different levels of pads. Upgrade to dot 4 fluids (just drain/flush/fill) no seals or anything needs to be changed. Plenty of info in the thread. GB section maybe?

Update the rear end to rotors with a proportioning valve?

Does it already have a trans cooler in it? Might want to just upgrade the small cooler/ radiator for the cooler to a slightly larger version.

Locally there are plenty of Vinyards, and I see tacomas navigating the property's frequently that are less equipt towing watering/ agricultural equipment.

I'm not the expert or authority here. Just an abstract mind with solid info and real life experience. Good luck.

 

Having lived in a few orchard type enviroments (citrus, pecan, peach) I understand the application.

Truck brakes are fine (unless you just want a more aggressive, yet streetable, pad for a bit more initial bite).

You need heavy trailer brakes. Ones that can be applied before the truck brakes are. IE let the trailer help stop the truck.

Kinda like when you tow a vehicle with a soft strap/chain, the vehicle in the rear initiates the stopping.

Be prepared for short lived clutches.

Some rear suspension beefing may help the orchard ride. I do like the arrangement of your 5th wheel style customer more than the first photo. Better weight spread IMHO.

The rest of the truck should be fine.

 

The project HD Regular Cab Tacoma turned out just how we wanted! The owner is extremely satisfied with his new spray rig. Features we installed:

1. Brembo Rotors, Hawk Pads, and SS Brake Lines all 4 corners, Motul 5.1 Brake Fluid
2. All Pro Expo Rear Suspension Kit (HD leaf packs, u bolt flip kit, timbren bump stops, fox shocks
3. Cab Cam rearview Camera with custom mount
4. AgriCruise 0-15 mph speed controller (adjustable in .10 increments)
5. Spray Control Box with electronic throttle actuator conversion for running John Deere Diesel engine in sprayer
6. Custom mount for all 3 displays in truck + fused/breaker-protected aux power
7. Electric ball valve conversion in sprayer
8. Weatherproof connectors and spiral loom cable with quick-disconnect male/female couplers
9. Custom HD hitch fabricated for truck
10. Trailer brake/lighting wiring for truck

Wow what a project!

 

Total cost?

 

Yeahhh. Just like anyone, some do and some don't. Some will buy what they really should have, and others will look to "make something work", when they really shouldn't. Farmers are the grand masters of looking to make something work.

Personally I don't care what time of the day or night he drives the road, or how light he feels the traffic to be (light traffic is not the same as no traffic), you either have the tool to do the job safely or you don't.

If that trailer doesn't have it's own competent brake system the whole setup is a hazard, IMO of course. Towing an unbraked load on public streets that outweighs it's tow vehicle by almost 3 times is not the best idea in the world.

 

I'm completing the work order this week. It's been an extremely busy early almond tree bloom season for our family business, so I'm a bit behind in my billing .

 

Ah yes I see why you might be concerned. It's important to understand that this sprayer will be traveling on the road "empty" of spray material. So subtract the total weight of 12,000 lb. by 500 gal. liquid or roughly 4,000 lb. He will be driving through orchard rows at 2.5 mph when loaded full so no worries . Feedback from the operator is fully positive transport mode = check, spray mode = check.

 

I would like to know more about this AgriCruise feature. I use my truck for dragging pastures, as well as some other recreational uses where 0 - 15 cruise would really be a luxury
ETA: prob an expensive item...