Toy hauler help

Hello! I'm new to this Taco thing. I have a '98 2.7 4x4 with a 5 speed trans. I bought it to put dirt bikes in the back and ride in the desert. I wasn't thinking about towing anything initially. Well, I'm sick of tenting and now am considering a small toy hauler. I would like something with at least a bathroom. A) Can this truck really pull 5,000lbs (my truck has a hitch) and B) Does anyone have any recommendations on which toy hauler? What are the advantages or pit falls? Thanks for the input!

 

No way, unless you like to travel max speed of 45 mph.

 

Short answer NO you would be under powered, under sprung insufficient brakes and a legal nightmare if you should be involved in an accident. If you tow with a Tacoma you need V6 Tow package And trailer brake controller min. also extended mirrors.
Also consider WD hitch.

 

I know people, and I am going to get clobbered here by all the 'bigger is better' crowd, but you need some experienced feedback. I would totally agree with the above answers if you plan to go out and purchase a finished toy-hauler. And, no, the truck has a limit of 3500lbs if it was similar to my 2.7L- and mine had a heavy duty tow package, not just a hitch. That said, if you are creative...there is hope. A couple of things, though; do you have an automatic, or manual trans? If it is automatic, towing rules must be followed regarding trans cooler, hitch type, etc. See the towing thread for details on how to keep the tranny alive. My 2.7L had a manual 5-speed.

Here is my thinking. I was self-employed for 15 years, living in Maine, and had a lot of contract work in Arizona, Calif, and Colorado. During that time I had a 5x8 cargo trailer, and a 2001 tacoma, 2.7L 4x4. My contracts lasted 3 months to 2 years, and I made at least 12 cross-country round-trips with a fully loaded truck and a trailer packed to the top with furniture, books, a full electronics lab, and everthing else I needed to outfit empty leased-houses in various locations during the contracts. The trailer is 950lbs dry (still have it), and I typically loaded it up (trailer+cargo) to between 1600 to 2000lbs GVW. I scaled it at 1925lbs once to see what I was pulling; it was still below the max tow rating of 3500. I was able to easily pull this loaded truck and trailer over I70 through the Rockies about 6 times (3-round trips, no speed records, but the truck didn't complain at all in lower gears). The rest of the trips were above the Great Lakes through Montana, Wyoming, I10 across the west, I80, I94, and I NEVER, EVER had a problem with the rig. I could easily maintain 60mph on level ground, but only 50mph in Colorado. Below is the pair at a house I leased in Tucson. The truck lasted 235,000 miles before the chassis gave out due to rust, but was still able to pull the loaded trailer up until the very end.

Now that you know the truck will pull it, take a look here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9l-SJP7SlA

That converted trailer has a fraction of the weight I pulled. If you are reasonably handy, a conversion can be done for this type of setup, and will provide a LOT of pleasure no matter where you tow it. People that haven't driven one, totally underestimate the power of the 2.7L; I was amazed by the amount of torque it produced and how well it towed. If you do the above and install the windows, a porta-john, sink, and foldable tables, it could do double duty for a fraction of the cost of a commercial toy hauler, and will work much, much better than a tent.

Good Luck with your search!

(my rig, below)



Ok guys, let me have it.

 

Well, I've heard both sides now. It's a manual tranny and I hear that is better for towing. I guess I'll have to find something VERY light or sell the truck which is such a shame because it runs so strong and is very reliable. Thanks for the input all. I do appreciate it.

 

I'm on my 3rd 2.7l. Its lack of towing power is amazing, but not surprising. 1000ish pound popup through the mountains and it was not happy.