Towing 6000lbs with a 2012 with tow package?

I’m looking to transport my John Deere A 40 miles, which weighs 4,600 lbs, and my tandem axle trailer weighs 1,250 lbs, so combined weight is almost 6,000. Usually I tow with my 76 Dodge, but my dad offered to let me use his Tacoma which I’ve towed with before and even though it’s not a full sized truck, it’s about equal to mine. It’s got about 60,000 miles, and has the tow package which I believe gives it 6,500lbs towing capacity. The biggest load I ever pulled with that truck was about 4,000lbs combined which did alright. My only concern is that I don’t want to “kill” my dad’s truck, and I don’t know how it would handle with being close to maxed out on weight. I do have brakes on the trailer and a trailer brake controller. I considered renting a truck but no place let’s you tow your own trailer.

 

Welcome aboard. If it's a one time deal and only 40 miles you should be ok.

 

You are under max tow capacity so you are ok. That is a lot of weight for a Taco, I wouldn’t want to do it routinely or often.
Since you regularly tow with your Dodge just use that. I don’t see why for a 40 mile trip you’d switch trucks. In addition I’d hate to take the chance of messing up your dad’s truck or having an accident when you have a perfectly fine truck of your own to tow with.

 

i would keep it in 4th that way your not going in and out of over drive, gas mileage will suck but its better for the transmission.

 

It’s fine for a short trip or two. Like others have said, keep it out of OD and give yourself plenty of room to slow down.