Towing 7x16' w/ Car

Evening Taco Bros!

I'm currently moving from Hill AFB Utah to McDill AFB Florida. I have a 2018 TRD OR DCSB currently on Wildpeaks 285/70R17, along with a Ironman Offroad 2.5" lift with 0-440 addition load rating, with stock gearing (have a shift sense pro to help hopefully).

Due to Covid, my brother who is also in the military is restricted from traveling so won't be able to help me move as I have a second vehicle, 2007 Scion TC (Rebuilt it with my dad so I'd prefer to keep it rather then sell it). I plan on loading it into a 7x16' Passport Steel Cargo Trailer and was wondering if anyone can give me some insight into towing with a similar setup. I do not plan on being lightning mcqueen, I have 6 or so days to make the trip so I'll be doing at or safely below the speed limit, while avoiding as much mountains as possible, heading south east over the Rockys then south into Texas.

Here are the current weight values I've calculated with everything planned:

6800 Lbs Tow Cap - 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD OR DCSB
+440 Lbs Added Payload w/ Ironman Foam Cell Pros
7240 Lbs Total Tow Cap

2905 Lbs Scion TC 2007 Empty
2275 Lbs 7x16' Trailer
5175 Total Cargo Weight

This is a rough estimate of the trailer I am getting, I still have to measure my car to ensure it fits in. If I need ill take mirrors and bumpers off, and crawl out through the rear lol.



Thanks Taco Bros!

Also, I looked into doing a open flatbed trailer. I would just need to make an enclosure to place my home items into as I'm moving a single bedroom and some tools from the garage. Just looking for the best options, and prefer to move everything myself so a moving company doesn't destroy my personal items I've worked hard for.

 

I’ll say this now, that 440 payload capacity usually refers to what’s in the bed, not what you’re towing

 

Gotcha! Yeah Didn't expect to use the 440. More of a safety net if even, just prefer being under any max ratings.

 

I think you'll be fine, just be careful to get the tongue weight right, and drive easy, keep it under 65. You might consider going south from Utah to NM and then taking I10 or I40 across, avoid the rockies as much as possible.

 

Won’t .mil move your car for you? That would let you just rent a small enclosed trailer for your possessions.

If your truck is 4x4 isn’t the tow capacity 6400#? The springs will make the truck handle the load better, but the GCVR weight is based more on braking ability rather than suspension capacity. You can’t legally add that 440# from the springs to your capacity. Either way, the Scion and trailer weight isn’t a problem, but the wind profile of the enclosed trailer may be since that’s a large block to pull through the wind. Once you load up your belongings you’ll likely be overweight. I recently moved and was shocked at how much all my crap weighed. I overloaded a 16’ Penske truck by 2000# and I wasn’t even full yet, I loaded the 26’ truck to within 500# of max by the time I was done.

 

PULLING 6400 lbs and TOWING 6400 lbs isn't the same thing. Your truck has enough power to PULL that much weight. The limiting factor is the trucks suspensions ability to handle that much weight. You also have to consider braking and steering. Too much weight hanging off a trailer hitch in relation to the trucks actual weight leaves too little weight on the front axle. Which negatively effects steering and braking.

The payload rating on the drivers door jamb and your GVWR is the determining factor. Adding

doesn't change the GVWR or tow rating of your truck. With the modifications you've made to the truck I'd SRONGLY advise actually weighing the truck and subtract the trucks actual weight from GVWR. That is your true payload.

Figure 13% of the trailer weight as tongue weight, so a 5175 lb trailer will put about 670 lbs on your trucks suspension. You'll also need a weight distribution hitch which adds about 100 lbs so plan on almost 800 lbs on the trucks suspension from the trailer.

You also have to factor in your weight and the weight of any cargo in the truck. MOST Tacoma's set up like yours will be in the 1100-1200 lb payload range. But I'd not be surprised if your true payload isn't less due to modifications.

Short version. I think you're pushing it right to the limits at best. If you are planning on carrying ANYTHING else other than the trailer and car you may be over loaded. You won't know how much over until you actually get loaded. I'd also advise weighing the car. If you find it is significantly heavier than your estimate you might want to reconsider.

 

If you're buying a trailer for the move, why not just ship it with a carrier and save the agro and money

 

If anything I'll fly up and drive the car separately.

 

If it was me i'd let the car go. I couldn't imagine being in the military wanting to drag an extra car around

 

Thanks! Some useful information and factors I didn't consider. I'll probable go out today and get both the weight of my truck w/ front and rear axle weights, and the empty weight of my car.

 

Bought it wrecked and rebuilt it with my dad as my first car. It'll be useful too for commute in Tampa since its a 40-60 min drive to work everyday.

 

Look into a tow dolly from u haul (is the tc an awd? If it is 2 wd it's an easy transport)

Look into shipping the vehicle.

Added spring capacity doesn't help with towing.

Check out the tow section of TW. Hitches, brake controllers tips and tricks ect. Will get you spun up to where you can see what is and is not practical.

Also your has mileage is gonna suffer if you're hovering at 5-6k with a trailer that is not aerodynamic at all.