Towing a 2,400lb car and an engine in the bed

So I'm driving down to south to pick up a roller, and the car is right around 2,400lbs. I'm also gonna have the engine in the bed of the truck which weighs roughly 400lbs. I know the DCLB with towing package has a 6,800lb tow rating. My taco is lifted with blocks in the rear, and Bilstein's in the front with OME springs. The trailer is roughly 2,165lbs and is equipped with brakes. Gonna be traveling about 1,400 miles back home once it's picked up. Just wanted to know if this would be possible without destroying my trans. Any incite would be much appreciated!

 

Send it.

 

I like your style

 

Lol it should be fine. How is your transmission fluid? Maybe change it once you get back. But people tow heavier stuff and they are fine

 

The truck just hit 92k, and hasn't had it's ATF changed yet lol

 

Aside from the obvious of taking it easy as you go I would agree with others but I would change engine and trans fluids before the trip!

 

I used my 07 DCSB prerunner to tow my 1940 Chrysler with a big block on my car trailer, and a Matco 2 bay toolbox in the truck bed from AZ to OR with no issues. I was monitoring trans temps ona Snapon Ethos scan tool and had no problems even pulling the passes.
However my setup had an add a leaf instead of blocks and I also had self leveling airbags.
Keep from lugging the engine. If the transmission starts hunting, shift down.

 

I just changed the oil/filter this past monday. Unfortunately, I'm not gonna have time to change the trans fluid.

I have a Snapon Ethos as well, and was thinking about doing the same thing. What's the temp range I should watch for? It's not gonna be a straight shot back. I'm gonna be stopping multiple times on the way back for fuel/food/sleep. I was told by a friend to keep the truck in "4", and keep the speed under 60mph as well.

 

About 220 is the max you want to see. As for what your friend said, it will serve you well.

 

I think when I pulled my friends accord on a uhaul trailer it was roughly that. 2500-2600lbs car on a 2300lbs trailer. I found my truck really did alot better at 60 than 65 or 70. Just watch trans temps.

Edit: I kept mine in 4. Towed beautifully.

 

It will do. If your experience is like mine. You nor the truck will like it. But it will do it.

I find towing anything above 4K lbs kind of sucks in a Tacoma. Keep it in 4th gear.
And don’t be afraid RPMs. The 4.0 wakes up closer to 3,000 rpm. You’ll see soon enough. Lol


Anyways, make sure the trailer brakes works. Don’t use 5th gear. Not unless you want to cook the torque converter.
I mean you might get away with it on FLAT road. But I don’t advise it. Unless you know what to look and feel for.

IMO, the Tacoma is better suit for loads of 4K lbs or less.

This is about 3,100 lbs. give or take a few hundred lbs. Maybe more. I’ve never weighed the trailer. And that is about the limit I feel comfortable pulling “ a lot”. I’ve pulled heavier. And it was no fun.

 

You are well within the tow limits.

Just roll in the RH lane, set the cruise at 70 mph, enjoy the scenery.

 

Can you put the engine on the trailer? Your tongue weight (10-15% trailer plus car weight) plus engine plus passengers weight might put you over GCWR. Should be good as many have said. Just take it slow.

 

I can put it on the trailer. I just don't wanna run into issues with rain. I guess I could always cover it with a tarp though.

 

Suggest to place the engine in the bed against the front wall and strap it tight.

You'll be fine. Close to the Cargo Limit with bed load and tongue weight.

 

Definitely move it as far forward as you can. When I loaded the engine for the spare car in the truck, I placed it directly against the tailgate. The rear had more squat than I was happy about. But I've since put similar weight towards the front wall of the bed and was alot less noticeable.