2012 Dbcb sport towing a vette?

I have a 2012 double cab 4.0l tacoma. Looks like the tow capacity to 6500 lbs?, I am moving and need to tow a unfinished project car.

1976 corvette with no doors, interior or windows in it. Looks like completely assembled the weight is 3500 lbs.
I know the trailer weight gets added onto that so I have no idea how much that adds to the weight.

I would be towing from vancouver island to calgary or edmonton, so lots of mountains lol.

Should I attempt it, should I just pay someone to move it? Whats your thoughts.

 

Up to you, the speeds in the mountains are slow and you just run lower gears.

If you've never towed before I always suggest to simply get it transported from BC to AB Otherwise you'll need a brake controller, probably rear springs or rear ride aid and some experience.

 

Towing a C3 Corvette on an open trailer (~5,000 lbs) over mountains is possible, but you’d need a tow package and/or:

• Transmission cooler
• Trailer brakes + controller
• Weight distribution hitch
• Beefed up rear springs

You’ll be at max capacity, so expect slow climbs, heavy strain, and long braking. Safe if fully prepped, but a half-ton truck is far better for long distance mountain towing.

 

Ill see if I can beg my dad to take his truck and car trailer there. He hates cities and is terrified so who knows. 900miles is also a big ask.

I have the tow package, air bags are an easy install. But thats just it, ive never towed lol. Im not worried about the highway, i understand all that. Its the navigating cities with it. Ill most likely clip something or wedge myself into a stupid situation

 

Tried towing my 2 ATV's 700# each on aluminum single axle trailer, only once as it did not feel good. Tail wagging dog! In my opinion you need 3/4 ton truck and trailer with brakes or have someone move it for you.

 

OP there are lots of good threads in the Towing forum: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/towing.34/ . If you have never towed anything before, towing that Corvette 900 miles may not be the place to start but it is do-able assuming you can outfit your truck to handle the load. You also need to verify the weight of whatever car trailer you are using to keep within towing capacity. I wouldn't even dream of doing it without a transmission cooler (which yours may already have from the tow package - verify this though) and a brake controller. Rear leaf springs or air bags that are also mentioned above are a must. And don't just install the upgrades and hit the road untested - you want to make sure these things work and are safe before a big expedition. Preparation is critical for safety.

Two ATVs on a tiny trailer is nothing, your Tacoma should tow that without knowing anything is there. If you had trouble towing them and had "wagging" issues it probably wasn't an ideal trailer or you loaded them incorrectly for weight distribution - not issues with the Tacoma, caused by wrong equipment or skill issues. People tow much heavier things than that every single day like it's childs play. Here's a photo of me towing a big fat Uhaul over more than 1,000 miles at a combined weight on scales of 9,400lbs. EZPZ. Deaver U402 stage 2 leaf springs keep things planted along with setting the proper ball height for tongue weight.

 

A U-Haul car trailer is around 2,200lbs and comes with surge brakes (make sure they work). That puts you around 5,700lbs. I’d say that’s too much to take through the mountains especially as your first trip. I would get a quote to have it transported or rent a U-Haul pickup and car trailer saving the wear and tear from your truck. Preference would be to find a transporter. Good luck.

 

You are borderline. It's not PULLING the weight; it's the tongue weight on your truck's suspension. Assuming the 5700 lb estimate is correct that's about 750 lbs on your tongue. 5700 X .13=741 lbs. You'll need a WDH which is about 100 lbs and let's assume you weigh about 200 lbs. That's 1050 lbs of your payload.

The exact payload on each truck varies a bit, you just have to check the sticker on the driver's door jamb. But it's usually 1100-1300 lbs on a DC. On paper you should be OK, but close. You may have to pack the truck very lightly and take no passengers. And you'll need to get more accurate estimates on the actual weight you're pulling.

If the actual weight ends up significantly more than estimated, then it's a no-go. Significantly less, then you're good to go.

I can't say what the mountains are like there. But I've traveled through a lot of the Rocky's here in the US. Some mountain passes are a lot tougher than others. But if there is a lot of 10,000' passes then I'd be concerned.

 

If your dad has already has a truck and car trailer that's the route I would go. That's what dads are for. 900 miles of father-son bonding.
Cheers.