5.29 gears and pulling a travel trailer.

I want to get a little travel trailer to drag the kids out of the house. What are the opinions on trailer weight?
I was thinking around 3000 lbs 21ft ish camper trailer.

I have a 19 taco with 5.29, aal in the back, 31” tires, rock sliders (extra weight).
I will need to add trailer brake box and rear airbags for sag.

Does anyone have a similar set up pulling a trailer this size?

 

Why do you have 5.29 gears on 31’s? How does it ride?

 

Miss type, 285/75 16 so it more like 32.8 (33)

 

The difference from 31s to 35s is not really that big. 1700 rpms vs 1500 rpms.

 

I have 32's......drives like a dog. Just ordered the 5.29 ring and pinion to fix the issue.

I did a lot of reading and research....everyone that went 4.88 regrets not going 5.29 or most say they would have went 5.29 if they had the option when changing.

https://youtu.be/9DA2M3G7pqs

 

I'm on 33s right now - the same size (285 75 16) Pathfinder AT light truck tires. I tow a lot.

I have stock gearing, and my truck is really heavy from armor and mods. My camper's around 4k lbs, it's a lifted and modded Forest River Wolf Pup 16BHS on 31s.

I just send it with the skinny pedal, flooring it to pass or get on onramps. Keep it in ECT mode on S4, manually downshifting to S3 when needed. You'll get 8-12mpg depending on your speed and how many hills there are.

You'll have more than enough power with stock gearing, let alone regeared.


If you want to save money, skip the airbags and do Sumosprings. If you do airbags OR Sumosprings, you don't need a WDH for a camper under 4k lbs. I don't have one on mine and have never felt the need for one.

 

I just pulled a 4000 pound 20ft long pop up across Alaska behind my Taco on 33’s, 2” lift with a single AAL and stock gears and did just fine but I would want more gear ideally. I think it’ll be great with 5.29’s. I got 14mpg on the trip from Fairbanks to Valdez, but our highways are more like 2 lane meandering moose paths with 65mph speed limits. I have a WDH, no bags or sumo springs. Handles and rides fine, but stock gears are no fun on the hills.

 

Old thread, but relevant location. I'm more curious about 5.29 gear durability while towing. I'm sure it's mentioned in the mega thread, somewhere. Lol

 

There’s no mechanical disadvantage going to 5.29s. The only people who have had issues with gearing was due to improper install(incorrect backlash). I run 5.29s and skinny 33s(255s), full armor(bumper/skids), camper shell and full racks, and tow trailers occasionally. I wouldn’t want to exceed 3500lb towing due to factory leaf springs being trash(for load capacity and handling), and you’ll want a tune for better shift points too. But the 5.29s should not be a worry for “durability”, tacos make minimal HP numbers so gear fatigue is negligible.

 

Oh dude I towed my racecar to thunderhill on factory leafs once... granted the last owner put a 1" spacer and 33s, and the uhaul auto carrier is not an optimized trailer at all by putting most of the weight on the tongue. I was tapping bump stops the whole way.
Now I've got RXT leafs, a proper drop hitch and brake controller so I'm not worried about using the full towing capacity.

Yes yes it's true what they say, get a big truck if you're going to tow lol. I'm not complaining, taco does just fine just wanted to check other's experiences towing with 5.29s. Thanks for the input!

 

The rule of thumb for tongue weight is 10% of trailer weight. Applied to a 3500 trailer that is 350 lbs. The stock leaf springs are plenty capable to handle that weight.

 

Yes, you are correct per manufacturers spec these trucks have a tongue rating of 650lb(with empty bed and solo driver)…i was referring to real life towing experience with these trucks. Tow whatever load youd like, but id still recommend new leafs or at minimum AAL(will droop within a year) if towing over 4k lbs, as the factory suspension on these trucks is better suited for a minivan and does not have good load handling properties(undersprung from factory).

 

I think you are underestimating your taco.

 

I'm with @Dorf510. My pre TSB leaf springs couldn't hold up to my 350lb quad. Adding another 60 or so pound tongue weight of a small utility trailer with another 400lb quad and they sagged fast. I was able to get the TSB springs done, which became the norm going forward on Tacos, and those started sagging FAST when towing around 4000 pounds of open car hauler with SxS and ATV on it. My nose started pointing at the sky anytime I loaded up the trailer. Usable up-travel was practically non-existant in the rear of the truck which made towing really rough, and I'd say borderline unsafe. Once I got a new HD leaf pack, no more issues. Unless I'm unloaded, and now my headlights are pointed at the ground and I have zero rear suspension travel cause they're so stiff, lol.

 

OE Leaf springs are car-like. My fiberglass topper and Decked (330#) had me bouncing off the stops with regularity on the highway,,, that’s with just me driving, otherwise empty cab and bed. Bridge expansion joints on a curve had me biting small holes in the seat cover