Gen 3 Towing Thread

Hi folks-- looking for feedback, suggestions, etc. here. In a few months, I will be moving across the country (VT --> WA) and intend to take all of my shit with me. Quantity of things is low, but they are heavy and bulky.

Current Plan: '16 Taco TRD Sport w/Tow Package is going to tow a U-Haul flatbed trailer with '71 Datsun 510 wagon on top. Trailer weighs 2k+ lbs and Datsun weighs about the same. I also have three bikes that I was going to toss on top of the topper I intend to get before the move. In the bed will go misc things like clothes, home stereo, etc. with just enough room so I can sleep back there on my way out.

I'm guessing just over 5k lbs total, 4200 towed and the rest in the bed.

Any thoughts? Red flags? Green lights?

 

Not to answer any of your questions, but I moved from VT to WA about 3 years ago, there are a bunch of us out here, see you soon

 

My advice/.00002 (not a typo) is to read the Toyota owners manual (beginning page 168) carefully. Lot's of information including a chart that will tell you about the hitch weight you can have for your specific model as well as total weight.

You for sure are going to need a weight distribution hitch to pull safely. Rent one. Read the info from eTrailer below to understand what they do since you need to make sure the rental place installs it correctly. Personally if at all possible I'd avoid the route that uses I70 across Kansas. I've driven that many times and there is indeed a reason they put wind farms there! I've seen overturned trailers/cars en-route from cross winds.

You might find this from eTrailer, a major hitch/trailer vendor helpful. I've used a red font on a phrase you would be wise to pay attention to. If you follow the link in the preceding sentence there are links that have additional info that might be of use.

If you get the total weight, weight distribution, and hitch weight within limits you'll be fine. You'll spend quite a bit of money in fuel (10-12 mpg?) and spend a lot of time in 3rd gear at 4k rpm but given those caveats you should be fine if your not in a hurry.

How Do I Choose a Weight Distribution System?
There are many different types of weight distribution systems on the market, each with different features. But before you can choose which of those features you'd like to have, you must determine which size system will work best for your towing setup. As with any towing component, capacity is key.


A weight distribution hitch will have 2 weight ratings - the gross trailer weight and the tongue weight. In choosing a system, therefore, you must determine the following:


Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) refers to the weight of the fully loaded trailer in its actual towing condition.

• GTW is measured by placing the fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale.
• Rating of weight distribution system must match or exceed your GTW.

Tongue Weight (TW) refers to the tongue weight of your trailer plus the weight of the cargo that sits behind the rear axle of your vehicle.

• Trailer TW is measured using a tongue weight scale
  • Typically, about 10 to 15 percent of GTW
• Weight of cargo behind the rear axle can be measured using a commercial scale
  • Weigh vehicle without cargo
  • Weigh vehicle with cargo loaded
  • Subtract initial weight from weight of loaded vehicle

Tongue Weight (for weight distribution) = trailer tongue weight + vehicle cargo load behind rear axle


The TW rating is the most important factor in determining which size weight distribution system you should use. If the bars of the system you choose are rated too high for your setup, they will create a rigid ride, which can result in a bouncing trailer. If, on the other hand, the bars are not rated high enough, the system will be unable to properly distribute the weight, rendering it virtually useless.


Here's an example:

If you have a trailer that has a TW of 700 lbs, and your vehicle has 100 lbs of cargo in the trunk, then your overall, weight distribution TW is 800 lbs. Choosing a weight distribution system with a 1,500-lb TW rating may lead to erratic performance because it is rated too high. On the other hand, if you choose a system rated too low, say at 500 lbs, the system would be ineffective. Choose a weight distribution system with a TW rating that is closest to your towing setup's TW to ensure the best performance.

 

Nice TT, what is it...looks light, Taco isn't sagging much

 

Trailer brake and wd system and you should be good. Be prepared for mpg below 11 unless it's totally flat. My set up a few posts up is little less that 4700. New tongue weight is 650 pounds. I just installed wd system and it drives better for sure. It really didn't do much for sag because I installed the timbren SES system which eliminates sag by itself. With 650 pounds it only dropped 2". The wd hitch reduced sag by 3/4" and the front seems more planted. I think you will be fine. I have no problem accelerating to 60 mph or holding that speed even on steep climbs. Push the ect button, put it in s mode. And stay out of 5th and 6th gear.

 

I pulled this tonight with no issues at all.

 

1st time towing my race car with my new truck. ECT and S5 allowed effortless towing at 70-75 mph compared to the 4.7 Dodge 1500 and 5.2 Grand Cherokee I used to use. I may not even install air bags. Trailer + car is 3800 + about 400lb of gear.

 

This is available your local Barnes and Noble. Saw it from a Facebook group. I am gonna go see if I can pick up a copy.

 

I was able to download Trailer Life magazine app from google play and then download that issue for $1.99

The article is mostly about the trailer. The truck review is the same info available in numerous other reviews.

 

So they don't give towing impressions? Weak.

 

It said the truck has little trouble pulling the 5100 pound trailer and returned 13.1 mpg.

 

very nice ! i was thinking about getting a enclosed trailer to tow my miata

 

Tows great. 4600#'s wet and loaded. No issues getting it out of the water either...

 

Added a weight distribution hitch today. Went from a 4 1/2 inch squat to a 3/4 inch squat. Really happy with the outcome.

 

I am looking at getting a 3rd gen Tacoma to tow my STi to rallies once a month. You guys have made me realize since I would only be doing it once and a while it would be totally doable. I planned to get a feather lite trailer, and all the added safety like WD, Brake controller. It seems like a lot of people down play the Taco's capability. Glad to see other racers tow with a Taco.

 

Depends on weight. If your drive to the rallies is short you should be fine.

 

Its not that much but I did help pull my friend out. he got stuck in his back yard (2wd) and I pulled him and his attached 20' car hauler out. With 4HI it was like nothing was behind me.

 

Anyone tow with their DCLB?

 

Its about 2.5 hours away 150 some miles. If I get a feather lite, and add car be right around 4400lbs or so.

 

You should be fine. You just won't have a ton of power and you'll likely squat a bit. I think that's a fair compromise considering how little you will be towing and how much more livable a Tacoma is as a daily driver.