Is a Tacoma overkill for what I want do to?

Allegedly 2000 lbls. But a tounge weight of 200 will really cause it to bottom out in the rear. I got mine at 140lbs with air bags and that helps (im at 1000-1200 lbs weight).
I only have 60k miles and not a single issue with oil leaking until this year which is why I am concerned.

 

Not sure about towing but I wonder if a Rav4 would be better suited for your application; that is, if you move on from Kia

 

I'm not sure what the Kia is rated to tow, but suspect you're close to the limit. And I'd guess you have more than 1200 lbs total in that trailer. That looks like one of the trailers sold at Sams Club. If so it is a great trailer, I love mine. But the trailer is 900 lbs empty. That looks like more than 300 lbs in it. Most of those cars are rated for around 1500 lbs, but some as much as 3500.

You also need to verify the payload rating. It will be on a sticker on the drivers door or door jamb. Some cars are only rated for 600-800 lbs. That means you might be OK with the trailer and just a driver, but not with 2-3 adults in the car.

If you are within specs I'd keep what you have.

 

You got me thinking, you are correct in that configuration im a bit heavier. The trailer I have is the same as this one, except mine is 5.5x10, same brand (carry on). It looks like they quit selling it, but the 6x10 is 700lbs, and when mine was up there they said it was around 600 lbs. I dont know what sams sells but mine was $2000 and I can pull it up my driveway by myself. I would say if anything I need to get a foldable gate to help wind resistance.

https://www.carry-ontrailer.com/aluminum-trailers/6x10agw/

My motorcycles weigh 320 and 360 lbs fully fueled. 4 bicycles are around 100 lbs total, and the stupid bike rack I put on the back is 30 lbs.
So 810 lbs on a 600 lbs trailer is ~1400 lbs. being towed. lets call it 1450 to account my wheel chocks, straps etc.. I would call this an overestimate for sure.

Kia claims 2000 lbs towing capacity.

I googled "2016 kia sorentoa weight capacity" and it claims 1200-1500 lbs payload. My family weighs 500 lbs. While I have petite girls, they load up the back with lots of stuff, hundreds of lbs for sure. I put my tounge weight at 140-150 lbs as 200 was just sinking the rear end too much.

definately under 1000 lbs payload with the trailer tounge weight added in.

Semi trucks hate me, Ive had 2 try to run me off the road now trying to pass me because I speed up and slow down so much.


My kia is under warranty, I called them today and ask if the towing will hurt my car, they told me very bodly NO. If I blow it up towing, Im covered I guess. But I really dont care to be stranded out in Iowa on my way to arkansas LOL.

 

As far as the oil leak, there is nothing I can think of to create an external oil leak from the extra throttle for towing. There will be a bit increased wear in the engine for sure, ring wear, valve guides maybe.

What i'd be concerned about is the transmission, maybe reduced longevity from heat.

If your at the limit for capacity it's not bad per se cause they over rate things for just this scenario, but again, with a tow rating of 2000lb, I might be looking to upgrade a bit, maybe something like a hilander has more ratings and would be similar for everyday.

 

Rav4 isn't much of a upgrade for capacity, looks about the same as the current kia, maybe a little smaller even

 

1 ton duely, no way for anything else.....,

just kidding

 

I suspected as much, my wife is on her 2nd Rav4 and loves them but neither had/has a hitch much less did we tow, so I couldn't speak to that.

 

“Need”? Probably not. But it’ll tow your bikes much better! Could look at a Nissan Frontier if you want a small pick up and save money. I had one that I traded for the Tacoma. Tacoma’s are pretty overpriced IMO, but I do love the truck!

 

Welcome to TW!