Load capacity

I have a 2016 ACOR on order and am wondering if I might need a bigger truck...

I have a semi regular need to carry about 2300# in the bed of my truck (275 gallon tote full of water). This is about a weekly task during the growing season here. I carry the water at very low speed, under 5mph, across a field and down a dirt track driveway for about half a mile.

I have been doing this with my 06 taco for a few months but am wondering if this is going to FUBAR the suspension on my new truck.

It seems to me that the load capacity is defined to be safe going at speed and hitting potholes and such so perhaps I am okay here but I would appreciate other opinions on how much you can push the load capacity for low speed operations.

My normal truck usage is much better in the smaller form factor as I regularly park in tight spaces within the city limits and the bigger vehicle would be a real liability for that.

 

http://www.tfltruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2016-toyota-Tacoma-Technical-specs.pdf

"Hauling: Up to 1620 lbs."

Personally, I wouldn't push much over the suggested capacity. And 2300lbs is a bit much...

 

Add some airbags and you will be fine...

 

Could get a utility trailer and tow that.

 

What pebblecrab said

 

are the leafs keeping that number down or is it the axle?

 

I think the problem is that all you're going to get is opinions. It'll be hard to get facts given the load rating will be based on a combinations of items & hard to pinpoint to one limiting item. Is it leaf springs? Axles? Tires? Wheels? Frame? Driveshaft? Engine? Brakes? Etc...

The best solution is to have the water tank semi-permanently mounted to a small trailer. Then it doesn't really matter what vehicle you pull it with as long as it has a hitch. Even if weight wasn't a concern, it certainly would make everything more flexible & you wouldn't have to drain/load/drain/unload.

If you want to use a Tacoma for the job & feel comfortable. Perhaps cross reference the axle/suspension/wheels/tires/etc.. of the Hilux.

 

Here are the 3rd gen Tacoma axle ratings. The slightly higher front axle rating is for DCLB.

 

Yeah, that probably is the answer. The only reason I haven't wanted to do that is because I am watering an orchard and the maneuvering room between the rows of trees is tight even just with the truck so I would be worried about being able to get a trailer through without running over a tree somewhere (the orchard was planted last year so they are still pretty small).

That said, it would also make it possible to use a tractor for the job instead of a truck and would save me loading in and out the tote which is kind of a pain as you point out.

 

Sometimes I want a full size because they are big and sexy and can do anything, sometimes I have to park in the tiny ass parking space at my office.

Meanwhile, I haven't broken anything yet!

 

Great idea !

 

A tractor would be ideal for that work. I maneuver loads like this and greater around with just a 35 hp tractor. It's nothing for them and they are much easier on the ground.if the spots are tight, I put a receiver hitch on the bucket and push it ahead of me. You can turn on a dime.