Realistic towing limits

In doing my homework in preparation for a move and complete lifestyle change, I realized my 5th gen 4Runner is not going to cut it. I'm going to be spending the next year and a half or so living out of a camper, and looks like the sweet spot for room vs weight puts me in a 31' trailer, dry weight around 5500lbs. I dont plan on moving the trailer but maybe once or twice a year at most, and never water tanks full or whathaveyou. Loaded, probably looking at 6200lbs, and plan to use a weight distributing hitch with it.


Am I out of my mind thinking a TRD Offroad crew cab short bed could handle the one-time task from Lubbock to Flagstaff or Salt Lake City? I can't believe I'm even considering giving up the perfect SUV for me and the dogs, but I want to maintain my ability to go run trails in Moab/Ouray/etc and want to stay with the Taco over a full-size Tundra, unless I'm just not giving enough credit to full-size options?

 

Pay to have it towed long distance if is only once or twice. Move close distance with what you have .

 

someone just posted in here that they towed a ranger and had a total load of like 6500lbs.

EDIT: here it is

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/never-thought-i-would-use-this-truck-for-this.610203/

 

No way you should tow that much with a 3.5L Tacoma especially in the mountains.

 

Just because it's maxed at 6400 doesn't mean you should tell when regularly like that. That's probably for like around town towing not long distance. I find it hard to imagine that the truck would last very long

 

31' LMFAO

My 3rd Gen didn't like pulling my 12' box trailer with a harley in it

 

I'd say 4000 max

 

After some lengthy conversation with a really close friend, who happens to be a sales manager at a Camping World AND a Tundra owner, we both agreed the best bet is to have the trailer delivered vs. buying another vehicle vs. buying an older high-mileage tow vehicle. Still cheaper for delivery it seems at this point, and means I can look at heavier/roomier campers, so it kinda works better both ways.

 

There are many more forces at work in towing than just weight alone. Tacoma's 6400lb rating MIGHT be suitable for a flatbed trailer filled with dead weight like wood or dirt. But a 31 ft camper with those massive sides to catch cross winds? Nooooooo way. A well-placed gust of crosswind would likely make for a real bad day in that situation.

At some point, the truck itself needs to be big enough to take charge of the trailer, and all the forces that will be imparted on it.

 

Toyota specifically specs a severe-duty maintenance schedule if towing or hauling heavy frequently. The truck is rated to to do the work. Look at your owners manual.

 

After towing 2500#s of flatbed with a side by side in it in the mountains, I wouldn’t want to tow anywhere near 6500+.

 

That's pretty much what my buddy and I discussed. I've towed some conex trailers before with antiquated retired military trucks, and while capable, it was not pleasant.... Same with driving Sprinter ambulances in icing conditions with side-winds. Just because it "can" doesnt mean it should. Driving I-10 through far west Texas can be like driving in a wind tunnel, so there's no way to avoid sketchy conditions, and better off leaving it to transportation companies (and their insurance). I just hate the fact I need to rely on a third party for some of this, but in the end its better and still cheaper than trying to get another vehicle and hope it works out.

 

Why not just get an apartment or rent a house?

 

Rentals and apartments in the few areas I'm looking to move for work are incredibly expensive, vs paying ~$800/month for trailer and slip, and I'm not locked into a lease agreement for the most part. It saves money and gives me a little more freedom with less hassle. Even if I didnt move out of Houston, it beats the hell out of the ~$1700/month I pay for rent and utilities currently.

 

I've pulled my 2015 NXT20, with trailer and gas I'm at ~5800#. In town it's fine. Not sure I'd go more than a few miles, but for short trips it's fine.

 

I kinda assumed I was pushing into sketchy territory, but I needed to hear it from others. I didnt want to add another layer of logistics, but it does work out better in the long-run, and gives me many more options in trailers to look at.