1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Towing Capacity

Discussion in 'Towing' started by krundersho, Mar 11, 2019.

  1. Mar 11, 2019 at 11:23 AM
    #1
    krundersho

    krundersho [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2019
    Member:
    #286211
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kenny
    Vehicle:
    Toyota Tacoma 2008 4x4
    I am thinking of buying an RV (hitch pulled). Was going to put the tow package on. The RV weighs 4100# and the tongue weight is around 500# and is tandem axle. I have a 2008 Tacoma with the 4.0L V6. Does anyone have experience pulling a similar item with your Tacoma. How did it perform? Thank you in advance.
     
  2. Mar 11, 2019 at 11:29 AM
    #2
    Dubiousveracity

    Dubiousveracity Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2018
    Member:
    #261489
    Messages:
    356
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRDOR DCSB MT
    none
    You are going to get anything from it works great I towed 15,000lbs to you shouldn't tow anything bigger than a teardrop camper.

    Bottom line is stay within the towing capacity, gross vehicle weight of the truck, axle weight rating, and gross combined weight rating and have trailer brakes you'll be fine. *All ratings of your spacifsp truck.

    If your truck has the 6500lb towing capacity 4100lbs is a safe load (it likely weighs significantly more all loaded up ready to camp). It won't be a rocket ship but should handle it fine.
     
    krundersho[OP] likes this.
  3. Mar 11, 2019 at 11:33 AM
    #3
    Harry

    Harry Science, Bitches

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2014
    Member:
    #138415
    Messages:
    1,048
    Gender:
    Male
    Santa Fe NM
    Vehicle:
    15 TRD Off Road DCSB
    krundersho[OP] likes this.
  4. Mar 11, 2019 at 11:33 AM
    #4
    krundersho

    krundersho [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2019
    Member:
    #286211
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kenny
    Vehicle:
    Toyota Tacoma 2008 4x4
    Thank you very much. I am just getting nervous because I've never really towed anything with this truck but small trailers with lawnmowers.
     
  5. Mar 11, 2019 at 11:40 AM
    #5
    oly51

    oly51 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2013
    Member:
    #117807
    Messages:
    358
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    S.E. MA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma, TRD Sport, MGM
    IIRC, the towing capacity of 6500lb is with the Toyota Class IV hitch which has an additional support bar. Aftermarket hitches are usually Class III which has a little less capacity.
     
  6. Mar 11, 2019 at 4:04 PM
    #6
    airsavage

    airsavage Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2017
    Member:
    #213699
    Messages:
    1,589
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Butch
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra Sport 4x4 MGM, 2000 Prerunner
    Welcome aboard:hattip:Here's about 4200lbs ready to camp:thumbsup:. The truck does pull it good but I keep it at 60 mph. Leave it in 4th gear so the tranny does not gear hunt and generate a lot of heat.


    IMG_0290.jpg
     
    krundersho[OP] likes this.
  7. Mar 11, 2019 at 4:21 PM
    #7
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2017
    Member:
    #231426
    Messages:
    2,204
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ken
    N. Calif. The Twilight Zone
    Vehicle:
    Tacoma TRD double cab 4x4, Barcelona Red
    OP you state “was going to put the tow package on”. What do you mean by that? Does your truck not have the tow package? If you don’t already have the tow package no mater what you do to the truck your tow capacity remains that stated on the front left door frame. To answer your question we need to know if your truck has the tow package or not.
     
  8. Mar 11, 2019 at 4:35 PM
    #8
    docbrown

    docbrown Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2010
    Member:
    #31326
    Messages:
    896
    Gender:
    Male
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    05 Tacoma SR5 4X4
    Doug Thorley Long Tube Headers, Eclipse 6620 AVN GPS/DVD, K&N Drop-in Air Filter, Hose clamp mod, Redline Quick Lift Elites, Bilstein 5100's at .85, Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags, Weather Techs front and back, Bug Guard, and Factory Bull Bar, Wet Okole's up front, Bed Mat, LED interior lights, Fumoto Oil Valve
    The factory tow package comes with more than just the hitch. It also includes a higher capacity alternator, oil cooler and transmission cooler as well as the wiring/pigtail to connect your brake controller. It is possible to add all of these things, but just adding the hitch does not equal adding the tow package.

    That being said, there are write-ups here to add all of the necessary items mentioned. Even so, technically (by the letter of the law), from a legal standpoint, your truck will not be rated for the 6500# capacity of the same year truck that came with a tow package. Unlikely that would be an issue, but if you were to get in a wreck, and were towing more than the rated capacity (regardless of the additions made) you MIGHT be in for some legal issues.

    Also take into consideration that the weight of the trailer listed by the manufacturer is going to be DRY weight - or just the trailer with none of your stuff in there. You also need to keep in mind that in addition to trailer weight and tongue weight, there is also your total allowed weight (truck+trailer) that you cannot exceed.

    One more thing off the top of my head - unless you have had the recall on the leaf springs done, get it done. You might still need some air helper springs in the rear or an AAL.

    Others will likely chime in with more, like brake controllers, tires, weight distributing hitches, etc. Suffice it to say, it is hard to simply say "yeah, you'll be fine".
     
  9. Mar 11, 2019 at 4:51 PM
    #9
    Marshall R

    Marshall R Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2015
    Member:
    #156224
    Messages:
    4,258
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Marshall
    Vehicle:
    07 White TRD double cab
    none
    A 4100 lb trailer will be heavier than that loaded with propane, water, food, bedding, clothes etc. The number you should be looking at is the trailers GVWR. That is the maximum weight it is rated for when loaded. Then calculate 13% of that for tongue weight. It'll be more than 500 lbs. And if tongue weight is over 500 lbs you need a weight distribution hitch which adds another 100 lbs to the tongue weight.

    Pulling the weight isn't the problem. The Tacomas will PULL a 6500 lb load behind it with ease. The limiting factor is your payload. Most Tacomas are in the 1200 lb range. Depending on the individual truck it could be a little more or less. Check the sticker on the drivers door jamb.

    Once you figure out your trucks payload calculate the tongue weight of various trailers. Be sure to include an extra 100 lbs for a WDH. A 4500 lb trailer + a WDH will put about 700 lbs on your tongue. Leaving about 500 lbs for the driver, passengers, and cargo in the truck. Doable, but cutting it close. In the real world about 4500 lbs is the limit for Tacomas. If you load carefully and have nothing in the truck but the driver you can handle more.

    In a nutshell a 4100 lb trailer is right on the bubble. Possible, but I'd prefer something just a bit lighter to leave more usable payload. The 4200 loaded trailer in the post above by airsavage is a good place to me IMHO.
     
  10. Mar 11, 2019 at 4:52 PM
    #10
    oly51

    oly51 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2013
    Member:
    #117807
    Messages:
    358
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    S.E. MA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma, TRD Sport, MGM
    Found this in another thread:

    2017 Toyota Tacoma Tow Capacity Rating
    When it comes to towing, the 2017 Toyota Tacoma presents an extremely capable tow capacity rating:

    • Without V6 Tow Option – 3,500 lb.
    • With V6 Tow Option – 6,400 lb.
     
  11. Mar 11, 2019 at 5:05 PM
    #11
    krundersho

    krundersho [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2019
    Member:
    #286211
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kenny
    Vehicle:
    Toyota Tacoma 2008 4x4
    Thank you everyone for the help. To answer a post I am getting a class 4hitch with equalizer, 130 amp alternator, battery upgrade, and engine oil cooler. I have a manual so I dont have to get the ATF cooler.
     
  12. Mar 11, 2019 at 8:20 PM
    #12
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2017
    Member:
    #231426
    Messages:
    2,204
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ken
    N. Calif. The Twilight Zone
    Vehicle:
    Tacoma TRD double cab 4x4, Barcelona Red
    It doesn’t matter what you install on the truck the tow capacity remains the same as stated by the manufacturer, around 3500 lbs in your case. Your truck maybe able to tow heavier loads , maybe even safely, but the manufacturers tow rating remains the same. It probably won’t be a problem unless you are in an accident while towing. If that happens and a police officer determines you were towing over capacity your liability just increased and you may be screwed. In an injury accident you may get the crap sued out of you, even if it isn’t your fault if you are towing over loaded. . State highway patrol are trained to look for that as are other agencies.
     
  13. Mar 13, 2019 at 5:35 AM
    #13
    96carboard

    96carboard Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2018
    Member:
    #266237
    Messages:
    1,600
    Weight isn't the problem you will have, its the physical dimensions of the thing.
    Bottom line is that campers are dangerous to pull, because they're big light empty boxes that get thrown around in the wind.
    I wouldn't pull one.
     
  14. Mar 13, 2019 at 1:13 PM
    #14
    Harry

    Harry Science, Bitches

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2014
    Member:
    #138415
    Messages:
    1,048
    Gender:
    Male
    Santa Fe NM
    Vehicle:
    15 TRD Off Road DCSB
    Thanks for your insightful post :thumbsup:
     
    Scott4032 likes this.
  15. Mar 13, 2019 at 5:54 PM
    #15
    medic2230

    medic2230 @Koditten Pirate Radio member #002

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Member:
    #9942
    Messages:
    63,981
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Murph
    Bama! Roll Tide
    Vehicle:
    2011 Taco 4x4 DCLB 2019 TRD PRO 4runner 2018 RAM 2500 mega cab
    20% Tint, OME 3"complete lift with Dakar's, Light Racing UCA's, 285/75/16 Nitto Terra Grapplers, 10 HP TW sticker, Ultraguage, B.A.M.F. Rock Sliders, MedicFab Bed Rack, Relentless front bumper, Air Flow Snorkel, Ham comms, Tech Deck
    I wouldn’t exactly call my 5000lb camper light.
     
    BobnCo and baldridge like this.
  16. Mar 14, 2019 at 4:10 AM
    #16
    96carboard

    96carboard Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2018
    Member:
    #266237
    Messages:
    1,600
    As an absolute weight, it would depend on your perspective.
    But as a proportion of its dimensions (i.e., pounds per cubic foot), its light as a feather, and this is what I was referring to.
     
  17. Mar 24, 2019 at 9:55 AM
    #17
    jprovencher8

    jprovencher8 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Member:
    #248809
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    You'll tow fine. MPGs trash. But tow fine.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top