Towing Capacity

That’s not a good idea here, but I get it. 20mph slower than the speed limit is a good way to get a vehicle in the ass end of you. People just text and drive here, which doesn’t help that situation out at all.

I remember many years ago flat towing a Jeep out to Moab with a Tacoma. The Jeep was just shy of 5000 lbs. on the way out, did pretty good. Now on the way back, shit....if I could do 15 mph up Vail Pass I was happy.



When we got back, my wife surprised me with a new Dodge 2500 diesel for my birthday. Looking back at it now and all the problems I had with the dodge, not sure if she was saying “I love you” or “choke on a bag of dicks?”

 

Most states have a towing speed limit of 65 mph for vehicles in commerce.

Personally, if you’re properly equipped to go 65-75mph, by all means do it. Now this also includes:

-Tow rig that can handle those speeds, and half ton and under don’t cut it IMO.

- trailer tow rating. Yep, some trailers have a max speed limit.

- Tires rated for that speed/load. Please run ST rated tires. LT tires often do not make the load rating. For instance, my flatbed equipment hauler needs a load index rating 124 or better for a 235/85/16. A comparable size 245/75/16E only comes in a 120 load index and leaves me 1500 lbs under my trailer rating. That’s an easy ticket.
Lastly, speed rating. My camper tires are rated at full capacity @75mph and my flatbed tires are rated for 81 or 87 mph @full capacity.

 

I’ll have to take your word on that. Never been to the NE part of the US.

Towing may never be a problem, until an emergency situation comes into play. This is exactly why I sold my Tundra. Towed my camper, but it didn’t do it well. Emergency situations it sucked.

 

I’ll just leave this here. This is 10 miles from my house, Monument Hill on I25 northbound.

Family didn’t do well in this oops.



As I passed, looked to be ~26’ and an F150. Read about it that evening.

I don’t mean to be so passionate about towing, and the Tacoma is a great all around truck. It has its limits, like any vehicle. I’ve towed in commerce and privately for many years and seen some crazy accidents. To be honest, it’s usually the cocky diesel owner pulling doubles doing 84.5 mph.

One other thing I like to ask people when this comes out their mouth “the xxx tows great!” My reply is “what are you comparing it to?”