Towing close to the max capacity

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and saw a couple of threads similar to what I wanted to get some info on but not quite exactly what I was looking for. I am going to buy a long travel ranger to take out to the desert so I was gonna rent a utility trailer off of Facebook market place to tow it out. The truck is around 3,000-3,500 pounds and the trailer I believe is 2500-3000. I’d obviously have to get a brake controller. Where I plan on taking it is about 133 miles away from me and it’s on a mountain pass with hills up and down all the time. There is alternate route that is the freeway but it is almost an hour longer. Im just looking for some advice on how I should go about towing this ranger I plan on buying. Thanks.

 

Rent a truck when you rent the trailer. Then have the trailer and cargo weighed for next time. Best guesstimates can be surprisingly off, like plus or minus 1500 pounds off. If you're approaching the max cap you need exact weights. Estimates can be dangerous.


Welcome to TW.

 

Thanks for the quick response and Good idea.

 

Is it really only an "hour longer" when the 3rd gen will struggle hard to make it up and down the mountain pass and hills being at or exceeding the weight limits? You'll not only get like 6 MPG but kill your brake pads very quickly.

Like @Rock Lobster said, rent a capable truck with the trailer that can handle this weight.

 

Take a bus - drive the ranger home.
You're really pushing the towing capacity limit for a Taco based only on estimated weights.

 

What kind of trailer? Thats a really heavy one if it weighs that much. The 17' car hauler I pull on occasion is only 1800.

 

I was going to ask the same thing! Flat bed car or utility trailers are around #1500-#1800lbs depending on size and accessories.

 

Wife's Forester is rated at 1,500 lbs.
In Europe it's like twice that rate.

The U.S. has lower tow limits than our Euro friends but then again towing speed
limits there are like 50mph and you must have brakes / brake controllers working.
They're pretty strict about it too.

I suspect ( don't take this as gospel !! ) the Tacoma could tow more but is rated
down due to U.S. regulations.

I'd take the long-way home on the flatter surface for a lousy hour.

 

Having the capability to move something with a vehicle and safely towing it are entirely different. Some of the stuff you see on the road is beyond scary.

Finding yourself with too much trailer for the vehicle tends to change a cavalier attitude about towing quite quickly, the best outcome is a bad scare.

OP: Rent a proper truck and trailer - use your head and be safe.

 

Potential liability issues as well if over-loaded.... lawyers and such.

 

Forget tow ratings. The real limit is always payload. The tongue weight of a 6500 lb trailer plus the Weight Distribution Hitch will be about 950 lbs Check your payload rating on the drivers door. Chances are good you'll be OK as long as you don't have any other weight in the truck or trailer. If you plan to take any other passengers along or place any weight in the bed no.

That's assuming the weights you are estimating are accurate. If you're underestimating then you could be over loaded.

 

Your truck will do it, the biggest factor is you and your experience towing a trailer. Have you ever towed a heavy load before or at all, doesn’t sound like you have.

 

If the Ranger runs, take a bus or have someone ride with you and you can drive the ranger back.