Towing past the limit

is the 3/4 really necessary for 7,000lbs empty weight? Max id pull is 9000 with a partially full water tank.

How reliable are the old 2500 trucks? I drove a 2017 1500 for my old job and it fell apart around 80,000 miles.

 

"no"
This music video will help you make the right decision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HNWhVXcjV8

 

How is that trailer 5500lbs? I would have guessed closer to 2500 without the tank full.

 

Trailer should weigh 1500-1800lbs or so. The equipment will be another 1500 and 300 gal of water at 8.3 per gal is about 2500lbs. On the high side fully loaded with water he’s going to probably be no higher then about 6000lbs give or take. I did this job for a long time.

 

Sorry I misread. The payload ratings aren't spectacular on the tundra. Around 11,00-1200 pounds. I see your point. Tongue weight could be 400-700pounds plus me and my equipment.

I like Toyota reliability because I need the truck and its systems to work with basic maintenance while I build my business. I don't want to spend $1000 a month to buy a new 3/4 ton and I don't know how well a used one will hold up before issues come up. That's why I'm leaning heavily toward a 2016-2021 tundra. But you're right, payload may be an issue. As for the transmission cooler, I'd pay to install one if it doesn't have one.

 

I wouldn’t want to be the guy who buys your used truck

 

True and I did want a 250 early on, However I don't make enough yet to afford a new one (although new ones have quality control issues. Oil pans leaking from gaskets not adhering to unprepared metal surfaces.). From previous posts, well maintained older year models seem to run forever so I'll look into those, again for me its making sure it was maintained well and doesn't have any issues like broken ACs or water pumps. In short I'm paranoid about buying used and old because I don't want to have my truck out for however long to get unexpected repairs: I feel more comfortable buying new or almost new and knowing I'll probably have zero issues.

 

Seriously, like others have said, if you don’t have a brake controller and using the trailer brakes, you are one huge liability. I assume this is true since you say that you feel the trailer pushing you around.

 

The rental units don't have trailer brakes. I'd have installed a brake controller otherwise. Currently planning my own trailer with brakes to use with whatever truck I end up getting this month.

 

Can you find a trailer with surge brakes to try with your existing truck?

 

What's more important to you...convenience or money? Can you work on stuff yourself? You're losing a lot of money buying new vs very used. For a work truck, interior/exterior condition doesn't matter much....and that's what drives the price on used vehicles. I have a 2002 GM 3/4 ton that I use for heavy stuff and when I need a truck. The tacoma is car with a bed, effectively. Payload rating is pitiful, but it works well for my day to day duties. You can buy a new real truck for $40-50K (poverty package), but can probably find a used one that will meet your needs for $10K or so. You can fix a whole lot of stuff with the $30K left in your pocket, or use the rest to buy another truck and trailer and hire someone to make you money.

 

Or, you can lease/finance a new truck and pay several hundred bucks a month instead of dropping tens of thousands of dollars. I've never done this because I am fortunate to have the capability to buy my vehicles with cash.

 

I cannot believe you are on the roads (as little and as slow as it may be) with that little truck, heavy trailer, and no trailer brakes. If you had to make an emergency stop or maneuver, that trailer is going to push you out of the way, and drive over what you were intending to miss.

I don't know about that industry, but the equipment rental yards around here make sure you have the proper sized truck, trailer brakes, etc.

 

i wanna know what the people estimating his empty trailer weight @2500-3500 lbs are smoking??? My 6 x 10 Belmont single axle utility trailer is 990 lbs before adding the spare tire and license plate!!