Towing

Beat to death topic I know but each situation is unique. I need to tow a v-nose 6x10 enclosed trailer 2100 miles. Approximately 1100 lbs trailer weight with about 1000 lbs max inside. MY 09 TRD Offroad 4x4 has the tow package with the tranny cooler.

Would I be risking any problems or am I way within the Tacos abilities and worrying too much?

 

Youll be good. Just load it right, check tire pressure and shoot some grease into the bearings if it is ez-lube.

 

You are fine. Just watch the braking.
The stock rotors like to “warp” during downhill
Towing runs.

Has a 6x12 on mine at 4K lbs. good all the way to suicide state washington

 

You'll be fine. I just finished a 3700 mile round trip with my trailer. Check tire pressure before you go, give the tires a solid kick and feel the hubs for unusual temperature every time you stop for gas.

Also, it doesn't need to be said, but watch the weather and leave a little extra time for contingencies in your daily itenerary. I just made that mistake, I got slammed with a brutal headwind during a leg of our trip. What was supposed to be an easy 9 hour jog from Tuscon to Malibu, wound up being 12 hours and two additional tanks of gas.

 

for that weight trailer, should the truck stay out of overdrive?

 

oh and i still have my stock leaf springs

 

No problem, I tow a 3500 lb travel trailer with another 500 lbs in the bed through 7 states each year. Just don't tow in OD. Good luck with your tow.

 

I'd keep it out of OD.

As for the springs, do you have the trailer now? Do a dry run around town, see if it sits level. I run helpers on mine because my trailer is obnoxiously tongue-heavy (like dual batteries, propane tank, and tool box heavy).

Some people love the sumos, some love the airbags, a few like me like the roadmaster springs.

I'd normally recommend a wdh over all of that, but at an estimated tongue weight of 300 lbs or so, you're right on the edge of not needing one. Still, in case of sudden wind, a wdh with sway control can be a comfort to have.

 

yeah I was thinking about a wdh

 

Most WDH are rated for like 6000-8000 lbs and I used a 10000 lb one for a 26' trailer at 5500 lbs. Never used one for all the small trailers or my 3000 lb boat. Overkill and costly, add hitch weight, plus a pain to set/hookup in my opinion. Just load the trailer so your tongue weight is low (like 300 lbs max) and the rear shouldn't squat too much. You need some tongue weight so the trailer doesn't wander around and pull your truck rear around. Those original springs were a recall so have them checked if you haven't yet. I had Toyota 3 leaf then they put in 4 leaf and those sagged down and I was hitting the stops with an 8x10 uhaul so..... now have Dakar springs. Remember if you plan to load the Tacoma bed with stuff too watch the spring dropping down to the stops.

 

There are 2 important things to consider. You're fine on both. 1st is tow rating. Most Tacomas with the V6 are rated around 6500 lbs +/- a bit. Most I4's are rated for 3500 lbs. If you're weights are accurate and you're towing 2100 lbs you're fine on that count.

The one most people never consider is payload. Every truck is different, look on the sticker on the drivers door, or door jamb. My truck has 1200 lbs payload. I have a 180 lb cap and I weigh 2220 lbs eating up 400 lbs of my payload leaving me 800 lbs. Figure 13% of the loaded trailers weight as tongue weight. That would be 273 lbs with a 2100 lb trailer leaving 527 lbs for passengers and cargo in the truck. You'll just have to find YOUR payload and do the math, but you should be fine with a trailer that light.

With MY truck I run out of payload at around 4000-4500 lbs even though my truck is rated to tow 6500 lbs. I could tow 6500 lbs with the cap off my truck and no other passengers or cargo inside the truck. But that isn't practical.

I'd start out NOT using OD. On level ground you might be able to shift into OD, but you need to read the road and shift out of OD BEFORE the truck starts straining going up inclines. Drive it like a manual. If you can't or won't do that then just leave it out of OD all the time

 

Yep.

However, it's better to think about these things in advance than to march off shrouded in stupid like many do.

 

You are fine