Trade in already??

I don't see many trailers at 800 lbs empty that have brakes. I think that is a CYA statement. Most manuals for mid sized trucks, ours included, say brakes on a trailer over 1k. My 10x6 single axle almost weighs that empty. But yeah, I think he hit too much bump with too much speed. I wouldn't do that in my truck.

 

Also, if I go full size, I want a Power Wagon. I think those are pretty bad ass, even if it is a Dodge.

 

I agree, I'm at max capacity with my two, and they are only 2 and 4 years old lol. Good luck OP .

 

I have a MT OR, so basically the same truck as the OP. I also pull a 14' box tent trailer, about 8-10 times a year. Weight varies depending on water on board, but trailer is gvwr around 3500 plus gear n beer in the truck. Have taken my two kids, or two adults various times. Last time we have surfboards and an easy up on the roof rack, too. I'd say keep the taco, and keep your foot in it. I'll get around 12 mpg going from Austin to the gulf coast doing 75.

 

I'm assuming your roads are pretty flat? For flatland towing, I think I would be ok pulling 3-4k lbs. But the OP mentioned living and traveling to the mountains. Going up any steep grades (especially at elevation), it would tax the V6 quite a bit and your MPG would drop to single digits.

 

There are some hills around here, but not mountains. I still think the Taco is capable, and bigger trailers + trade ins are $$$ transaction costs.

 

Damn that's a pretty good haul! I have had no issues towing 2-2500 regularly depending on how many days of beer I need along. Haven't towed at altitude though.

 

I was frustrated with my '19 TRD Sport DCLB's pulling ability with no trailer, nothing in the bed, and only me inside. I can't even imagine what it was like for you with all that going on. I probably would have pulled into a GM or Ram dealer in the middle of the trip.

 

Yep, gas is cheap by comparison. Our friend did a lot of track days with us and we towed about the same load (strong, extra tall, 7.5 x 14’ cargo trailers with two or three track bikes 4-5,000 lbs each loaded trailer) I used the F350 he used a 2nd gen Tacoma with a roof top tent and rack. Both of us had kids and dogs. His Taco did the job and is one of the reasons I have mine. He couldn’t pull the long 7% grades on I40 as fast but the truck is still great with well over 100k miles. I was getting 11mpg and him maybe 8. I do not question the tow rating of these trucks.

 

Now I need to show mine. '03 sold it a couple years ago with 103k on it, barely broke in. It was just too big for what I need anymore.

 

I absolutely love my Tundra with the 5.7L. If anyone has any questions feel free to PM me. Traded my 08 DCSB for a crewmax platinum tundra and its the best decision I could have made. It too has its towing limits, it's no F250 or 2500, gas or diesel but it's a really good truck for most needs, and the dreaded gas mileage isn't that bad compared to my old 4.0 taco

 

Went to my local GM dealer today. Looked at the new 19’ 1500 z71 trail boss. Meh. Looks kinda cool but I cant get over the size. I dont need a truck that big. Drove the ZR2 duramax and all I can say is wow. How refreshing to have a powertrain that can pull its own weight and get up a hill. It reminds me of my 01’ Cummins. Drove well, comfy, suspension feels dialled. Interior is alright, liveable and not a deal breaker. Working a deal on it. Im struggling with poor mpg and frustrating powerband on the tacoma, its a shame, everything else about the truck I love.

 

The trailer weighed 2,000 pounds and the ranger was about 3,400. Salt Lake City to Blythe. Only real problem I have is the tacoma has a narrower track than a full size trailer. Downhill, really impressed the hell out of me. I was using the gears and not he brakes 95 percent of the time and those are some serious hills. But, I was alone in the truck so no real bed weight etc. And I love this truck so probably I am biased in my opinion. How much are you asking for it is what I mean to say?

 

Similar story!

 

This truck is not made for this, but it sure doesn't whine when asked to do it!

 

really? i tow this trailer with bike and about 2k of shit bolted to the truck without any problems. in fact i looked down the other day and realized i was doing fucking 85mph

 

Maybe I was spoiled. Two 5.7L hemis, 6.4 hemi srt 485hp, 5.9 cummins deleted and tuned and a vw gli all before I bought this. Hell even my wifes 3.6 Dodge Journey is easier to drive. Its the higher altitude and mountain roads that tax this already taxed powertrain. I did however tow the trailer on flat farm land for 20 mins when I bought it and I didnt have any issues.

All vehicles mentioned above btw got better mpg. The only other vehicle that got similar mpg was my 2014’ grand cherokee summit, even then it was slightly better in town. Like I said, everything else about the truck I love. I may just keep it if we cant work out a deal. I wouldnt be heart broken keeping it.

 

Like others have said, I'd get feedback from the 5.29 thread on towing before trading in. Altitude also make a huge difference. I live in PA and have no issues with power or transmission... when I drove out to Colorado this year on a ski trip, completely different experience. I now understand all of the bitching on this forum.

 

I did the second round of towing with the new Tacoma. I noticed that since it tows so well, I was towing faster than normal and looked down to see speeds over 75mph often. Yes, the the trans hunts some on steep grades but it goes well. The 11.5 mpg isn’t ideal but if I slowed down it would likely help. The enclosed 5x8 trailer presents a lot of additional aerodynamic drag at those speeds. I didn’t buy a 4WD with AT tires as a tow vehicle so I consider myself to be reporting, not bitching so much. I really enjoy the relatively tight turning radius for such a large vehicle. Here in the mountains, about 17mpg is what I’m getting not towing. I need to chalk test my Duratrac tires (265 70 x 16)