Towing with Taco

[gpd005]

Hey fella's i'm new to the board and i'm looking at a new toy hauler! It is a 16 footer and can haul two quads. The trailer weight is like 3500# unloaded. I know the manual says it's got a 6500# capacity but what are some thoughts from some of you who have pulled with yours? I just don't want to get this thing and then be very disapointed with the way the truck handles.

I've got the 07 Taco access cab with the V6 and six speed manual!

I love the site! Lots of great info!

[Marazzito]

Hello and Welcome to TS. I have an 07 DC 4x4 6 speed. I tow a 1967 Toyota Land Cruiser and with trailer I am at just under 6,000 lbs. The Tacoma handles the weight better than I expected for a mid size. It even holds its own on high altitude steep mountain grades. You do know you are towing and if you get stuck behind a semi on an 8% grade at 6,000+ feet getting past is difficult. However, it can hold 60 up any grade in 3rd gear that I have been on. The Tacoma is a very capable tow vehicle to it's limits, but remember it is not a 3/4 ton deisel. As far as a Toyhauler 16 ft and 3,500 lbs should be a good fit for the Tacoma but you should deffinetly load it up and take it to the scales to make sure weight is good.

[j4x4ar3]

3500# is a walk in the park for a Tacoma with the tow package. Look through my threads and you'll see I tow a 5000# travel trailer that's 26' ball to bumper. Does really good and has surprised me. I've even towed passed the slow moving semi's (not at 6000 feet though) going up hill. Takes a bit to get it going but it moves right past them. I probably though would want the new Tundra if I was planning more extended cross country type trips.

[kq4z]

Hi There,

Let me just start by saying that I am probably older than most folks here. I have gray hair and wear bi-focals.

We tow a 26 ft ultralight travel trailer with an 06 DC 4x4 and I'll be honest I would not want to tow anything larger. Our "wet" weight is about 9800 lbs combined for a normal trip. GCVW for the Taco with tow package is 11,100. We have pulled some long 7% grades with this rig. We aren't the first one up the mountain but we aren't last either. I tow in 4th gear, the engine purrs along at about 2700 rpm at 62 - 65 mph.

With a "dry weight" of 3500 lbs your tongue weight should be at least 350 lbs. This will put the truck on the bump stops. You will want to invest in either Timbrens or Super Springs. I chose Super Springs for my needs.

Your dry weight does not include any accesories. Propane, a/c, microwave, tv etc. Before you load the first quad on there you will probably weigh closer to 4000 lbs. Gives you 2500 lbs to work with. Add fuel for the quads, fresh water, food, drinks, clothes etc and it adds up quick.

Towing a 6000 lb vehicle on a trailer is different than towing a travel trailer. Granted, weight is weight but a travel trailer has more frontal and sail area and this makes a difference with head and cross winds.

One last word of advice, invest in a good brake controller and a weight distribution hitch with anti-sway. That one time you have to make a panic stop on the interstate you will be glad you did.

Will your truck do it? Yes but you want to do everything you can to make sure that not only you but those around you on the road are safe. Getting the load moving is not such a big deal. You want to be able to control it and stop it safely.

Ask the seller if you can hitch up and tow the rig somewhere and get it weighed with your truck.

Off my soapbox now.

Enjoy your truck and your new rv.

Chris

[gpd005]

Thanks for the info fella's! I will have a sway bar/weight distribution hitch along with a brake control unit. I Just wanted to be sure it will do it. I'm going in Saturday morning to hook it and take a test drive just to see how it does. i'll keep you posted!

[demoncleaner]

I've towed 4500 with at least 1000 in the bed. Not bad on flat roads, but on country, twisty, steep roads at grades to 15% made her work. Your setup should come in at 5000 or less, and being in a rather flat you should do fine.

Rev her out when shifting the first couple gears, and IMO, run premium gas, despite the extra cost, you'll get a little better mileage, gives 12 hp and 3 ft lbs, and its notablely smoother.

[Marazzito]

My trailer will probably weigh in a little higher than yours, but you do have more wind resistance. If you set your truck up properly you will be happy with it. Let us know how it does with your setup!

[kq4z]

Originally Posted by demoncleaner

IMO, run premium gas, despite the extra cost, you'll get a little better mileage, gives 12 hp and 3 ft lbs, and its notablely smoother.

Good tip on the permium fuel, I overlooked that one.