Towing capacity

timbuck · #1 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 09:52 AM

The 07' Tacoma that I have has the trailer towing package rated at 6500lbs. Have any of you towed this much on the stock three pack springs without any issues? If I put on a leveling kit and I took in my truck for the TSB four pack springs would the back end be higher than the front end? I think the tailgate issue and the springs issue are turning me towards buying a full size Chevy or GMC.

Marazzito · #2 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 12:10 PM

I have towed nearly that much weight before I had supersprings... it bounced on the bump stops quite a bit. With the Super Springs it tows very well. I would recommend the TSB if you plan to tow that much.

Why a GM full size? The Tundra is the best half ton on the market.

RIDGEWALLOW · #3 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 09:43 PM

I tow my 19' camper and after I'm full of water, gas, family...I would imagine I'm very close to the GVWR. I personally do not like the towing abilities of the Tacoma compared to my previous truck (03 Tundra 4.7L). The Tacoma seems to handle the weight as far as handling but is terrible for going up hills, passing etc. Gas mileage is terrible also...****8 MPG****

Good thing I only pull 6-8 times/year or else I would be getting something different.

scottto93 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-21-2008, 05:58 PM

i had heavy duty springs put on the rear and it did nothing but improve the stability of towing my 4000lb boat (dirt bike in the bed as well)......... stock springs bottomed and sagged like crazy.... i thought they went to 4 leaf packs for 06???????

TRDSport · #5 (**permalink**) 08-21-2008, 09:43 PM

I've had the rear spring TSB done on my truck and I added a set of Supersprings as well. I'm going to be pulling an 8'x12' enclosed trailer to Texas from Arizona (almost 1000 miles each way). I'm going to put the Supersprings on the medium setting and I'll try to remember to take pictures of the rear suspension after fully loaded.

briq4 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 12:25 AM

So far have towed two other vehicles on a Uhaul vehicle trailer (all 4 wheels off the ground) The first vehicle towed was a 2007 Tacoma V-6, six speed, 4x4 bascially the same truck as mine but the off road package instead of the sport.

Second was a 2005 Honda Accord V-6. 3384 curb weight. Plus the 2000 lb trailer 5,384 lbs total

Had no problems towing either, however I wouldn't want to have to drive with them at night. The truck squats a LOT. But never felt out of control and I didn't feel as though I was bouncing off the bump stops even though I know I had to be. I did have the Suspension TSB performed before even attempting.

The trailer Uhaul says weights in around 2000 lbs, the weight of the truck was around 4070 so was pretty close to the 6,500 max.

The accord on the other hand was a lot less, only thing that seemed a little "off" was that the vehicles have to be SO far up on the car transport that you can't move them back to take some of the tongue weight off.

timbuck · #7 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 08:41 PM

That still doesn't really answer my question. The question is, since I already put in a leveling kit would doing the tsb spring leave the back end higher than the front? I guess what's really turning me off about my Tacoma is the flimsy tailgate issue and the suspension issue. Makes me feel like I didn't actually buy a truck. Because I actually like everything else about it. Too bad Toyota doesn't ask more questions from the buyer as to what we really want in a vehicle.

the.phantom · #8 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 11:13 PM

judst a silly question have you thought about a set of timbrens on it?
Timbren's Installed - Tacoma World Forums
i have a 5 lug and no tsb available and they sure solved my problem and help with towing and great tech support and not that expensive

TRDSport · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2008, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbuck

That still doesn't really answer my question. The question is, since I already put in a leveling kit would doing the tsb spring leave the back end higher than the front? I guess what's really turning me off about my Tacoma is the flimsy tailgate issue and the suspension issue. Makes me feel like I didn't actually buy a truck. Because I actually like everything else about it. Too bad Toyota doesn't ask more questions from the buyer as to what we really want in a vehicle.

Yes, the rear will be higher than the front. However, I can't say by how much. I have read on here people getting various amounts of lift from the TSB ranging from 3/4" to almost 2"

Snakeii · #10 (**permalink**) 08-23-2008, 01:42 AM

Tongue weight has more to do with rear sag then the total trailer weight.

In regards to the uhaul picture... how about backing up the front engined car up on that uhaul trailer? Or how about using a dolly which would place the majority of the weight on the dolly, very little tongue weight and the rest on the rear?

Air bags help level out the truck too and if you do a lot of towing it would be worth the investment.

And dont forget electric or hydraulic brakes and maybe a distribution hitch.

The biggest trailer I've towed was the largest uhaul, loaded up from NM to NC. Only time I really had to downshift was the wicked step Sandia Mountain climb out of Albuquerque and hills going through NC. Otherwise, I was doing the speed limit and averaged about 12-14mpg. Not too bad for towing a big square box, and sure beats the hell out of driving a truck every day that gets 8-12 mpg regardless if you are towing or not.

briq4 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-23-2008, 10:23 PM

you will notice the rear of the truck slightly higher than the front, which I think is a good look, my buddy has the off road w/o the rear spring tsb done and mine has it, you can definitly see the difference when they are parked next to each other.

As far as backing up the car on the uhaul you can't becuase of where the wheel tie downs are, the trailer has them built into the front. That's as far back as you can have it. Also I don't trust the dolly type just because of bumps and dips don't want to rip off the rear bumper and/or muffler.

as far as the flimsy tailgate, I loaded a 400 lb riding mower with my 220 lb self on it, using a set of ramps and it didn't bend, distort or anything. Also had 3 adults sitting on it and nothing happened. Has anyone on here really had theirs bend? and stay that way?

Snakeii · #12 (**permalink**) 08-24-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briq4

you will notice the rear of the truck slightly higher than the front, which I think is a good look, my buddy has the off road w/o the rear spring tsb done and mine has it, you can definitly see the difference when they are parked next to each other.

As far as backing up the car on the uhaul you can't becuase of where the wheel tie downs are, the trailer has them built into the front. That's as far back as you can have it. Also I don't trust the dolly type just because of bumps and dips don't want to rip off the rear bumper and/or muffler.

as far as the flimsy tailgate, I loaded a 400 lb riding mower with my 220 lb self on it, using a set of ramps and it didn't bend, distort or anything. Also had 3 adults sitting on it and nothing happened. Has anyone on here really had theirs bend? and stay that way?

I bent the tailgate hinges due to a stack of sheet rock falling down onto the tailgate. They were suspended by something like those extensions a lot of places sell, which attach to the hitch, it snapped off on the bottom. The stuff fell right on the edge of the tailgate which with the amount of weight and leverage bent the hinges. Oh well... $40 to repair, cheaper then a new tailgate...

Id have to look again at Uhauls trailer, its been 11 years since I've rented one for the MR2. I figured there might be a way to wrap the tie downs to the rear wheels. If not, you could make due with regular tie-downs.

timbuck · #13 (**permalink**) 08-24-2008, 12:34 PM

Snakeii, what are you running on the rear suspension of your truck? When you did the big haul through Albuquerque was it on the stock suspension? It's sad the other day I saw an older couple towing a 19" camper with a Tacoma DC 4x4 and the truck was with its front end in the air.

friday · #14 (**permalink**) 08-24-2008, 12:49 PM

My 06 before the spring TSB would bottom out with even 500lb in the box. With my trailer, we hauled around 5000lbs of soil at a time, and it sat on the bump stops. After the TSB, the back was noticeably higher... a good 2 inches higher than before, which put the rear about 1-1/2" above the front... where before the truck was actually squatting.

Night and day difference when there was any type of weight in/on the back, and a less wobbly feel when empty. I did not use trailer brakes as these were short haul trips and my trailer wasn't equipped, but my next trailer I'll get brakes.

timbuck · #15 (**permalink**) 08-24-2008, 12:58 PM

I really think that I will visit my dealer tomorrow and ask that the TSB be done. I want to purchase a nice camper trailer in the next year or so and want to rest assured that the truck handles it like a truck.