Towing Capacity?

[thompme]

When I bought my 2002 Taco (4x4, Xtracab, V6, SR5, TRD) I was told and read that my model has a towing capacity of 5000 lbs. However, my manual directs me to look at the color of a particular part under the hood to determine the towing capacity. After checking under the hood, it looks like my towing capacity is 3500 lbs. I have an appt. with the dealer to take a look at the truck and talk it over.

Has anyone else experienced this problem? Does anyone know how to determine what the "real" towing capacity is?

Thanks,

thompme

[KLS]

Find out the GCWR for your truck. I think that it's 9000#, but check for sure. This it the gross combined weight rating, the maximum your fully loaded and fueled truck, including passengers, plus your loaded trailer can weigh. Now, weigh your truck on a truck scale, add the weights of the people and personal junk you'll carry, and you'll know the weight of the loaded trailer you can tow. Remember, this is the max, and it's never prudent to tow the max for very long.


Ken

[kaneman]

You can tow 5000lbs. Personally, I've towed 6800lbs a few times but it was pushing the limits(way over).. I have the S/C though...

[thompme]

I talked to the dealer last night...it's the fan clutch. If you look under the hood at the fan clutch an orange color indicates that you're fan clutch is rated at 3500 lbs. Green indicates 5000 lbs. If you're looking to tow more, you simply replace the fan clutch with the higher rated clutch. Around $120 for the part (+ labor if you want them to install it).

[kaneman]

I think the dealer may be B.Sing you on this one... Go over to www.tacomaterritory.com to find out the truth.. I'm kaneman23 on that board as well..

[Sequoia2003]

I've towed 6800lbs a few times but it was pushing the limits

No Way!

Your pickup weighs 3,700lbs, that almost double your weight. I towed with my old 1998 TRD Limited Tacoma 4x4 and got my rearend pushed around a bit in the turns with just 4,000lbs. How did you turn your pickup with out getting jackedknifed, or not over heat or not blow your tranny, or engine? Sure it wasn't 6,800 Kilograms?

[kaneman]

WTF kind of response is that? Why would I lie about towing? If you want to know I towed a 2000lb U-Haul car carrier(trailer brakes) with a 3500lb+ GalantVR4, 2 motors w/transmissions(1000lbs+), and a few other parts. This wasn't including my weight(225lbs) plus my friend(200lbs).... The suspension was sitting on the bump stops and my truck was sitting low. However, I only had to tow it for about 8 miles and there weren't any major inclines, turns, or traffic lights. I slowly got up to about 40mph w/overdrive off and took it easy. I knew I was well beyond my trucks capabilities but I only had 1 chance of getting this stuff(long story). Having the Supercharger and tranny cooler kept things undercontrol. It would have been better if I had an AAL in the rear to balance the load. BTW, I wouldn't recommend doing this often and I probably won't do it again... All it takes is some momentum and a low gear. You could probably move the same weight w/a Civic if you knew what you were doing....

[Sequoia2003]

2000lb U-Haul car carrier(trailer brakes) with a 3500lb+ GalantVR4, 2 motors w/transmissions(1000lbs+)

Now that I got the real numbers from UHaul and Mitsubishi, I believe you now.

U-Haul car carrier is only : 1,100lbs
GalantVR4: : 3,300lbs
2 motors w/transmissions : 1,000lbs
-----------------------------------------------
Total : 5,400lbs

[kaneman]

Whatever you say buddy.

[Wiley]

Sequoia2003,

Kaneman's talking about a TRAILER not a tow dolly. And he's probably under estimated the load.

Short distance, low speed, gentle on the equiptment: not a problem.

[kaneman]

Sequoia2003 has some problems comprehending or something.... Anyhow, the trailer was a full size car trailer(freakin heavy and huge). It had sticker that read 1800lbs in about 4 different places on this thing. I just rounded it to 2000lbs because 200lbs isn't very much weight. We had my truck bed slammed with motors and spare parts and even had stuff in the trunk of the Galant. A friend of a friend was going through a nasty divorce and we had 1 shot to pick this stuff up for $500! I knew I was well beyond my limits but I didn't have any other way to get the car and parts. I was very very gentle and she treated me nice. Seriously, I don't know why someone is having such a hard time believing this because I've seen much worse scenario's. My next door neighbor used his little Ford Ranger(2.3L I4, 5spd) to tow a 20foot+ boat. This boat was well over 6500lbs but he was able to tow it without problems by using low gear and being gentle. I'm not saying it's safe but it can be done....

[Wiley]

I knew what you were talking about:

AMC Gremlin with bumper hitch with full size trailer carrying a '59 TR3A. 25-30 miles. On the interstate (but slow).

Ford Explorer (trailer package and frame hitch), trailer, 800 series BobCat. 10 miles.

It's amazing what you can do if you're young, stupid and, can afford to buy new underware.

[kaneman]

Your absolutely right and thanks Wiley for understanding. Anything is possible if your stupid enough to do it..

[ricqik]

kaneman,
About the u-haul tailer, is it surge brake or electric? I am looking to rent one to tow a 2.5RS from Wisconsin Rapids to St. Paul. I've tow with a dolly but not a trailor yet. Just want to know how the u-haul trailor is equipped.

[kaneman]

I believe they were a surge type. I didn't have to hook up anything electrical. If you have a Tacoma I wouldn't recommend towing a car that far.. It's too much stress on your truck.