Help Please: 5k# tow capacity- want to tow my DK-40 KIOTI

[slowzuki]

Chassis change in 2005 or so for the tacoma truck platform, can't remember if 4 runner was at the same time. The truck got longer, wider, heavier and a higher tow rating with the chassis change.

OK, I'll make ya feel a bit better about your situation......I have a 98 4runner (3500 tow I believe)

 

[KennyG]

It's all about common sense. You can tow more than the ratings if you are careful. I've got a 7K capacity trailer and I tow it with a Dakota 6 cylinder (4000 lb tow rating.) The same frame in the V8 truck is rated at 5000 lb. If I really load the trailer up, I just take it easy, make sure it's balanced and don't go too far. Now, if you are going to tow fully loaded thousands of miles a year, it's a different story.

 

[Coyote machine]

You guys are amazing- you can justify or rationalize most any situation, for instance, ...'it hurts every time when you hire, only once when you buy'!!:laughing: That's funny!!

The Forerunner in '07 has a 5K# towing capacity with the factory 2" installed hitch and a 7K# capacity in the V-8 with the specific engine shown in the owner's manual.

When Toyota gets a Diesel Tundra with H.D. towing package, installed at the factory, I'll be lined up at their door!

One advantage at the moment of having my dealer tow the tractor is they have the insurance and flatbed to do it right. Having a friend do it is more risky to me and my equipment and to them and their trailer.

 

[RobertN]

I was towing, nice and careful. Using a work trailer to move my tractor to a job site. 7000lbs rated trailer; my Kubota at the time was less than 3000lbs per weight listed in the book. Using my 3/4 ton Dodge diesel Cummins pickup.

Well, let me tell you. It was a handfull when the little white Honda Civic cut across three lanes of the freeway, and hit the brakes right in front of me, so they could catch an offramp. Even with a moderate load, it was a handfull. Anti-locks were going on the truck. Brakes were coming on hard on the trailer. I almost ran over that moron; it was really close.

Towing speed limit in Calif is 55mph. That was one time, I was glad I was going the speed limit...Fortunately is was on a straight-away too. On dry pavement.

I had tons of room to the car that was originally in front of me. But that little Civic jut cut right in in front of me. Cut other folks off in the process. Funny thing is, thee was lots of room behind me...

I've run my truck/trailer at it's rated limits. Having had to make defensive reactions, I don't think I want to go over those limits.

It's all about common sense. You can tow more than the ratings if you are careful.

 

[grsthegreat]

I was towing, nice and careful. Using a work trailer to move my tractor to a job site. 7000lbs rated trailer; my Kubota at the time was less than 3000lbs per weight listed in the book. Using my 3/4 ton Dodge diesel Cummins pickup.

Well, let me tell you. It was a handfull when the little white Honda Civic cut across three lanes of the freeway, and hit the brakes right in front of me, so they could catch an offramp. Even with a moderate load, it was a handfull. Anti-locks were going on the truck. Brakes were coming on hard on the trailer. I almost ran over that moron; it was really close.

Towing speed limit in Calif is 55mph. That was one time, I was glad I was going the speed limit...Fortunately is was on a straight-away too. On dry pavement.

I had tons of room to the car that was originally in front of me. But that little Civic jut cut right in in front of me. Cut other folks off in the process. Funny thing is, thee was lots of room behind me...

I've run my truck/trailer at it's rated limits. Having had to make defensive reactions, I don't think I want to go over those limits.

you hit the real kicker. how to stop the load.....

the smaller trucks have smaller brakes. there not meant to stop an overloaded trailer. We've all seen the fishtailing trailers. those are trailers that WAY outweigh the towing rig. lets see them stop that rig in an emergency.

 

[slowzuki]

Fish tailing trailer doesn't always outweigh the tow rig. You can have a tiny little 4x6 utility fishtailing behind a 1 ton dually. You load a trailer correctly in terms of weight distribution (including height) for the type of trailer and you can overload a tow vehicle with little to no risk of fishtailing.

you hit the real kicker. how to stop the load.....

the smaller trucks have smaller brakes. there not meant to stop an overloaded trailer. We've all seen the fishtailing trailers. those are trailers that WAY outweigh the towing rig. lets see them stop that rig in an emergency.

 

[clemsonfor]

If it makes you feel any better, I'm in the same boat. I keep trying to justify getting a trailer (I have a full-size half-ton with tow package) by thinking of other uses I might put it to (besides very infrequent trips to the dealer). The local towing company is typically $75 per trip ($150 RT) for the distances I go, but I hate paying for just hauling...but the economics favours hiring the hauling rather than owning the trailer. Darn!

Well, now I guess I'll just have to go buy some other attachment to make myself feel better.
BOB

Buy a $600-800 car hauler 7k trailer of CL there out there. I bought mine new with the tractor for $1200 a yr and a half ago.

 

[scoutcub]

I was towing, nice and careful. Using a work trailer to move my tractor to a job site. 7000lbs rated trailer; my Kubota at the time was less than 3000lbs per weight listed in the book. Using my 3/4 ton Dodge diesel Cummins pickup.

Well, let me tell you. It was a handfull when the little white Honda Civic cut across three lanes of the freeway, and hit the brakes right in front of me, so they could catch an offramp. Even with a moderate load, it was a handfull. Anti-locks were going on the truck. Brakes were coming on hard on the trailer. I almost ran over that moron; it was really close.

Towing speed limit in Calif is 55mph. That was one time, I was glad I was going the speed limit...Fortunately is was on a straight-away too. On dry pavement.

I had tons of room to the car that was originally in front of me. But that little Civic jut cut right in in front of me. Cut other folks off in the process. Funny thing is, thee was lots of room behind me...

I've run my truck/trailer at it's rated limits. Having had to make defensive reactions, I don't think I want to go over those limits.

Listen to this guy. I've been in a similar situation, where a guy was coming off an on-ramp and just rapidly drifted into the center lane where I was without even looking. I had to swerve pretty violently and brake, with an F350 dually pulling an 20' tandem axle loaded.....barely made it out ok, but blew a tire on the trailer as a result. Something pulling a max load might've been a different story.....

 

[Bama67]

I can speak from experiance here as I have your same tractor (well, a 40hp Bobcat CT440, same thing) And there isn't a snowballs chance in he*l I would try to pull mine with a 4runner. I know the 4runner is a capable vehicle, I had one at one time, but it isn't up to towing our tractors, they are heavy.

And I am not a tow safety **** like some on here. I didn't like towing mine with a loader and a bushog with my big F150 SuperCrew, let alone a shorter wheelbase SUV. The hills were brutal on the way up, and white knuckle at times on the way down and in corners hoping no one one pull out in front of me.

The Dodge 2500 I have now feels much better.

You might could get a lightweight car hauler, take off your loader, and back hoe, and drain tires if applicable. It might be doable with a equalizer hitch, just make sure you get enough weight up front to offset sway. But you will still be overloaded, and whatever you do, make sure your trailer brakes are up to snuff. Good Luck!