Minimum truck for 9,000 gross towing

[Gem99ultra]

I'm needing another (used) truck to haul my 7,000 tractor w/implements. Trailer is a 20' PJ, around 2,000 pounds. Total gross is around 9,000 pounds.
Would a mid-size truck such as a Colorado, Ranger, or Tacoma handle it? Or if not, what's the smallest truck that I should consider?
Factor in, driver is 5'2". Seeing over the hood of a Tundra is impossible, so I'm thinking the smaller truck the better.
Any suggestions would be appreciated, short of getting a new taller wife

 

[nisaacs]

Some info here, on a similar question.

Does anybody tow a 10,000lb trailer with a F150?

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Get a proper truck with a height adjustable driver's seat. It's not possible to not "see over the hood" of a Tundra. Sorry, not buying the hyperbole.

I've seen 5' tall ladies driving dually crew cab trucks, other than being slightly comical to watch them climb in and out of it, they handle the truck just fine. Female in my MOB unit back in the service was 5' 5" at best, and she drove an 18 wheeler like a pro.

It's a mindset only.

A 20' trailer rated to haul 7000 lbs is going to weigh more than 2000 lbs. It's probably closer to 3k. Get your rig to a CAT scale and weigh it to get the actual weights, without guessing on it.

 

[RjCorazza]

9500 lbs is my usual trailer towing weight with an F250, and honestly I wouldn't want to tow it with a smaller truck.
My 12k trailer weighs 2700 lbs empty, and the truck requires a weight distribution hitch for a load over around 3000 lbs.

 

[deserteagle71]

I'm needing another (used) truck to haul my 7,000 tractor w/implements. Trailer is a 20' PJ, around 2,000 pounds. Total gross is around 9,000 pounds.
Would a mid-size truck such as a Colorado, Ranger, or Tacoma handle it? Or if not, what's the smallest truck that I should consider?

Absolutely NOT with a Colorado, Ranger or Tacoma!

There's a lot more to towing than having an engine with the power to pull the load. I'd want at least a 3/4 ton for what you are talking about. I have an F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost - plenty of power to pull. But the softer suspension (even with 10 ply tires) makes for an uneasy drive if there is a heavy trailer hooked to it. I've heard it called "the tail wagging the dog"...gusts of wind, passing 18-wheelers, uneven pavement - and the load is moving the truck around. Why I also have a Dodge 3500 - for when I have to pull a real load.

Only case I could see a mid-size truck would work is if you are going to be pulling only short distances, at slower speeds.

 

[mjonesnh]

Tow 6700 lbs with a 5.4 F150. No way would I consider towing 9000lbs with my F150. I am sure if you look up the tow ratings of the midsize trucks you mention you would be several pounds over limit

 

[paulsharvey]

I'm needing another (used) truck to haul my 7,000 tractor w/implements. Trailer is a 20' PJ, around 2,000 pounds. Total gross is around 9,000 pounds.
Would a mid-size truck such as a Colorado, Ranger, or Tacoma handle it? Or if not, what's the smallest truck that I should consider?
Factor in, driver is 5'2". Seeing over the hood of a Tundra is impossible, so I'm thinking the smaller truck the better.
Any suggestions would be appreciated, short of getting a new taller wife

How often do you plan to haul this trailer? Is this an 1 or 2 times per year side mission of the vehicle, or is this something planned for once per month? Does she want/need a pick-up, or does she want an SUV that can also tow this? Also, when we say tow it, do we mean 300 miles and interstates, mountains, or we talking 20 miles on county roads?

Something like a 2012 Expediton is rated for 8200-9100# towing, depending on config. It's probably going to feel like a boat on choppy water though

It's a bit high on a Durango, at 7200#, but if it was once per year, I'd do it, but I wouldn't purchase it for that purpose.

I would certainly use a Ram/F150/Silverado 1/2T if this is a infrequent job, possibly with helper springs or air bags.

If we are talking about weekly towing, interstates (or down town city, that might be worse), mountains, ect; and this is not a commuter vehicke too, consider something like an Uhaul E350 box van. I've towed some pretty heavy Ghel skid steers with a retired E350 rental van, and they are Not fast (this was a 5.4L), but they handle it well. They are also generally very cheap. If this is an all purpose vehicle, commuting, towing frequently, a 3/4T is the answer; or a 1/2T with air bags, and set up specifically for the task.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Chevy has the shortest trucks I think (as long as you don't care about ground clearance, their frames hang low), I would suggest an early 2000's 2500 as they're cheap and reliable... (this coming from a ford guy but am not brand loyal, they all have their ups and downs...)

 

[paulsharvey]

Colorado, properly equipped, shows 7,700 lbs, but A: the Vast majority aren't equipped to handle that; B: it's still 1300# below what you want; C; even if it is the max tow rated version, it's frankly going to cost more than a 1/2T, or a 2wd gas 3/4T. I know it might vary 200# or so from Ranger to Colorado to Tacoma to Frontier, but none of them are a good choice.

Heck, if Air Conditon doesn't matter, I have (well son has) a 2005 Chevy 1500HD with a 6.0 vortec, and that's a Heck of a lot more suited, and cheaper than a late model mid-sized.

 

[deserteagle71]

Chevy has the shortest trucks I think (as long as you don't care about ground clearance, their frames hang low), I would suggest an early 2000's 2500 as they're cheap and reliable... (this coming from a ford guy but am not brand loyal, they all have their ups and downs...)

Short wheelbase is NOT your friend when towing. The longer the wheelbase, the more stable the tow vehicle. Think crewcab longbed when towing any kind of weight (or a high-profile camp trailer).

 

[HamishMacCheap]

I have a 2015 Tacoma with the 4.0 V-6 and I think the tow rating on it is 6,600 pounds.

Up until recently, I towed an equipment trailer that weighed 2,500 pounds and carried about 4,500 to 5,000 pounds of tractor, implement, fertilizer, lime and seed and I towed with my F-250. At times, probably slightly in excess of 8,000 pounds. After I downsized trailer, tractor and implements, to probably 5,000 to 5,500 pounds total, I still use the F-250.

No way I would ever try to tow even the lighter outfit with a Tacoma. It would probably kill the transmission. Also, stopping with the Tacoma would be iffy without a brake controller.

 

[dodge man]

My F150 is rated at 9500 pounds and 1960 pounds of payload. It a 2017 Supercab, 5.0 v8 and 4x4, 3.55 gears with a tow package. If I was towing 20 or 30 miles just a few times a year I’d do it but if it was further I’d want a 3/4 ton. Whatever you buy keep an eye on payload. Not some salesman pipe dream either but the actual truck. It’s printed on the door jamb sticker, learn how to read it.

With every half ton you need a weight distribution hitch also for that much weight. Can she hook that up or are you going to do that for her? A smaller truck like a Ranger or Colorado? NO! Most newer 3/4 ton trucks have a class V hitch and you can skip the weight distribution hitch.

 

[Jstpssng]

stopping with the Tacoma would be iffy without a brake controller

Laws vary by state, but here in Maine we are required to have brakes on all axles if the trailer weighs more than 3000 lbs.
My Colorado manual stated that it needs brakes for over 2000 lbs.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Short wheelbase is NOT your friend when towing. The longer the wheelbase, the more stable the tow vehicle. Think crewcab longbed when towing any kind of weight (or a high-profile camp trailer).

I meant short as in lower to the ground...

 

[HamishMacCheap]

I presume that equipment trailers have braking systems of some sort, most likely electric on lighter weight equipment trailers.

When I mentioned a brake controller, I am talking about the module on the truck which controls the electric brakes on the trailer.

I have never seen a Ranger/Tacoma/Colorado/Frontier class of truck with a brake controller but that does not mean they don't exist, I just saying I have not seen one.

In any event, stopping would be exciting without the ability to activate the trailer brakes.

 

[Jstpssng]

I presume that equipment trailers have braking systems of some sort, most likely electric on lighter weight equipment trailers.

When I mentioned a brake controller, I am talking about the module on the truck which controls the electric brakes on the trailer.

I have never seen a Ranger/Tacoma/Colorado/Frontier class of truck with a brake controller but that does not mean they don't exist, I just saying I have not seen one.

In any event, stopping would be exciting without the ability to activate the trailer brakes.

You can order them with it, or they can be installed aftermarket.

 

[dfkrug]

You can order them with it, or they can be installed aftermarket.

Can you now order a brake controller in a new Tacoma?

I installed one in my '04 V6 Taco, to pull as much as 5000# gross trailer weight. Brakes on leading axle only. Toyota sure makes it hard to add a brake controller. The state sez you must have brakes on at least one trailer axle if over 3000# gross trailer weight.

 

[RayIN]

I'm needing another (used) truck to haul my 7,000 tractor w/implements. Trailer is a 20' PJ, around 2,000 pounds. Total gross is around 9,000 pounds.
Would a mid-size truck such as a Colorado, Ranger, or Tacoma handle it? Or if not, what's the smallest truck that I should consider?
Factor in, driver is 5'2". Seeing over the hood of a Tundra is impossible, so I'm thinking the smaller truck the better.
Any suggestions would be appreciated, short of getting a new taller wife

This online towing calculator will accurately match a tow vehicle and loaded trailer.
Kelly Blue Book maximum towing capacity for every pickup.

 

[bmaverick]

Jeep Commander with the 5.7L HEMI.

You could see fine over the steering wheel and have the muscle to tow like a RAM 2500.

 

[Gem99ultra]

How often do you plan to haul this trailer? Is this an 1 or 2 times per year side mission of the vehicle, or is this something planned for once per month? Does she want/need a pick-up, or does she want an SUV that can also tow this? Also, when we say tow it, do we mean 300 miles and interstates, mountains, or we talking 20 miles on county roads?

Something like a 2012 Expediton is rated for 8200-9100# towing, depending on config. It's probably going to feel like a boat on choppy water though

It's a bit high on a Durango, at 7200#, but if it was once per year, I'd do it, but I wouldn't purchase it for that purpose.

I would certainly use a Ram/F150/Silverado 1/2T if this is a infrequent job, possibly with helper springs or air bags.

If we are talking about weekly towing, interstates (or down town city, that might be worse), mountains, ect; and this is not a commuter vehicke too, consider something like an Uhaul E350 box van. I've towed some pretty heavy Ghel skid steers with a retired E350 rental van, and they are Not fast (this was a 5.4L), but they handle it well. They are also generally very cheap. If this is an all purpose vehicle, commuting, towing frequently, a 3/4T is the answer; or a 1/2T with air bags, and set up specifically for the task.

I'd need to tow maybe a couple of times per year, but yes, we do have mid-size mountains to pass over.
The trailer does have electric brakes. I have towed it with my little 1/2 ton Chevy p/u, without having an electric brake controller. It pulls fine, but you can forget stopping. It'll just pust that little Chevry around like a rag doll. The Chevy is a short bed with a 5.7 V8; plenty of power but not stopping power. It's just simply not an option.