New BX25, Tacoma tow Vehicle, What Trailer?

[radioman]

For only 4 - 6 times a year it might be more effective for you to borrow / rent instead of purchase a trailer. Just an idea.

It might be an idea but I tell you I disagree. For the fee to get it registered is about the same to rent one for one day, plus no hurry to get it back on time. Who wants the xtra stress.

I would not use a Tacoma (at least the one I had) to tow an enclosed trailer or a camper that heavy but without so much wind load it should not struggle too much. Wouldn't do it every day but a few times a year you can always go slower if you need to. I would keep dp's opinion about the mesh gate in mind.

Good point- I have similar sized tow vehicle with same issues you mentioned

My guess is the OP has an '05 or newer Tacoma, but I do agree Toyota is a little generous with their tow ratings. I have a 3rd gen 4runner (had a '97 Tacoma before that), and neither of them willingly tow what Toyota says they will. The 4runner is rated at 5000lbs, but I find 3000-4000 is about max. With that much weight I have to get down to 2nd gear on some of the steep hills.



With that said, I'd be looking for a trailer that weighs less than 2000lbs empty. Something like a 16' tandem axle would be sufficient and allow plenty of room for attachments. The landscape type trailers will generally be lighter weight and cheaper than the car hauler or equipment type trailers. While I don't really like landscape trailers, A BX is light enough that it wouldn't make any difference.

Maybe you are right, but On flat roads, its no problem. with an occasional hills should be ok. Its not like you gotta race up the hills.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Maybe you are right, but On flat roads, its no problem. with an occasional hills should be ok. Its not like you gotta race up the hills.

I think a 16ft utility trailer with twin 3500lbs axles would be fine.Be looking at what tires it came with,some just throw cheap tires on it and not true trailer tires(just cause its cheaper,not always better).Also if it has treated wood or not.The dovetail is only needed on the car hauler if your gonna have an high center problem,but down side no side rails.We have pulled alot bigger tractors on 16ft trailers for years.Also you could look at maybe getting airbags for the rear of your truck,not to much $$$. http://www.suspensionconnection.com/images/master/air_lift_ride_control.jpg
$213

 

[timswi]

I have hauled my BX23 on an 82"x14' dual axle "car" trailer. Can be done, but certainly wouldn't recommend it. This odd trailer was used by a non-profit for parades only...Neighbor bought it to haul his quads, he got it cheap.

A week ago I hauled it on a 16' dual axle landscape trailer and it was perfect. As was said, if you're going to have a brush hog hanging off of it the 18' would be better. But if hauling with the FEL and BH a 16' works very well and landscape trailers can be had reasonable over car trailers if you have no plans on hauling full size vehicles on the trailer.

 

[foreman Etexas]

L3200 on 18ft trailer 16ft trailer

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have a BX 25 also. Bought a used shop built trailer for $400. Heavy 4' channel16' long 7' wide flat bed, single axel. I rewired it, put on a new tounge jack and two rear drop down jacks. I tow with a Chev Colorado which is comparable with your Tacoma. Cannot get brake parts as it is too old. Used a couple times for short tows and it works fine up to 60 MPH. The tires were new but too small but so mfar OK. I can get a new 6,000# axel with springs, hangers, brakes, and 6 ply tires for $800. That is next on my buy list along with the brake controller, and an electric winch to tow on dead equipment. I had two 6' fold up ramps good for 1500# (a little light); built two crib blocks out of 2 X 4s and put them under the hinge, works good for now. I have a winter project to build some new ramps out of scrap metal I have laying around, to replace that.

Here in WA State; any towed item gross weight over 2500# is required to have working brakes and they enforce it if they stop you for something else, so I am currently illegal. By spring I will be legal.

Bottom line unless you are going to haul something much heavier that is all you need. Dual axel is a waste of money then. You need the 16' to accomadate the FEL and BH or the FEL and other implements. My tractor main axel sets right over the trailer axel. You want to be careful and not either have too much tounge weight or tail weight unless you want steering problems. DIY projects sometimes overlook the little things.

Ron

 

[Carl Bert]

Did you look at any aluminum trailers, much lighter? I have a Chevy Tahoe with a 7700# towing capacity. I tow a B26 on an 18' trailer, combined weight of about 6200#, and it struggles. It's a lot of abuse on the tranny and brakes. I recently had to change my rotors. When I took one of the front ones off, it actually was split in half, right down the middle. The mechanic said he never saw this happen before and it was due to towing too much weight. I had only used it to tow 3 or 4 times before this happened.

I wish I had gone with an aluminum trailer. Now I'm looking at a 2500 series Silverado. I believe they have over 14000# towing capacity. Much more capable.

 

[timswi]

Did you look at any aluminum trailers, much lighter? I have a Chevy Tahoe with a 7700# towing capacity. I tow a B26 on an 18' trailer, combined weight of about 6200#, and it struggles. It's a lot of abuse on the tranny and brakes. I recently had to change my rotors. When I took one of the front ones off, it actually was split in half, right down the middle. The mechanic said he never saw this happen before and it was due to towing too much weight. I had only used it to tow 3 or 4 times before this happened.

I wish I had gone with an aluminum trailer. Now I'm looking at a 2500 series Silverado. I believe they have over 14000# towing capacity. Much more capable.

I see the drive train strain...But why were the brakes on the vehicle overworked?..You should be able to slow the tow vehicle with the trailer brakes.

 

[homeputter]

I just assume aluminum trailers would be too expensive. I have not even seen one.

I am surprised your Tahoe could not handle that. With my 2002 4wd Tahoe, I towed a 26' self contained trailer from Las Vegas to Glendale AZ (400miles?) and had no trouble at all. Several times caught myself going 75MPH - way too fast - as it handled so smoothly. I think the weight was about 6500lb. I was very impressed how well the Tahoe ran.
I had a brake controller installed before I left LV, and never had a problem with the Tahoe's brakes. Of course, it did have the tow package.

I did go through 2 transmissions, early in its life, before I towed anything with it and before I was "on per diem" in LV. The first at 18,000 under warranty, the 2nd at about 50,000 which I had to pay for. The dealer did sell it to me "at cost." The 1st was a failed sun gear, the 2nd time it was something else, I can't remember what. The dealer gave me a 100,000 mile warranty on the 2nd transmission. The vehicle has 155,000 on it now and has had no more problems.

My daughter has it now, but every time I drive it I am amazed how nice it drives. A lot smoother than my 2006 Tacoma.

 

[radioman]

I am gonna step up and say- all these opinions is a bit over rated and being over thought. A simple 16'er trailer under 2k unladen weight will be fine for the BX. Airbags are not needed in my opinion. With a dual axle 16' trailer, the BX balances nicely with FEL all the way to front. Just add WD bars and the trailer will sit straight with tacoma.

Look at the facts- BX+FEL+BH=roughly 2600lbs + trailer 1600 to 1800lbs 16'= 4200 to 4600lbs. His tacoma will pull it just fine. Aluminum trailer is nice, but will he be transporting his BX in middle of winter with salt on roads? A simple steel trailer is fine and very useful for other things.

 

[Carl Bert]

I see the drive train strain...But why were the brakes on the vehicle overworked?..You should be able to slow the tow vehicle with the trailer brakes.

The mechanic said the same thing. I have it set so the trailer brakes do most of the stopping, which I was told is correct, but I still had premature wear on the pads and the cracked rotor. If I set it so the trailer brakes are any more sensitive, they lock up. It's a brand new trailer with brakes on all 4 wheels.

I guess when you push anything to its near max capacity, something will give. As another poster said, the tow ratings they put on these trucks, is not very accurate. I believe they are rating them as to what they CAN pull, not what they CAN PULL EVERYDAY.

I will feel much better when I get the 2500. I think it's much better suited for the task.