Towing advice needed

[IXLR8]

Hi, I have a Toyota Tacoma, towing capacity rated at 5000lbs, the tractor I am considering, attachements, tiedowns and trailer come to just over 4600lbs. I have passenger tires on the truck, not LT tires, trailer shop says I am asking for trouble and I should put LT tires on the truck. I have the money for new tires if they are needed. Neighbor, who is retired from construction, says that since my towed weight is the same or more than the truck.. I am asking for trouble. Are these folks correct? Am I asking for trouble with this setup? I don't have the money for a new truck so I need to work with what I have. Would the best advice be to just hire somebody with the correct equipment to move the tractor when I need to? It will only be a few times a year, about 50 miles one way.

 

[SnowRidge]

I have a 150 HP four cylinder 4x4 Tacoma. I used to haul a fully loaded 6x10 cargo trailer (2990 GVWR, 3500 lb axle) behind it with no control problems -- once I added brakes. I have never had passenger tires on it.

I assume you have the V6. I wouldn't hesistate to tow a properly set up 5K load with a V6 Tacoma, although I would probably go with the LT tires.

I suggest a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller, assuming the trailer brakes are electric.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Your neighbor does not know what he is talking about. Take my F-350 for example, it weighs 7,600# with me in it and 3/4 fuel but is rated to tow 19,600# or something like that. My F-150 weighs 5,550# with me in it and 3/4 fuel and is rated to tow 8,700# or something like that. I am close with these numbers but would have to check the books. What I am getting at is with a proper hitch and good trailer with brakes you are fine going over the trucks weight as long as you are within the tow rating of the truck.

Chris

 

[George2615]

With the proper trailer that has brakes and placement of the tractor on the trailer for proper tongue weight you should have no problems towing within your trucks capacity.

 

[grnspot110]

I would go with the LT tires, maximum air pressure when towing heavier loads. I agree with the others, brakes on all axles on the trailer & proper hitch will handle up to PU's rated capacity with no problems.

 

[IXLR8]

Thanks for the replies, yes it is the V6. Now you folks have just made my tractor buying decision harder. I had it down to a JD and comperable Kioti. The Kioti is about 1200lbs heavier than the JD and I can't tow it with my truck. But the Kioti is about $4000.00 cheaper, that will buy lots of hiring somebody to trailer it for me.... decisions decisions. If I was going to have trouble towing the JD and would have had to hire somebody to trailer the tractor anyway, I suspect I would have chosen the Kioti for the value. Now I need to rethink this whole thing. Isn't tractor shoping fun.

 

[2manyrocks]

You haven't mentioned what kind of terrain you'll be driving in. If you're driving in flatlands, it's one thing. If you have hills, it could make a difference.

 

[SnowRidge]

Thanks for the replies, yes it is the V6. Now you folks have just made my tractor buying decision harder. I had it down to a JD and comperable Kioti. The Kioti is about 1200lbs heavier than the JD and I can't tow it with my truck. But the Kioti is about $4000.00 cheaper, that will buy lots of hiring somebody to trailer it for me.... decisions decisions. If I was going to have trouble towing the JD and would have had to hire somebody to trailer the tractor anyway, I suspect I would have chosen the Kioti for the value. Now I need to rethink this whole thing. Isn't tractor shoping fun.

Buy the Kioti, and buy a used HD pickup and a heavier trailer than you are currently contemplating. You will regret it, if you go light.

 

[IXLR8]

You haven't mentioned what kind of terrain you'll be driving in. If you're driving in flatlands, it's one thing. If you have hills, it could make a difference.

It is Maine... which means up and down. The more I think about it, I suspect that the Tacoma would have real trouble pulling even the JD up some of the local hills. Going to start looking for a used heavier duty truck, hmmm wonder if I could trade up to the new diesel Tundra... NOT!

 

[john_bud]

If it's only 50 miles and only a couple times a year, why not just drive the tractor? That would save you buying a trailer or a new truck and a trailer.

If you would have to buy a trailer, you may be money ahead paying to have it moved. Might want to determine the costs involved....

By the way, towing 4600# when the truck has a 5000# rating sounds fine to me. You may have to down shift and rev the engine up near the HP peak to get over some hills, but that's within the rating. Should be good to go.

You do need to be able to count on the trailer brakes as the truck would be hard pressed to stop the whole load if they fail. That's just generic advice for most any trailer.

jb