Towing capacity

[whipkiller]

So I've towed quite a bit with my '01 SR5 3.4 2WD, but usually nothing too heavy. ATV's, moving furniture, etc.

We're doing a landscaping project in the back yard and I'm going to be picking up some material that's a little bit heavier; Gravel, decomposed granite, probably at least a couple tons of each, and trying to decide how much to do at a time.

The material yard is not that far away so if it's working hard it wouldn't be for long, but by the same token the material yard is not that far away so why overload it?

Towing a 6 X 12 Utility Trailer and truck has 185,xxx miles.

What kind of weight are you guys towing (and stopping, ideally) with your V6 3rd Gens?

If I remember correctly, they're rated for 5,000 lbs, yes?

Thanks in advance

 

[JBurt]

Yeah it's 5k. Does the trailer have breaks? Have you upgraded to tundra brakes? Those make a difference. Does the haul to the material yard include freeway?

You'd probably be fine if you can go slow, but if you've got stock brakes, no trailer brakes I'd rather just make several trips. Towing too much can get fubar real fast.

If you've got an auto a good transmission cooler is a must. If you haven't done it yet and never plan on towing again it's still worth the time and money. The stock transmission cooler frequently fails and mixes with engine coolant, then you're screwed.

 

[legokcen]

I routinely tow a race car with mine. It's about a 1300# trailer and 2700# car. This along with tools and other stuff in the back of the truck. She does great. I'm very impressed with the truck. More than 200K and pulls great. Trailer does have brakes, which are a big help. You should be ok. Like the previous poster said, trailer brakes will help.

 

[wc11]

I've towed my 2 snowmobiles every winter without issue (about 1500 lbs)but the heaviest thing I've ever towed is a car on a flatbed with surge brakes.
You just have leave extra room for braking and more time for acceleration.

 

[djskorch]

I also tow my race car. My car is around 1700lbs and trailer around 2700. I wouldnt want to try to go 75 on the freeway but with trailer brakes and the tundra brakes up front, it does just fine.

 

[whipkiller]

Yeah it's 5k. Does the trailer have breaks? Nope. Single axle, no brakes. Have you upgraded to tundra brakes? No, but my undergunned little rotors are warped - AGAIN - so the Tundra upgrade is probably happening soon. Those make a difference. Does the haul to the material yard include freeway? I have a choice, freeway is a little flatter and there's one big long hill leaving the yard.

You'd probably be fine if you can go slow, but if you've got stock brakes, no trailer brakes I'd rather just make several trips. Towing too much can get fubar real fast.

If you've got an auto a good transmission cooler is a must. If you haven't done it yet and never plan on towing again it's still worth the time and money. The stock transmission cooler frequently fails and mixes with engine coolant, then you're screwed.

I routinely tow a race car with mine. It's about a 1300# trailer and 2700# car. This along with tools and other stuff in the back of the truck. She does great. I'm very impressed with the truck. More than 200K and pulls great. Trailer does have brakes, which are a big help. You should be ok. Like the previous poster said, trailer brakes will help.

Wow, RX-7 w/LS, that's gotta' be a hoot! Is the other one rotary? Triple?

I'll probably just make more trips with smaller loads, maybe 2K/per.

 

[danthemanx07]

I tow a 19 foot boat rather frequently. Never have had any trouble.

 

[whipkiller]

So I picked up 3/4 yard of the crushed rock @ 1,800 lbs.

They like to do the material in 1/4 yard increments and I didn't want to do a full yard @ close to 2,500 lbs. w/o trailer brakes.

My guys are laying down the gravel down now, so I'll go get another 3/4 yard in a little bit, and then have just a small load left.

Then it's off to buy some palm trees for our backyard oasis.:bluejump:

 

[Gerdo]

Don't try this at home.

 

[adam2562]

don't try this at home.

i bet that took effort if you encountered any hills lol

 

[whipkiller]

Don't try this at home.

Wow... Tail wagging the dog a little bit?

 

[Gerdo]

Wow... Tail wagging the dog a little bit?

That is a lot of Ford back there. It did squat the 861s a few inches while towing.
It was a short tow, maybe 5 miles. I took back streets to the repair shop, for the Ford. Easy on the starts and stops. Truck and trailer had to be pushing 7000 pounds.