Tacoma for an F150

[mhill260]

Looking for some advice. I have a 2017 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 SR5 Double Cab. It's rated to tow 6400lbs. We just bought a Rockwood 2507S trailer that weighs 5200 dry. I've got an equalize it weight distribution hitch with sway control and a good brake controller. I've test towed a little over 5700 and the truck did well. My Tacoma has 41,000 miles on it, and I have about 5,000 in equity in it if I want to trade it.

I'd like to get through this season with the Tacoma. We only plan short trips, and none of them are through high altitudes or areas with big hills. Then I'll trade it when I've gotten three years and about 60K miles on it. I'll also get more in trade for it or I may sell it outright. I take good care of my vehicles.

Seems like a bad financial decision to trade it at 2 years, but if I need to get a bigger truck to be safe, I would do it. Any thoughts on this?

[n0arp]

What kind of trailer did you pull @5700lbs?

[IdaD]

Whenever you decide to trade the Tacoma do yourself a favor and drive the HD pickup models too. If you can live with a harsher ride you'll get a lot more truck for about the same money compared to a half ton. Not needed for this trailer but a good future proofing measure.

[mhill260]

ib516 wrote:
26' TT with a 5300# unloaded weight and a 6800# GVWR. Hitch weight is about 750#. That'll be a pretty big load for a Tacoma, but for short trips over mostly level terrain, I'd say it'll be ok for one season.

You'll be working the guts out of that Taco if you run into a situation where you have to fight a head wind.

It's 25', not sure if I said that. And the hitch weight is 680. I've already pulled 5700 and it didn't blink. But I agree it's not a long term TV, and not the best one for the job. Just looking to get started before I bang up my bank account again. Still, if the right vehicle comes along, we may go early.

[ib516]

26' TT with a 5300# unloaded weight and a 6800# GVWR. Hitch weight is about 750#. That'll be a pretty big load for a Tacoma, but for short trips over mostly level terrain, I'd say it'll be ok for one season.

You'll be working the guts out of that Taco if you run into a situation where you have to fight a head wind.

[mhill260]

Grit dog wrote:
Didn’t see this one coming! Something new everyday here.
Guy asks about towing basically to the limit of his truck or upgrade?
The weight cops are asleep and he gets reasonable answers instead that “allow” him to tow, since he was asking for the answer.
Then the feller says he’s going to upgrade now anyway!

Bam!

I don't know if anyone said it was ok, and I don't know that I said I was going to upgrade. I had been considering it anyway, I just wanted to get some other thoughts. All of our early trips are short, on level roads, and my truck will be ok till we start filling the camper. I know at some point, I need to move up. I'm really just trying to figure out whether I do it now or later this year. I'd like to hold off, and I appreciate the thoughts.

[Grit_dog]

Didn’t see this one coming! Something new everyday here.
Guy asks about towing basically to the limit of his truck or upgrade?
The weight cops are asleep and he gets reasonable answers instead that “allow” him to tow, since he was asking for the answer.
Then the feller says he’s going to upgrade now anyway!

Bam!

[ppine]

You can probably get away with short trips near home for awhile. If you have to make a quick stop or evasive manuever some time you could have some serious safety issues.

This issue seems to be very common these days. People seem to like larger trailers and small trucks. Of course it is always best to update the truck before you go trailer shopping. The truck gets used all the time. Trailers sit around a lot. I bought a one ton diesel and never looked back. I am still driving it after 17 years and it is the best vehicle I have ever had.

[troubledwaters]

Before you go out and buy a new truck, take the time to read up and find out what you need in a new truck. Nothing worse then spending big money for a new truck and still not have what you need to tow the trailer. clicky
The payload number is going to be the biggest factor you need to consider. And you have to do a reality check to make sure you estimate that number adequately. 250 - 300 lbs ain't reality.
For myself, I had 800 lbs or more of stuff in my 25-foot trailer and over 1000 lbs in my 28-footer (or more depending on whether or not I was taking water with me and how long i was going for).

[n0arp]

It's not about the weight - the profile and length of that trailer will take you and your Tacoma for a ride. I'd trade for a bigger and heavier truck so you have more control over it in averse conditions.

[midnightsadie]

you said it yourself ,it will be safer.we don,t want to see you on the 6pm news.

[Ron3rd]

You might be able to get away with it on a very short trip on flat highway, but I would not pull that trailer with a Tacoma.

FORGET THE DRY WEIGHT, THE TRAILER WILL NEVER BE THAT LIGHT; LOOK AT THE GROSS WEIGHT, THIS IS VERY CLOSE TO WHAT YOUR TRAILER WILL WEIGH IN THE REAL WORLD.

I would go with a properly equipped 1/2 ton as a minimum tow vehicle. I towed the same size weight and length trailer as yours with a 2000 Tundra 4.7 V8 (little first generation Tundra) and it did "OK", but the truck always felt like it was at its very limit.

I later upgraded to the second gen 2007 Tundra with the 5.7 V8 and that Tundra pulled the trailer around like it was a little toy. Any of the Big 3 1/2 tons properly equipped will do the same thing.

[mhill260]

I appreciate the responses. I guess I might have to bite the bullet and trade the truck in on something bigger. It's not the ideal time to do it, but I guess it's not the worst either. In another year, I'll be over 60K and if I'm thinking of upgrading anyway, doing it a year from now vs. now probably doesn't make a huge difference especially if it's safer.

[CaLBaR]

IMHO with a 25' trailer at the weight you are at I would tow that trailer. The Tacoma is a solid truck and as Boomerweps stated the rest of the world does a lot more with a Tacoma than we do here in Canada or the US. I personally wouldn't trade such a new Tacoma for an F150 or a bigger truck even if you would be a few hundred pounds overweight.

[MitchF150]

I tow a #5000 22' TT with a 13 F150 with a GVWR of #7700 and it's "tow rating" is #11,000, but I know that ain't really possible with a TT...

The "tow rating" does not necessarily equate to a TT.. Lots of trailers out there, so there you go..

I'd tow the TT you have with my truck, but I'd really not want to tow it with a Tacoma.....

But, I'm already spoiled with the combo I have, so hard to say..

You've towed the combo already, so whether or not the numbers align, in the end, you are the one behind the wheel and only you can decide what is best for you..

Good luck!

Mitch

[Terryallan]

mhill260 wrote:
Looking for some advice. I have a 2017 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 SR5 Double Cab. It's rated to tow 6400lbs. We just bought a Rockwood 2507S trailer that weighs 5200 dry. I've got an equalize it weight distribution hitch with sway control and a good brake controller. I've test towed a little over 5700 and the truck did well. My Tacoma has 41,000 miles on it, and I have about 5,000 in equity in it if I want to trade it.

I'd like to get through this season with the Tacoma. We only plan short trips, and none of them are through high altitudes or areas with big hills. Then I'll trade it when I've gotten three years and about 60K miles on it. I'll also get more in trade for it or I may sell it outright. I take good care of my vehicles.

Seems like a bad financial decision to trade it at 2 years, but if I need to get a bigger truck to be safe, I would do it. Any thoughts on this?

You will be really close to over weight when you hookup, After all you will have 720 + LBs of tongue weight, and the hitch will be in the 80lb range. and if you carry any thing in the truck, like you, and DW, you will be over. Remember. Every pound you put on the truck takes away form the towing cap. And if you load 500, to 1000lb in the TT......

Well do what you want. But you need more truck.