MNBOY

I'm looking for anyone with experience towing a large load with a 22RE equipped Toy. I need to haul a large heavy trailer, one time only, and would rather use my truck than rent or buy something. I'd be towing with a 93 4x4 pickup, low miles, great condition, new clutch, well maintained. The trailer is a double axle rig with brakes, weight will be between 4-5k, and I need to get it about 1600 miles. Please don't tell me I'm stupid (OK go ahead if you need to) but I'm looking more for anyone that has done this just to know it can be done. I know it won't be good for the truck, but it would cost a lot to buy or rent a tow rig for this one trip. Thanks for any help.

the_supernerd

Your truck will most likely tow that, but it would be quite a load and over the towing capacity of your truck. Towing it across town is one thing, but towing it 1600 miles is a different story. Maybe if it is all flat it might be ok. I have towed about 1500 with my 22R and it can feel like quite a load up some of the hills around here, but flat ground was not a problem. I would have to imagine that there are going to be a lot of hills in 1600 miles. There are some other threads on here dealing with towing, the following one might be helpful:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/towing-21733/

MNBOY

The truck is a 5 speed, and the first thing I hit in any direction from here is mountains, so it aint flat.

colsoncj

Ok, about a week ago I towed a trailer with my 87 22RE. Mines got 210k, 5spd, newer clutch, and well maintained. The trailer weight was 3300 lbs. I could definately tell the thing was back there, but I still managed to get it up the hills (without having to stop and put it in 4LO). I wouldn't don't know if I would dare to pull more than that. And, my towing was around town, with stop and go traffic, large hills, and some freeway time; so it was a good mix. All in all it pulled it, but you won't be setting any speed records, actually for that matter, you might as well pull over and let that ford festiva in your rear view mirror pass ya :-p

SoCal4Running

I have never towed anything that big with a Toy but have towed a dual axle 3500 lbs camper before.

So from my experience I will say for the trailer: to make sure you have trailer brakes that work, break-a-way brakes, some sort of sway control and to make sure the tire pressure is up.

For the Toy: Change the oil, check EVERY fluid, make sure your cooling system is perfect, if you have oversized tires take them off, check/change your brakes, gotta think about tonque wieght so might consider a helper springs or air shocks or bags, lube your driveshaft, max pressure in tires, check your hitch bolts for tightness.

Honestly I would put the smallest tire that will fit to get every last bit of torque out of the truck.

Hope this helps alittle.

the_supernerd

I posted a link on my first post, but I am trying to find another about "what is the most you have ever towed" or something like that. I will post the link when I find it on here.

MNBOY

I looked at the first link you posted, good info. Thanks. Not sure why that didn't come up when I searched the first time, but I've never had much luck searching on this site.

the_supernerd

I cannot seem to find that other link, good luck if you decide to tow it.

MNBOY

My other option is to buy a friends Ford 1 ton dually diesel pickup and then try to resell it when I'm done. Anyone in the Seattle area interested in buying a Ford in about a month for $2k? That way I don't have to figure out where to park the beast. I just can't believe they want over $1000 to rent a full sized pickup for a week. What a ripoff.

mike_d

this is much better option. you're going to be way overloaded for your truck. you might even be in the illeagal range (i'm not sure though). you really want a 1ton for that. i didn't know that it was 1k to rent a full size for a week! that's outrageous. you may be able to get away with a 1/2 ton truck. is it cheaper to rent a f-150 or dodge 1500? you definately don't want to be towing that much weight with your truck.

mike

roger

Most 1/2 ton trucks would have no problem towing that. If they are not any cheaper to rent, I would buy the 1 ton diesel. Much better for towing. And you should have no problem selling it after you're done...in my experience Ford diesels are always in high demand. If it's in decent shape, 2k is a steal.

quattro

Regularly have towed 4,000+ lbs loads (race car on steel trailer, + lots of spares) with an '87 4Runner Turbo with an auto trans. With electric brakes and a load equalizing hitch it worked very well. Found the cruise control didn't like upshifting after a downshift, but that's an easy manual fix.

I would not attempt it without a load equalizing hitch, or electric brakes.
Your best bet would probably be to assume you're going to be stuck in 4th gear on level ground if there's any wind.

BTW: wind resistance is your biggest problem for robbing engine power. On my '97 SC'd 4Runner I get much better milagetowing the racecar setup than I do my catamaran which can be lifted by two people easily. :pat:

You can probably do a cost benefit equation between 1600miles worth of diesel and the cost of the truck versus regular gas and that will help. Assume crappy mileage to be fair.

obex26

Air shocks might save your springs but who is going to save your life and what about the lives of others you pose a risk to driving a vehicle with that much behind it. I have towed one of those portable rock climbing walls behind my old 85 and that was running 35"s and it was only across town the gross weight is about 4k lbs I sit and think now what was I thinking it would not have taken much for something to go wrong. Dont risk it. Get a vehicle capable of the task.

86toyota

I think you allready got your answer but , my .02 I pulled a 2000lb dual axle w/4000lb on it with my 92 22re 5 spd,4x4 across town ,maybe 10 miles. Trying to pull out in 2high was really hard on the truck and I'm sure clutch. I put in in 4LO, not locking the hubs and pulled it that way, going no faster than 35. I would never pull it 1600miles with your truck.

truck_guy2006

Not sure if this is relavent, but one on the many previuos owners of my runner with the 22-re 5spd. tried to tow a huge boat....long story short the tranny had to be rebuilt.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Liability.

You tow more than your rig is rated for and have an accident, worse yet, injure or kill someone, and you could be in big trouble cause your insurance wouldn't honor your claim(s).