Ive got a 3.0 v6 in my yota. I am purchasing a 5 x 8 enclosed trailer weighing roughly 2,500 to 3,500 when loaded. Has anyone ever had any problems towing a load in the specified range with this engine. Any mods done to make this possible, or suspension additions? New to towing with my truck and I am all stock at this point except for a hitch and wiring for trailer. All info would be helpful. Thanks

 

ive pulled that much with mine. no problem, just dont expect to go very fast.

 

you will be pretty much at max capacity for towing a trailer that size and weight. before you attempt towing, give your truck a good going over: ALL fluids, brakes, lights, install a trans cooler if its auto trans, wheels and tires including spare, make sure you can get your spare out/off and your jack equipment is complete and works.

if you dont know when the last tune up was done, do that. same for the timing belt, nothing worse than having that go with a loaded trailer on the back. upgrade your rear springs/shocks or get that load leveler setup unit.

i know it sounds expensive but the last thing you want is to be out of control with close to 8,000 lbs of mayhem careening down the road and your white knuckles making diamonds out of your steering wheel while your feet do the river dance on the brake pedal!

oh, and make sure you turn your overdrive button to the OFF position!

lee

 

I flat towed my jeep with an 89 yota Xcab pickup a bunch of times and it worked fine. It was slow, and you just make sure you are very defensive, but that is which any vehicle towing something. Mine was a 5 speed.

 

Thanks alot, this info should help me out alot

 

Put new pads on the front brakes! If they have any age on them, the rotors are scored and less effective and the pads will stick over time from crud and rust and be very ineffective. New, thicker, pads that are free floating on new surfaces rotors are a must with that kind of weight. Rear brakes need to be checked too. Do it now and thank me or risk the scare of you life. I strongly recommend a 6x14 double axle over a single axle. That single will jack you around and fish tail all over the highway if loaded too high.

My $0.02

 

In addition to the brakes, I'd be most worried about the cooling system. Install an aftermarket water temp gauge (the factory gauge is little more than a fancy idiot light) and install a transmission cooler if an auto tranny. Don't try to go fast! Back off the speed if you get above 230 degrees F for the water temp, the 3.0 headgaskets can't handle overheating. BTW 230 F still shows middle of the gauge on my factory water temp gauge!

 

Yea i have a 88 pickup with a 3.0L in it and im running 35's with 4.10s and and a 4 inch lift. And this weekend i just got my trailer brake module wired up and pulled my 7.5 X 12 enclosed and it didnt like it that much but it did way better then i thought. My trailer weighs probably about 3500 when its loaded with my jet skis and gear. Im going to be switching the 4.10s out for 5.29s.

Kevin

 

I hauled an international Scout from Chattanooga TN to VA. I was able to keep an average speed of about 65mph. It started to get warm once so I backed off and kicked my electric fan on. Other than that it pulled like a champ. Gas mileage sucked, but what do you expect. I am getting ready to haul another truck here in a week or so.

 

Just make sure you don't let it overheat.

I towed a Honda Accord on a dolly and, other than being really slow, it
moved it just fine.

 

I tried out my trailer lights on my 4Runner tonight, towing my 2 jetskis. They weigh around 800 pounds each, and the trailer, so probably close to 2000LBS. It did just fine, and for the first time, I'm actually glad the speed limit while towing on I-5 is 55, because it had a tough time doing that.It pulled em just fine, though, when I got into the mountains, I had to drop down to 3rd a few times to keep the speed at 40MPH. MPG wasn't that terrible, because the reduced freeway speed kept my RPM's down, I'd say I got around 12-14MPG. Maybe more, maybe less. It did just fine, just don't expect it to be a hot rod... It will feel about twice as slow, or half as fast...but when you drive it next time without a trailer, you will appreciate the power that it does have even more than ever before.

 

Make sure your rear brakes are adjusted properly!

And consider switching your fluids (e.g. Oil, transmissin/differential/transfer case gear lubes) to high quality synthetic lubricants.