Towing a F.R. Surveyor SP240

[JohnDotson]

Hello all,

I would like to know if a Toyota Tacoma with a V-6 and factory installed tow package will sufficiently pull the Surveyor SP240.

Thank you!
John

[bikendan]

IMHO, that's way too much trailer for your v-6 truck, even with the tow package.

it's 26 1/2' long and the GVWR is 7500lbs.
even though the actual weight on the lot will be around 4500lbs., your problems will probably be wheelbase and tongue weight.

i tow a 23' trailer with a similar weight, with a '07 Avalanche with a 5.3 v-8 and a 3.73 rear end, equipped with an Equalizer WDH.

my Avy's much heavier and i wouldn't want to tow with anything less.

for a definitive answer, we need to know which year, cab, engine size and rear end ratio your Taco has.

also, Mods, this should be moved to the Towing section, not the Welcome Mat.

[JohnDotson]

Hi Bikendan,

Thanks for your reply. I have a double cab with the long bed. Here are some specs that I got off the Toyota website:
2.7 Liter DOHC 24 valve V-6
GVWR = 5350
Payload = 1375
Tongue Load = 630
Max Tow Capacity = 6300
GCWR with Tow Pkg = 11,100
Axle Ratio = 3.73

Does any of this make a difference? I already installed a brake controller, and will be getting a WD hitch.

Thanks
John

[bikendan]

you didn't say what year and the 2.7 is the 4 cylinder size.
should be a 4.0 v-6.
if your truck is at its GVWR, then you have 5850lbs. of towing capacity.

like i said, personally, i wouldn't be comfortable pulling that long of a trailer. even with a WDH and sway control. and the fictional "dry" tongue weight is 500lbs. and your max is 630lbs. you'll probably be near or over that, loaded.

but i also live in Calif. and have towed thru some horrible weather conditions(in the Rockies) and a lot of mountainous areas.

i think that if you really want that trailer, you'll end up getting a v-8 soon.

but as long as you don't overload the trailer, you'll be within specs. that trailer has a huge amount of cargo capacity.

[JohnDotson]

Sorry, it is a 4.0 liter V-6, and it's a 2011. I live in southern california, and plan to drive to Oregon over the holiday to purchase the trailer. Wish me luck!

[bikendan]

make sure you get a good WDH with built-in sway control and not a cheap friction sway bar.

have made that trip many times. the two long climbs will be the Grapevine, north side and the Ashland Pass, either side.

watch your trans temp.

[acadianbob]

you're probably ok on wheelbase (140"). But I don't think you are going to be a happy camper (pun intended) after your towing trip. All that aside, make sure you travel safely. And X2 on the WD hitch. Don't let them set you up with a friction bar . . . get a Reese Dual Cam or an Equalizer.

[bikendan]

John, if you had come here before you bought your Taco, we would have recommended finding the trailer you liked and then bought the truck that could pull it easier.

i almost bought a Tacoma or Frontier until i discovered that the newer v-8 trucks got the same gas mileage as those 2 and could tow more and had more room.

a newer Chevy or GMC pickup can get the same mpg as your Tacoma and tow way more trailer. My Avalanche is rated for the same gas mileage as the 2011 Tacoma but can tow 1000lbs. more.
the pickups can tow even more weight with the same mpg.

[LadyWindrider]

I wouldn't, especially if you have climb any mountains. My two cents.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by bikendan

also, Mods, this should be moved to the Towing section, not the Welcome Mat.

Done deal. Good suggestion.

[08flagvlite]

John, see if the dealer will allow you to do a "test pull" before signing on the dotted line. That way, you'll know what to expect before pulling out of there un-prepared. I agree with the others also, that's probably going to be one difficult pull with that taco. (like pulling with a Ranger or a S-10 or a Dakota) Do people do it? Yes, but it's a poor experience. My 2c. Randy

[baldy]

I'll second all the above.

I now tow with a F150 instead of the Colorado. Yep the Colly would do it but it wasn't fun or relaxing. Yep the Taco is more truck than the Colly but the F150 is just a pleasure to tow with. Period.

Looks like you are about to do what I did so I hope it works out for you. In the back of my mind I knew I would be pushing it but didn't really think it would be that bad. The Colly is not a TV. Maybe the Taco is. I can't say, never owned one, just putting my 2¢ in.

Wish I could do that trip!!