Towing Capacity ‘08 Tacoma TRD

I am wondering what you guys think about towing for my 2nd Gen. it does have the 4.0L. We are wanting to go with an 18ft trailer that GVWR is about 3700 lbs. is this too much, or can my truck handle this.

 

Google is your friend boss. If you have the tow package, 6500 lbs. If not, 3500 lbs.

Personally think if that weight of the trailer is dry then that is too much to tow.

 

3500 is the 4cyl 5sp you are at 6500 would I tow that much NO.
I regularly pull 3500 with my 4cyl 5sp BUT have breaks on both axles
What ever you get, get trial brakes make a huge difference

 

The number you really need is on the other sticker that is just barely visible. It is your payload rating. You should be pretty close to 1200 lbs. The more accurate way is to actually weigh your truck and subtract the weight from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Your trucks GVWR is 5450. That means the total weight of the truck, anything in the truck including passengers, cargo, and tongue weight from a trailer should not exceed 5450.

Assuming it has a tow package it will PULL 6500 lbs. But that is calculated with only a 150 lb driver in the truck with no other passengers or cargo. The more weight in the truck, the less you can tow.

A 6500 lb trailer along with the required weight distribution hitch will put about 950 lbs on your suspension. Assuming a 1200 lb payload you only have 250 lbs left over for the driver and anything else in the truck.

In the real world 4500 is a sensible limit so you should be fine at 3700 lbs. if that is the GVWR. If 3700 is the empty trailer I still think it would be OK. You'd just have to be careful not to overload the truck. You won't be able to pull a 3700 lb trailer AND fill the bed full of firewood, a generator or a lot of other heavy stuff.

A 3700 lb trailer wouldn't require a WDH and that saves you about 100 lbs. You'd have under 500 lbs on the hitch and around 700 lbs of remaining payload for gear and passengers in the truck. I'd be comfortable with that.

A lot of guys tow 5000 or more. It can be done, but you have to pack carefully and it doesn't leave much margin for error.

 

Marshall is 100% correct. I have a 2008 TRD MT with tow package and I tow an 18FT Jayco Jay Feather 2835LBS (dry, see my avatar photo) fairly often. Along with me, GF, generator, gear etc., I know that while I'm way under the tow rating, I'm pushing it on the payload. I've even added helper leaf springs, 5100s, and stronger front suspension too(Gen3 take-offs), but this is not an ideal arrangement for other components on my truck, if I were to really push it. Not to mention, my trailer does have brakes as well, so definitely don't neglect this aspect.

Lastly, if you don't beef up your suspension, you'll likely be bouncing off of your bump stops occasionally. Personally, I would not want to pull (and haul) much more than I do right now with my Tacoma.