Minimum truck for 9,000 gross towing

[HamishMacCheap]

I have a 2015 Tacoma with the 4.0 V-6 and I think the tow rating on it is 6,600 pounds.

Up until recently, I towed an equipment trailer that weighed 2,500 pounds and carried about 4,500 to 5,000 pounds of tractor, implement, fertilizer, lime and seed and I towed with my F-250. At times, probably slightly in excess of 8,000 pounds. After I downsized trailer, tractor and implements, to probably 5,000 to 5,500 pounds total, I still use the F-250.

No way I would ever try to tow even the lighter outfit with a Tacoma. It would probably kill the transmission. Also, stopping with the Tacoma would be iffy without a brake controller.

 

[dodge man]

My F150 is rated at 9500 pounds and 1960 pounds of payload. It a 2017 Supercab, 5.0 v8 and 4x4, 3.55 gears with a tow package. If I was towing 20 or 30 miles just a few times a year I’d do it but if it was further I’d want a 3/4 ton. Whatever you buy keep an eye on payload. Not some salesman pipe dream either but the actual truck. It’s printed on the door jamb sticker, learn how to read it.

With every half ton you need a weight distribution hitch also for that much weight. Can she hook that up or are you going to do that for her? A smaller truck like a Ranger or Colorado? NO! Most newer 3/4 ton trucks have a class V hitch and you can skip the weight distribution hitch.

 

[Jstpssng]

stopping with the Tacoma would be iffy without a brake controller

Laws vary by state, but here in Maine we are required to have brakes on all axles if the trailer weighs more than 3000 lbs.
My Colorado manual stated that it needs brakes for over 2000 lbs.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Short wheelbase is NOT your friend when towing. The longer the wheelbase, the more stable the tow vehicle. Think crewcab longbed when towing any kind of weight (or a high-profile camp trailer).

I meant short as in lower to the ground...

 

[HamishMacCheap]

I presume that equipment trailers have braking systems of some sort, most likely electric on lighter weight equipment trailers.

When I mentioned a brake controller, I am talking about the module on the truck which controls the electric brakes on the trailer.

I have never seen a Ranger/Tacoma/Colorado/Frontier class of truck with a brake controller but that does not mean they don't exist, I just saying I have not seen one.

In any event, stopping would be exciting without the ability to activate the trailer brakes.

 

[Jstpssng]

I presume that equipment trailers have braking systems of some sort, most likely electric on lighter weight equipment trailers.

When I mentioned a brake controller, I am talking about the module on the truck which controls the electric brakes on the trailer.

I have never seen a Ranger/Tacoma/Colorado/Frontier class of truck with a brake controller but that does not mean they don't exist, I just saying I have not seen one.

In any event, stopping would be exciting without the ability to activate the trailer brakes.

You can order them with it, or they can be installed aftermarket.

 

[dfkrug]

You can order them with it, or they can be installed aftermarket.

Can you now order a brake controller in a new Tacoma?

I installed one in my '04 V6 Taco, to pull as much as 5000# gross trailer weight. Brakes on leading axle only. Toyota sure makes it hard to add a brake controller. The state sez you must have brakes on at least one trailer axle if over 3000# gross trailer weight.

 

[RayIN]

I'm needing another (used) truck to haul my 7,000 tractor w/implements. Trailer is a 20' PJ, around 2,000 pounds. Total gross is around 9,000 pounds.
Would a mid-size truck such as a Colorado, Ranger, or Tacoma handle it? Or if not, what's the smallest truck that I should consider?
Factor in, driver is 5'2". Seeing over the hood of a Tundra is impossible, so I'm thinking the smaller truck the better.
Any suggestions would be appreciated, short of getting a new taller wife

This online towing calculator will accurately match a tow vehicle and loaded trailer.
Kelly Blue Book maximum towing capacity for every pickup.

 

[bmaverick]

Jeep Commander with the 5.7L HEMI.

You could see fine over the steering wheel and have the muscle to tow like a RAM 2500.

 

[Gem99ultra]

How often do you plan to haul this trailer? Is this an 1 or 2 times per year side mission of the vehicle, or is this something planned for once per month? Does she want/need a pick-up, or does she want an SUV that can also tow this? Also, when we say tow it, do we mean 300 miles and interstates, mountains, or we talking 20 miles on county roads?

Something like a 2012 Expediton is rated for 8200-9100# towing, depending on config. It's probably going to feel like a boat on choppy water though

It's a bit high on a Durango, at 7200#, but if it was once per year, I'd do it, but I wouldn't purchase it for that purpose.

I would certainly use a Ram/F150/Silverado 1/2T if this is a infrequent job, possibly with helper springs or air bags.

If we are talking about weekly towing, interstates (or down town city, that might be worse), mountains, ect; and this is not a commuter vehicke too, consider something like an Uhaul E350 box van. I've towed some pretty heavy Ghel skid steers with a retired E350 rental van, and they are Not fast (this was a 5.4L), but they handle it well. They are also generally very cheap. If this is an all purpose vehicle, commuting, towing frequently, a 3/4T is the answer; or a 1/2T with air bags, and set up specifically for the task.

I'd need to tow maybe a couple of times per year, but yes, we do have mid-size mountains to pass over.
The trailer does have electric brakes. I have towed it with my little 1/2 ton Chevy p/u, without having an electric brake controller. It pulls fine, but you can forget stopping. It'll just pust that little Chevry around like a rag doll. The Chevy is a short bed with a 5.7 V8; plenty of power but not stopping power. It's just simply not an option.