Towing limit

[CajunRider]

I have a Toyota Tundra that has a listed towing capacity of 7000 lb. I have a Big Tex trailer model 10EQ that weighs 2350 lb. My tractor is a Kioti DK45 with FEL. Without the box blade or cutter, I think I am very close to the towing capacity limit already. What kind of problem will I have if I choose to tow 1000 lb more than the listed towing capacity.

BTW I am towing in flat land country. No appreciable hill of any kind.

Thanks for the help,

 

[schmism]

breaks are your biggest concern.

what year tundra? i know the early years lots of guys reported warping front roters when towing heavy loads. (they upgraded them in later years)

a weight distrubuting hitch and a good trailer break controler will do ya lots of good. With the auto tranny your gonna want an aux cooler and a trans temp gauge.

for more informed tundra feedback check out the tundrasolutions forum

Tundra Solutions is where you can research, discuss, price and repair your Toyota, Scion or Lexus

 

[Bird]

What kind of problem will I have if I choose to tow 1000 lb more than the listed towing capacity.

Is that a loaded question? Obviously, the only sensible thing for anyone to tell you is DON'T DO IT! But that's not to say that many of us haven't done it or that it's anything unusual. So . . . ., just a few points for you to consider:
1) When a truck manufacturer establishes their tow rating they don't know whether you live in Louisiana and will be towing only at 30 mph on flat level ground, or whether you live in Colorado and will be towing over the Rocky Mountains at 70 mph, or something in between.
2)tthe tow rating is based not only on what you can pull, but also what you can stop. The truck manufacturer doesn't know whether your trailer has brakes or not.
3) Excessive loads can cause an engine and transmission (or even the differential) to overheat, but again, the truck manufacturer doesn't know whether you're going to be towing in Texas in the summer or Alaska in the winter.
4) Some, but not all, states may stop you and might issue a citation if you're overweight, but it's been my experience that they almost never stop a personal vehicle; only commercial vehicles.
5) In the event you are involved in an accident, especially one that is your fault, your liability may be increased if you're found to be overweight.
6) Since the truck manufacturer didn't know all the things previously mentioned about your trailer and towing, you can bet they built it at least a little "cushion".
7) The truck manufacturer also didn't know how much or what kind of experience and/or training the driver will have had prior to pulling a heavy trailer.

If you don't overheat the engine or transmission, you won't hurt the truck by pulling more than it's rated for, but there may or may not be other reasons for staying within the rated limits.

 

[CajunRider]

2006 V8 DoubleCab. I do have a transmission oil cooler.

The trailer has dual axles with electric brake on both. I have a good brake controller installed and tested by the trailer dealer.

 

[CajunRider]

5) In the event you are involved in an accident, especially one that is your fault, your liability may be increased if you're found to be overweight.

Oh my, I'm gonna be in trouble with this one.

I've taken care of the transmission oil cooler & the brake issue. I guess I'll just be towing slowly.

 

[KrumpsBrother]

Do you have to go over that big %$# bridge over the ship channel in L.C. on I10??

KB

 

[CajunRider]

Do you have to go over that big %$# bridge over the ship channel in L.C. on I10??

KB

Oh no. I'll most definitely use a much bigger truck if I were to tow my tractor over that bridge.

 

[john_bud]

2006 V8 DoubleCab. I do have a transmission oil cooler.

The trailer has dual axles with electric brake on both. I have a good brake controller installed and tested by the trailer dealer.

I have yet to get a trailer from a dealer that had the breaks adjusted correctly. Heck my current trailer had one that would lock up tight and the other 3 wouldn't even start to drag. Not to mention the u-bolts that hold the axles weren't torqued.

Read the book and adjust the breaks. Then when you hit the breaks, don't just feather them, use them. Otherwise you run the risk of the trailer stopping both itself and the truck. THat will heat the breaks up a lot and in severe cases even smoke the bearings.

I have to watch that no mine and I do have a new tenkosha controller.

jb

 

[Builder]

I have a Toyota Tundra that has a listed towing capacity of 7000 lb. I have a Big Tex trailer model 10EQ that weighs 2350 lb. My tractor is a Kioti DK45 with FEL. Without the box blade or cutter, I think I am very close to the towing capacity limit already. What kind of problem will I have if I choose to tow 1000 lb more than the listed towing capacity.

BTW I am towing in flat land country. No appreciable hill of any kind.

Thanks for the help,

Why don't you just take the trailer & tractor to a scale so you know for sure if you're overweight?I'm pretty sure you are, but it would be nice to make sure.
I'm assuming you have a bumper-pull trailer.
My advice if you're overweight would be to change to a 5th wheel trailer if Toyota shows a higher capacity for 5th wheel towing. Most trucks can tow quite a bit more off a 5th wheel than a bumper pull.. You should be able to trade your bumper pull trailer in on a 5th wheel without too much expense. Otherwise, you're looking at a bigger truck or having someone else transport it for you.

 

[machmeter62]

I have yet to get a trailer from a dealer that had the breaks adjusted correctly. Heck my current trailer had one that would lock up tight and the other 3 wouldn't even start to drag. Not to mention the u-bolts that hold the axles weren't torqued.

Read the book and adjust the breaks. Then when you hit the breaks, don't just feather them, use them. Otherwise you run the risk of the trailer stopping both itself and the truck. THat will heat the breaks up a lot and in severe cases even smoke the bearings.

I have to watch that no mine and I do have a new tenkosha controller.

jb

This is my opinion only: the best brake controller I have is a "surge" one on a large boat trailer with double axles with disc brakes on all four wheels. I was told the master cylinder is off the vintage 55' Ford pickups, and is still in production? The master cylinders are new and not rebuilt. Anyway, it is a pleasure to tow!

 

[john_bud]

Machmeter62,

I have to agree with you. I also have a boat (23' cuddy cabin I/O 350 chev) and it tows great with the surge brakes. In fact, I can stop in less distance towing it that when the truck is empty. It's just much cheaper to make a trailer with electrical brakes than hydraulic.

Although, when a brake tube rusted and ruptured - it was a bit exciting! Glad I was towing it with a 1 ton suburban 454.

jb

 

[dwmaster]

When I hook on to my boat my gcvw is real close to 40,000 lbs. The trailer is about 8,000 and the boat is about 22,000. My 3/4 ton Dodge does fine, as long as I keep the speed down (below 40 mph) in case I need to Stop. I had the Highway Patrol put it on scales to make sure it was a legal load, it was. I just raised my gcvw up on my registration to 40,000 lbs.

My new pickup has a jake brake. I need to pull the boat about 40 miles next week so I'll see how that works.

 

[DavesTractor]

When I hook on to my boat my gcvw is real close to 40,000 lbs. The trailer is about 8,000 and the boat is about 22,000. My 3/4 ton Dodge does fine, as long as I keep the speed down (below 40 mph) in case I need to Stop. I had the Highway Patrol put it on scales to make sure it was a legal load, it was. I just raised my gcvw up on my registration to 40,000 lbs.

My new pickup has a jake brake. I need to pull the boat about 40 miles next week so I'll see how that works.

DWMASTER, that is not a boat, it's a ship.

 

[RobertN]

Make sure you have a weight distributing hitch; your truck/hitch probably specs that for 5000lbs+. Make sure your brakes work PERFECT. Take it easy, and go slow.

Even if you do, there's always some goober who will cut in front of you, hit the brakes, and make a turn. Had that happen a few times now, hauling my camper and while hauling the tractor.

Can tell you for sure after towing with a 1/2 ton, and then a 3/4 ton, that load will push you around a bit. That does not matter is tundra, Titan, F150, Ram 1500, GM 1500. Still a lighter truck.

I have a Toyota Tundra that has a listed towing capacity of 7000 lb. I have a Big Tex trailer model 10EQ that weighs 2350 lb. My tractor is a Kioti DK45 with FEL. Without the box blade or cutter, I think I am very close to the towing capacity limit already. What kind of problem will I have if I choose to tow 1000 lb more than the listed towing capacity.

BTW I am towing in flat land country. No appreciable hill of any kind.

Thanks for the help,

 

[dwmaster]

When I move the Boat it is 18 feet wide so I have escorts front and back with radio comunication so I know whats going on around me all the time.

 

[AlanB]

I have surge brakes on my equipment trailer, and would gladly trade for standard electrics.

When you are in a hilly or mountainous area, your brakes are constantly being applied / dragged and there is nothing to do about it.

When I run over Monteagle Mountain, you can bet my brakes are smoking at the bottom.

For me, I would much rather have the electric, and have full control.

 

[dwmaster]

The new Dodge has a Jake Brake Standard. As fas as I Could tell from my test drive it is going to work pretty well. I historicly have gon through allot of brake pads. I pull trailers all the time, so the Jake brake is going to be great. Without a trailer I could bring the pickup from 65 to 10 very fast without any use of the breaks.

I'll get the pickup on Monday so we'll see.

 

[machmeter62]

Machmeter62,

I have to agree with you. I also have a boat (23' cuddy cabin I/O 350 chev) and it tows great with the surge brakes. In fact, I can stop in less distance towing it that when the truck is empty. It's just much cheaper to make a trailer with electrical brakes than hydraulic.

Although, when a brake tube rusted and ruptured - it was a bit exciting! Glad I was towing it with a 1 ton suburban 454.

jb

"JB": Thanx for the info on trailer brakes; for some reason with an electric controller, additional wiring, and etc., I assumed the electric brake would cost more? Anyway, I purchased the boat and trailer new (EZ LOADER) and it came with the surge brakes. I also tow with a one ton 92' Ford dually 7.3 liter diesel with a "Banks Turbo" because of the high altitudes (7500') going over the Sierra Mtn. passes in No. Calif. I also installed a pyrometer and boost gauge to prevent "piston melt-down" if you exceed 1000 degrees F. on the climb. I also have an exhaust brake that is a PITA, and requires frequent cleaning of the soot/carbon build-up; the truck is low mileage for a diesel with less than 100k miles now. The exhaust valve has stuck closed a couple of times!!

 

[X24]

I have a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 with a HEMI, 4x4, auto trans, trailer tow pkg. and brake control. The truck weighs 5350lbs. My trailer is a tandem axle with brakes on both axles rated to 7000lbs with a 2 5/16" ball, 14' long X 7' wide and a wood deck. Very heavy duty frame. The trailer weighs 1820lbs. I have a CAT 302.5 mini excavator which is listed at weighing 5762lbs. That puts me at 7582lbs total trailer weight and 582lbs over the limit. Will I be ok here? I know the trailer will hold it and according to dodge my truck can tow 8700lbs.

I'm pretty sure I will need to get a weight distribution hitch, correct? Any suggestions for one and cost of one? Anything else I might need to have. I want to be safe here. I realize if I get weighed or in an accident I will be screwed, but other than that what else should I look out for? I am experienced with pulling a trailer, just never pulled more than 5000lbs with my truck and trailer combo before. Thanks.

 

[wushaw]

You can do it...ya just have to be carefull and take it slower than what you did before with your previous towing experience.

Here is a site with weight distrubition hitches that will give you a good idea of cost.
Weight Distribution Hitch