4cyl tent trailer towing?????

[Gbikerider760]

I have a 98 taco with the 2.4l and was wondering if anybody has towed a tent trailer. The rating for my truck says it can tow 3500lb, the tent trailer i was thinking of getting weighs 2100lbs. I will be puttin air shocks on the truck, and if the trailer doesnt have brakes i will put either the electronic or surge brakes, has anyone towed one of these?? thanks

[reb]

If I were you, I'd rent or borrow a similar trailer for a short haul before buying one. The 2.4 is a bit too gutless for my taste to pull such a load. I pulled a very light (<1000 lb) tent trailer with my '85 and decided to upgrade the truck before getting a larger trailer. I had a light pop-up (about 1400 lb) that I pulled behind my '94 3l V6 and found that to be marginal.

[80toy]

it will be slow, but it will do it. my 20r (1980) towed a 3000 lb boat and trailer, but it was super slow. if you do decide to use the toyota, make sure the trailer has surge brakes.

[Mike-in-WV]

Much of it depends on who's driving it and where. The 2.4 can be a problems if your going over mountains with it. It will be an even bigger problem if you have stick. Mike

[Gbikerider760]

some people say that a stick os better for towing, i know i get better mpg's and have more power than an auto does.

[smasheromalley]

Automatic transmissions are for women and children and handicapped people.



The 2.4L EFI is adequate for a 1400lb trailer. I haul two 500lb 4wheelers on the truck and a ~1400lb tent trailer behind and I run 65mph on the e-way with not much trouble. I have to gas it a little on the big hills but it never needs to come out of 4th gear.

Your problem will be stability (short wheelbase) and brake power. Mines a 1ton dually so Ive got no worries but the point is the engine will do it just fine.


By the way, if you find a source for aftermarket surge or electric brake kits for a little trailer like that let me know. You can never have too much brake power on tap.