T-100 towing capacity

[goog1986]

Hi, I've been doing some research online and I can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for, so is there a Toyota trucks specialist here that can help me?

I'm looking for a truck capable of pulling a 2000lbs horse trailer with (most of the time) one horse and sometimes 2 horses (that weight around 1200lbs each).

Now, I want to know what is the towing capacity of a T-100 (both the 3.0 and the 3.4 version)? and if there's not a class III hitch installed, do you know how much it costs (as well as a tranny cooler)?

Thanks.


PS: Do you know if the specs are the same for a 4Runner (1988-1995) and a pick-up/Tacoma (1988-1995) with the 3.0 3VZ-E? or is it different?

[narksuwan]

My 1 ton T100 suppose to tow about 5,000 lbs. When I'm out on the job I loaded up over 1,500 lbs and it still go up the hill fine but slow. I don't tow so not sure the effect it has. You might want to consider Tundra V8 it weight about 4,000lbs vs 3,500lbs T100.

[robiewp]

The short answer: T100s are rated around 5,000 lbs regardless of drivetrain. You really want the 3.4 engine - it is the most powerful and still barely powerful enough. Manual transmission would be preferable if you can handle driving one.

You ABSOLUTELY need a class three hitch. UHaul or similar should be able to provide you with one and install it for less than $300US. I personally bought my own for $150 and installed it myself. You also ABSOLUTELY need an electric brake controller (I recommend a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 - best compromise on price & quality).

Have you towed horses a lot before? If the answer is no, then you really need a heavier vehicle to learn on. The T100 is a very light, underpowered truck, and although it is definitely up to the job, the closer the weight of your vehicle is to that of the trailer the less forgiving the setup will be. If your heart is set on a Toyota, a 2000+ Tundra would be a very good choice, especially with a V8. Even a v6 tundra with the same engine would probably be better than a T100 by virtue of weight and a longer wheelbase. I have personally towed about 10,000 miles with a 2000 v8 Tundra and much prefered it.

I do not know the technical towing capacity of the 4runner or truck for those vintages, but I would consider towing with either vehicle VERY UNSAFE. The "truck" is 9 inches narrower in track and has a shorter wheelbase than the T100. I believe the 4runner is also narrower and has a shorter wheelbase. Both of these factors would make these vehicles significantly less safe to tow with, regardless of curb weight or tow rating.

Anyway, if after all of this jibber jabber you are interested in towing with the t100, you will need to address the tongue weight, either by supplementing the truck's suspension with an additional leaf, active link, etc., or you will need to get a weight distributing hitch. If you have a very light trailer, this may be a non issue.

What kind of trailer do you have and what kind of horses? My wife and I at one time had four but are presently down to one, a dutch warmblood / belgian cross... presently 16-2 and 1,300lbs. Our trailer is a kingston steel frame, aluminum skin 2 horse (standard width, no tack room). It weighs 2,700 lbs. You can get yours weighed at any feed store with a scale.

Here's my setup with a thoroughbred we no longer have:


More Q's? just ask.

P.S., I do have a tranny cooler. Should be no more than $150 parts & labor.

[knj27]

I would steer you away from the pre-95 range if you're towing anything more than just the empty trailer

Not enough power in addition to what ^he said.

[goog1986]

Thanks for the answers.

Yes I've been transporting horses before and our trailer is a Brenderup Royal TC. These trailers are made to be pulled by smaller vehicule (our actual tow vehicule is a 2001 Chevy Venture but it's slowly dying on us) and they also have an inertia brake system, so no need for an electric brake controller. Our horses are a 16.2 Oldenburg mare and a 15.2 quarter horse gelding, but we will only transport the mare most of the time.
I'm not looking for speed or acceleration here, I just want a cheap and reliable truck capable of pulling most of the time around 3500lbs and SOMETIMES around 4200lbs + some hay and other stuff in the bed.

I found a 1993 T100 SR5, manual transmission, very well maintained with 254 000km (158 000 miles), but no hitch. The guy is asking 2300$ negociable. Do you think there's a tranny cooler installed since its the SR5 model? or would I have to install one?

I also found a 1995 T100, king cab, manual transmission with the towing kit and 213 000km (132 000 miles), but it's in a very bad shape (dents, rust, gaz tank is leaking) and the guy is asking 3000$ firm.

I went to see the 1993 one (in fact it was a coincidence, I saw it this morning on the side of a road I use once in a while), and it's in a really good shape! A little rust on the fenders (it's a Toyota after all) but the rest is in mint condition (I looked under it to see if the frame wast rusted, and it doesn't seem to be affected). So, should I go for the 1993 and install a hitch or the 1995 in bad condition? Also, what are the main things I have to look for on these trucks when I do a road test or an overall inspection?

Thank you.

[BamZipPow]

Pass on the 1995 one...especially with the rusted gas tank.

Do you need to have a T-100 now? Can you wait it out? The 1993 is the better of the 2 that you've shown but not by much. The 3.0L engine in the 1993 T-100 only has 150 HP and about 180 ftlb torque. The 4 cylinder that got introduced in 1994 comes pretty close at matching those numbers (150 HP and 177 ftlb torque).

I would wait it out if you could...

[goog1986]

Yeah, I know... but the thing is that we need this truck for yesterday, if you know what I mean...

We'll go check it out, and if it does the job it could be a nice temporary truck until we can find a 1995+ 4x4 with Xtracab and a manual transmission... or a Tundra.

[robiewp]

Hey Goog, my feelings change completely now that I know what you have for a trailer. Any T100 will be safe to tow- if you got a later model with a 3.4 V6 you would definitely have more power to spare. That said, I think you can haul your trailer safely with any T100.

The T100 bumper hitch is actually quite well built. I wouldn't use it as a permanent tow point because of the height, but it is certainly strong enough for a few test runs. See if the guy will let you put a ball on it and tow it up and down the street. The stamp on my bumper states that it's rated for 700 lbs tongue weight, and given the steel reinforcement frame I believe it. Before I bought my class III hitch I put our trailer directly on the bumper and did a 15 mile haul with it - no problems other than the ball height.

I don't believe any T100s came with a tranny cooler so you will likely still need that.

In the long run I do think you definitely would be happiest with a post 95 manual 4x4 3.4 v6, but the brenderup really does change the story. If I were in the market for a trailer one would be my first choice. They are very pricey this side of the border, though...

hope some of this helps.

[goog1986]

Yeah, it helps a lot!
The funny thing is, we bought our trailer in the US, the guy needed to sell it fast because of the recession, so we got a pretty good deal!
We will probably go see the T-100 tomorrow or friday, I'll keep you posted.