Need opinions on towing w/ the 2.4L

1292 Views 9 Replies 4 Participants Last post by toasty, Aug 6, 2004

toasty

Discussion Starter · Aug 5, 2004

Hello,

I am contemplating buying an '02-04 2wd ext cab tacoma with the 2.4L engine. I am looking at one specifically because I need to tow a trailor with a couple ATV's on it or one in the bed and one in the trailer.

One atv weighs about 550lbs while the other is around 500lbs. The trailer itself would weigh around 500lbs as well. Now, me and the wife in the cab adds another 320lbs and maybe a couple hundred lbs of gear.

All thogether, the truck would be toting around 2,000lbs.

Will that 4-banger be able to tow this amt of weight while being able to get up hills and stop safely? Does anyone have any direct experience with this amt of weight?

I have never owned a truck before..

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Weilden

· #2 · Aug 5, 2004

I started where you are about 5 years ago and my DD is a Cummins HO now, and I'm still looking for more power. I recommend a bigger motor. IMHO

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toasty

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 5, 2004

Yeah, I was thinking a v6 at a minimum but the v6 2wd has the same rating. I can't afford to go up to the prerunner or 4x4.

I have looked at the v6 chevrolets but having owned 7 hondas and never really had a problem, I am scared of going domestic to say the least. I could probably get over it and go for a silverado or f150 but they are out of my budget w/ concern to mileage and year.

My current car is paid for and it will bet the sacrificial lamb for the truck. I will only be towing once a month or so and it's only for the atvs.

I know it will pull it but I don't want to have to strain the hay out of the motor to go up and hills and travel at 50mph on the interstate.

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reb

· #4 · Aug 5, 2004

Another concern that most people overlook is the braking capability of the truck. I think you will find that Toyota specifies a somewhat lower towing rating than you mention unless the trailer has brakes.

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toasty

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 5, 2004

Hmm....I haven't seen anything about the rating being lower if the trailer doesn't have its own brakes. It just says 3500 lbs....

So, is there anyone out there with a 2.4L tacoma that tows anything comparable?

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toasty

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 5, 2004

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reb

· #7 · Aug 5, 2004

Before you buy, check the owner's manual. The manual for my T100 states the ratings as 5000lb for the 2WD model and 4500 for the 4WD. There is a separate caution note that states trailer brakes are required above 1000 lb. Antisway hitch is requred above 2000 lb. It sounds like you don't plan to be much above these #'s, but it won't hurt to make sure. Toyota makes a rugged truck, but the brakes weren't designed for heavy towing. It could be embarrassing for the brakes to fail on a long hill.

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hillbilly

· #8 · Aug 6, 2004

I've never had a problem towing my bike along with a few others. had to buy a different bumper from u-haul (boooo) but other than that its just a little slow getting up to speed. oh yeah and trailer brakes are definitly a good idea. stopping fast sucks.

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reb

· #9 · Aug 6, 2004

For what it is worth, there is a thread on one of the tractorbynet.com forums where one of the guys has carefully detailed the requirements for towing. I don't remember the exact url, but a search on "towing" in the tractorbynet.com discussion forums for threads in the last day will bring it up.

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toasty

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 6, 2004

Thanks reb, I will check that out. Ok, so brakes on the trailer is a good idea. Is the engine strong enough to pull the weight w/o straining the hay out of it? I want it to last at least 100-150k miles or so.

hillbilly, do you know how much weight you are towing? Does the truck strain pretty bad pulling it?

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