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Post by danrhodes on Jun 27, 2018 13:16:53 GMT -8
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Post by bigbill on Jun 27, 2018 16:17:46 GMT -8
You control the lift by how much you tighten the chains. You adjust them until the tow vehicle and the trailer both set level. No sag either way.
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kudzu
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Post by kudzu on Jun 28, 2018 11:18:31 GMT -8
No expert here but growing up we had them on our trailers and I always hooked them up when we hitched up. I remember what a difference they made in towing our trailers!
I think you are confusing tongue weight and capacity. Just because they have a higher capacity doesn't mean they won't work for you. Just means you could use them with that larger tongue weight. The arms are like big springs and you adjust it to suit the weight of your rig. I wouldn't worry about the extra capacity. I don't think you will notice any difference and if you get a bigger trailer you will not have to upgrade.
The second one you show has a 2 5/16" hitch ball and I doubt you need that? I am sure that can be changed and I do like that is has sway control. I remember a scary ride before we added that and the new hitch to our. Trailer sway is scary!!
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Jun 28, 2018 16:48:07 GMT -8
Dan, do you have the Tacoma? Have you tried a new set of shocks yet?
Is that 6500# your gcvw? If so a 3500# truck and 2500# trailer is pushing it.
Here's a little experiment, get 250-300# of sand bags, stack them just inside the tailgate. Does the truck drive poorly? If the truck drives badly, the truck is in question. If the truck drives ok, the tongue weight is in question. Maybe more or less than ideal.
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Post by danrhodes on Jun 28, 2018 19:49:13 GMT -8
I had the springs replaced under warranty last year with upgraded 4 leafs. I have aftermarket Bilstein 5100s. The specs are below...I'm well within the capacity of the truck, the springs are just quite mushy. I've had hundreds of pounds in the bed very regularly and it doesn't ride great but it's not nealry as bouncy as towing. I'm pretty sure weight distribution is what I need, just trying to figure out what is best, my usually cheapskate path or biting the bullet and buying the $500 Tim Heintz recommended Andersen hitch. Looking for advice from those who use bar type WD with these light trailers. Curb Weight3960 lbs. Towing Capacity (Max.)6500 lbs. Payload Capacity for Trucks1390 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight for Trucks5350 lbs. Dan, do you have the Tacoma? Have you tried a new set of shocks yet? Is that 6500# your gcvw? If so a 3500# truck and 2500# trailer is pushing it. Here's a little experiment, get 250-300# of sand bags, stack them just inside the tailgate. Does the truck drive poorly? If the truck drives badly, the truck is in question. If the truck drives ok, the tongue weight is in question. Maybe more or less than ideal. |
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Post by danrhodes on Jun 28, 2018 19:51:44 GMT -8
Tim Heintz claims the heavier systems can damage the frame of our light trailers. I think he means accidental backing without removing it, but not sure No expert here but growing up we had them on our trailers and I always hooked them up when we hitched up. I remember what a difference they made in towing our trailers! I think you are confusing tongue weight and capacity. Just because they have a higher capacity doesn't mean they won't work for you. Just means you could use them with that larger tongue weight. The arms are like big springs and you adjust it to suit the weight of your rig. I wouldn't worry about the extra capacity. I don't think you will notice any difference and if you get a bigger trailer you will not have to upgrade. The second one you show has a 2 5/16" hitch ball and I doubt you need that? I am sure that can be changed and I do like that is has sway control. I remember a scary ride before we added that and the new hitch to our. Trailer sway is scary!! |
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Jun 29, 2018 1:54:32 GMT -8
No offense Dan but color me skeptical that a Taco can tow a 6500# trailer. That's the high end for a full size half ton.
I think the 6500# number is the combined weight, which with a 4000# truck and 2509# trailer has you maxed out.
Also 400# spread throughout the bed isn't the same as 259 right at the gate.
This is why I want to make a thread explaining the different weight ratings.
A weight distribution hitch and sway control will help, but I think you would be better off with more truck.
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Post by danrhodes on Jun 29, 2018 5:48:21 GMT -8
I don't believe the 6500 either and would never tow more than half of that. I also think you are blending your definitions of tow rating and GVWR. Tow rating is the maximum weight of a trailer you can safely pull (usually specified with a WD system). GVWR is the maximum weight of the vehicle itself including passengers and the trailer tongue weight but not the trailer weight itself. There usually is not a rating for the combined vehicle and trailer weights. There are guys on the Tacoma forum who tow some enormous rigs, so I know the tow rating is possible. BTW, the owners manual states the following so I'm confident that my little camper is a totally safe tow even as it is....I just want a little more security and comfort. Sway control for trailers >3000lb. Weight distribution for trailers > 5000lb twstatic.net/attachments/3a3ce502-86ff-4839-a413-b59a16f61740-jpg.2759772/Thanks for engaging in this hopefully helpful conversation RR. BTW, after having 2 little kids in the house I literally cannot be offended by anything said on the internet anymore. No offense Dan but color me skeptical that a Taco can tow a 6500# trailer. That's the high end for a full size half ton. I think the 6500# number is the combined weight, which with a 4000# truck and 2509# trailer has you maxed out. Also 400# spread throughout the bed isn't the same as 259 right at the gate. This is why I want to make a thread explaining the different weight ratings. A weight distribution hitch and sway control will help, but I think you would be better off with more truck. |
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charliemyers
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Post by charliemyers on Jun 29, 2018 7:02:23 GMT -8
There usually is not a rating for the combined vehicle and trailer weights. Unless I misunderstand your point, the Trailer Life Tow Guide 2014 in this forum's stickie has a definition for "Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR): The total allowable weight of the tow vehicle, the trailer, the cargo in each, hitch hardware, fluids, and occupants". I'm pretty sure that I've found that terminology in just about every owner's manual of any of my vehicles I've ever consider using to tow something. Save |
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Post by danrhodes on Jun 29, 2018 7:30:40 GMT -8
There usually is not a rating for the combined vehicle and trailer weights. Unless I misunderstand your point, the Trailer Life Tow Guide 2014 in this forum's stickie has a definition for "Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR): The total allowable weight of the tow vehicle, the trailer, the cargo in each, hitch hardware, fluids, and occupants". I'm pretty sure that I've found that terminology in just about every owner's manual of any of my vehicles I've ever consider using to tow something. SaveGCVWR is the addition of the GVWR and the trailer tow rating. For the Tacoma it is rated at an incredible 11,000 lbs which I would be terrified to try. |
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charliemyers
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Post by charliemyers on Jun 29, 2018 7:35:07 GMT -8
Unless I misunderstand your point, the Trailer Life Tow Guide 2014 in this forum's stickie has a definition for "Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR): The total allowable weight of the tow vehicle, the trailer, the cargo in each, hitch hardware, fluids, and occupants". I'm pretty sure that I've found that terminology in just about every owner's manual of any of my vehicles I've ever consider using to tow something. SaveGCVWR is the addition of the GVWR and the trailer tow rating. For the Tacoma it is rated at an incredible 11,000 lbs which I would be terrified to try. But the maximum that you can tow is whichever of all of those ratings is exceeded first. I still haven't figured all of that out yet which is why I tow a Compact with a 3500HD and don't worry about all that.  Save |
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Post by danrhodes on Jun 29, 2018 7:37:58 GMT -8
GCVWR is the addition of the GVWR and the trailer tow rating. For the Tacoma it is rated at an incredible 11,000 lbs which I would be terrified to try. But the maximum that you can tow is whichever of all of those ratings is exceeded first. I still haven't figured all of that out yet which is why I tow a Compact with a 3500HD and don't worry about all that. SaveAgreed...there is also Gross Axle Weight Rating to throw in the mix. A Tacoma is not a bad tow vehicle with a decent torquey engine, I just want to reduce the "porpoising" due to soft rear springs. I'm leaning more toward the Andersen even at twice the price, just because it's simpler and allows you to back up without removing the system. |
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Jun 29, 2018 8:49:38 GMT -8
Dan, reread my posts, I never mentioned gvw by itself. I was particular about using gcvw and stating combined weight.
Charlie's quote is correct for gcvw.
Wow Toyota says a taco can haul a bigger trailer than Dodge thinks my diesel 3/4 can? I've got to find a copy of that owners manual...
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Post by danrhodes on Jun 29, 2018 9:16:10 GMT -8
Dan, reread my posts, I never mentioned gvw by itself. I was particular about using gcvw and stating combined weight. Charlie's quote is correct for gcvw. Wow Toyota says a taco can haul a bigger trailer than Dodge thinks my diesel 3/4 can? I've got to find a copy of that owners manual... I understood you meant combined, you just interpreted the tow rating as the combined which is isn't...that would be a pretty wimpy tow package if it could only pull 2000lbs. It's hard to believe but here is the page for the 2017. The payload rating is total BS as mine bottoms out the rear suspension with even half of that, so I derate the other specs by half just for my piece of mind. The Tundra is rated at 17500 combined! www.toyota.com/tacoma/2017/features/weights_capacities/7560Curb weight (lb.) 4305 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lb.) 5600 Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) (lb.) 11360 Payload (lb.) 1295 |
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Post by bigbill on Jun 29, 2018 10:31:35 GMT -8
I don't know much about new Toyotas but I don't think I would have the guts to pull a 14,000 foot mountain pass in the rain/snow with a gross weight of 11,000 pound. But maybe that is why I am still alive. From what I think I am reading I think a Equalizer hitch will solve the bouncing problem. Also remember that the farther the trailer ball is behind the truck the more the effect of the weight is multiplied. What I think you are experiencing is the weight of the truck switching between the front and rear wheels, in other words the trailer is trying to lift the front wheels off the road. An equalizer hitch is designed to prevent that. I would suggest you visit a qualified dealer or two and get their opinion on what you need and how to set it up. It might be the best money you ever spent instead of buying the wrong thing. Just my opinion.
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