why so big?

[DeeDee]

Hi all of you wonderful people out there. I have a question about a tow vehicle. Now I have read a lot on this forum and some on the tacoma forum...you can see where I'm going... I was wondering, if the numbers work, why most of you don't seem to think a tacoma V6 with a trailer package and a towing capacity of 6500 lbs could tow a 5.0TA? Is it the speed going up the mountains or the weight coming down the mountains ? Is it just that a bigger truck is going to be an easier tow?
Now I live in southern BC and to get out of my town you have to go over a mountain pass....big passes so I realize that we wouldn't be charging up the hills but I just don't understand, if the number work why not?
Thanks Jill

[steve dunham]

The tow capacity is not the issue . The GVWR ,payload capacity and RAWR are the issue.
Please refer to the recent thread concerning the GMC Canyon. My half ton full size pickup
is rated to tow 10,250 lbs but I cannot tow a 5.0 TA and stay within the stated limits of my vehicle.

[Jubal]

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f1...ghts-5050.html
You need to be concerned with the payload. The difference between the GVWR and the weight of the tow vehicle determine the payload. The 5th wheel hitch and the 5.0TA hitch pin weight add up fast. Although there are those the tow on the edge of capacity. "What goes on in the mountains stays in the mountains".

[padlin]

5.0TA Pin and hitch can run up to about 900 lbs, depending on how you load it on any given trip. Taco advertised payload is 1250 lbs +/-, leaves 350 lbs for anything in the Taco, including the driver. You'd have to take the Taco to the scales and get a real life weight as opposed to what the brochure says. Do they put the yellow payload stickers in the door in CA? might be able to go by that. I wouldn't do it, but would be interested in how you make out if you try it.

[BCnomad]

In addition to the great advice above, its also about stopping / controlling the rig when cross winds, sharp corners or a random elk cross your path.


Also:

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f4...oo-5994-2.html

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by DeeDee

Hi all of you wonderful people out there. I have a question about a tow vehicle. Now I have read a lot on this forum and some on the tacoma forum...you can see where I'm going... I was wondering, if the numbers work, why most of you don't seem to think a tacoma V6 with a trailer package and a towing capacity of 6500 lbs could tow a 5.0TA? Is it the speed going up the mountains or the weight coming down the mountains ? Is it just that a bigger truck is going to be an easier tow?
Now I live in southern BC and to get out of my town you have to go over a mountain pass....big passes so I realize that we wouldn't be charging up the hills but I just don't understand, if the number work why not?
Thanks Jill

Hi DeeDee... I just got up enough nerve to get some weights for the 2014 5.0TA at the Agrico Can. Ltd. scale here in St. Thomas. At risk of being eaten alive on the forum here are the results for our Nissan Frontier V6 Crew Cab 6100lb. tow capacity and 5.0TA.
Truck and trailer/... on the scale 9840lbs.
Trailer attached to the truck...no truck on the scale/ 3840lbs.
Trailer on the scale...off the truck/ 4720lbs.
Our 2007 5.0 and Nissan Fronty... truck and trailer was 1340 lbs. lighter, 980 lbs. lighter on the axles, and 1080 lbs. less trailer weight.
These weights are all ready to go camping... All of our gear, four days of supplies in the fridge, full of fuel, two persons in the truck, full of propane, 1/3 full fresh water tank.
Our truck squats about 1" when loaded and I tow in 4th. gear @ 2200 rpm's. This is a good mpg range. Alf ps. Going in for new front brakes @ 114,500 kms on Wed.
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[DeeDee]

Thanks everyone for all the input. I have a lot to consider. Escape artist do you tow in mountainous areas? and thanks escape artist you give me hope. I am very partial to the tacoma but I need to be keep an open mind.
Jill

[jamman]

Total = 9840, trailer = 3840, truck = 6000 (all pounds)
Per: 2010 Nissan Frontier Specs: 4WD Crew Cab LWB Automatic SE Dimensions
the max weight for the truck is 5816 pounds, which agrees pretty well with the specs for a new Frontier. Although Nissan does not give gross vehicle weight on their US web site, you can add the payload to the curb weight and get about 5800 pounds.

Gross combined weight and trailer weight are well within limits, but the truck is about 200 pounds too heavy - due mainly to the high pin weight of the 5th wheel. This is why many folks tow 5th wheels with 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by DeeDee

Thanks everyone for all the input. I have a lot to consider. Escape artist do you tow in mountainous areas? and thanks escape artist you give me hope. I am very partial to the tacoma but I need to be keep an open mind.
Jill

Hi: DeeDee... We towed thru the rockies eastbound and the Appalachians south and northbound. Not a problem!!!
The Taco would probably require adjustable air shocks on the rear axle. Their rear suspension seemed a bit wimpy even if you have a 4X4.
Our Nissan Frontier has a 6100# tow capacity and only 1100# cargo cap. and comes std. equipped with helper springs!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by jamman

Total = 9840, trailer = 3840, truck = 6000 (all pounds)
Per: 2010 Nissan Frontier Specs: 4WD Crew Cab LWB Automatic SE Dimensions
the max weight for the truck is 5816 pounds, which agrees pretty well with the specs for a new Frontier. Although Nissan does not give gross vehicle weight on their US web site, you can add the payload to the curb weight and get about 5800 pounds.

Gross combined weight and trailer weight are well within limits, but the truck is about 200 pounds too heavy - due mainly to the high pin weight of the 5th wheel. This is why many folks tow 5th wheels with 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.

Hi: jamman... If I lose 25#s and leave my wife and extra cases of beer at home...I'm good to go... and probably stay gone. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[rfs]

Alf, you could stay home, your wife could take the beer. And you would not have to struggle with weight loss. That's a possibility right?
Dave

[jamman]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: jamman... If I lose 25#s and leave my wife and extra cases of beer at home...I'm good to go... and probably stay gone. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Hmmmmmmm. Or your wife could go and leave you at home?

Did you get a weight by axle? I would worry more about overloading an axle than GCW. (Although I am NOT advocating violating the manufacturers specs.)

I think I would just drive it - and pay attention to your tire pressures.

[cpaharley2008]

and stay away from Yuengling light...........

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by jamman

Hmmmmmmm. Or your wife could go and leave you at home?

Did you get a weight by axle? I would worry more about overloading an axle than GCW. (Although I am NOT advocating violating the manufacturers specs.)

I think I would just drive it - and pay attention to your tire pressures.

Hi: jamman... No I didn't get a per axle weight. I always keep my tires up to spec's. Just put new Toyo tires on the truck last fall. Maybe I should add 5-10 #s to the rear tires.
I know we're near the limit towing but I really don't want a big truck. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

and stay away from Yuengling light...........

Hi: cpaharley2008...Yuengling light is all I can take cause the regular stuff is too heavy!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: cpaharley2008...Yuengling light is all I can take cause the regular stuff is too heavy!!! Alf

escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Blasphemy Alf! The regular is a very nice toasty Amber lager. Whenever I'm in PA or NY it's a go-to beer.

Gotta have a beer with some character.

[Don W.]

I too love the tacoma, but the other reason people do not tow a 5th wheel with them, is the composite plastic bed. Special modifications for the hitch must be made due to the flimsy material. I don't know if they still have those plastic beds on the taco, I gave in and got a Tundra.

[cpaharley2008]

My next truck will be this one The New 2016 Nissan Titan | Nissan USA

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Don W.

I too love the tacoma, but the other reason people do not tow a 5th wheel with them, is the composite plastic bed. Special modifications for the hitch must be made due to the flimsy material. I don't know if they still have those plastic beds on the taco, I gave in and got a Tundra.

Hi: Don W... Yes there is still the fact that a special yolk is required under the Taco composite cargo box and over the frame. That's why we chose the Nissan Frontier as it has a steel box and used the same frame mounting brackets that our GMC Sierra pickup had used. We did a direct swap of our Husky EZRoller hitch from one truck to the other. ETI had to lower the hitch head plate one set of bolt holes when we picked up the 5.0TA to level the trailer. Took Dennis all of ten minutes and we were good to tow!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

My next truck will be this one The New 2016 Nissan Titan | Nissan USA

That is one nice truck ! I have had a Toyota pu then a 2002 Nissan pu, always loved my Fords even had a 1956 Ford pu. But I loved my Nissan and miss it , just needed to downsize . I loved how the Nissan handled . Maybe someday. Pat