[VAC] Re: Toyota towing

[Patrick Ewing <pre52@xxxxxxx>]

Bob,

Others on this list have replied to your question, ................. and with
some very good thoughts & advise.

I've towed both large & small trailers with both big & powerful & with 1/2 ton 6
cyl. Chev. pickup. I've personally owned Ford, Chev, Dodge, GMC, Nissan and
Toyota trucks over the years. From my own personal experiences I feel that
Toyota builds a rig that's  hard to beat. They are of very high quality and long
lived.

I also know the frusterations of being retired and living on less than when I
was healthy & working. It is most important to make your dollar go as far as
possible and one way to do this is to "invest wisely", and it is a major
investment when purchasing a vehicle. These days one has to be careful about
protecting one's self from potential "troubles" (read law suits) as well. If one
were involved in an accident (even if not your own fault) and your rig had bald
and illegal tires on it you could be held at least partly responsible for the
accident. Now if you caused the accident and had defective equipment you could
be in VERY BIG trouble. .................  Toyota knows what their vehicle is is
capable of towing and manufacturers are usually conservative when they give you
these figures. Your 1953 Flying Cloud fully loaded for traveling ( unless you're
a rock hound) should be well within these weight limits. You should go to a
scale and weigh the trailer to really be sure. Being within the manufacturer's
weight limit specs. should protect you if you are ever (sure hope not) involved
in an accident and will keep the warranty valid as well. These are both very
important issues.

Another issue is will the Toyota be your only, or main vehicle? If it is only to
be used for towing that V6 probably won't get much, if any, better gas mileage
than a good V8. The 6 will be working harder than the V8 will. This I know from
personal experiences. However if the Toyota is to be your only vehicle and most
of the time you won't be towing you will obviously get better mileage when
traveling "solo". This is where the savings will be. If you are patient and
don't push the Toyota when towing you should still get reasonable life out of
it.

Right now I have a GMC 1/2 ton Suburban with a 350 V8, 342 gears & automatic
with overdrive. A lot of fellow Airstreamers have mentioned that this isn't an
"adequate" tow rig. That I need a 454 and 411 or something gears. Well, I just
leave it out of OD when towing and use 2nd instead of 3rd when on steep grades.
It does quite well at 45/50 mph in second because of being high speed geared.
When solo it will get around 15 mpg. ...................... I guess what I'm
trying to say is that there are two ways to look at this as long as your are
within manufacturer's specs. weight wise. One is to have extra weight & power in
the tow vehicle so you can bull your way up any hill in style (then stop for gas
soon) ................ or be an "aware" driver and properly use the gears and
occassionally be patient on the large hills.

A more powerful and heavier vehicle will obviously handle emergency situations
better as well as better handle a driver that is not experienced at trailer
towing. How patient and experienced are you in towing trailers? ....... This
should be of major consideration in making your decision. If you are experienced
at towing, have a good quality hitch and excellent trailer brakes, and within
manufacturer's weight limits and the Toyota will be largely used for personal
transportation as well, .................... I'd personally go with the Toyota.
In fact when my tired Suburban totally wears out a Toyota with a V6 very well
might be my next tow rig for my Bambi and 1947 23ft. Liner when I can get it
road ready.

Sorry if this rambles on ................ I have a cold & a headache. This does
get my thoughts across though.

I wish you well in your decision.

Pat Ewing