I believe the book indicates the maximum weight for the pickup and trailer is 9000lbs. Assuming the trailer has electric trailer brakes on at least one trailer axle, I believe this is the maximum legal weight that can be safely stopped. This would also assume the replacement of the stock bumper or the use of a reciever (attached to the frame) for towing weights over 3500lbs. Discounting what can be reasonably safely stopped at highway speeds, what is the maximum trailer payload this Tacoma could pull at slow speeds? Specifically, if the trailer and its payload weighed say 8000 pounds and I were pulling it with my 96 Tacoma on flat ground at speeds below 10MPH, would I wreck anything on the Tacoma? What is the maximum weight any of you fellow forum members has successfully pulled with your 1996-2004 Tacoma's?

Regards
Ron

I have a 14x7x8 ft. enclosed tandem-axle cargo trailer that I occasionally hook behind my 2001 Double Cab 4x4 (automatic). The heaviest I've had the trailer loaded was just shy of 5000 lbs (just over 10,000 for the GVW). I use a load distributing hitch (even though Toyota doesn't recommend it -- not sure why) because it pulls better than a standard ball, and usually run with O/D off per the manual. I limit my speed to about 60 (mostly to keep rpm and engine oil/trans temps reasonable), but with 4-wheel trailer brakes, I've had no issues hauling or stopping, including a couple of trips over the Appalachians.

I'd think that at 10 mph, you should be able to pull around just about anything that doesn't bend the rear of the frame on your truck, or burn your clutch up trying to get it to move. Good luck!

Just for the record ... According to the factory spec sheet for 1996 Tacomas, here are the towing specs for 4X4's:

Maximum Trailer Weight (lbs.)
2.7-liter.................3500
3.4-liter.................5000

Maximum Tongue Weight (lbs.)
2.7-liter..................350
3.4-liter..................500

Gross Combined Weight Rating - GCWR (lbs.)
4WD 2.7-liter.............7400
4WD 3.4-liter.............9000

Thanks for the replies to the post. My tractor weighs 5630 pounds and my guess on the weight of a tandem trailer is 1500lbs, for a total of around 7000lbs.

Thanks again.
Regards
Ron