phreetogo

Anyone have any idea what the towing capacity for a 1980 with a 20r engine would be?? Thanks, John

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

Are we talking a stock, in good condition truck? I would guess not more than 3000 and that would have to be pushing it. 1st Gen Truck brakes leave a bit to be desired IMO... My 86 4Runner w/22re was rated at 3500..

phreetogo

It has a rebuild with good compression and a newer transmission. Mostly stock. Basically I'm wondering if it can tow this...

Thanks

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

I have got a similar sized trailer (14-16') that I would not recommend towing with out electric brakes/brake controller in tow rig. You could be screwed down hill or in some wind.
I guess take a look at the trailers data plate and see what the dry weight is, make sure the water, holding tanks are empty and try not to load it up with a bunch of stuff.
If the trailer has equalizers on it, make usef of that...Allow more than adequate following/stopping distance if you must do it...I hope i don't see like a jerk but I really would not advise it, but I usually am pretty cautious about stuff like towing...Good luck..

ozziesironmanoffroad

eh it might be able to, my 88 22re was able to tow a camaro full of stuff on a tow dolly for about 50 miles. so a 20r MIGHT be able to tow that thing, but ask yourself: are the brakes strong enough to do it? thats why i dont tow stuff with my current brake setup: they arent as strong as id like when im towin. if you do tow, TAKE IT SLOW and make wide turns.

rowdy235

I'd say no problem as long as it has brakes. If the trailer doesn't have brakes, I'd probably still tow it, but just be really careful and make sure you take extra time for braking.

PS- its a stick, right?

bruzer

I had an 80 yota once with the same engine and that little 4 speed trans. Really light trucks and I would have to agree with most the others guys here about having trailer brakes. I personally wouldn't tow anything bigger than a golf cart with it but thats just me.

4banginRunner

i wouldnt tow anything with my 20R, barely has the power to move itself let alone pulling something

SEAIRESCUE

Your truck is light. Your trucks brakes were designed for a light truck. That camper probably has a weight close to your trucks weight. Now your brakes will have to stop twice the weight it was designed to handle. So, if you don't add additional brakes, such as trailer brakes, I would not tow it. It won't take but one sudden, likely unplanned, stop and you are toast. From experience, towing dead weight is scary. The trailer will push your truck all over the road. If the trailer has brakes, you are likely OK but they had best be checked before hitting the road.

benyota

Not that I advise it, but I towed a 83 Mercedes form the Bay area to Sacramento with out much problem. I did give myself A LOT of braking room, though

smilliehockey79

a lot of weights not fun, and it kills ur gas milage. i hauled 5 one-ton loads of rock one day this summer, about 4 miles each trip, and that was not fun. i used a whole tank of gas in my 81 pickup in the 5 trips, and the suspention was bottomed out, even with the extra 3 inches. get a bigger vehicle if you can...
if you have a manual, it will burn up your clutch just getting moving, i was driving down the main street of my city in 4Low so i wouldn't burn the clutch

CJM

No, you need a 1/2 ton fullsize truck, imho a v8 too.

Ypur gonna tow it less than 20 miles ok you might do, but otherwise no.