Does anyone out there still actually use their trucks (20R) to occasionally tow another vehicle?

This may seem like a stupid question, because these are "trucks".....but I still want to ask. Considering renting one of those tow dollies or flat-bed trailers to tow another Toyota mini, but wasn't sure if my 30 year old 4speed or my 30 year old rear end could hold up to the task.

Distance to travel: 600-700 miles.

 

That's quite a haul.
Is the trip flat, or will you be going over a lot of hills/mountain terrain?

If its running good, should be fine tho, If there are a lot of stop and go's its important to be easy on the clutch, and your speeds are going to be a lot slower.
Are you planning on breaking the trip up?
And did you get my pm?

 

The most Ive had in my 1/2 ton SR5 (20R 5 Speed) is about 1500 lbs or 3/4 ton. Never really towed anything, wouldnt recomend it.

 

Well, i can tell you that it has a lot to do with the way you tow.
Mine was used to tow quite a bit by the original owner. he use to tow a big ass bass boat up to arkansas "about 200 miles" a few times a year and it was fine. And I towed my old 89 Chevrolet from Louisiana to Florida 500 miles with my 84 i had on a dolly.made it just fine.
But its up to you and how good you feel about the truck.

If you can, hook up to something locally that is like what your going to tow, and drive it around town once, just to see if it bounces or wanders around on you.

Not sure how much weight is placed on the ball with a dolly, but on a full trailer, be sure you get the load balanced over the axle so it does not beat you to death.
When towing anything, you ideally don't want much weight actually on the truck. you want to pull it, not carry it.

 

the only thing not up to snuff is the brakes.


going over hills just take your time, dont force it to go faster then it wants to, you'll get there in time, just enjoy the scenery.


and use a dolly or tow bar, dont think you got enuff springs to use a car trailer.



couple times a year i do this

 

lollll I am affraid to tow and empty utility trailer with this truck... is the other mini driveable ? fly to it and drive back

 

It's approx. 430 miles each way. Typically a 5-6 hour drive from where I live - in any other vehicle. It will probably be a little longer in my truck, but that's okay.

The Lux I'm looking to bring back has an original automatic (which eventually I'll swap out, assuming I actually go and get it), so I can't imagine trusting that thing to get me home.

It's super clean, and with low miles on it's original 18R, if memory serves. Not crazy clean, like the one SUNSETJOE is eyeing. But definitely cleaner than all the ones I've seen that have come up for sale.

Anyhow, we'll see how it plays out. There are a couple of other rides that are coming up for sale that are tempting as well, and I can't afford them all. So, I'll have to choose wisely.

Thanks for your help guys,