Towing Package and Dry Hitch Weight

I just bought my Tacoma in June and still learning about and have read a few thread but my question is how can you tell if the truck came with the towing package or someone just slapped a reese hitch on it.

I have a 2010 prerunner sr5 V6 and it has a hitch and a towing 7 pin (?)connector next to it.

Also what is the dry hitch weight max if does have the towing package.

im looking at Vibe 6504 ultralight camper 20ft,
heres the specs.
Dry Hitch Weight 312 lbs. (142 kg).
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 3,284 lbs. (1,490 kg).
GVWR 3,812 lbs. (1,729 kg).
Cargo Carrying Capacity 528 lbs. (239 kg).
Exterior Length 20' 5" (6.2 m),

 

look for the transmission cooler? it also comes with an "upgraded" battery. honestly, I think if you have both a hitch and transmission cooler, you have the tow package.

 

Tranny cooler is true for automatics, not for 6speed. One option is have a dealer check your vin for tow package (Option TO). Another is a not-Toyota name on the hitch.
Package also includes higher output alternator, and a 27F battery rather than a 24 series, and a pigtail connector for under-dash hookup of brake controller (which you need) - am assuming your trailer has electric brakes.

 

ok ill check and see, i did find one at etrailer for 56 dollars. it was advertised by the dealer as having a tow package but they probably just saw the hitch and added it to the listing.

 

it is auto, not sure about the pigtail, i'll have to look up pictures to see what it looks like, im at work so it'll be later before i can check, will it have 27f on stamped on the battery? and the tranny cooler should be mounted around the radiator right?

 

Tow package includes a donut-shaped oil cooler that uses coolant to cool engine oil. See:

 

Can't comment on transmission cooler, I have a 6speed. Battery should have 27F on it if original equipment. Pigtail came on mine in an envelope in the glove box. Connector to matching dash connector on one end, individual pigtail wires on the other to connect to after-market brake controller. My hitch only has a warning (English and French) to refer to owner's manual for capacity ratings - no other markings. I do have the motor oil "doughnut" in the oil filter base.

 

i do have 2 pigtails in my golvebox but one wasnt marked the other said back up camera.stuck at work 2 more hours, cant wait to find out if its on mine.

 

The oil cooler is probably the easiest item to look for, and it's there for both manual and automatics.

 

I think you're good to go, the unmarked pigtail is for your brake controller (also indicates previous owner didn't tow anything that had brakes).

Most people who tow shoot for 10-15% of trailer actual weight for tongue weight(TW). Really worth having your trailer weighed FULLY LOADED to determine actual tongue weight. Move anything carried in the trailer to increase/decrease tongue weight, if you carry a full cooler load at back of trailer to reduce TW, at the front to increase. The specs you have on tongue weight most likely do not include battery, propane tanks, water tank(s), and sometimes accessories (ie microwave, air conditioner, etc). Some people tow without fresh water (7.5#/gallon) if water is available at campsite.

 

+1... and one not likely to be on a counterfeit.
But duplicating the factory wiring in the underhood fuse box is no walk in the park, so that is another area to look at.

 

Max tongue weight with the tow package is 650 lb, as published by Toyota:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/article_download.cfm?article_id=2643

 

does this truck have an 8.4" diff.? ot the 8"?

 

wow thats pushing it loaded then, im installing a toytec AAL to get 2" list in the back too so i may need airbag helpers

 

Keep in mind your cargo carrying capacity as well as GCVWR.

It is not hard to go over GVWR and GCVWR even when remaining within the spec towing limits.

Trailer tongue weight factors into cargo capacity... A doublecab with 4 adults and a trailer doesn't leave much room for beer and ice.

 

If you have the TRD Off Road package with locking rear differential, it has an 8" diff. All other models have the 8.4" diff.

Why? The trailer's dry tongue weight is 312 lb and the trailer's payload capcity is only 528 lb. Unless you put all the cargo on the tow hitch, you will not exceed the truck's max tongue weight rating.

 

yeah, theres just 3 of us, i figure safely 700lbs of stuff & people - thats the pots & pans, tv, camp chairs ect... i need to pull the trigger and buy it already. If our trucks have 6500 and this trailer dry is 3284 + us & stuff i should be ok, we dont plan on towing more than 5 hours away from here then next year take it to Disney which is 8.5 almost all freeway driving

 

i read my own post wrong, i was thinking of the 8505 model that has a 387 tongue weight and i thought once i put 2x25lb LP bottles on it and the containers in te bed i might be close.

offtopic of campers but i wanted an ARB airlocker and it will fit, i dont have the TRD with the elocker but ARB list it for an 8" front and an 8.4" rear, no 8" option that i saw for the rear.

 

Then an ARB air locker will fit, though the benefits will be limited. (RWD with locked diff typically still gets less traction than 4WD with open diffs front and rear.)

 

Yeah not sure I want to spend 1100 on an air locker just to have a LSD. If I find 1100 laying around I might.

Good news, oil cooler-check,27f battery-check,tranny cooler-check.