Tow Package vs. Standard Towing Capacity Question

Can someone help me understand the significant difference in the factory towing capacity ratings between a standard (non-Tow Package V6) and Tow Package truck? The Toyota web site says the factory rating for a standard Tacoma is 3500 pounds, and a Tow Package is 6500 pounds. My 2013 Access Cab Baja Edition has the exact same 4-leaf springs and running gear as my buddy’s SR5 Double Cab with the Towing Package, so why the 3000 pound difference? I understand that I don’t have the oil and transmission coolers, sway control, or trailer brake connection, but does that really make a 1.5 ton difference?

To further confuse things, my Baja came with a dealer tow hitch and a 4-pin connector – I’ve been told by several people that this was actually added at the TX assembly plant when the Baja conversion was done, and that all Bajas come this way, but I don't think it matters who put it on. My hitch has a sticker that says the truck now has a 5000 pound towing capacity. Other than the connectors, our hitches look nearly identical…but am I missing some significant difference here? Can I get a different hitch to get up to 6500?

Thanks for the help.

 

Tacoma Towing Bible

Should find this helpful.

 

Add a 130A alternator, heavy duty battery to that list and there is your 1.5 ton difference.

 

The 1.5 ton difference is largely the factory hitch. A non-tow package equipped Tacoma is rated to tow from the bumper where as a factory tow package has a class IV hitch installed. The bumper can only handle 3,500 lbs and a 350 lb tongue weight. I installed an aftermarket class III receiver on my Tacoma and would not hesitate to tow over the 'rated' 3,500 lb capacity so long as you have the truck wired properly and a trailer with brakes (and not to exceed the rating of the receiver).

 

Bumper vs. hitch makes sense. I guess I still don't get the difference between my hitch (dealer) and a tow package hitch. Are they different classes? If so, can I swap to a beefier hitch to achieve the 6500 pound rating - would also add a trans cooler, trailer brake wiring, bigger alternator and a better battery.

 

Yes there are different classes. You will need to check with the dealer and see which class they put on. The class that comes with the tow package is a Class IV.

If you add all the things you mentioned and add in oil cooler to list then verify that they installed a Class IV hitch then I would think you would basically have the factory tow package and could achieve the 6500 pound rating.

 

There should be a sticker on the receiver itself somewhere telling you what the receiver is rated for. If it says 500# tongue weight and 5,000# trailer weight/550# tongue weight 5,500# trailer weight with WD hitch, then you have a class 3 hitch, if it says 650# tongue weight, 6,500# trailer weight, then you have a class 4. I have never seen an aftermarket class 4 receiver for the Tacoma so unless it's a Toyota hitch, it's likely a class 3.

 

If you have a look at the factory hitch you'll see that is also bolted to the bumper along with the frame just a bit more pull and support.

 

With the factory towing package the bumper is actually attached to the factory hitch, not the frame at all

 

Mine came with full factory tow package. Lots of Baja's up north do not come with factory tow. To me the number one thing you are missing is the tranny cooler but it is an easy add on.

 

Really? Think you better have another look.

 

Toyota is not about to cover some one else tow assembly they know what there tow hitch will stand but not what an aftermarket one will. It's not just the hitch either wiring, coolers (trans and oil for the auto) larger battery and alt. I also cry foul with a 4 wire hitch assembly because Toyota says nothing over 1,000# with out brakes and with 4 wires that ain't going to happen does not seem likely that they would call that a 6500# hitch.

 

+1

 

Don't need to look again, had the bumper off the truck last week, (hitch & bumper rusting all to hell) Rest of the truck is in good shape, runs great. I don't think I would put 6500# on that hitch in it's current condition.

 

Well, the hitch I have is a Toyota product - the one that you can find in the accessories list on the web site - and it says 5000 pounds total on the sticker with no other tow package equipment in place when I bought it. So I need to determine if the extra 1500 pounds is due to the other tow package items (coolers, wiring, battery, etc.) or if my hitch is in fact different from a tow package hitch. If it's the same I can add all the other tow package stuff (except sway control). I wonder if the dealer could do this and then "approve" the 6500 pound rating.

 

maybe im mistaken but isnt the 3500lb the towing capacity of the 4 cylinder and the 6500lb towing capacity for the 6 cylinder? And also to my understanding the "towing package" would just mean the truck came with a factory class III or IV hitch reciever. I have the 4 banger so i could be wrong

 

its your hitch, you dont need that sway control.

 

So, If the dealer can/will replace my hitch with a true tow package hitch, I'll get the 6500 rating? I would still add the trans cooler, alternator, battery, and a brake controler. Would pass on the oil cooler, and assume I can't get sway control added.

 

I would say you would be good to go then. sway control probably has sensors and computer and would be expensive.

 

Agreed regarding the sway control, and don't think it's necessary - would be nice for sure, but not required.

I emailed my dealer to see if the tow package hitch is available, and also asked about the other parts. I would probably install an aftermarket trans cooler, as it would be less expensive and probably better than the factory unit. I can source my own battery as well. Ideally I would have the dealer add the hitch, the 7-pin connector, the trailer brake harness, and the 130 amp alternator.