towing RV with no towing package

[mcdufws]

I have a 07 4x4 4.0, without towing package. I'm looking at towing an RV that is close to 6000lbs. I am planning on adding the tranny cooler and class 4 hitch (not sure if i need to bigger alternator and battery). I would like to upgrade to a stiffer suspension, any ideas?? new leaf springs and or shocks and coils? If anyone has a similar situation or information please let me know.

Thanks,
Seth

[death valley fan]

Is that the GVWR or the dry weight. If it is the GVWR you should be ok. My camper is 5800 Gross weight but we don't get close to that when fully loaded. If that is your dry weight no way you could get that loaded and still tow safely. As far as the suspension I just have the TSB and will be getting Bilsteins and air bags for the rear suspension. I found the air bags on autoanything.com

[mcdufws]

yea, the dry weight is 5700lbs. I forgot to add I will only be pulling the trailer once maybe twice a year, so there will not be continual stress from towing all the time.

[BrunesDoesTRD]

I'm not sure- and am by no means a towing expert...BUT...Your truck is prolly rated for like 3500 pounds of towing capacity so pulling a 6000lbs trailer isn't a good idea.

The weight rating for a truck is based on so many things- axel, suspension, brakes, battery, alternator, hitch and reciever- so if you are going to put all those things into the truck to take it to the right weight rating then go for it.

And towing gods- Please let me know if I'm wrong.

[chris4x4]

You will need an aux. tranny cooler. That will be the most important thing to get for towing that close to max. A bigger alternator, and you should be good. Providing that your no heavier than 6000#.

[mcdufws]

Thanks for the info guys, yea I was going to add the tranny cooler, hitch, maybe be bigger battery and alternator but I ended up getting a great deal on a heavier trailer, couldn't pass it up, so I will have to get someone else to tow it anyways.

[Ridingontrd]

Originally Posted by mcdufws

Thanks for the info guys, yea I was going to add the tranny cooler, hitch, maybe be bigger battery and alternator but I ended up getting a great deal on a heavier trailer, couldn't pass it up, so I will have to get someone else to tow it anyways.

Maybe rent a truck??

[backwoodking]

Don't forget to think about stopping the load too. That was the toughest part of towing for me. The tacoma engine and drive trains are tough as nails, but the rotors and calipers are too small for a heavy load. Just my 2 cents

[piercedtiger]

Not just the tranny cooler, but an oil cooler too. Don't want the engine overheating on you! Bigger alt and battery are probably added to help power trailer charging systems and electric brakes. Does your RV have those?

Keep in mind the tow package includes a class 4 hitch, 7 pin harness, prewired for brake controller (with pigtail to plug one in), oil cooler, tranny cooler, bigger alt, bigger battery.

You really should have bought it with the tow package. Lotust over on TN didn't and is/was trying to build up to the factory tow package on his own and was up to around $1500 in parts IIRC and that didn't cover everything! Granted, some of it may have been Toyota parts so if you can find aftermarket for less that would help.

Either way, you're looking at laying out some cash for parts and labor if you don't do it yourself.

[piercedtiger]

Here's some info from Lotust after doing what you want to do:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t238482.html

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t213622.html

[piercedtiger]

Ah yes, here is Lotust's OEM oil cooler nightmare.... You've been warned...

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t240841.html

[j4x4ar3]

I caught up to this thread late but from someone who tows a travel trailer that's about 5000# fully loaded you're looking at way to much trailer with or without the tow package. If as you stated the DRY weight is 5700# then you'll be closer to 6500-6700# once you're fully loaded. You MIGHT be able to tow it if it's only you in the truck and absolutely nothing else but there is no way you can tow that if you add gear in the bed or carry passengers. The Tacoma is a very good vehicle but I definitely wouldn't want to go much more than my loaded 5000# weight. You'll HATE the tow experience.

BTW I don't think you can get the factory Class IV hitch after the fact as it's bolted on before the bed is put on. The aftermarket hitches are only Class III and are only rated for a 5000# tow rating. Don't forget that at least 12% of the total trailer weight needs to be on the tongue so for sure you'll be wanting a weight distribution hitch with at least an 800# bar rating.

[j4x4ar3]

Originally Posted by backwoodking

Don't forget to think about stopping the load too.

God I hate that phrase!!!! You must be a member of the RV.NET forums as well because all the "big boy" truck guys say that as well.. what a crock.

A trailer with that weight should have it's own brakes and therefore you need a good brake controller. The brakes on the Tacoma are rated to safely stop the truck at it's GVWR. The trailer brakes are also rated to stop the trailer at it's GVWR. Sooooo a properly adjusted brake controller AND proper driving techniques and you should have no problem at all stopping the truck/trailer even if you're at the max GCWR of 11,100#

[silverback07]

I have a 4500 lbs (dry) 23' travel trailer, a Prodigy brake controller and the towing package. I also have a load equalizing hitch, and the anti-sway controller. But I would MUCH rather have something bigger to tow with, a F-250 or something. Yes it will do it, but its not fun. You always know that trailer is back there.

My brake controller is setup correctly but I would hate for someone to stop short in front of me because I am gonna hit them. Not only does the trailer effect your braking, but it also limits what you can do in a panic situation. You can't swerve off the road, or change lanes abruptly.. you get to go straight.

Just because the Taco is rated to tow 6000lbs, does't mean you should. Maybe a low flat trailer weighing that much. But it seems the big box effect of a travel trailer makes it worse (side winds, aerodynamic drag, etc)

[SamSter0077]

I tow a 4000 Pop-up with a NON-TOW package DC Prerunner.. Every other weekend, for about a year now, 16k miles. no problems, never overheated, voyager brake controller and sometimes I get that feeling like I can't stop in time too.. but You are towing a good amount of weight and need to take distances into account. 5000lb+ and 10ft high would probably scare the sh** out of me...

-Sam