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How do you make your Tacoma better for towing???

Discussion in 'Towing' started by itsatacomathing18, Mar 30, 2011.

  1. Mar 30, 2011 at 5:31 PM
    #1
    itsatacomathing18

    itsatacomathing18 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Jordan
    Oswego, NY
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    06 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Lifted
    Lift kit, 16" Helo Chrome Wheels, 33" GoodYear Wrangler MTR's, Blacked out tail lights, 7 inch Jensen Flip up monitor....
    I was going to sell my Tacoma and buy a Cummins for better towing capabilities, but in the mean time, I was wondering what I can do to it to make it better for towing long distances. I usually tow about 5 Stand up Jetskis for long distances. Would it help to get some add a leafs in the back, and maybe a braking system??? Any ideas??
    Thanks,
    Jordan
     
  2. Mar 30, 2011 at 5:33 PM
    #2
    YotaDan

    YotaDan Dan

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    An aal will help keep the bed from sagging and help with axle wrap. Electric brakes are a good idea. Also upgrading your rotors and pads as well.
     
  3. Mar 30, 2011 at 7:08 PM
    #3
    itsatacomathing18

    itsatacomathing18 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Lift kit, 16" Helo Chrome Wheels, 33" GoodYear Wrangler MTR's, Blacked out tail lights, 7 inch Jensen Flip up monitor....
    What brakes do you suggest?? And what AAL just something from PRO COMP?
     
  4. Mar 30, 2011 at 7:15 PM
    #4
    WilsonTheDog

    WilsonTheDog Kylie's dad

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    Magnaflow 12576 muffler & chrome tip, Westin step bars, 27% tint, Pop N Lock, AFE ProdryS, bed mat, Husky liners, D-rings added, Access Literider tonneau, Pioneer 4-ways all around, GY Wrangler Duratracs 265/75/16, 5100's @ 1.75", 1.5" AAL
    I personally like Powerslot rotors, Hawk pads, and get some SS brake lines while you're at it. That's a pretty solid setup.

    I'm about to do a Bilstein 5100/AAL upgrade myself with the expectation of doing some towing soon.
     
  5. Mar 30, 2011 at 7:17 PM
    #5
    MAXTacoma

    MAXTacoma Well-Known Member

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    If you do a lot of towing go ahead and get the air bags. The AAL will eventually lose its strenght.
     
  6. Mar 30, 2011 at 7:21 PM
    #6
    WilsonTheDog

    WilsonTheDog Kylie's dad

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  7. Mar 30, 2011 at 7:38 PM
    #7
    Metallikatz3

    Metallikatz3 Well-Known Member

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    This ^^ I've killed my AAL from towing/hauling and my rear end is about at stock height again
     
  8. Mar 30, 2011 at 7:47 PM
    #8
    MAXTacoma

    MAXTacoma Well-Known Member

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    I'm in the same boat as you, I put the AAL on to correct the non-TSb rear suspension from bottoming out. It worked great for about a year and now I'm bottoming out once again. I'm either going to get a new leaf pack or air bags so I dont have to worry about it again.
     
  9. Mar 31, 2011 at 1:32 PM
    #9
    DonL

    DonL Well-Known Member

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    I tow a 16 ft travel trailer. When I tow the trailer I also have extra water, tools, generater and I also have a shell. To improve the handling I had the rear spring TSB installed and then added aribags. The difference was astounding. I now have 5100's all around so we'll see if it improves even more.
     
  10. Mar 31, 2011 at 1:34 PM
    #10
    97yota4wd

    97yota4wd Well-Known Member

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    caged, camburg long travel, 50t leafpack (soon to be installed) light rack over cab, 5pt harnesses etc

    x2
     
  11. Mar 31, 2011 at 1:53 PM
    #11
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    http://kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifications.aspx?id=481&scid=0

    400lbs x5 = 2000lbs. Trailer weights vary wildly, but might possibly be up to 1000lbs.

    Still a 3K trailer package is well within the realm of a V6 tacoma. That would be stretching a 4 banger 5 cyl a bit.

    So, if you're having trouble, I'm guessing you have a loading problem.

    Pile all 5 of those on or in front of the trailer axle, get your tongue weight up around or over 1000lbs, and you'll be nose-high-to-the-sky, with ride, handling and control all shot to heck!!

    Once the trailer is loaded properly, the other thing that helps big time is trailer brakes. One extra axle and two extra tires getting into the braking equation makes all the difference in the world. A loaded trailer compounds the natural weight-shift that happens under braking, shifting even more weight onto the front wheels. So it's pretty easy to put on the brakes hard and end up locking the fronts early, and sliding into whatever's most expensive.
     
  12. Mar 31, 2011 at 5:26 PM
    #12
    michaelg589

    michaelg589 Well-Known Member

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    I have a dumb question...

    If one does not have a brake controller, and the trailer does have brakes, will those brakes on the trailer ever be engaged? Does the seven pin connector carry a signal for braking at all without a controller?

    I ask because a friend of mine had his brother tow his 68 mustang on a trailer about 100 miles. He did not have a controller and I told him he was foolish for doing so without the controller. He towed with a 2000 Cadillac Escalade. Small front discs and rear drums. The trailer is pretty beefy. All steel. Dual axle. Not enclosed though. Flat bead I guess. I would guess the combined weight of the car and trailer was around 4000+ lbs. He said the trailers brakes are contolled through the connector. But I didnt think so.

    Whos right?
     
  13. Mar 31, 2011 at 5:32 PM
    #13
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    As far as I know the only vehicle with a built in controller is the Ford Superduty.

    If a trailer has hydraulic surge brakes, no controller needed. But if they are electric you need a controller to operate them.
     
  14. Apr 1, 2011 at 5:50 AM
    #14
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    Splitting hairs... plus the 306 is dry weight so you're talking less than a 500 lb difference from what BJ Moose said. Still only 2,000 - 2,500 lbs depending on the trailer. I wouldn't think twice about towing that with a 4-cyl if it was closer to 2,500+ I'd want the V6 but regardless I certainly wouldn't be considering a diesel... That just seems excessive.
     
  15. Apr 1, 2011 at 7:41 AM
    #15
    itsatacomathing18

    itsatacomathing18 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Jordan
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    06 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Lifted
    Lift kit, 16" Helo Chrome Wheels, 33" GoodYear Wrangler MTR's, Blacked out tail lights, 7 inch Jensen Flip up monitor....
    I think its has to do with the loading. I will try re arranging the skis, and see if it tows better.
     
  16. Apr 4, 2011 at 1:30 PM
    #16
    DonL

    DonL Well-Known Member

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    If your trailer has brakes you either need a controller of it has surge brakes. If you have the tow package then you should have a pigtail that plugs in onder the dash and connects to you controller.
     

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