Towing travel trailer with partial tow package

I traded in my 2007 Tacoma due to frame damage . Toyota wouldn't do anything about it so I just wanted rid of it. In doing so, I bought a 2008 TRD Sport PreRunner. I specifically asked the salesman before I purchased the truck if it had the transmission cooler, oil cooler, larger alternator, larger battery and could tow 6,500 pounds (I knew what to ask for but not what to look for). He assured me it had everything. I purchased the truck and stopped by the dealer where I bought my camper to inquire about a brake controller. They discovered that the truck in fact, has none of the above. Only a class 3 (5,000/5,500 WD) receiver and 4 pin harness. I called the dealer I bought it from and told them what was going on and they said they would install the transmission/oil cooler at no charge to me. He described it as one item. Nothing else. Am I asking too much to have them install the entire tow package (6,500 lbs) that I was promised the truck had or should I take the transmission/oil cooler and be on my way? Would you feel comfortable towing a 3,700 pound camper dry with the transmission cooler and class 3 receiver with a brake controller? Am I over thinking this? Also, leave the stupid comments out. I know I should have done more research.

 

I'd tow a 3,700 lb trailer with the added transmission cooler and brake controller and not even think twice about.

I still wouldn't let the dealership off that easy though... He sold you the truck under false pretenses. You still won't have the upgraded alternator, engine oil cooler and the resale value that a truck with the tow package would have.

 

If I paid for it, I'd damn sure want it. If they told you it had the tow package I'd be taking it back to have the complete package installed. But that's just me.

 

Thanks for the quick responses. I've opened a case with Toyota Corporate so I can bitch at them (I need someone to bitch at, anyway) and I will be calling Toyota of Knoxville back this afternoon as well. Even if I can't get it installed, I just want to be comfortable/safe pulling something with a partial tow package.

 

Better battery too. And a factory wire harness- this would be my most important requirement. Make sure you are not given a plug and play harness that routes through the rear tail light assembly. The dedicated harness is a must!

 

Update: The dealer called me back and said they really fucked this one up. they cannot install a towing package since it must be done from the factory (their words) so they are looking for a new truck for me that has the complete package.

 

Very good.
I was just waiting for some response before I said anything.
A 4 pin factory hitch is 3500 pounds.
Even if you did all the upgrades it would still be a 3500 pound truck
By the vin.

The 6500 pound tow ability is from the factory only.

 

So now what do I do? My dealer is only offering trucks with higher miles and more money. I owe $25k because of negative equity of trading in my frame damaged 2007 Tacoma. I have about $2,500 negative in it. For $5-7k more I can buy a new one with a warranty. They offered to give me my old truck back but it's got frame damage. I want nothing to do with that one.

 

how much frame damage on the truck you traded in? is it totaled? structural integrity is compromised? wont take an alignment?

 

I can reach under it and pull parts of the frame off. Toyota refuses to do anything about it. I'll post some pictures they took in a minute.

 

They are offering trucks with more miles and asking for additional money on top of it? I'd tell them to go f*&k themselves and call Toyota corporate. Since you have already bought the truck sold to you as a truck with the towing package they should find you a truck with the same options you have now plus the tow package. If they get one with 1 - 2K more miles that may be acceptable, but they sure as heck shouldn't charge you another penny for it.

Or they should offer your a hell of a deal on a new one if that is a route that you would consider. And by hell of a deal they should sell you the new truck for $100 over dealer cost. I mean they got to make some cash, but not a lot considering how they jacked up the original deal.

 

They offered a 2009, TRD Sport with towing package and 10k more miles for $2,300 more.

 

Pictures from my old truck:

 

Is it not in your sales contract that your truck included said parts? The vehicle should've had a breakdown of equipment on it, which would be transferred to your sales documents. If your truck isn't what is on your sales contract and you purchased a vehicle under false pretense then I think you'll have something, but if it was a verbal "yeah, yeah, it's got all that" from your sales guy then I'd ask you why you purchased the truck if the specs detail didn't show that tow package listed and you asked specifically for it.

I would think you won't have much success if you signed on the dotted line on a correct contract and you were mistakenly led to believe something. If the contract is wrong (and not you) then I'd suspect they've committed fraud.

 

I agree. I jumped the gun some. It says tow hitch on the sticker. However, I asked several times if it specifically had the trans cooler, oil cooler, 130 amp alternator and bigger battery. However, I admit I didn't know what I was looking for. I do now. The salesman promised me it had every bit of that. I have spoken with the sales manager of Toyota Knoxville and he said it's their mistake and they are going to fix it. However, the 2009 for $2,300 is all they've come up with so far. I'm going to give them another week or two.

 

They seem to be trying to make it right.
Good luck.

 

My tow package was installed by a local shop. Tell them you want to just go get it all installed and send them the bill. If they don't like that, tell them they can call a local shop and negotiate pricing.

Other than that, can't you completely reverse the purchase under false pretenses and look for another on their lot as if this never happened? More miles + more cash makes no sense. There has to be a reason the other trucks cost more, and if that is the case, they are fairly priced.

 

That's pretty much what they are trying to do. However, Toyota Knoxville has about 4 Tacoma's on their lot and I am looking for a DCSB (FTMFW!) and they don't have any. I appreciate them trying to do the right thing. I don't think me paying more money is it though. I'll give them some more time to find something with one of their partner groups but if they haven't in a few weeks I'll have a different tune with them. I have a 3,700 lb camper dry that I pull once/twice a month and want the insurance of the complete towing package. My local mechanic who discovered the frame issues with my old one said he'd dump that one asap. I did when I found this truck and bought it because I was promised of the towing package.

 

Okay, I was under the impression they had more... Considering they are a Toyota Dealer Ask them to do a dealer trade?

 

I'll call them again tomorrow. I really want the double cab so my creatures have some room in the back when we go camping.