The Tacoma Towing Bible

[boydg2106]

Thank you Adam for the input!! I was really hoping you would tell me to install a relay and all would work well. I guess I outsmarted myself assuming the plug would be live. I'll wire it as per the bible...thanks again.
Gary

[boydg2106]

Originally Posted by Roland

I'm buying a hitch so that when I find my next daysailer I'll be ready to bring it home. Maverick's link for the hidden hitch via etrailer.com has a good price and with a $150 purchase offers free shipping (savings of $30.06). On the purchase page they recommend this wiring adapter for 39.95. Has anyone bought it while ordering a hitch?

Figuring in the savings on shipping it ends up costing 10 bucks vs. 50 for the hoppy adapter. Opinions?

Thanks for all the towing info Maverick!

If anyone needs one of the wiring harnesses for brakes there is one on eBay for $0.99 and $5.00 shipping http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&it em=300270260253
I went with a genuine trailer hitch with 7 pin connector used from eBay $129 it bolts up really nice. I also decided on the genuine Toyota harness it's $92 but it includes a relay and flasher and fits really slick. Also all the connections are made behind the kick panel...very important here in the frozen north with all the salt on the roads. Also the hitch and wiring harness say not for x-runner but they work perfectly?? Thanks again for your help.

[Roland]

Today I installed the hitch. It took me a couple hours but that was because the idiots at the body shop that replaced the bumper after I was tapped last year screwed things up. 'nuf said about that because the hitch is in place and my bumper is finally square and level.

I was going to install the Hoppy wiring harness but the connecters are not where I expected to find them from looking at Hoppy's install diagram. I was cold, tired and a bit irritated about the bumper issues so I stopped before screwing something up.
From poking around it looks like the connecters must be up behind the tail lights and I'll have to remove the lights to get at them. Is this correct?

[maverick491]

Originally Posted by Roland

Today I installed the hitch. It took me a couple hours but that was because the idiots at the body shop that replaced the bumper after I was tapped last year screwed things up. 'nuf said about that because the hitch is in place and my bumper is finally square and level.

I was going to install the Hoppy wiring harness but the connecters are not where I expected to find them from looking at Hoppy's install diagram. I was cold, tired and a bit irritated about the bumper issues so I stopped before screwing something up.
From poking around it looks like the connecters must be up behind the tail lights and I'll have to remove the lights to get at them. Is this correct?

Yes. The Hoppy connectors essentially plug in place between the truck's harness, and the bulbs so you'll have to remove the lights to connect the plugs, and then re-install them. It keeps the connections up in a more sheltered location.

[tsilliker]

Here is my review of the Timbren spring helpers.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...tml#post290151

[br217398]

my little contribution to an updated wiring instalation guide:

http://www.hiddenhitch.com/fitguides/pdf/N118393.pdf

[jonl9]

Adam, thank you for the Towing Bible, it's very well done and helpful.

We tow a Fleetwood Niagara popup with a GVWR just under 4,000 pounds. We now have a single arm Reese WDH. We got the WDH because the Tacoma was really bouncing up and down with feedback from the camper and was really uncomfortable, the WDH really made a significant difference. I am wondering if the TSB would have made a difference, and would the TSB make a difference if I moved up to a small TT with a GVWR of 5,000 pounds? (I've always religiously observed that the 'real' capacity of the Tacoma was approx 80% of the factory rating.) Perhaps I should go for the TSB anyhow.

You gave me good stuff to think about, thank you again and a most Happy New Year to you.

Jon

[maverick491]

Originally Posted by jonl9

Adam, thank you for the Towing Bible, it's very well done and helpful.

We tow a Fleetwood Niagara popup with a GVWR just under 4,000 pounds. We now have a single arm Reese WDH. We got the WDH because the Tacoma was really bouncing up and down with feedback from the camper and was really uncomfortable, the WDH really made a significant difference. I am wondering if the TSB would have made a difference, and would the TSB make a difference if I moved up to a small TT with a GVWR of 5,000 pounds? (I've always religiously observed that the 'real' capacity of the Tacoma was approx 80% of the factory rating.) Perhaps I should go for the TSB anyhow.

You gave me good stuff to think about, thank you again and a most Happy New Year to you.

Jon

You're welcome. The TSB is something I definately advise as you increase toward full tow rating. Our travel trailer is a lightweight at 3750 wet and ready to camp, so I am content with just my reese weight distribution hitch and dual-cam sway controll. However, when Towing my father's 2 foot enclosed car hauler with a 54 chevy in it, I definately feel the need for the TSB which I will get arround to having done when I find the time, and probably before this year's camping season starts.

Regards,

Adam