The Tacoma Towing Bible

Class IV designate the receiver on the truck and it weight limitations.

The hitch is the ball mount that goes into the receiver and connects to the trailer. you can have either a single ball mount that is loaded with the tongue weight (TW) of the trailer or a weight distribution (WD) type that distributes the weight of the trailer and TW throughout the tow vehicle (TV) and trailer. Sway control is a part of the ball mount/ WD hitch system, you can have it on both and there are many set ups.

Keep asking questions and review past post for a wealth of information on this site in regards to towing

 

The sway control in my 2012 Tacoma with trailer package is managed by electronic braking of the rear wheels on alternating sides left-right to counter trailer sway. Definitely not hitch-based sway control.
CL

 

Okay. Not up on the 2012.

Still may want some type mechanical sway control. Drive it to decide.

 

Thanks for your input guys. I think everyone is knowledgeable here. This forum is a wealth of information. I have not towed with my 2012 tacoma yet, but I will start in the fall since the weather will get a bit cooler in South Florida.
Another note for those who have the Prerunner 4.0 2012: I know it takes a bit to get used to driving it. But I noticed that the truck slows down so much once I take my foot off the gas. Yes, I know its going to downshift to slow down, and that is normal with every vehicle. But if I am going 45 or 50 mph and I take my foot off the gas, the truck slows down that I don't even have to use my brakes, and I make sure my emergency brake is retracted as well. Is anyone else experiencing this, or just me?

 

I'm looking at a 2005 Doublecab TRD Sport tonight, I just noticed that according to the specs sheet from toyota the towing package for 2005 is a hitch and 7-pin..

So no Class IV/Oil cooler/Trans Cooler/bigger battery/upgrade alternator?

Is that right? because that would rule out this truck.

 

For a 2005 if it has the factory tow package with the 4.0 it is rated at 6500# towing max and 650 # TW.w/o the factory package it is rated at 3500#. Take a look and see if it has the engine oil cooler and trans cooler. A battery is marked for size and CCA. Can't tell you how to check an alternator. If they are the original owner they may have the sticker as well. If you still have questions, write the VIN down and ask a dealer to tell you exactly what factory options it has from the VIN.

 

I think we all experience that, there is a thread on here somewhere of people that don't like the feature. I am OK with it for the most part once I got accustomed to it. The only downside that I see is it might negatively impact fuel mileage since we are losing some momentum and coasting. However, I am sure the Toyota engineers have their reasons.

 

I sometimes shift to neutral, because I feel it's wasting gas to slow down like that.

 

thanks for the awesome writeup!

 

Fuel virtually shuts down while coasting, people with scangauge or the like post pics of some insane mpg #'s while coasting. You actually waste more gas shifting into neutral.

 

I am curious to see some numbers for those using Scangauge. I am going to do some search on that. My concern of dropping it from N to D might be harsh for the trany to lock into drive again in case you want to go into drive before you come to a full stop. Its just a thought. I am sure some of you guys are more knowledgeable than me on this stuff. Thanks for the info guy.

 

The only brake controller I could find on-line today is the Hayes Lemmerz Energize Xpc Brake Control with remote manual brake controller.

Does anyone know if this controller is a good unit and works well?

Wish they still made the Activator III.

 

Hey Mike, check out this link. Prodigy brake controllers are excellent controllers. A lot of guys in this forum use them.

http://www.carid.com/tekonsha/item-...cagpspn=pla"&gclid=COO74-zNn7ICFQs3nAodUj8AWg

 

^ thats the one I'm using. Its the first one I've used so I can't compare it to others, but it works great for me.

 

I have not bought one yet, but will soon. I read about them quite a bit. I am not using my camper till winter time. Its still too hot down here in south west Florida. I will start camping in November.

 

Thanks for the input everyone!

tacomatime = where did you mount your controller?

 

You welcome Mike.

 

I have not bought one yet . But I saw some pictures around where they are installed on the left side attached to the small compartment. Next to your left knee.

 

check this one out Mike.

 

Thanks!

That's where I was thinking (if there's no remote manual brake on a "coiled cable" possibility.)