Towing with a 2nd Gen 4cyl Auto

Looking to tow a 16' Hobie Cat on a trailer, nothing else, and nothing larger/heavier, with a 2006 4cyl 4x2 SR5 Access Cab Tacoma, no tow package, stock. Do I need to get a full on trailer hitch or can I just use the ball on the bumper? Longest drive might be 5 hrs, and very infrequent. Also, do I need a transmission cooler? Do I need to tow in 4 vs OD too?

I think the Hobie weight in at ~400 lbs and the trailer at mabye ~600 lbs.

 

You will be fine without a tranny cooler. I would definitely get a real hitch though, if only to get the proper tongue height. Its about $160 for a uhaul hitch.

 

Cool, probably will get a real hitch, but hoping to go get the boat this weekend off a craig's list add, and dont want to wait a week+ to get the hitch. Also will likely wait for some sweet labor day sales to get it online.