Bought 2016 Limited w/o tow package & trailer brake. Install OEM or 3rd party?

Hi,
Just bought a used 2016 Limited. it does not have the tow package. I need a class III hitch as well as a trailer brake control to pull my enclosed dirtbike trailer. I was wondering if I should go to my friendly Toyota dealer to have all the pieces installed, or if it would be cheaper and better to go with a third party solution? What do setups like this normally cost? I've installed trailer hitches in the past but never run any wiring.

The biggest question for me is the trailer brake part - I don't know if there is a trailer brake setup that fits as well as the OEM one that comes in some of the TRD off-roads and sports. I do want the thing to look nice and not be an ugly button or something somewhere on my dash. Thanks in advance.

 

you will also want the tranny cooler (unless its a manual)

 

Check out etrailer.com I ordered all Curt stuff from them. I'm not running a brake controller cause I only have a 4 banger and wont be towing anything heavy. I've hooked up brake controllers in the past, and it is pretty straight forward.

The factory stuff is pretty nice, but I can't imagine what the dealer would charge to have everything setup. With my hitch and light controller I'm in it less than $250.

Curt Hitch C13264 $125
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Toyota/Tacoma/2016/C13264.html?vehicleid=201642421

Curt Wiring Harness C56282 $58
http://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Wiring/Toyota/Tacoma/2016/C56282.html?vehicleid=201642421

Pollack 4/7 Way Plug HM40975-11998 $54
http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/HM40975-11998.html

Prodigy P3 Brake Controller 90195 $144 (The one that I would get)
http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90195.html

eTrailer also has lots of how to video's so you can see what you are getting into.

I don't really trust anybody working on my stuff so I do everything myself. My brother just had a factory brake controller put in by the dealer on his new Ram Rebel, and they did a hacktastic job. It was pretty pathetic and he ended up redoing it, they charged him $700 just for labor flashing the computer and the controller. It already had the hitch and wiring.

 

Awesome I'll check those out!

 

Just spoke with my dealer and the parts aren't even available yet. Diablo169, those links are great and I like that they have instruction videos. I'll be ordering from them. Thanks again!

 

I have to be that guy to ask.... why buy a truck without a tow package that costs just $500 and is stock?

 

2016 Tacoma Limited with 15k miles, 32 grand. That's why. Plus, the dealer lied about the tow package so they took $500 off to make up for it when I got there.

 

Hard to believe the "Limited" doesn't have it standard. WTF??

G.

 

Go back give the 500 bucks and tell them you want the tow package.

 

Just a piece of advice. Coming from someone who used to work at a Toyota dealer. They won't install the OEM towing components. They'll drop off the truck at their preferred aftermarket shop and use aftermarket parts. So if they say they're using Toyota OEM, GET IT IN WRITING and accept nothing less.

 

That sucks.

 

It was a Honda dealer, it was 150 miles away, and was one of the worst car purchase experiences of my life. Not worth it.

 

Oh, sorry....that really sucks, I think the tow package was money very well spent.

 

Have you been to a dealer lately, what they have is what you get, or wait 6 months and order one to your spec. I wanted a base model TRD OR Manual, dealer couldn't find one anywhere.

I think 95% of all buyers would be fine paying $500 for the tow package.

 

Yes Diablo169 , this is my only complaint with the 2016 Tacoma. No harness for trailer. Mine is a 4 cylinder 2 wheel drive.
I went to the dealer thinking I could buy a plug but nothing but frustration. I told them "it's a Corolla with a truck body " if I can't tow anything. They were not amused.
I have seen the Curt "T" and that will likely be my solution just not what I wanted.
Ok , vent over.
James

 

You sure this thing exists? I'm 90% sure all trailer brake controllers are aftermaket.

SB

 

I don't recall seeing it as an option, but I also figured everything they felt the truck needed to tow would come with the tow package.

 

It's a bummer like Diablo169 said , there are few models at the dealer (In July).The 17's are there now and plenty of towing options but all V6. I got the feeling from the parts department Toyota doesn't want to support the 4 cylinder as towing vehicle.

If I would have waited I could have got more options. As it was they had to drive the truck 70 miles to deliver it.
Coming out of a 06 Tundra I don't miss it all that much just need to go from A to B with the trailer about 20 miles round trip maybe once every couple of months. The trailer is sitting in my drive way.

 

I was under the impression that you couldnt add the tow package at the dealer only from the factory or am I wrong to think that. I didnt think they made an option for a factory tow package add-on at the dealer just from the factory or your SOL. I went ahead and went with the curt stuff. I was curious if this came with the wiring so I can just splice my current setup into it. It would just plug right into the rear bumper. http://www.toyotaonlineparts.com/to.../?part_name=7-pin-and-4-pin-trailer-connector

 

I received my wiring late last night, so I started to install everything. I ran out of 1/4" split loom, so I'll have to wait till next weekend to run the power wire. I like to cover everything with split loom, and the kit didn't come with any.

I was pissed at first cause I ordered a Pollak 7/4-way plug, and the package says Hopkins. However, it is manufactured by Pollak, so were good!
Tail Light Converter, Plug, and Harness

Curt Wiring Harness C56282 $58
http://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Wiring/Toyota/Tacoma/2016/C56282.html?vehicleid=201642421

Pollack 4/7 Way Plug HM40975-11998 $54
http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/HM40975-11998.htm



I used dialectric grease on the connectors, and everything went together perfect. Vehicle Taillights still work without power going to the converter.


I wasn't expecting this, but the 7/4-way plug fits the factory location perfect. Old plug/ cap pops off easy from behind.

I will remove the Curt 4-way connector and solder it into the new 7-Way harness.