The Tacoma Towing Bible

You're welcome! I did the same damn thing. It's a stupid place for the 7-pin.

 

hey,
I'm looking to hear some opinions on this.
i was thinking of purchasing a skid steer and small float. i would tow the unit say once a month more or less.
i would have to tow it with my manual 03' trd extra cab with the factory 'tow package'.
the skid steer i would be looking at weighs 4,500 pounds.
i don't know how much the float weighs. see the link to the trailer add to hopefully make en educated guess.
do you think this would be ok.
if so what should i do to the truck to make it a safer and easier tow?

 

Reading this makes me realize how much I wish the truck was originally equipped with the tow package! All of it done except the wiring!
Awesome write-up. It will be my BC and harness guide for the camper!

 

No kidding.

Did it yesterday after work. Looks sweet. Was gonna pick up the one that had the 4 pin on the side in addition to the 7 pin. It plugs directly into the factory harness, but I was afraid it wouldn't fit. After putting this monster in I am positive it wouldn't had fit lol. Oh well, I have my 4 pin plug in.

 

Greetings All,

My name is David and I am one year into my first Tacoma. It is a 2009 Double Cab w/ Short Bed, automatic, V6 4.0L 1GR-FE engine, 4x4 with a factory installed towing package.

My girlfriend and I will be moving 2000 miles from New Orleans, LA to Fresno, CA. We have rented a 6 foot by 12 foot U-Haul trailer to move our two bedroom apartment and are planning to hook it up to the Tacoma.

As I am bit nervous about towing across country for the first time, I consulted this website for advice. However, I was a bit overwhelmed by the amazing amount of info detailed here. I assume this thread is intended for guys who tow on a much more regular basis.

Thus, if anyone could give advice about the basics of towing I would much appreciate it.

My owners manual says I can safely tow 6500 lbs and my hitch is rated for 6000 lbs with a tongue weight of 600 lbs. The weight of the U-haul trailer is ~1600lbs and the max load is ~2600lbs.

My basic questions are:

1.) Will I simply be able to hook up the U-haul to my hitch and move? if not, what steps will I need to take to ensure a safe ride?
2.) How can I avoid burning out my transmission?
3.) Do I need to drive in gear "4" as opposed to "D"?
4.) Will I need special brake light equipment or will the factory supplied wiring be sufficient?
5.) How do I correctly level the trailer?
6.) Is there a max speed limit to avoid? Is 60 MPH a safe speed?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I look forward to hearing any responses.

Thanks,
David

 

1. Yes. More or less. You'll probably need a 4-pin adapter for the U-Haul wire harness unless they have one with a 7-pin, but that's usually only on ones with electric brakes I think. The U-Haul probably has surge brakes so you'll be fine with those. May need to pulse your brakes sometimes to get them to work "better". As in, force the trailer to push against the truck harder and in turn push harder on the piston that activates the trailer brakes.
2. You have the tow package which has the tranny cooler and oil cooler so do what works best. If the truck is constantly shifting (aka "hunting"), shift down. You can probably use D on downhills, flats, highway cruising, etc. I towed well over 6000lbs in 6th with my manual, but downshifted going up hills and when I needed to help keep the speed down going down them.
3. see above
4. The factory wiring is more than enough. In fact, you probably won't be taking full advantage of it. See 1. Without electric brakes on the trailer you won't be pushing the system at all. Lights alone for the trailer will be nothing.
5. Put more weight toward the front. More weight toward the rear will tend to make the trailer sway more.
6. This depends on number 5. More weight in back = more sway = lower speed. I towed a full sized chevy pickup on a U-Haul auto transport (likely over 6,000lbs) and had to watch my speed to keep it under 65 and keep my co-pilot from freaking out. Truck was loaded front first. Return trip, however, had a blazer on back first. Between the engine, plow, and a weight set in the front seat most of the weight was toward the rear of the trailer. I couldn't go above 45 without really bad trailer sway. In fact, it started AT 45mph so I had to keep it at 40 for the 100 mile trip.

 

Wow,

Thank you for the helpful info. It's good to know people are so dedicated to their tacomas.

 

FYI, it is the right part number.

Also, this is the relation between brake controller wires, and truck wires.

Truck -> Brake Controller
Black/Red -> Black
Green/White -> Red
Brown -> White
Red -> Blue

confirmed from: http://www.etrailer.com/faq-brakecontroller.aspx under "Toyota"

 

btw, great info.

I bought the CIPA mirrors, a load balancing system (that I can add pistons for anti-sway if needed), P3 brake controller... I<m all set to bring back my 22ft trailer.

 

BTW may sound dumb. But they don't offer a tranny cooler for the manuals do they (in the tow package)? I know some of these new manuals are actually using a fluid pump inside so there is some pressure. Any ideas?

 

No tranny cooler for manuals. Just the oil cooler along with the bigger battery, alternator, hitch and wiring.

 

Good deal. thanks

 

Whare would i go to get the with the four pin that plugs into the factory harness, I busted mine up and the stealership wants $360.00 for a replacement harness?

 

The adapter from 4 pin to 7 pin? Or the whole 7 ping plug that was mounted under the bumper in stock form?

Both can be found at Wal-Mart, autozone, etc.

 

Wow.... There is a lot of information here and appreciate all the valuable info!!! I am a newbie when it comes to towing and I have a few questions after reading all this info...
I have an 09 tacoma DC, 4x4, w/ the package.I will be towing a trailer 350 miles. The trailer is 4'x6' and is going to have firewood and some camping gear. I imagine the total weight, including the trailer will be around 800-1000 lbs.
Questions
1. Do I need a brake controller with such a small trailer weight?
2. From what i read I shouldn't put my baby into overdrive, so do I put into 4?
3. I am going to be towing this trailer up/down a pretty big grade at one point do I put my baby into a lower gear?
Thanks in advance for any advice!!

 

Please note that all wiring harnesses do not work with the Tacos with LED taillights. I could not get the T-One brand or the Valley Mfg brand to work despite what their factories told me. I finally bought a Curt harness and it worked. The others would allow turn signal current to back feed into the brake light circuit. That caused the cruise contro to disengage when the turn signal came on. Also gave error lights for the ABS system.

3 trips to the Toyota dealer and 2 trips to the aftermarket cruise control company and they could not figure it out. It came to me on a sleepless night at 4am.

 

If the GVWR of the trailer is more than 1200# then in California the trailer is required to have some sort of brakes. If they're surge brakes then no controller.. if they're electric then you'll need a controller.

With that little of weight as well you can leave it in D and you only really have to "shift" into lower gears if your RPM's get low enough to cause the truck to struggle uphill. You'll know it's pretty obvious. And going down if you find yourself hitting the brakes a lot then downshift to save the brakes. I do that even when I'm not towing since I go down a pretty long grade on my way to/from work each day.

 

1. no
2. no, unless it goes up and down gears, but with that small weight it won't have trouble keeping in overdrive
3. you'll see, but the D will kick down to 4th, or 3rd.

 

Thanks J4x4ar3 and BeachBoy for the advice!! Goin' fishin' leaving today!!!

 

Do I need a license plate on this trailer to haul it from oregon to california for a relative i have the title for it but thats it?