How do I make my truck capable of towing 6500 lbs?

I have a 2008 Double Cab PreRunner with the 4.0L and automatic transmission. It is rated to haul 3500 lbs. What do I have to do to have it capable of hauling the full 6500 lbs that a Tacoma with the Towing Package is capable of hauling?

 

Add the factory towing package. Its been done, you'll find instructions if you search.

 

Go with non-factory parts for the trans and engine oil coolers. The factory parts are ungodly expensive for what they are.

The alternator and battery upgrades are kind of puzzling...I know that one of the reasons they upgrade an alternator is to provide run/charge current to a trailer that has its own electrical system with a battery. If you're not doing that I doubt that there is any reason to upgrade those parts.

 

What about the suspension? Does that need to be beefed up?

 

Buy a Tundra

 

What do you plan on towing that is 6500 pounds?

 

Mine has factory tow package and still has the crappy two leaf springs that everyone talks about on here. If you can get the tsb springs, I am sure that would be best. I have yet to tow anything, but I have had 1000 lbs in the bed and it was still not on the bumpstops, very close though.

 

Trailer brakes? Extra load from lighting? Just a couple I could think of.

 

Stock alternator is 100 amps, trailer towing alternator is 130. It's a decent upgrade, but trailer brakes shouldn't draw more than 10 amps and the extra lighting won't draw more than about 3 or 4. Stock base alternator isn't anywhere close to maximum output even running with all the accessories on--should be fine for towing.

ETA: More than one pair of trailer brakes could get you up to 12-14 amps there. Still not enough to concern me.

 

I wouldn't worry about the battery or alternator, you could always add them if needed.
The transmission cooler would be my first install if I was towing where there were hills or mountains. Like JKD said I would go with after market for the trans cooler.
How about first installing a transmission oil temp gauge if your truck doesn't have one?
That way you see if you actually need a transmission cooler by seeing what the temp runs without and with the trailer.
Maybe get the ScanGuage.

 

I would upgrade the brakes as well.

 

I dont think tow package alone will do it. 4WD is needed WITH tow package to get to 6500..... I think....

 

I'm sure that you have to have trailer brakes to be legal so the stock brakes should do fine.

 

I see trailers everyday hauling way more weight than that without trailer brakes. It's never a bad idea.

 

You would be surprised at the amperage draw with accessories(max AC, lights, stereo maxed, etc.) working with the vehicle at idle. In some vehicles the battery is actually at a state of discharge with the engine idling due to the alternator not putting out peak amperage at lower rpms.

The additions related to the towing package would be a reasonable assumption for a larger alternator.

 

You're forgetting the most important upgrade,

17" wheels and a 371 ratio L/S diff.

If you really want to tow even 5500 LBS, trade it in on a new one.

 

I regularly tow my race car on an aluminum Featherlite car trailer. That combo weighs about 3700#s dry. I have used the same trailer to tow my Z06 (about 4500#s). Even tho I have the factory tow package rating the truck to some 6500# capacity, I would not want to tow that much weight up and down the mountains in CA very frequently. I would frankly suggest you get a bigger truck to Regularly tow that much weight.

 

Maybe a stupid question, but I thought 4wd is heavier which possible brings the amount you can tow lower!?!?!

 

yes technically our truck is better at towing. hah ha ha.