Gen 3 Towing Thread

It looks like those campers do come with brakes:

 

I am throwing out a super wild assumption here, but if he plugs a trailer into his pickup and the brakes dont register, then he doesn't have trailer brakes. He's either got a 4-flat plug or a 7 pin with no 7th pin.

I've been wrong before. But it makes sense to me.

I have a 6x12 H&H enclosed trailer and weighs 1100lb empty. Brakes are an option but not standard.

Edit: zooming into the picture he has a 7 round plug.

 

The camper I rented did NOT have brakes. Apparently they're optional, which I didn't find out until afterwards New to all this towing nonsense, but the trial by fire didn't leave any (new) blisters.

 

Bro, I don't even own a trailer, let alone trailer brakes that would necessitate a trailer brake controller!

 

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I only use the anti-sway bar, but I have been considering a weight distribution hitch. The anti-sway is pretty good, but in high winds I was white knuckling a bit. I was also going about 70-72 mph and if it got to a point where I was uncomfortable slowing down took care of it. Right now I have a have a cheap tekonsha primus IQ brake controller. I have been looking at getting a RedArc at some point just because of how clean the install is.

Just a personal thing about weight distribution hitches. Even though the Anderson looks awesome I won't be purchasing one just because of the owner and his apparent disregard for public lands.

 

???What’s the backstory , no idea what this comment means

 

Sorry, forgot it is probably a bit more public here because I live in Utah and Anderson Hitch is based just a couple hours from where I live in Idaho Falls, ID.

https://www.rvtravel.com/anderson843/

https://www.idahostatejournal.com/m...cle_06e2e5fe-de1a-5094-a557-95e53287525d.html

 

70mph too fast for towing. Especially with these trucks. Keep yourself at 65mph Max and make you don't use 6th gear.

 

Had no idea. Thanks for posting links to the stories.

 

if you could do it again would you go with the 5.29 gears or stick with the 4.88's? torn between these two for my future build and will be going with 33's tow a 3,000lb dry trailer about 3800~4000 fully loaded down.

 

Id go with 5.29s for my 35's. Hard to say if that would hurt or help towing.

 

Wow that's some decent pulling at that altitude

 

I'm about to PCS to Laughlin from Nellis (~1200 mi), and I'll be towing in my '19 TRD OR 4x4. Thank god for this thread. Cargo trailer I bought maxes out at 3500 gross, but I don't anticipate going over 2000. 4S and ECT the whole way, going to target 65 mph. Anything else I should know? I'm curious to see if I can get away with not needing a sensor or a brake controller.

 

Can you get away with it? It's highly likely... unless someone slams on their brakes in front of you. Or someone pulls out in front of you. Or a deer runs out in front of you. etc. etc. Note that some states require a brake controller if the trailer is over a particular weight so check your local laws (or ignore them at your own peril.)

The truck can handle it IF you drive cautiously. It's much more comfortable and easier on your truck if the ~3500 trailer has brakes and you use them.

It's a relatively inexpensive upgrade to your truck. If you've purchased a cargo trailer I'd advise you add a brake controller and benefit from the stopping power built into your trailer.

Good luck w/the move.

 

Since i've never really set up towing on a vehicle before, can you explain brake controllers, how to use them, and how to install them, or at least point me to the right thread?

 

There's a lot of good info here in the forums. Search for "Tekonsha p3" which seems to be the chosen model that many use (including myself) that costs ~$110. I believe the 3rd page of this thread references it. Or you can search for "brake controller" in the 3rd Gen forum. The Tekonsha P3 is plug and play if you purchase a Toyota specific wiring harness.

Installation pictures may appear intimidating if you've never removed your kick-plate but it is a simple procedure. I believe I found a YouTube video or found pics here on TW (apologies but I don't have time to search the web for them at this time, perhaps someone else can link if you start a thread.) I imagine there are shops that'll install it for a couple hours labor.

 

$25 Tekonsha Trailer Brake Controller Harness, Compatible with Select Toyota Tacoma, Tundra

Tekonsha P3 adapter cable for plug and play in the Tacomas.

If you want to have a clean mount and are OK replacing your cubby, here's a mounting bracket for it also.

 

So I'm doing more research, my truck does not have the towing package. Which is fine, this is the first time since i bought it (more than seven months) that I am towing and don't plan to do it often. I'm trying to figure out (without opening up the paneling in the middle of the day here in Vegas) if I have the plug behind the kick panel. If so, It should be pretty simply to get it to work. If not, that's going to be a more complex operation. TRD OR 4x4 with no tow package. Has the tech package. Anyone know if I have the connector hiding in the kick panel somewhere?

EDIT: I'm an idiot and it's got a tow package. That makes things nice.

 

Aaaaaaaaaand ordered. Gotta love next-day prime shipping. This should be fun!

 

Like was said above. You definitely do have the tow package, which includes the wiring harness to plug the brake controller in to.
Lots of good info here about mounting options, etc: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trailer-brake-controller.398124/