Who tows stuff regularly?

It seems I hook onto something every weekend for what ever reason. Not to mention the unknow amout of weight I carry everyday. I my camper top, 60" hi lift, floor jack and tool box with stuff.

 

I tow a utility trailer about once or twice a month. It's usually loaded with a riding mower to mow the lawn of my church building. Every once in a while(once a month) a bunch of our youth will get together at the lake so I'm usually responsible for getting the firewood, chairs and etc. Of course all of this won't fit in the bed without tying it down which I don't want to spend time doing. Much easier to throw everything in my trailer which had 3.5ft sides all around.
Sometimes a friend will borrow it to tow a car for his auto business.
You can't go wrong with a tow package.
When I bought it I didn't think I would be towing anything at all but I've found out that when you don't have something you usually don't have a need for that thing you don't have but as soon as you get something the need to use that thing will always find you.
Anyone else notice this?

 

I tow my sailboat about 2 times a month, 22' swing keel, about 2700 lbs. Tows great. I got a hitch from a 4 wheel place after buying the truck, thought I would save some money too, I didn't know the Tow Package came with all the extras otherwise I would have stretched for it. Nonetheless, tows my boat fine.

 

I tow a small boat just about every weekend when the water is soft.

 

I've towed a couple things around 3000lbs and the truck did OK... if I was towing that or more weight constantly I'd look at something with a better tow rating and payload.

 

4 wheeler every now and again. and some furniture

 

The real problem is that without a hitch, where would you put these?

 

So I think you are falling victim to them calling it a TOW package. Just because it's labeled as such does not mean it's meant ONLY for towing. Four wheel off-roading in many cases will give much higher trans temps then towing will. Many factors, the low speeds (lower airflow over the cooler), always unlocked torque converter, four wheel drive, etc.

I wouldn't recommend anyone off-road a Tacoma without a trans cooler.

 

I tow my boat every weekend (weather permitting) and during my days off the firehouse I run a pool service company and use it to tow my pool equipment around.....Great option they should just beef up the ass end of the truck so that it wont sag when you do tow something...just my $.02...

 

also an enclosed snowmobile trailer during the winter months

 

I tow a 1900# fishing boat about 1-2 times a month during spring summer and early fall with a 4cyl 4x4, plus works for a place to hook the tow strap in the winter.

 

OP,
Did you get the factory tow package or just the dealer add on receiver hitch?

The factory tow package at $690 or so is a great deal assuming it's the real tow package and not just the dealer add on receiver hitch.

"V6 Tow Package: Class 4 Hitch, Transmission and Supplemental Oil Coolers (Transmission Cooler not available on Manual Transmission models), 130A Alternator, Heavy-Duty Battery, 7-Pin Connector with Converter"

I don't have the tow package but do tow bikes, building supplies, tractor, lawn mower, etc quite often.

 

Good question, I will double check. I'm 99% sure its the factory tow package for a few reasons: I remember seeing some high-amp output alternator on the sticker, rated at some 130A..., also I believe I do have the 7-pin connector/converter... I don't remember anything about transmission cooler, but I wasn't "looking for that" either... I just wanted DC 4x4 Auto... at a smoking deal. Which I got, but wasn't exactly too happy with having to pay for the hitch...

But now that I know what else it all comes with, it's not the worst deal, but still one I wouldn't have added if I had a choice.

The other reason I believe its a factory hitch, is because I asked the guys to take it off before I bought it, and they told me "that's how it was shipped to us from Japan, we can't take it off." [I'm not even 100% sure tacomas are built there, and not here or somewhere else lol, besides the point].

So I said "OK", and bought the damn thing. I feel like I want to tow something, just to get my money's worth.

 

I tow nearly 11,000lbs of truck/trailer/dirt bikes/kid/food/wash water every second weekend, or so to some mx track.
I am very pleased with how good the Tacoma is compared to some others, @ 110,000kms on orginal brakes and 1 set of tires!!!!
Added Timberns to level things out but that is it, other than normal oil/lube service.

Mxranger

 

The OEM receiver is also the base for the rear bumper so to remove it, the dealer would had to get new brackets for the bumper.

You can always get new bumper brackets and sell the Receiver and 7 pin connector to get some money back and keep all the extra gadgets, I bet that there are more than one person willing to buy them from you.

 

This is in Mobile, AL

 

I tow This MasterCraft.

Trailer = 1100 lbs.
Boat = 3200 lbs.
Stuff = 200 lbs.
45 Gall Gas tank x 8lbs = 360 lbs

Tacoma Tows it fine, and the trailer has Inertia Brakes and stops great.

 

Nice setup dude!

Got more pics of the truck with the cap on it? Love that red, my very close second choice to white!

 

Tow a boat a couple of times throughout the season. Utility trailer for home projects. Just a little side note - I was stopped late one night by the local PD due to burnt out license plate lights on my old Ranger. Officer pointed out that the bumper ball partially obstructed the license plate and needed to be removed.