The Tacoma Towing Bible

I am planning on purchasing a prodigy control. Where can I get the best deal?

 

Got mine from camping world on-line. Also saw them on e-trailer cheap. I also bought the adaptor plug wire. Plugs into the brake control and the Tacoma. Nice.

 

Meverick...thanks for your professional advice and the towing bible. You are true patriot!

 

Ordered from etrailer. Easy, quick and the price was great. Thanks for the info.

 

Just recieve my new controller. I also purchased the pig tail. When I went to check to see if the pigtail fit the plug that I had found near the kick panel. I found that the plug is much smaller. I guess this was not for the brake controller like I first thought. Does anyone know what this plug is for? It was right where the manual says the brake control plug is located. My 2010 tacoma didn't come with the tow package so I am thinking I will have to hook it up like the tow bible says. Thanks for all the advice.

 

Hi guys, new poster here and thank you all for a great thread. Maverick...above and beyond on the Bible. Really good work.

I'm a bit in a pickle and need advice before I make a purchase that I may regret. Here's my situation....

I'm about to go full-time RV'ing with my wife for about a year. We've put the rental unit on the market and are hitting the road. We've located a Keystone Passport 2850RL TT that we like and its dry weight is approx. 5240lbs with a 650# tongue weight. Approx 30' long.

http://www.keystone-passport.com/index.php?page=floorplans&coast=&model=2850RL

Here's what I've currently own...
2006 Taco 4L V.6 w. tow package - apparently this can pull 6500# max (safely though?), GVWR is 5350#, it's got a shell on it as well so that would add another 200lbs approx. I do not have the TBS springs in the rear.

Guys, what are your opinions on this combination? Many are saying to "buy a new truck" which is unfortunate because i just paid this truck off but that being said, I'm not opposed to trading it in for something else with more towing capacity. Some are saying that I'll be able to tow it but will encounter many "white knuckle" moments (which I don't like...i'm too into keeping my family safe). I know I can tow it on the flats but comfortably and safely? Mtns? I also don't like having no room to spare regarding weight.

The plan was to drive out to MI to pick up the TT and then drive it down to TX for some rest and relaxation before making back out to Northern California (across NM/AZ and through L.A. and up the Hwy 5) thus avoiding the Sierras.

I would be getting the Equalizer hitch (4point sway control) and the Prodigy (P2) brake controller. Was thinking about potentially installing TBS or the Roadmaster Active Suspension if the performance was too poor on the way home. I do plan on hiting the Sierras with it, although not often.

We don't plan on towing everyday, in fact we're authors so the plan is to stay put, write and drive short distances for the first couple of months. Then, as comfort allows, we'll drive more. We pack light and wouldn't really expect to pack more than 900-1000lbs at most keeping our towing weight just around 6140-6240lbs. Still under the 6500lbs towing capacity.

I've read darn near every Online Forum inside and out and am getting mixed messages as to if my truck can handle the max 6500# load. I don't want to trust the RV sales people and my Toyota "guy" said that, "sure, you'll be able to tow it but it will be stressful on you and eventually the car depending on how you drive it. Especially, up in the Mtns." His recommendation, as opposed to buying a different truck, was to pick it up in MI and test drive it to TX -> CA and see how it felt on the way home. Then, when I get home, to either upgrade the truck or add suspension in the rear depending on the ride comfort. Good advice? Thoughts?

Guys, I want to be safe. That's my priority. I don't want to put me or others in danger. I'm also a newbie at towing so I have to factor this in. My concerns are obvious...I'm over my GVWR and that my Trailer out-weighs my truck. But yet, I'm within (and even under) the max towing specs??

What are your thoughts? Can my current truck handle this load? Am I fool to even consider this? What should I expect if I take this kind of trailer on? If a new truck is in order, what would you recommend? Any advice would be extremely helpful and appreciated.

Thank you.
FZ

 

My wife and I just recently bought a Passport Ultr-Lite 2590 and tow it with a 05 Taco w/a 6 cyl. 4.0 liter engine. I would NOT recommend the larger 2890. Although the Taco handles well both on the flats as well as the hills I do not believe you would like towing a larger model TT. Just my 2 cents...I know i woudln't do. I would have like to buy the 2890 model because of the shower, but I plan on renovating that portion of the trailer...also did not want to trade my Taco in for a larger one...not to mention it paid off!

 

Hey FZappa... no effin way would I pull that big of a trailer with that high of a dry weight with a Tacoma. You're gonna be hating life.. especially if you're planning to full time. Get a Tundra at the very least!!!! See my other posts regarding towing. My trailer is 26' with a LOADED weight of about 5200#. You can expect that once you're loaded you'll be well over 6000#

 

Not to mention the shell. That adds 200lbs as FZappa said which means the rear is going to sag even more. I towed a U-Haul auto transport with a Chevy Lumina on it and 4 tires/wheels in the bed. I was almost on the bump stops and I have a 3" lift!

There's no way in HELL you'll tow that trailer without any sort of rear suspension upgrades. At least not without sitting on the bump stops the whole time.

I agree with the Tundra idea. 10,100lb tow capacity, tow-haul mode for tranny, bigger brakes, and damn near same MPG as our Tacomas if you believe the advertising numbers.

 

We tow a 19' airstream with our tacoma. I had several people tell me the tacoma would not be enough truck, but we've been to CO, FL, AR, and are heading to Moab this fall. It handles it fine. Thru passes etc.. I don't push it, some guys want to run 75 over the passes. I'm content to drop to 2nd or 3rd gear and not push it. Going down passes its the same.. 2nd gear and you hardly ever have to even touch the brakes.
The weight distribution hitches are remarkable. The aristream is lighter than what you are looking at, but I have not ever felt the "tail wagging the dog" syndrome..

just my $.02

Jeff

 

Thanks to all. We're currently looking for another truck. Which is a bummer 'cause we love our Taco. Its like a member of the family now. Oh, well. Tundra's here we come.

 

What size ball mount(drop/rise?) would I need for a stock 2011 Tacoma TRD Off-Road? I'll be using it for towing my motorcycle(haven't bought the trailer yet). Also, does it matter what ball size I get,or is there a "standard" size for bike trailers? Thanks in advance, and thanks for all that info you posted on page 1 of this thread.

PS. This is my first truck, so I have ZERO experience with towing.

 

Wait until you get the trailer. The receiver comes in a few different size drop/ raise. You can flip it to raise or lower. Also most trailers have 2" inch ball, but wait until you get the trailer you're looking at. Towing is easy, backing can be a bitch sometimes. Just don't try to go 80mph.

 

FZ,

I Have spent the past 2 mo's researching what my Taco can safely pull. I learned a lot from this site as well as others and local service people. If you go by the numbers you are close to being maxed out.

Here is something to consider.

Taco GVWR 5350
Minus 1300 cargo capacity(2x4 pre-runner)
Taco Curb 4050

2850RL TT =5240
Total unloaded wight of TT and Taco =9290
Add the Cap 200 =9490 ( Cap is deducted form Taco Cargo Capacity)
Add 2 LP tanks 50lbs=9540
Battary 30lbs =9570
Your stuff 950lbs=10520
2 adults=325lbs = 10845(only you know)(deduct from Taco cargo capacity)
Misc BS in the truck 50lbs = 10895
WD hitch 100lbs=10995 ( added to overall weight of TT)

This is a very conservative list and it does not include water in the tanks. If you take the GVWR of 5350 add tow max of 6500 you have a GCVWR of 11850. Toyota say the max GCVWR is 11100. So there numbers don't jive. Anyway, if you use the higher number 11850, you are at 92% of the total capacity of your Taco. From all my research I have found that in order to be in the safe zone for hauling it is best to use 80% of the GCVWR. If you use 11100 then you are at 99% of GCVWR. In my book both of those number are to high especially if you are concerned with the safety of your family and others on the road around you. Take the time to figure out what the max weight of your trailer and truck might be with everything you might have in it at one time. If you stick to the 80% of GCVWR it gives you wiggle room for added wieght if you need it and it will preserve your Tow Vehicle and peace of mind.

IMHO some of the rigs seen here are way over for the TACO. The old adage, if it looks to good to be true it properly is. Some of the rigs on here are working but for how long and how safe??

You either need a smaller TT or a larger Truck. Good luck in your search and take the time to consider EVERYTHING you will be hauling

Paul

 

My airstream is 3400 or 3800, I can't remember for sure.
Another 1400 lbs would make a big difference. I can tell you the Tacoma handles our 19' without problems.
Maybe you guys could look at a smaller trailer vs getting a larger tow vehicle..
just my $.02..

Jeff

 

First off, thanks everyone for the follow-ups. All of your advice has been well received and much appreciated.

I've gone ahead and bought a 2007 Toyota Tundra Crew Max 5.7L V8 4x4 Short bed.

10,100lb Max Towing Capacity
Curb Weight - 5,705lb
Max Payload - 1,495lb
GCWR - 16,000lb

So its safe to say that we have more than enough truck now. Since we we're Full-Timing we didn't want to reduce our living space and get a smaller trailer.

Although, I am very sad to have to sell my Silver Bullet when I get back. We absolutely LOVED our 2006 Taco PreRunner. She has served us well but she'll be too maxed to tow what we are requiring of her and as I mentioned, safety for us all is #1 priority.

Best to you all. I'll try to upload a picture when I get back and get settled.

~FZ

 

I tried towing an 18' travel trailer at around 3800 with my 2009 taco before I bought one and discovered two things: my taco is not made to nor will it safely tow a trailer that big safely, and I wanted a bigger trailer than that to live in while on the road. The suspension is just not stout enough for towing anything more than a light utility trailer etc. The truck even struggles with towing my flats boat which weighs around 2000 with gas, ice, gear, etc. The frontal area of a TT is a huge obstacle for the V6 to overcome. I realize I will get flamed severely for saying this on this forum, but here goes: If you are thinking about towing a travel trailer over 18' with your taco, DON'T EVEN GO THERE. It is not safe even if they foolishly rated the truck to tow 6500. I bought a 2011 ford f250 with a 6.7 litre turbodiesel and the difference while pulling is really no comparison. Towing a trailer with huge frontal area and weight relative to that of the tow vehicle with a tacoma is like bringing a knife to a gun fight. Attempting to do so will not be safe and will also present a constant nuisance to others on the road as they will have to keep passing a tow that was not designed for that service. Again I own both trucks and even though I love my tacoma for what it will do, the hard fact is it will never tow anything over 2000 lbs. near as well or as safely as my ford with a beast of an engine, a transmission, and the wheelbase and brakes to do it safely. Just try towing a 21' TT down the road and have a loaded semi-trailer / tractor blast past you at 70 mph and understand that the violent jerking around that you just got was because of towing with an inadequate vehicle. It is not safe and that is just the way it is. Just because a vehicle will physically move a trailer, does not mean that justifies using it to tow that trailer any distance. I know that if I tried to pull my TT with my tacoma that it would rip the drive train out of the truck in short order. You want to tow that TT with a gasser, get a tundra or something with better capability of dealing with the dynamics of towing safely.

Flame away; I am right on this because the laws of physics still hold true.

 

One thought on towing a TT would be to look into an ultralight which the tacoma could handle, like the casita or similar. Those trailers will weigh a lot less than a regular TT and enable using a tacoma to tow it with. Unfortunately, those trailers don't have a lot of room inside and the toilet will usually be inside the shower which I can't stand, (may not be an issue with others) so as usual in life there are always going to be tradeoffs. A lot of people do like the casita trailers (and the other ultralight eggs and such) so that would be a viable approach. The tacoma will be a lot more suited to pulling one of those trailers safely as well.

 

Better to be safe than sorry.

 

So, I am looking to buy an Add a Leaf to my 07 Tacoma PreRunner, TRD Off Road. I am not sure which one I need to buy, can you advise which one I need and which u bolts go with it? My truck has the stock rear leaf pack currently, not the TSB leaf pack.

Toyotec AAL's?

TAC-AL-HA
or
TAC-AL-TSB 1.5 inch lift

u bolts?
UB-4

Do I need to order anything else for the order so I will have everything, shims or anything?

Thank you,

Pat