Towing a Trailer

Couple of challenges you will have with towing...

The Tacoma is designed primarily as a passenger and load carrying vehicle, not for towing. You can tow with it, but Toyota wants you to do the following:

Install brakes on the trailer if towing a camper with a GVWR of over 2000 lbs (example: Tab 320s). You will have to get your truck wired for trailer brakes since it didn't come with a tow package. You will also need a brake controller mounted in the cab somewhere. The stock circa 1965 drum brakes on all Tacoma's aren't exactly meant for towing and Toyota knows this, that is why they recommend brakes even for light weight campers.

You also need to install a hitch with a sway control device to keep the camper from passing you when going down the road. Toyota knows these little trucks are pretty light, and with a short wheelbase you really don't want the tail waggin' the dog ;-)

Nothing worse than seeing your camper pass you on a curvy road...

There is a bunch of other stuff, like axle ratings (easy to exceed the rear axle rating, especially when the bed is loaded) and combined weight rating capacity limits (truck, cargo, and camper).

All this stuff is in the owner's manual. I thought about a Tab myself, then realized a base, el-cheapo F-150 or other full-size truck would be a much better choice and would honestly tow a Tab or similar about 100 times easier and with a greater margin of safety.

If you did the modifications that are recommended in your owner's manual you should be able to tow something like a Tab 320s without too much trouble. Expect about 12 mpg though.

 

Without trailer brakes it is Limited to 1,000 lbs max for trailer and cargo. Per Tacoma and Tundra Specs ...

 

Not trying to be a D1ck - but Toyota specs are as I stated - Many local and state laws also state not to exceed Manufacturers specifications.

 

Or they're there because that's what it can safely tow? Just because you can do it and get away it doesn't make it safe. It's like saying I'm super careful when I drive drunk and it's never been an issue so it's ok to do.

 

Bingo!

 

You can do 3500lbs with trailer brakes installed, 1000lbs with no brakes. Keep trans in S4 and drive 55-60mph.

 

I’ve seen people around my way with Utvs on their trailers. Not sure on the weight, but they seem to do fine. That’s not a recommendation tho, just an observation

 

If that's the case, most of us have misunderstood the specs for a long time. I have never seen where it says max towing capacity 1000 lbs. Holy fuck! Most trailers empty weigh that much.

 

"..... My user Manual indicates towing capacity as 3500 lbs. BUT there is a note on the page 187 that states ... Unbraked TWR* 1000 lb. 450 kg .... " 2020 Tacoma manual page 187. This is also in the Tundra Manaul !!


https://www.etrailer.com/question-430741.html?fb=yes

 

OMG Really! Around here, if you buy a single 3500 lb axle utility trailer, it will not come with brakes... and you'll not ever be pulled over pulling it.

 

My dad nearly killed himself towing a tiny teardrop behind a last year 1G (2003 IIRC) Tacoma. It made it from Texas to the Grand Canyon. On the way back in west Texas, in the middle of the wind farms, it started whipping on him, and eventually pulled the truck offroad, where the ball came off the hitch somehow, but the chains kept it in tow. The trailer was destroyed, like a bomb went off. The truck was pretty damaged but did not roll thankfully. They didn't total it as it was a couple years old, but it was never the same after a multi-thousand dollar repair.

I wouldn't try to pull one behind a V6 Tacoma. I mean in town sure, but a travel trailer implies, well traveling.

If you plan to do this often, buy a truck more suitable for the job. If you plan to do this infrequently, consider renting a truck. Maybe a trailer too.

 

The reason trailers whip is because the are improperly loaded and there's not enough tongue load. A V6 Tacoma can safely and easily pull a 4500 lb (loaded) across the country.

 

I agree, I just wanted to be sure all towing users know the difference between "towing" and Stopping. The vehicle may be rated to pull many thousands - but a the tow vehicle can, per the manufacturers, only safely stop MUCH less if there are no brakes on the trailer.

 

Yup, Trailer weight balancing is critical - as is the tongue weight. However, I'd not pull something that anywhere approaches or exceed the weight of the tow vehicle .... Wind sheer at highway speed against a large side surface area has amazing power. JMO.

 

Did he ever figure out what caused it to whip? That can happen to any size vehicle, btw. Had an employee recently drop our "small" bumper pull (14,000 lb 26 footer) on the highway. As it turns out, he thought he had it latched, but the latch mechanism closed over the top of the ball, not gripping underneath like it should. First big bump dropped it right on its chains. Fortunately the breakaway system functioned as designed and no damage occurred save for a few scratches. (For liability purposes we had the coupler and both chains replaced after the incident.)

Id be curious what the root cause was to yours.

Also, for those reasons above, its a good general reminder to avoid driving next to someone else's trailer. Hang 300 feet back, or get on the gas and pass. Never cruise alongside.

 

So it's safe to assume your not a trucker...

 

I am not a trucker ...

 

Thanks, didn't know that.

No, but it sounds like the post above might explain it. Towing is not something I know much about.

 

Just my opinion, tow a 3500 lb trailer without trailer brakes with a tacoma and you'll end up warping the front rotors.

 

I have towed ~3000# w/o trailer brakes with my Tacoma, but it was on flat ground in Texas, and 60 miles was the furthest. It was all highway so brake usage was minimal.