The Tacoma Towing Bible

Seriously Considering This Pop Up Camper - Please Update Wire Harness Installation Links

 

I just picked up a 2005 2720 for $6k and love it so far, but my converter took a shit on my second trip out, so I'm going to replace it with one that can do lithium. Got some other ideas of upgrades too.

https://imgur.com/a/eDIw8wL

 

Very cool and great deal. Enjoy.

 

Were you monitoring trans pan and torque converter temps with a scan gauge or ultraguage by chance. If so, what temps did you max out at going uphills?

 

Has been a great thread, starting with the author. So I have basically same truck 18” DBLCB LB Sport 4x4. So do you stay in “D” drive or use the manual Sport gears when towing? Thanks

 

We have the SE version. We love it so far.

 

This is great info! thank you so much for sharing this it helps a lot! I dont feel comfortable installing these additions on my own and will need to have someone do it for me.. Do you by chance know how much i should expect to pay for installation of a break controller? And wiring installation for a 7 pin... I already have a 4 pin installed but its getting pretty rusty. I think i also need a 12 volt connector run to my pin for the refrigerator?...

Also im not sure what you mean in regards to getting rear spring TSB preformed.... Is this the shocks on my truck?

 

very good info.. just wanted some advise on if I needed anything else or am I missing something for a great towing experience.

Here is my info:
Tacoma 2020 TRD SPORT 4x4
Total weight: 990
GVWR: 5900

Geo Pro 2020bhs
UVW: 3513 lb.
Hitch Weight: 455 lb
CCC: 842 lb

Going by this trailer spec. I should be fine towing this? This is what I got so far.
TEKONSHA P3 BRAKE CONTROL
Equal-i-zer 4-point Sway Control Hitch, 90-00-1201, 12,000 Lbs Trailer Weight Rating
Extended Travel Trailer Mirror

$250 Haloview MC7108 Wireless RV Backup Camera System 7'' Monitor Built in DVR Rear View Camera with Infrared Night Vision and Wide Viewing Angle for Truck/Trailer/RV/Pickups/Camping Car/Van/Farm

Haloview MC7108 Wireless RV Backup Camera System
Heavy Duty Leveling Blocks

I think i'm ready to camp? please advise is my towing will be smooth. or do I need to add in the super coolant or other stuff?

thank you

 

I don't know if this helps you at all but...
I have a 2014 Off Road V6
Tow capacity is 6400
Tongue weight rating is 640
Tekonsha P3
OME HD Dakar rear springs
Max Coupler hitch
No sway controllers

My trailer is a home built teardrop
Loaded weight is 3500
Tongue weight is 400

I've towed this trailer full time since last June over freeways, back roads, blm roads, forest roads, up 9000 foot passes and down them. All across the country with no issues. My truck handles 3500 lbs great

Watch your braking distances
Watch your corners
You'll be fine
Go camping

 

thank you!! this is what I needed. So nothing special that I need for a smooth towing experience.. Seem like you got leaser weight on your. but if it tow pretty smooth, my trialer should be fine. thank you.

 

Nice! Eye of the needle DVNP

 

Don’t have a lot of experience with the Tacoma yet, but always avoid overdrive when towing with any auto transmission. In a six speed auto that means S4.

 

so when towing my trailer. it is good ideas to switch to S4? or D for flat surface? and when there is a bit up hill or down hill i should switch it to S4? and if very very uphill or down hill i should use S3? is there a guideline for this?

 

Keep it in S4

 

I think it depends on the weight your towing. I towed 1000 lbs every weekend, 150 miles during the summer months for 9 years in D. 3000 lbs would be a different story. I'd say keep it in 4th if over 2000 lbs for sure. Less weight, gear will depend on situation.

 

Question about combined payload and towing.

I have a 2005 tacoma v6 6speed without the tow package. If I had a bed payload of approximately 1000lbs what does that leave me for towing capacity? Reason I ask is I have a 750lb empty slide in aluminum truck camper, about 1000lb with gear. Id also like to tow a small boat. I want to make sure I'm legal. Eventually I will install the fuel/oil cooler for the 6 speeds and regear my differentials. Thanks for your time!

 

I think the concern would be more about safety then legality. The thousand pounds of payload should be subtracted from your truck payload as listed on the driver's door jamb label. My 2006 double cab 4x4 has a 1200 pound payload. Yours may be different. Remember that everything you put in the truck other than a 150 pound driver counts against the payload. That includes the tow hitch and the tongue weight of your boat trailer. So for example if you're payload rating is 1200 pounds like mine, your camper is 1000 pounds and your boat trailer has a 100 pound tongue weight, and if you bring a 150 pound passenger, you're overweight.

Here's the disclaimer: This is based on how I understand payload ratings after much research in preparation for towing a 22' RV. I'm not the expert, just someone who's trying to learn this stuff.

 

^ What MPW said is true. However you mention a boat, how big / heavy is the boat? If you were to distribute the gear in the boat properly and the boat is say 2000 lbs or under you MAY be okay? What I'd like to know is do you have and added springs or air bags in the back to help with the heavy load? If not its got to be riding on the bumpstops? That's got to be rough on the clutch also so dont go bigger tires at all unless you regear.

 

Yes I have ome dakar leaf springs with timbrens. (My reasoning for the timbrens is no leaks/zero maintenance, but I may switch to airbags) Also have brand new calipers, hawk hps brake pads, rotors. I have 33" tires. I plan to re-gear the diffs to 4.56 or 4.88. Just saving some cash to do it. The aluminum boat is 950lbs dry + gear + trailer + fuel, I'm thinking around 1400lbs? Anyways I'm not trying to skimp on safety. I may switch to airbags.

 

Hi. I've read through most of this and learned a lot. I live in Florida and I'm looking for a dual axle toy hauler trailer to live in full time. The xlr micro boost 25lrle really appeals to me. The UVW is 5012 lbs. The length is 28.75'. The bigger the better since I'm living in it full time. Towing will be in Florida which is flat and limited to likely a 50 mile radius. I may stay at a location for 2 weeks or up to a year. I know this is on the high side for a Tacoma but I'm wondering if anyone has towed close to this. I won't be putting in much extra weight. Just a mountain bike, paddleboard and occasionally a 200 pound dirtbike. 1 person and no pets. So I'm hoping total weight would be under 6200. My truck came with the tow package and shows TWR 6700 lbs and GCWR 11300. Any thoughts or help appreciated. I'm brand new to this.