Does my 1st gen Tacoma come with towing package?

I own a 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4dr 4x4 (automatic), I was wondering how I can tell if my tacoma already comes with the towing package? I am going to be towing a car (on tow dolly) across the US from California to North Carolina, will I need to prep my tacoma to handle that or will my tacoma handle it just fine? It has a towing hitch and seems to have the wiring connection.

 

Check the "shaft" your radiator fan. I think the handbook says if it's orange, it doesn't have the towing package (and can only tow 5,000 for the 4wd double cab). If it's green is has something of a "towing package" and is supposed to pull in more air for cooling, etc. I don't remember what the rating was... maybe 6k... check your glovebox for the book!

 

https://towingcap.com/toyota/tacoma/2002/
Towing package is just a receiver and 4 pin from Toyota. It's up to you if you want to roll the dice.

 

Again Google is your friend when you want information!
You also don't mention whether your 2002 truck is V6 or 4 cyl; that makes a BIG difference. IF it was built with the "towing package", that consisted of "upgraded (green marked) fan, engine oil cooler, receiver hitch and 4-prong trailer lighting plug".

What it doesn't include is a trailer brake controller, and upgraded 7-conductor (round) trailer wiring plug, which is a must if you are towing more than about 2,000#. Be CERTAIN that the dolly you are using has good, working brakes, and add a good trailer brake controller to your truck! I towed a 14' x 7' enclosed trailer from Michigan to Georgia to Colorado (yes over the mountains to 10,000ft), and other than getting LESS than 8 MPG at times (high-winds), I did just fine. You will be driving a LOT slower than normal, and frequently turning off the overdrive, but taking your time, and learning to stop WAY earlier than usual, and you will be fine (IF your truck is in good, well-maintained condition).

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller is what I installed, and it worked GREAT! I mounted it onto the lower dash plastic, just in front and above where my left knee is when I'm driving, and I remove it when it's not in use. Do NOT try and "get away" without installing one of these; it would be just stupid!

Here are the towing spec's for your truck if it's a V6 auto:

Maximum Towing Capacity - 5000 lb
The maximum weight that Toyota Tacoma is allowed to tow. The maximum trailer weights listed are only applicable for altitudes up to 3280 ft (1,000 m) above sea level. With increasing altitude the engine power and therefore the car's climbing ability are impaired because of the reduced air density, so the maximum trailer weight has to be reduced accordingly. The weight of the car and trailer must be reduced by 10% for every further 3280 ft (1,000 m) (or part thereof).

 

Does the tow dolly have trailer brakes? Brake controller wont do you any good if it doesnt have brakes installed.
The uhaul trailers i remember have something of a hydraulic brake installed. The resistance of the ball pushing into the hitch when stopping applies hydraulic pressure to the system- eliminating the need for trailer brake controller.

besides, if your flat towing the other CAR you should be well within the ratings for towing anyways. There will hardly be any tongue weight and what could the car possibly weight? 3k lbs?

 

If you are needing an electric brake controller i agree with KLEENAX. I have the tekonsha in our expedition and have pulled our camper thousands of miles. Its a great unit.

 

If you are coming from So Cal, stay south and go across the desert rather than across the Rockies.

You need to get your truck checked out. A new air filter, and the very best transmission fluid you can find. Make sure your suspension system

Maybe you can get a transmission fluid temperature gauge.

And finally, the towing capacity of the truck and trailer hitch receiver is 6000lbs, before derating for altitude. I think the interstates crossing the mountain west have areas that are 2000 meters, requiring a 20% derating (4800lbs max) In theory, the derating only applies to the truck itself, not the trailer hitch parts. A ball with the max toe capacity at 5000 lbs is good enough. In reality, you want all the components rated at or above 6000lbs.


There are some major caveats with that. First, the trailer ball mount and the ball both need a rating at or above 6000lbs.

Then you need to determine the weight of the car being towed and the dolly/trailer that it rides on. Presuming these add up to less than the truck’s derated towing capacity, you can do it.

The short answer is that it’s possible, but not easily. It’s going to take patience because you aren’t going to cross the continental divide doing 70 mph. It’s probably going to struggle to crest it at 55mph.

 

The shocks and springs and sway bars should be checked out.

 

Brakes too.

 

All the first generation Trucks the so called Towing Package was dealer installed Option that was offered at purchase.

Been there done That no way would i cross the desert only at night when things cooled down.

Your AC in the truck is working . I would rather put up with a Blizzard then 100 degree temps across the south.

A trans cooler is a must. Engines and gear boxes tend to get heat soaked with long drives and do strange things like drink oil or push out gear oil.

I am guessing the Tow dolly is yours not a rental . Rental Companies will not give you much weight on a tow dolly

Surge brakes on the Tow Dolly are nice.

Nothing that can not be done slow and easy it is not a timed event.

 

Even if your truck is in perfect health, that is going to be one fuel sucking trip. And an exhausting driving experience.

 

Be careful with using overdrive. In fact, stay out of overdrive with that much weight. I rather use more gas than have to replace my transmission.

 

I imagine he did. His thread was created over a month ago - but you knew that since you replied to him when he created it

The rest of you all got necro punked lol.

 

A month is not as bad as several years

 

It was July 2022. So a year & a month ago