Towing Question

This is my first post and I know there are other posts out there that discuss towing, but I find a lot of them confusing, so I thought I would ask a direct question about my vehicle, which is a 2012 Double Cab Toyota Tacoma Sr5 PreRunner TSS.

The manual says my vehicle is rated to pull 3,500 pounds without the towing package and 6,500 pounds with the towing package.

This tells me that my vehicle is capable of pulling 6,500 pounds had I bought it with towing package.

My question is, what would I need to add to my tacoma to give it an "after market" towing package and give me 6,500 pounds towing capacity.

Thank You.

 

Trans, oil cooler, 7 pin trailor harness, class 4 hitch, brake controller (not sure about the brake controller.

 

Yeah but I forgot the alternator and the battery.

 

A brake controller is not included in the tow package. Just a larger battery, larger alternator, class 4 hitch, 7-pin harness, trans cooler and oil cooler.

The two coolers are relatively simple to install. I helped a buddy put them on his '05 that did not have a tow package. Mostly involves running some lines from the tranny and water manifold.

The battery is self explanatory and I'm not sure if you really need the bigger alternator or not. How much juice can a few tail lights use?

The hitch and wiring harness can be obtained from Toyota. As far as I understand and from reading around Toyota is the only company that makes a class 4 hitch for a mid-size truck. Most come with class 3's, we have the highest tow capacity in the mid-size category.

Now, depending on the size trailer you want to tow you may want a brake controller. I have towed a 5000 lb trailer about 1000 miles without a brake controller and the truck had to work to get it stopped so if the trailer has brakes, I'd get a controller.

 

Thank you for the info, I have already put a class III uhaul hitch on it, so basically if I do everything else on this list my truck capacity will exceed the hitch (5k without weight distro and 6k with). Can you recommend a reasonably priced, good quality weight distribution system? My overall goal of this is to be able to pull a 18-20 foot camper a few times a year without putting my vehicle or other vehicles in danger.

 

I think it was camping world that had a WD hitch on sale for less then $200. If you can find a dual axle trailer your smiling they tow way nicer then a single axle and yes you will need a breaking system no if and or buts. If you can find a camper that's under 3000# that would also be a plus. I pull a 18' with my 6 cyl with no problems except for the frequent stops at the gas stations.

 

maineah,
Can I ask if you have the towing package on your 6cyl and also what kind of 18' camper you have?

 

After sitting down and doing some more research, I have another question. A lot of people are saying that you do not need a transmission cooler for towing if you have a manual transmission. Mine has an automatic transmission but it also has the manual option so I can put it into gears 1-5 manually. Would this be the same as manual transmission as far as needing a transmission cooler is concerned?

 

No, you have an automatic regardless of gear selection. Put a good quality trans cooler on it.

 

In addition to the items mentioned you may need a rear spring upgrade or airbags. I would highly recommend staying as light as possible. I tow a 16 foot, 2500# trailer and climb allot of grades. For that kind of towing I would not go over 3500#. On gentle terrain you could do a bit more. I agree with above that brakes and a controller are a must. It's about more than just what the truck can stop.

 

No. You need the cooler for autos because the torque convertor generates a lot of heat when unlocked. Even if you manually shift through the gears, it's not a solid connection like a manual clutch, the torque convertor slips and creates heat.

 

If you have the 7 pin harness do you have the upgraded tow package? If thats not the best way to check, what is?

 

The best way would be to look for the transmission cooler but the factory 7-pin connector and a factory class IV receiver would be a good tell (although if you bought your truck used, both the wiring and receiver can be added relatively easily).

Also, your GCVWR sticker should be up in the 10-11,000 lb range. If you don't have the tow package, it should be 3,000 lb lower.

 

As mentioned, stiffer springs (1 extra leaf in Canada, 2 in the US) and I would add better tires (if you still have the crappy stockers) would be highly recommended.

 

Yes mine does have the towing package I knew I was going to tow with it so it was bought that way. The tow package comes with a brake control connector I would guess all the trucks have the wiring in place but I can't say for fact that being true you should be able to buy the harness makes the hook up very simple. My camper is a "90" Sunline T1700 it has two axles and pulls like a dream. If you are going to tow with an automatic you really really need a trans cooler.