Towing questions for 1998 tacoma

Look, everyone keeps saying get the towing package. As the mod noted, on a manual trans, the towing package was just a tow hitch rated to 5000lbs (class III) and nothing else.

So, if you have a towing hitch you are good to go. There is no oil cooler on a manual trans. The towing package had more if you had an automatic because it needs an oil cooler.

So, get hitch or if you have one, then hook up the boat and drive. As mentioned, doggy on hills but you are well within the 5000lb tow rating. If you want trailer brakes, then get them, but as many people have said on here (including myself who has towed 2500 plus for long distances) that you are fine if you drive smart and downshift when slowing.

 

My owners manual says im good to 5000 lbs...

 

That's basically what I was getting at with my question, but I wasn't sure about the radiator. Essentially, install a class III hitch on an MT Tacoma and you now have the 'Towing Package'. For a 4-cyl, you can tow 3500 pounds and on a V6, you can tow 5,000.

BTW here are two things from the manual I ignore:

• In order to maintain engine braking efficiency, do not use fifth gear (manual transmission) or overdrive (automatic transmission).
• Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing speed limit, whichever is lower. Because instability (swaying) of a towing vehicle/trailer combination usually increases as the speed increases, exceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may cause loss of control.

 

Bolt on a hitch and tow it, as far as brakes are they absolutely needed, no. However I have them on all my trailers just in case of an "Oh Shit!" moment, even if you drive cautious its always nice to know you dont have 2500lbs pushing you when you dont need the extra momentum, lol.

I would add trailer brakes too, but thats just me, they arent very expensive and really cut down your stopping distances in emergencies.

 

I have never seen trailer brakes on a boat trailer that goes in and out of water, salt water at that.

My V6 auto has the trailer pkg from the factory, trailer wiring harness ( factory ) H/D fan ( green shaft ) factory installed receiver hitch.

I would think it would be very expensive to install trailer brakes to the trailer, backing plates, shoes, drums, electro magnets ect, a trailer brake controller not so expensive.

I am to lazy to get out my owners manual to see what mine is rated to tow.

That being said if you stay with in the recommended limits and drive with some stopping distance between you and the other guy you should be OK.

 

I have an '03 V6 4Wd 5 spd, with 183K on the clock, this thing is rock solid. I tow about 5000lbs (car, trailer, gear fuel, etc.) over longer distances (4 hour tows, with some hills) and the car trailer has electric brakes, Prodigy P2 brake controller (which is a must with this amount of weight.) It is not a diesel locomotive, nor a V8, take your time, leave extra room and don't floor it and you will be fine. Use your transmission wisely and take your time arriving, your Tacoma will impress the hell out of you. (Just note, make sure you inspect/investigate where it is you decide to stop, because our trucks (manuals) don't like reverse with trailers, you will smell clutch, they are not geared//designed for a lot of backing up (with the load), as long as it is short term/short distance you should be fine).

You might want to check and see if you can get a surge brake on the trailer, good point about trailer brakes and water, don't usually mix too well, BUT the larger boats, with dual axle trailers must have some braking system, even for the Tundras/Rams/Silverados/F150's etc/. Do a bit of research on that one ans see what is out there.
My .02 the weight you are towing, (2500 lbs) with the V6, 5dsp, 4wd, if you take good take of the truck/engine/gear oil, it will last for some time. More use abuse, means increase the frequency of maintaining the engine/systems. GL

 

Do tell about the H/D fan (pardon my ignorance).

 

Mine does not have the color on the fan shaft that means it has the tow package. I have the wiring harness and installed a 7 pin harness connector set-up. Not sure about the fan....to date, no issues, BUT, I also haven't towed in the middle of the summer, high heat, high humidity...yet...........

 

It's just a different fan clutch that activates at a lower temperature.

 

OK

 

I have a Yamaha SX190 that weighs right around 2900lbs when fully loaded with gas, poles, and anything else that we need for a weekend on the water and my '11 pulls it just fine. For what its worth, my Dad has a 96 Tacoma with the V6/Auto combination and it pulls the boat good just a little tuggy when going up a steep hill.