The Tacoma Towing Bible

Nice, Ive been planning on installing my controller in the same spot when I do it.

 

There is not any best brand. I can't recall any MFG that are NOT made in China off the top of my head. And thats why brand is null. Some may disagree, but at the end of the day, trailer tires will blowout or need replacement from a foreign object (nail), under-inflation, or dry rot. Just choose an established name brand such as, but not limited to; Goodyear, Load Star, Carlisle, Etc. Just be wary of "house" brands.

As far as radials, absolutely. Radials are very common these days and the numerous handing improvements are well worth it. All positives with radials (except cost!) that your tire guy says is true. Especially with a Travel Trailer where long drives are the norm.

Price varies so much, I can't even give an estimate.
This spring I paid $375 for (4) Loadstar ST215/75R-15" Radials, M & B out the door. After a quick google search I may have got a deal. But with 9 road trailer axles, 3 vehicles, a tri-axle truck, a tractor and all the misc farm equipment, I think [Correction: KNOW] my tire guy still makes money off me!

Well I typed that quick, so hopefully the intent of question was answered.

 

Thanks for the info...I will be heading out west next year & want to have tires I can depend on. Another ?...do I need to have the T/T wheels balanced?

 

Yes, have it done. Most likely already included in the price of mounting. May be folklore, but apparently increases tire life.

 

Can my 2006 4x4 tacoma double cab be towed BEHIND AN RV with all 4 wheels on the ground?

 

Per the owners manual I would say no. It must be trailerd.

 

all 4 wheels off the ground?

can I have the back 2 on the ground? or the front 2?

 

When I looked at the manual I was driving a 2009 Prerunner and if I recall correctly it said it could not be towed from the front or the rear- I'll check the manual tomorrow on my 2012 and let you know what it says.

 

This week I converted from a four pin trailer wiring harness to a seven pin. I used the ETBC7 kit from etrailer. The kit worked well and provided everything I needed to convert from four to seven. The only problem is the way its wired the brake controller is always on. Even when the truck is turned off, the power is coming directly off the battery. I would prefer it power off when I turn the ignition off. There must be a way to wire it to a power source that comes on when the truck does. Has anyone done this, or have any advice?

Edit: It looks like the writeup here in the towing bible says to wire it this way too. Is there a reason?

 

On Tacomas with the towing package, the brake controller wiring is not wired through the ignition. The controller will not turn off with the truck but it should turn itself off after a certain amount of time to avoid draining the battery.

 

Thanks for the info. I just checked and the controller I have (Tekonsha Prodigy P2) says it has a power saving mode for this reason.

"Power-saving mode reduces drain on the battery when vehicle is not in use - draws only 3.6 milliamps"

 

Yup, that is the one I am using

 

Great Write-up! I may have overlooked it, but I didn't see the "how to" wire up a 7-way on a 1st Generation 2.7L... Have you done a write-up for that, and if so, can you please post the link?

Much appreciative of the time and effort you've put into this!!!

 

This weekend, I'm planning on installing my E2 Trunnion style WDH onto my Tacoma/Jayco 26BH. Is there anything, specific to the Tacoma, that I should be aware of? Obviously, I have the OEM tow-package and break controller already installed. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything specific to the Tacoma that I need to be concerned with.

 

Not really. I am doing the same. Changing WDH from chain link to Equalizer WDH.

 

OK, thanks. I didn't have the coin to spend on the full-blown Equalizer, so I got the E2 version, which only has 2-point sway control vs. the 4-point sway control of the Equalizer.

 

Always to remember to put the choke on the wheels of the trailer first before doing anything else. The guy who sold me the trailer forgot it. I bounced (hopped) backward. Luckily, he was parking the trailer on flat ground.

I almost did the same one day and just remember at the last second. It would have been a nasty result since my driveway is on a slope.

 

Another idea for the brake controller placement. I just finished the install of the factory tow wiring harness and added a wire for the brake controller. Installed the brake controller in the center console. I don't tow much, so I wanted it hidden. Since I had the console out I also put a power outlet in the back for the rear seats.

 

Well, I got the trailer home safely and in one piece. I don't think I had the E2 adjusted to 100% the way it should have been, since I still had a good bit of sag in rear-end, but I did get it home. Now, I'll have time to properly get it setup and adjusted.

 

Okay folks, at work, long day, frustrated searching.

Need to pull a 1999 ranger long bed single cab 2wd, busted tranny cooler/radiator. If in neutral, with little tranny fluid, will it be ok on car Dolley? Or should i borrow a double axle flat bed?

Pulling with my rig, 99 3.4 with expos out back, and elite offroad bumper with integrated hitch....