Tow Package on 4 cylinder Tacoma

Am still trying to narrow down my choices in purchasing a 2013/2014 Tacoma later this spring. I like the fuel economy and durability of the 4 cylinder and the space of the access cab with the SR5 package so far. Am also favoring the automatic transmission.

However, I want to be able to occasionally tow an appropriate weight trailer and wondered if any of the new 4 cylinder models can be ordered/purchased with the tow package. If not, how difficult is it to add an aftermarket hitch? Also, how easy or difficult is installing the wiring for trailer lights/brakes?

Any suggestions and thoughts are most welcome.

Rick

 

I can't speak for ordering from the factory, but adding a hitch and wiring is easy. It was 4 or 6 bolts and a few plug ins for the wiring.

Check out Curt for the hitch / harness.

 

Like bubba353z said, pretty easy to add the hitch and wiring.

I will add that in most people's experience the 4 cyl's don't get that much better fuel economy than the V6 and they have a lot less power. Could just be their driving habits though.

Also with the auto 4 cylinder you may want to look into adding a tranny cooler for towing.

 

Far as I know the bigtime tow package is only available with the 4.0L. The factory tow package was $600 for me on the 2012 and includes the heavy-duty battery and alternator, the engine oil cooler, and the tranny oil cooler (for the automatic trans).

 

Some of us I4 guys do get much better mpg.

 

If seems if you stay pretty much factory you do pretty well, but start modding and it goes fast. Look at my rig, I have oversize tires, a regear, lift, heavy armor, etc and I still get 16-17mpg on average. Driving 55 mph instead of 75mph I can get closer to 20 mpg.

There is a 1st gen guy that weighs a lot less than I do, is running about the same size tires on about the same gears with the auto tranny and he gets a few mpg less than me. He is just one example. I'll admit I haven't followed 4 cyl economy very much, but I hear a lot of guys complaining about it not being that much better than the V6's, but the power difference between the two is pretty big.

 

I just traded a 2010 4 cyl / 5 spd 4x4 for a 2012 TRD Sport 4x4 with the V-6 auto - less than a month ago. The 6 definitely is thirsty - about 2-3 MPG less right now, but I haven't had it long enough to get a real good read on it.

I averaged about 22 MPG with the four - I'm hoping for 20 with the six. I wouldn't go back though.

 

I used to avg about 22 with my 4cyl manual but when I slowed down from 70 to 65 on the freeway, the mpg went up to 24-25. I've got a 5 lug but I run oversized tires and regeared to 4.10 to basically match a 6 lug. I don't tow very often but towed a 6x12 uhaul a few weeks ago and got 14-15 hwy. Not too bad if you ask me. I can't say if the 2012/13 4 bangers can be purchased with a tow package but all I did was add a hitch and 4 pin wiring harness since I don't have any need for the tranny cooler. It was pretty easy to do. You might be able to add an aux tranny cooler on the automatic.

 

If you get a 4cyl, the auto option will be a total slug. With the 2.7, the 5 speed is essential IMHO.

 

My '97 six lug 2.7L manual would start guzzling above 65 mph. It didn't have the HP/torque to handle 5th gear, required too much gas pedal and of course running the rpm's up in 4th guzzled also. The 4.0 isn't much better, but this 2012 is about 600 lbs heavier than the '97.

I drove the 2012 2.7L six lug, and it doesn't have the beans to power this 4055 lb truck, even unloaded.

 

I won't have bought mine with an automatic.

 

Thanks to all for their comments and insights. I respect the views of both camps (I4 vs V6) as the merits of each have been discussed at length on this forum.

If I go the I4 route, then for sure I will install my own hitch and wire harness and call it good for the only occasional bit of light towing I would likely do. According to the Curt Hitch website, installation looks pretty straightforward.

I am really tempted to wait until the 2014 models arrive on the lots and see what changes, if any, are made to the engines on these trucks. Perhaps fuel efficiency will be kicked up a notch or two. For my usage, I've calculated the fuel savings with the current I4 to be approximately $500 to $1000/year. Your calculations may vary.

 

Don't get your hopes up. Toyota pretty much already announced the 2014 line up. I am expecting a new Tacoma for 2015. 1st gen came out in 1995, 2nd gen in 2005, so 3rd gen in 2015 is what I am expecting.

 

It's not bad at all. This should cover it... http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/277680-pics-class-iii-hitch-install-basic.html#post6883651

As far as MPG, I've owned a number of Taco's and all my V6's liked their fuel. Even careful driving in town was hard to achieve above 16 mpg. The 2.7 will do that pinned to the floor for you "spirited driver" types. I'm confident that careful use of a unladen 4 popper will regularly yield 23 mpg in town driving based on my personal experience. I've owned two of them.