The Tacoma Towing Bible

I've received some pm's from some members asking about installing the brake controller without drilling. Took some photos so everyone can see how I did it. I also believe that another member here has done it the same way.

This is what I use: a clip binder (I think this is the biggest size) that you can get at office depot/max


It is out of the way and I can see it when driving/pulling the trailer.

This is what I pull with my truck at the moment...for some of my toys.... 14 ft Tandem Axle BigTex Trailer


Hope the pics help. In the current location, the controller is out of the way but I bump into it if I am in a hurry and not paying attention when getting out of the Tacoma. The binder clip has kept it in place and barely moves. NO holes with this approach.

 

Thanks Romafern.

 

Wow alot of reading. Alot of info. I have a question that i did not find in here.
My truck is listed below and has the tow package.

My boat is 22 foot and the trailer has surge brakes. I think it tows just fine. I know that the surge brakes are not electric. So I do not need a trailer brake control as it would not work in this case.

Just wanting some opinions. How much better would electric brakes be over the surge brakes. Is there more control. I was also told that one could not get electric brakes on a trailer used for a boat, do to the water. I dont know if that is true as 4x4er's go mud womping and river crossing and submerging their trucks. They seem to do just fine with the electrical stuff after their done playing.

Any input on towing with surge brakes.

Thanks

 

I skimmed through, but didn't notice anything pertaining to 6th gear in the manual transmission. Is 6th more of an overdrive and not to be used for towing? I've always had 5spd big trucks, so I'm new to the whole 6spd thing. Very possible that I missed it, as I'm paying attention to the tornadoes here in OK

 

uhaul here wouldn't even let me rent that trailer. They had a chart for my truck etc. and would only allow me to tow 70% of my tow rating. so the 2000lb trailer plus a 3500lb 1969 cougar was over at a total of 5500lbs.

 

You can't tell them what you're really towing. I had to tell them I was towing a ford fiesta. Given their trailer is 2000lbs, and their low limits, there's damn near nothing out there they would allow you to tow with it.

 

Thanks. A ford fiesta. Got it.

 

Does the Tacoma have a plug in wiring harness to go to the brake controller? If so does anybody have a part number for it

 

Bow, you can have mine for 10 bucks plus s/h. New.

 

First "real" trip yesterday to the lake. 2+ hour drive each way, 5 people + 1 dog in truck (dog is only 12 lbs though). T-storm on way home, etc.

1. Pulling = good
2. Stopping = good (trailer has surge brakes)
3. Starting = not great, really need to get revs up, shifting at 3500 still bogs in 2nd, shift at 4000 very loud.

4. Pulling up ramp = hmmm, put in 4 hi and it was "ok" , prob 4 Lo next time like i used to do in my FJ.
5. Stability = good
6. Leveling = perfect with Ride Rite

 

Any time bro!

 

4Lo should do the trick for you next time. Glad to know you are happy with Ride Rite. Got pics as to how you connected/install location of the compressor? What model unit do you have? I only have the bags but thinking of going full setup.



Cheers!

 

Try running higher octane gas when towing. I run 87 all the time, but the VVTI will adjust to full performance with higher octane. So trying running 90-whatever you can get and see if that makes a difference.

 

Good advice, used to do that years ago when towing with V6. Last few years been towing with V8s, forgot this trip.

 

Link to post of my Ride Rite install w/ compressor.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...stalled-firestone-ride-rite-w-compressor.html

 

Looking good Scotty! Thanks for the info!

 

So reading through the first page I clicked on a link in this sentence.
"If you have a Gen 1 truck or standard cab Gen 2 truck or you are out of warranty, then you may want to check out this link.'
But it goes nowhere and I wanted to check it out. Anyone got the correct link?
Thanks.

 

haha, I also tow a '78 CC Mako with my '12 Tacoma AC, v6, off road, tow package. The boat is a lot heavier now with all that waterlogged foam that many old boats have, and a new 140 Suzuki 4 stroke engine........but, I don't trailer her often, or far, so, the Tacoma seems to do ok. Not sure of what it all weighs, but, suspect with boat, motor, trailer, etc.... might be 3,500 - 4,000 lbs. ?

 

Don't know what it weighs but it doesn't sag the truck or pull on it to hard. It's a 20' Lund deep well with a 200 Yamaha with Kicker.

 

Quote

"The Gen 2 trucks are available with a factory “towing package” on V6 models only.

This “towing package” consists of a class IV receiver hitch, supplemental engine oil cooler, transmission cooler (again automatic transmission only), Heavy-Duty battery, 130 amp alternator, fully functional 7-way round plug, and a plug and play brake controller pigtail."

End Quote

Anybody please help. We are in the process of converting our 09 Tacoma to have the aftermarket version of the towing package. Unfortunately Toyota have discontinued the Class 4 Hitch receiver. By calling several manufacturers of hitches they do not have a Class 4 but only a Class 3 which would fit out Tacoma. By installing a Class 3 incl weight distribution we can only tow max of 5500 lbs. Our new trailer weighs in at 5800 fully loaded. How do I make this a legal installation so the police will not ask me to drop the camper on the shoulder of the interstate?