Get tow package or not?

I'll be moving to Colorado soon and I'm trying to decide between a Tacoma with or without tow package. It'll be the V6, DC LB 4x4 either way. There's a $4500 difference between the two trucks, obviously more upgrades are involved in the price but my biggest concern is the tow package. I don't plan to tow much if at all with it, maybe a small trailer at some point.

The tow package includes oil/tranny cooler and I'm wondering if it would be a good idea for driving in the mountains unloaded. Or will the truck have no problems either way. If not, I'd rather spend the $4500 difference on other mods.

Will be a 2014, truck in sig is gone.

Thanks!

 

It's better to have it than not .and you will have better benefit from having it .tranny cooler suspension and so on .

 

can always add it aftermarket for a lot cheaper if you want to save some mulla for other things

 

it also has a larger alternator. I think the tow package itself is a few hundred dollars. maybe you can find a truck with fewer options that is more like what you want but has the tow package?

 

yea.... $4500 is a deal breaker. Like the guys above said, the tow package itself is only a couple hundred bucks. Def not 4500. I'd look elsewhere.

But the tow package is nice to have, just in case.

 

If your are financing the taco then think of it like this, a few extra dollars added to your monthly payment will increase your resale value

 

The same model trim level with vs without the tow package can't be a $4500.00 difference. What else is different between the trucks?

 

Absolutely get it! Don't mess with an aftermarket application that is a poor substitute for a factory option. Talk to a factory rep before you think an aftermarket app is acceptable.
You may not foresee towing but if you ever do it is imperative that the truck has it. I made this mistake on an 03 Double Cab TRD thinking because it had the frame hitch it included the towing package... it did not and I had to sell the truck in two years at a loss in order to tow a pop up trailer and maintain towing margins.
GVWR is only 3500 w/o the package. Okay for very light applications but for anything over 2000 lbs., I'd recommend a tow package.
For resale alone it is worth the $650. which is what the option costs. $4500 sounds like a completely different truck.
IMO it is a huge mistake to buy a Tacoma without it but in the end it's your decision.

 

the actual price for the v6 tow package is $650 MSRP, $579 invoice.

that is on a 2014 double cab v6 short bed.

SR5 extra value pkg is $1630 msrp

TRD Sport Pkg is $3200 msrp

TRD Off Road Pkg is $3600 msrp

TRD TX BAJA Pkg is $5000 or $4600 msrp depending since there is 2 different entries on price

 

I would get the toyota factory tow package. As was said earlier the dealer should be able to install it on any 4x4 for about $500 plus labor. I believe the $4500 upgrade your talking about is the sport package. I think that the truck will be much better equipped (comparable to other passenger vehicles) with this package and will have a higher resale value at the end of the day. You never know when the toy package will come in handy, and not having at least that will really hurt a trucks resale.

 

get the tow package, the truck is able to handle extreme condition.

 

Go for it! The tow package even if you don't use it will help your truck in everyday applications!

 

Wow, thanks for the replies. Ok, I'll clarify. The $4500 diff is more than the tow package, but mostly appearance like painted bumpers, tires/wheels, etc. The oil/tranny cooling system was all that I really care about. I'd get a bumper replacement, tires wheels anyway down the road. I don't plan to tow anything over 2k lbs. If I do I'll use the wife's Seqouia.

My big question was about driving (not towing anything) in the mountains. Can the non-tow package truck handle it fine, or would it be worth spending the extra cash for the oil/tranny cooler?

 

Get the sport package with the tow package! The TRD seats are worth the price alone. Plus you could get the engine and jbl combination which is worth it as well too!

 

Welcome to CO in advance!

As far as just driving in the mountains, with or without the tow package isn't going to matter much. You'll be absolutely fine either way. It's a non-issue imho.

Some things to consider - are you planning to mount a winch in the many years you will own it? If so, the bigger alternator is definitely worth it.

Are you planning to wheel it? If so, having the tranny cooler is a big plus since heat is the biggest enemy of the auto tranny.

Personally, I think the cost of the tow package is well worth it even if you don't tow a single thing but use it for the two items listed above.

 

To hell with MSRP.

You can have that truck with tow package for much cheaper!

Shoot for INVOICE!!!!

Negotiate and negotiate hard to your benefit. And if they don't take it.....walk away. They'll call you in the morning. You can always take your negotiations to another dealer and have them FIGHT over who wants your sale.

I paid invoice for my truck ($3000 less than MSRP) and got a frigin awesome trade-in on a Dodge Ram and no loan.

 

Dammit, you sold me. That's the kind of reasoning I needed to hear.

 

You can add a tow package with wiring kit and save lots of money.I would go with a B&M tranny cooler also,there only like $70 and are much better than the stock IMO...

 

It's all the same...... whether you're towing or not.

I have the tow package and haven't towed a damn thing with it. I use the hitch all the time......(carrying bikes). It's there in case I ever need it.

You are much better off getting the OEM tow package NOW (along with all the upgrades that go with it)....... than wishing you had it later and trying to outfit your truck with aftermarket parts.

 

In all honesty, the cost to do the upgrades aftermarket are not usually worth it for a lot of folks.

Add up all the costs for the wiring, hitch, alternator, and tranny cooler.

Then subtract that amount from the the cost to add on the package from the dealer.

Now divide that difference by the number of hours/effort that it's going to take you to install it all. This number is the hourly wage you're essentially paying yourself to install it all.

There are many out there that their time is worth more to them than the hourly cost that they would be paying themselves to install those items.

Just my .02