For towing, "Off-Road" or "Sport" pkg?

DH and I plan to purchase a Tacoma (DC/SB/4x4/with towing pkg). We need the Tacoma to tow our 4,000 lb. HiLo travel trailer. I wanted the "Sport" pkg., but today the sales person at the Toyota dealer said the "Off-Road" pkg. was better for towing. (He had heard that from a customer, but couldn't adequately explain the difference to us)
The brochure describes the two suspensions as "Sport suspension" vs "Off-Road tuned suspension". Is there a difference regarding towing?
We want the features that would be best for towing, as well as comfort to passengers.
Thanks!

 

I don't see a difference at all in towing. They both have the same towing components, but the Sports' sway bar has a bigger diameter, but that shouldn't make a difference at all.

 

Ah, thanks Chris. I knew I got it confused again.

 

Whichever model you buy, start by insisting on the TSB 4 leaf rear springs. The standard 3 leaf springs, which both come with, are inadequate for towing IMO.

 

Possibly one model comes with 4 leafs?

 

The dealer probably assumed that the Off-Road has a "stiffer" suspension and related that to better towing capability.

 

If the dealer got told by a customer..They probably didn't ask any further...Just put it in their file of shit to say when another customer asks a question.

I'd vote for the Sport if you are going to be using it solely for towing- Street tires, the non-progressive coils, larger sway bar. Make sure to get the Towing package and push for the TSB you'll be all set.

 

+1

 

Tow PKG and TSB springs.. great "camping" truck. Love the name Lov2Camp.

 

For all the time salesmen spend pulling their weiners, you'd think they could take 15 minutes a day to educate themselves about the products they sell, so they could give an intelligent answers to simple questions..... As opposed to regurgitating second hand heresay...
Good luck with your purchase, the fact that you're buying a Taco, is probably the most important part of the decision!

 

i have a 2009 off road package and mine only has 3 leaf springs, i did some research on the TSBs and the TSB only states that they were causing some squeeking, so i called my dealer to see what the deal was with all this and a TSB is just something that gets done when there is a problem with a certain portion of the truck (i.e. weak tailgate or squeeky springs) where is everyone finding out that the trucks are supposed to have 4 leafs?

id like to have some hard evidence saying that my truck needs 4 leafs on each side, that way when i go talk to the dealer again, it doesnt sound like im talking out of my ass.

 

Load it up with 800-1000 lbs. and take it in. Your suspension will be 3/4 maxed out with just that much load.

Edit - A quick search on here will give you dozens of threads of other's experience too.