05 Tacoma towing

Help, I just bought an 05 v-6 access cab. It has a class 4 receiver, pink fan clutch and the factory trailer brake wiring kit (still in the Pkg.) and the 7 pin connector. How can I tell what weight this baby can tow? Is this the "trailer tow pkg" for this year. I only want to tow about 3500 lbs wet, can she handle it. 47,000 miles on the truck.

 

You will be good towing a 3,500 Lb trailer with brakes.

 

Wow an 05 with only 47K. Niceeee

 

with that factory set up you're good to tow 6500 lbs max. I have 39,000 on my 05 and tow a 5000 lb travel trailer. I have ride rite air bags on my truck. I have a prodigy brake control for the travel trailer and a weight distribution/anti sway tow set up. Good luck

 

Thanks for the info! What is the purpose of the Air Bags? Do you recommend? How is the power and handling pulling 5k? I appreciate any advise, I am a pure rookie. JB

 

Any dealer can look up your VIN and tell you if you have the factory tow package which also includes oil cooler, larger battery and alternator, and trans cooler on automatic. 5K is close to the comfortable upper limit on weight, and is also dependent on a tall trailer (more wind resistance). Air bags won't increase towing capacity, but are helpful in leveling the truck with trailer. Another option is a weight distributing hitch. Tongue weight for a 3.5K trailer should be in the neighborhood of 300 to 350 pounds or so. Absolutely you need a trailer brake controller, and possibly a sway control device. Depending on tires, may need to run 35-45 pounds if P-series tires, and maybe more if LT tires. Are you going to be traveling in mountains or lots of hills ?

Check out RV.NET under Towing and also Tow Vehicles. Search for Tacoma.

 

Contacted Toyota USA, they punched in the VIN, she has it all, rated to tow 6,500. I like the air bag idea, did you install? We live in the Lake Tahoe area, plan to do alot of mountain traveling. Also, 10 years old and 40k miles, should I consider replacing the timing belt now before I do any towing? Thanks in advance for your valued advise. JB

 

You have timing chains, not belts. Not a maintenance item until worn out. Have your brakes checked, and wheel bearings re-packed if its been awhile, possibly replace serpentine belt Consider reducing oil change interval if you tow a lot, otherwise regularly scheduled maintenance and you should be ok. The reason I posted 5k as "comfortable" is an old rule of thumb, try not to exceed 80% of your max rating. What are you planning to tow, ie open trailer or a tall travel trailer?

 

You will be fine.........towed this around 6000 miles before switching to a Tundra. 5000 pounds and only suffered on very steep mountain passes (had to keep the go pedal to the floor). Factory tow package, air bags, 8 ply tires, electric trailer brakes, no sway control.

Donald