oil cooler needed?

I bought a used Tacoma, DC, 4L engine, 6 speed STANDARD trans, which had a towing hitch hooked up.
I towed a 16' 2700lbs dry (+ all our crap) trailer through some pretty hilly terrain, with no problems.
But now I realise and will install the trailer brakes connection.
But I'd like to know if I need the oil cooler installed as well?
We are planning on doing some travelling (hence the truck and trailer).
And as long as I'm picking your brains, I know enough not to put the truck in 6th gear on hills, but should I just not use 6th on straight flats and gentle downgrades as well?
Thanks to all for your knowledgeable advice.

 

Does it have the factory tow package?

 

if you have a factory installed towing hitch I think you will have the tow package, which already includes the trans cooler, if you open the hood look in front of the radiator on the drivers side there should be a small black radiator looking box with 2 hoses going into it that's the factory cooler

 

No transmission cooler on the 6 speed manual...

OP, 6th is fine as long as you aren't slipping the clutch or bogging down. Post a picture of the oil filter area and we can see if you already have the tow pkg.

 

Thank you all for the prompt replies. I've already researched what the oil cooler looks like, and I do not have it, or the factory tow package.
The previous owner must have installed the tow hitch, and the 4 pin wiring harness.
I just want to know how much I really need the oil cooler.

 

Bump.
Still would like to know if I really need an oil cooler?

 

I am not sure if a scan gauge will provide trans temps for manuals.
If they do, I think it would help answer your question based on your needs
If temps go over 200 regularly, I would invest in a oil cooler
I have a 5 speed auto and would recommend a full system flush every 30,000miles.
However autos are clearly completely different.

 

Needed, probably not. However when towing, the engine is working harder, and a factory or aftermarket engine oil cooler could add life to the engine, and help prevent premature oil breakdown.

 

Short of installing your own engine oil temp sensor and getting a readout, just mimic Toyota's design: If gross trailer weight is below 3500 lb (what the truck without towing pkg is rated for), you don't need an oil cooler. If the gross weight is above 3500 lb, put in an oil cooler.

You can use whatever gear that feels appropriate. The "don't use overdrive" caution applies to automatics only.

If you tow often, you can also use a good 0W40 synthetic oil like Shell Rotella T6 for an extra margin of safety. An oil designed for turbodiesels will be stable at high temps. Don't run 0W40 unless you tow often though.

 

Thanks to all. I do have an obdll code reader, that shows an oil temp gauge, but no readout seeing as there's no oil temp thermostat. I thought about installing the oil temp thermostat just to see.
The oil coolers I can get some real expensive one from Toyota, or some aftermarket reasonable, but want to make sure it's right, if anyone's ever done this.
Again, thanks for the helpful advice.
Can I ask why using 0w40 would be bad if I don't tow often?

 

Hayden makes a heavy duty oil cooler for our trucks for $120

 

They do not.

An oil cooler is for engine oil, and that's what he is asking about.

Your temp guideline is for an automatic transmission. He has a manual

 

OP, an auxiliary oil cooler isn't a bad idea, but consider the following too....... (from Hot Rod)

Engine oil needs to be at least 220 degrees F to burn off all the deposits and accumulated water vapor. For every pound of fuel burned in an engine, the combustion process also generates a pound of water! If engine sump temperatures rarely exceed 212 degrees (water’s boiling point), the water will mix with sulfur (another combustion by-product) and create acids that can eventually damage bearings.

(This explains why you can have a short trip use vehicle, check your oil, do a modest road trip, and find your oil level low. You burnt off the water.)

Quality conventional motor oil will tolerate oil sump temperatures of up to 250 degrees, but starts breaking down over 275 degrees. The traditional approach is to try to hold oil temperatures between 230 and 260 degrees.

A full-synthetic oil will withstand sump temperatures in excess of 300 degrees.

So @KenLyns suggestion to upgrade your oil is a good idea. And if you choose to add an oil cooler, you'll want to have a gauge to monitor it with, along with a bypass mechanism (thermostat controlled) that prevents circulation that keeps the oil from getting hot enough. Everyday driving, winter, etc.

 

At normal operating temps (i.e. when you aren't towing), most of the commonly available 0W40 oils are much thicker than 0W30 or 5W30 oils from the same brand. As a result, your oil filter will go into unfiltered bypass mode more often.