The Tacoma Towing Bible

Is there a tow package for the standard 6 speed v6 Tacoma?

 

For the 2018 Tacomas, is the ATF cooler included as factory stock with the V6 tow package? The window sticker makes no mention of an ATF cooler, but in the Tacoma brochure, it does list ATF cooler as factory Stock.

Excerpt from 2018 Taco Brochure:

Class-IV towing hitch receiver,38 ATF cooler (not available on M/T), engine oil cooler, power steering cooler, 130-amp alternator, 4- and 7-pin connector with converter, and Trailer-Sway Control (TSC)39 (V6 only)

Copied from window sticker on the vehicle I intend to purchase:

- Towing Receiver Hitch, Eng Oil Cooler, Pwr Steering Cooler, 130-Amp Alt, 4/7-Pin Connector, & Trailer Sway Cntr

I find it strange that the window sticker does not mention ATF Cooler. Is it safe to assume that this vehicle does have the ATF cooler?

 

I have a 16 Tacoma and with a wdh properly adjusted (front wheel well 1/4" above original height, further adjustment results in over adjustment) and a 3000lb dry weight trailer, the back of the truck sags. Without the hitch it's level, once I put the wdh on it, the weight of the hitch (about 50lbs) squats the truck about a 1/4". Once the entire hookup is done (trailer, wdh) the back is still squatting about 1.5" from original height. Is this a normal thing for Tacos?

 

on my '16 it is factory with the tow package

 

Where did you go? One and done? Nice post and welcome to TW BTW. You should be fine with that trailer with a good WDH and /or helper springs / air bags as long as you don't overload it.

I'm sure it has it but one look through the grill you should see it in front of the radiator.

 

I read on a manufacturer website that they calculate tounge weight at the factory with full LP tanks and battery. Don’t know about all manufactures though. You would think so, those are usually standard features.

 

Manual transmission does not have a cooler .

 

I have a2nd gen with 2” AAL and I am adding the Timbren SESBumps

 

That may be manufacturer dependent. I've only ever heard of them listing dry weights, which is exactly as stated, dry. It would make sense if they would go the extra step for things like a battery and propane.

 

my Escape trailer lists its GVWR, and its payload capacity with full propane, battery and fresh water tank, but nothing else. of course, since its made in Canada, its all in metric, hah.

 

Wanted to drop in and say thanks to Maverick for putting this together and to all y'all for educating me with your questions and conversations. I have learned a lot and have joined the travel trailer family

 

Question on running a truck with the engine oil cooler and transmission oil cooler in cold weather:

It can get quite cold in the winters here (-10 to -20˚F). Is there a downside to having the transmission and engine oil coolers in cold weather, particularly when I'm not towing?

 

I don't think engine oil cares, but I've heard the trans should run a certain temp. I have never noticed a problem in the winter, and I have an aftermarket tranny cooler. But I also have never checked temps in the middle of winter. You're a little colder than we are though. Sorry I can't be of more help, but it was 94 and I think my transmission thanked me today for the added cooling

 

I haven't looked to see if the transmission cooler has any kind of thermostatic control on it or not - I haven't gotten my truck back from getting it installed yet. We're still waiting for the engine oil cooler kit to come in.

[EDIT] Engine Oil Cooler kit came in. It does include a thermostat.

 

Hi everybody! long-time lurker, first-time poster.
I've got a 2006 V6 6M 4x4 access cab with an aftermarket tow hitch installed. I'm wondering what else I would need to meet the factory conditions and how I would go about installing them.
I'm planning on renting a u-haul trailer and taking my Pathfinder when I move. My Pathfinder is just under 4000lbs, so as long as the trailer is under 2500lbs I should be okay, right?

 

Your aftermarket hitch is likely rated at 5000# (I have not been able to find one rated higher for a Tacoma, though they may be out there.) I believe the Factory Hitch is rated at 6500#.

The main things to add to a "non-tow-package" Tacoma to mimic the factory tow package are a Transmission cooler and an engine oil cooler. (I've heard there are as good or better aftermarket options, but did not research that.) Obviously, you need a properly rated hitch, a brake controller and the full wiring for trailer lights and to control the brakes.

Other things in the factory tow package included a larger battery and a higher output alternator. I've heard that the radiator fan may also be different, but I'm not sure if this was just for the Gen 1 Tacomas or of it is also true for the Gen 2 & 3 models (or perhaps I'm all wet and they all have the same fan).

I just had the factory transmission cooler added to mine. I had difficulty getting the Engine Oil Cooler kit from the dealer in my area, so ordered one here (from Source One Auto Parts). I'm holding off on the heavy duty battery and alternator - not sure if I really need it.

 

Okay, so it looks like it's still possible, although I would need to get an aluminium trailer.
I'll definitely get the oil cooler, and I was planning on upgrading the alternator and battery anyway. The transmission is as prepared as it can be, so I'll probably want to be gently on the clutch while I'm towing.
Thanks for the information.

 

If you have a manual transmission, you do not need the transmission cooler.

 

Yeah, I checked on their website, and where it's so close to the limit, I doubt they'll do me any favours.
Instead, I'm thinking about biting the bullet now and getting my own trailer. I plan on turning the pathfinder in to a full time offroad machine, so I'm gonna need it sooner or later.

 

The Pathfinder isn't in the best condition, and while I could easily enough remove the driveshaft, I'm not really comfortable with it rolling down the highway.