how do you tow a trailer?

edit: sorry, wrong subforum, am PM'ing mod to request moving to right location




Especially with an aftermarket plate bumper where the hitch sits higher up?

the U-Haul guy said these two pieces are all that's needed, maybe $40 total
sounds too good to be true





am running an ATH bumper



Not sure if anything is needed to operate electronic trailer brakes, or if that's optional

 

Depends on what you tow. But yes, you do need to know more.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

 

Adjustable height hitch and ball, and yes brake controller needed or else trailer brakes wont be active.

 

Those two things will definitely get the trailer hooked up....assuming the trailer has a 4 pin hookup. But if you've never towed before. Do some research

 

Unless the trailer uses a simple momentum activated hitch brake

 

that sounds important
because I hear the stock brakes are undersized from factory and can be easily warped by overheating, such as driving for long down a mountain road
and a trailer without assisted braking sounds like it would add the same stress

 

i use a 10” adjustable drop hitch with my all pro knock off bumper. I only have the rear lifted about 2”.

The only one of those I’ve used was actually a uhaul car trailer! It worked pretty good.

 

I wouldnt say undersized. They are designed for "regular" use. Just good practice to have a brake controller towing anything 2500 lb +. I've towed without at 4000 lb and it works but for extended, grade heavy trips l definitely would NOT even if you had the coolest brake upgrade kit around. I think towing towing comes down to having the right set up so youre not white knuckling it the whole time.
Taco is a good tow rig IMO when set up proper.

 

wait do uhaul trailers brake themselves then, even without installing an aftermarket brake controller?

Was trying to weigh out the different cost options mathwise.
At first it seemed maybe worth it for moving using U-haul, to tow a small trailer. If it's about $60 for the trailer, and $40 for hitch stuff that can be kept and re-used.
It was just adding up beyond that with time and cost regarding brake controller installation, making it seem like a potentially better option to just try selling off furniture prior to moving

I rode passenger in a Silverado that towed a U-haul and it seemed to have much more electronics stuff in there for it, like a button that said tow mode

correct
the Tacoma has a 7-pin
u-haul is 4-pin
hence the adapter need I guess

gonna look around online to see if anywhere has it cheaper than the U-haul store

 

The larger uhaul trailers, 6x12 and the car trailer do have surge brakes. They do not need a controller.

The smaller ones do not.

Check Walmart, they have a good towing section. Home Depot too.

 

I think we used a 5x10 when we helped a friend move and his truck already had trailer braking I believe
but the U-haul guy recommended the smaller 4x8 and 5x8's, saying 5x8 is big enough to fit a queen mattress
looks pretty small online though

gonna stop and think if I can just get away with winging this lol
the intended travel route is a relatively flat highway without traffic

 

If it’s a 4 pin it doesn’t have brakes. (It’s possible but not likely.)

4 pin is something like this:
1) Green Right Turn & Stop
2) Yellow Left Turn & Stop
3) Brown Tail/Marker
4) Ground

7 pin is something like this:
1) Right Turn & Stop
2) Left Turn & Stop
3) Tail/Marker
4) Ground
5) Auxiliary Power (like for a bunk light etc or to charge a trailer battery)
6) BRAKES
7) reverse lights

The car trailer did have a braking system that didn’t require a brake controller. I don’t think the smaller ones do.

I towed about 3,000lbs of dirt on a single axle no brakes trailer and stopping power is bad. Would not recommend.

on the other hand 1,000lbs felt comfortable to me. I still wouldn’t go a long distance though.

 

You can pick up 7 to 4 adapters anywhere. Walmart, Autozone, Advanced Auto, etc