Insight / Advice - Towing 3,000 lb

Hi all,

First, let me say thank you in advance for any input. I just bought a 2020 Tacoma TRD OR 4x4. I waffled between this and a Canyon/Colorado for a long time but decided on the Tacoma because I just liked it better (seriously, I had no better reason).

I'd like to tow an approximately 3,000 pound camper trailer -- something close to if not exactly like the E-Pro 16BH. I live in the Seattle area and will be pulling over the Cascades in both directions. I know enough to always pull using ECT and I intend to monitor transmission temp via the Torque app. My questions for those with experience...

1. Should I upgrade the transmission cooler?
   
2. Add a leaf spring?
3. Upgrade brakes?

This may seem like overkill but I'm looking to make the towing experience as painless as possible -- both for the actual towing and the wear and tear on the truck.

Is it worth doing one of more of those upgrades or is it is overkill for what I plan on towing? Did I miss something that might help that isn't listed above? If I were to tow 3,500 pounds would it change your answer?

 

Welcome.
Add-on trans cooler won't hurt. Just remember to top off tranny fluid so you don't end up low.
AAL, or airbags (I prefer bags) will help with sag.
Brakes on the truck will be fine, add a good trailer brake controller.

Get a decent weight distribution hitch and set it up, don't reply on the dealer to set it up properly.
Personally, I would look for something with two axles.

 

And check this out.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

 

Depends how often you are towing and how far.

myself I’d personally regear to 4.88s (unless you are planning to lift / bigger tires then 5.29s)

add a brake controller

factory brakes and springs are fine

If anything, I’d goto a better shock in the rear like a fox 2.0 or 2.5. I put the 2.0 on mine and it helped quite a bit with the oscillation at when you hit a bump at speed on the interstate

 

Thanks, I knew I forgot something. The trailer brake controller and weight distribution hitch are definitely on the list.

 

I thought about regearing -- a little intimidated by it. But from what I've read most people don't regret it.

 

I’ve towed with both the AT and MT. I can tell you from experience, the gearing in these trucks makes a huge difference. I couldn’t believe how much differently they drive. 4.88s in the auto puts it close in ratio to the MT.

 

It’s only 3000lbs, it’s no big deal. It’s less than half of your max tow weight. You don’t need to do anything. Just tow it and have fun. After you’ve towed it a few times if then you decide to make some mods then do so. But you don’t need to do anything to it to tow 3000 or so lbs. I tow a 3500lb boat and trailer (I know it’s not a travel trailer), I have no problems, hardly know it’s behind me. I’ve made no mods for towing. Just tow it.

 

I tow a NoBo 16.5 which is supposedly 2900lbs completely empty with a 2020 4x4 TRDOR and also live in Seattle. All you need is a brake controller and a weight distribution hitch. I've found no reason for airbags yet. Truck has plenty of power to pass people on the highway if you need to. I'll happily cruise up to 69 mph and up to 75 mph if I need to pass an 18 wheeler or anything like that. Inclines I just chill in the right lane with the trucks unless it's completely clear behind me in which case I don't mind pushing the RPM's up high for short periods of time. Toyota tells me the towing capacity and the peak power/torque for these engines, so I'm going to assume their engineers meant for it to operate as designed in those conditions. I haven't spent any time monitoring trans temperature or anything like that. Maybe it's naive of me or my inherent trust of design engineers as I am an engineer myself, but I assume I'm doing what the truck was designed to do, so try not to worry too much about it.

Personal opinion is get a

$290 Tow-Pro Elite V2 Electric Brake Controller

Redarc Tow Pro Elite and install the knob in the blank plate towards the left of the steering wheel (if you don't have 360 camera). Super clean and out of the way and so far proven to be a great product.

 

Excellent. And thanks for the tip about the brake controller — that looks super clean.

 

WDH is a great addition - I tow a 3000-3500 lb TT as well, and the hitch makes a huge difference. I don't know about the automatics, but my M/T is a DOG on the hills. get ready to keep the revs way up.

 

Lots of good advice here. I tow a 3200 lb camper with my 2013 Tacoma. I installed a brake controller and use a weight distribution hitch, and it all works fine. I have very little sag if any. The brakes on your truck will do the job just fine. Just be sure to adjust your brake controller so the truck isn't doing all of the braking.

Don't expect to go as fast as everyone else on the road.

 

Buy the 16bh and deal with upgrades later. That looks like a nice unit, wouldn't mind owning one. Engine power will be adequate.