Joined Tacoma World today

I have come to this site several times to read post on various topics and decided I would register and be able to ask questions and seek the advise of seasoned and knowledgeable Tacoma enthusiasts. I am a military veteran and retired from a 36 year career in law enforcement after military service. I worked the last 10 years as an independent contractor for Alabama Power Company so you can tell I’m no spring chicken but I’m not ready for the rocking chair yet. The last year I worked as an independent contractor I had to replace my aging GMC Canyon. I purchased a 2014 Double Cab 4x4 Tacoma. It is a base model, not many extras but I really like the truck and have put 26,000 miles on it since purchase. It now has 118,000 miles on it. I plan on doing some camping and will be exploring the towing related threads to determine if it is feasible to make the changes to convert my non tow package Tacoma to a truck comparable to one with the factory tow package. I hope to be talking with y’all soon.
Greg

 

welcome to TW!

 

Welcome, Greg! Glad to have you!

 

Welcome and thanks for your service !

 

Thank you for your service and welcome to the forum.

The main differences between the towing and non towing package are:

Factory installed Class 4 reciever hitch

Factory 7 way trailer plug with a connector under the dash to install a trailer brake control. (Check with hopkins for 7 way install kits and brake controllers)

The addition of an engine oil cooler (probably not necessary unless you are realy towing heavy).

The addition of an auxilary transmission cooler (this is a must do if you are doing any extended or heavier towing).

A higher output alternator.

A larger battery.

All in all not a super big deal to upgrade.

 

Welcome aboard, Greg.

 

Welcome

 

Appreciate the welcomes, and thanks Dm93 for your input. I felt like the things you mentioned were the main considerations but wasn’t sure if factory tow models were geared differently than non tow models. I’m looking at smaller trailers with intentions of staying under 4000# dry weight and not likely to have many trips that would exceed 300-350 miles. We do have some hills here in the southeast to consider too.

 

To my knowledge tow and non tow models share the same gearing. Gearing only differs between V6 and 4cyl and manual vs automatic.

4000# is getting up there (tow rating for tow package trucks is around 6500# vs around 3300# for non tow) especially towing in hills, you will definitely want a transmission cooler and a way to monitor trans temps like a ScanGauge if you have an automatic as well as a trailer brake controller.

 

Hi and welcome (officially) to TW!

This may be helpful.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-gear-ratio-chart.365138/

whoops. I think above link is outdated as I don’t have 4.56 gears lol.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2005-2016-tacoma-axle-codes.408019/

 

I plan to add all of the above mentioned items if I eventually find the trailer I want. The trailer that interest me the most right now is the rpod196 that has a dry weight of 3600#. I know I’ll need a WDH also and maybe beef up the rear suspension a little. Right now my truck is factory stock except I replaced the oem 16” wheels with some Toyota 17”. I would probably go back to a 16” wheel if I start towing. I saw a post on the scan gauge and that will be definite add, wouldn’t dream of towing without good brake controller.

 

Sounds like you got it figured out, good luck and keep us posted

 

I will, thanks again

 

Welcome and thank you sir for your service...

 

x2

Welcome Greg!!

 

Welcome aboard sir! You need to check out the 60+ year old thread. I think you’ll like it.

Regarding upgrading tow capacity, first I assume you have a 6 cylinder? You can add all the things that come with the tow package, but you cannot officially change the tow rating. The tow rating of the truck is assigned at the factory and it can only be changed by the manufacturer and that doesn’t happen. 6 cylinder Tacos with tow package have a tow capacity of around 6500lbs. Without the package around 3500lbs.
Generally you can add about 1000lbs to the dry weight of a trailer to determine what your fully loaded weight will be. It’s a good estimate anyway. You’ll want to stay 2000lbs or so under max tow weight otherwise towing becomes problematic. Towing for example 6000lbs on a long trip with a Taco will be a real pain in the ass. You will hate it, especially if you have to climb and come down hills and mountains. You’ll really hate it too if you are driving in high winds or heavy traffic. Go as light as you can in a trailer so it still fits your needs.
Here’s the real problem towing over tow capacity as stated in the owners manual and on the door jamb. If you are 1000 or 2000 lbs or so over manufacturers published towing capacity and you have an accident you may be screwed. Your liability increases exponentially. Here is a quote from an article which states it better and clearer than I can -


Think of tow ratings like speed limits: Vehicle owners don’t set them; we’re just obligated by law to abide by them. Sure, your truck can tow a trailer at 100 mph all day. But the speed limit may be 55 mph. If you have an accident while towing at high speed, things will definitely get a bit sticky.

Causing a serious accident while towing beyond your pickup manufacturer’s requirements or limits is similar, as it opens the door for legal actions based on negligence against whoever is driving the tow vehicle. It’s not a good situation to be facing.

So if you are going to be towing beyond your trucks published towing max, the above is something to think about.

 

After 36 years in law enforcement, I definitely am aware of liability issues but I’ll admit I haven’t really thought about it from that perspective. I have a good friend that wrote the book, literally, on Alabama tort law. I’ll have to get his opinion if proof and documentation that upgrades equivalent to factory specs. would be recognized in legal proceedings. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

 

Welcome

 

Welcome! As you are already seeing, this site is an awesome resource. Enjoy your Taco!

 

yes I am, just gotta learn the posting and replying stuff