The Tacoma Towing Bible

Dude~
Where did you get them from?..what is the name of the company???....Picking up a horse Trailer and that will work great!...let me know!
Cowboy~

 

Crap!..my bad!...found it!...thanks again!
cowboy~

 

Did you read the reviews at the website? Only two, but they both said they would NOT recommend them.. FYI

Jeff

 

Cipa is the company that makes them, I purchased them from camping world. Yes, I have read the reviews, which were both written by knuckle dragging Dodge owners. While these mirrors may not be compatible with dodge trucks, they have worked beautifully with both my 04 Tacoma, my 07 Tacoma, and my father's 99 f-150.

Like I said in the original write-up, just throw the little anti-friction sticky tabs in the trash, and keep in mind that the rubber feet are height adjustable, and as such you need to set them up to match the contour of the Tacoma's mirror, and make sure to use the hook pictured in the location described, and they will be rock solid, at the second fuel stop at about 400 miles or so of any trip I have to adjust and go one click tighter on the straps, and then they are good to go for the rest of that trip unless you take them off once you get where you are going, then when you re-attach them expect to have to adjust and tighten at the second fuel stop again.

They are the best option for a removable towing mirror for our trucks, sure maybe there are some things that could be made a little better, but thus far there is nothing else on the market for us.

Regards,

Adam

 

the tacoma towing bible is really a greatest place for towing for anyone to read, but one thing is missing, [[or I may have missed it]] how to tow a Tacoma using a front hitch. I have called a couple of suppliers and getting a front hitch [[with bull bar]]to fit Tacoma Access is bear so far. for 2006 or later

and -- Has anyone had experience towing a Tacoma loaded with gear and with 285/75 R16

 

As in behind an RV for a runaround vehicle? What about those V shaped tongues that flip up against the grill, and then fold back down to attach to the other vehicle's hitch?

Something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/5000-lbs-Adjustable-Car-Truck-Tow-Towing-Bar-w-Chains-/290519728857

 

I believe my manual says, not to tow a Tacoma unless all wheels are off the ground. I have an 08 access 4x4

Here is some info. go to the right side of the page for the dinghy guide

http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/

The Tacoma is not listed in the towable vehicles for 2002.

 

I just got my extender mirrors. Same mirrors you have(maverick). I am honestly having a hard time getting them into position, mostly because they won't stay in position ... The clips that came with mine are simple flat stock s-hooks that bend rather easily. I tried both with and without the soft "stabilizer" pads with little success. All i have to do is give a slight tug on the mirror and it slides right off ... Feeling a little beaten by an inanimate object here, any advice?

 

Thanks to all who contribute to this forum - great info.
Those

$47 CIPA 11960 Universal Towing Mirror

CIPA 11960 clamp on mirrors are available thru AMAZON, killer price.....
Also at AUTOZONE stores on the shelf.
I compared (road test 0-70 on the back road) 3 separate clip on mirror types, and decided that the "K Source 3891 Clip-on 5x7" works better for me.
Seemed even better secured, less vibe, almost as quick and easy to install,
and bigger glass area. Downside is no indication of spare parts support. and the hooks are klunky enough to affect truck mirror edge view.
Although at the price I could justify a 3rd for parts.
These are available at Advanceauto.com or store.
Jim

 

Scott, I pull a 22' 8.6" beam Odyssey Pontoon on a single axle trailer, with a 90hp on back with never a problem. Just get some towing mirrors to see around it. Also pull a 18' TT and the same never a problem.

 

I just purchased a '11 Tacoma 4 cyl. The truck came with a dealer installed hitch. It's a Reese. There is a 4 pin connector on the hitch. So far, so good. I pull a small trailer for trips to the dump, and a tiny camper. The camper needs a 6 pin connector which I have on order.

In examining the trailer wiring in the new truck, I've found something that has me confused. An extra yellow wire, with an inline 15a fuse, has been connected to the battery. A tag on that wire says that it's for the trailer lights. With the owners manual was a small card advising me of another fuse installed behind the driver side pocket in the back of the truck bed; also for the trailer connector.

Does anyone have a clue what this yellow wire is powering? I need a 12v source to connect to my 6pin adapter in order to charge the camper batteries. Can I just tap this yellow wire to provide this?

Confused in Florida.

 

Wiring Diagrams here might help. Maybe? the yellow is suppose to be power to the left trailer light?? or they just used what ever wire they had to make a 12vdc power supply from the truck battery to the rear of the truck.

 

Maverick...frm abv quote gives some idea..But even the B/C has diff colours than what urs are..CAN u take me thru this as i am getting ready to install this in a week. Check the pict..i have a prewired 4 pin to 7 pin with 4 wire, RED, WHITE, BLACK N again WHITE(arrow pointing).

 

Thanks for sharing this... I think/hope, Ha! We'll see how they do.
I ordered a set from AMAZON. I've tried clip on type mirrors before and took them back. Way too much vibration. I'll give these a try, see how they work.
We have four pretty good trips planed this year with the 19' airstream.
Jeff

 

A most excellent write-up -- You've hit 'most everything spot on!

 

I'll agree, you can get 12VDC to 12VDC battery chargers, but it never really performs the way you want it to. By the time you pull all the wiring and purchase the needed components, it really isn't cost effective and takes forever to charge! The trailer circuit is designed to maintain the trailer brake battery and it's only about a 6amp battery, and won't charge a dead one enough in an hour (to work the surges) on the road from my experience.

Once in a pinch, I've ran an extension cord from the inverter to a regular battery charger while I drove to the lake. But I'm definitely not that redneck to continually practice or support that method.

 

How did THIS happen?
I had a trailer outfit install the complete wiring and brake controller (Tekonsha Primus IQ) on my 2010 4 cyl. regular cab that had zero tow wiring.

Everything seemed fine for a few miles, no trailer hooked up, when the Tacoma's brakes started applying. At first I thought I'd shifted into the wrong gear, it was as if I was in 4th when I should be in 2d.

ABS and skid control lights came on. Turned off engine, waited. Turned ignition on again, ABS and skid lights still on.

When I pulled over, the smell of hot brakes was unmistakeable. Installer came over and
disconnected the system completely. No problem now, except the brakes have been damaged to some degree. There is some drag, very slight, just enough that the truck does not roll completely free.

The installer is mystified as well as embarrassed. He says he's installed dozens of these on new Tacomas. He's offered to replace the controller with a '$500' controller that operates by remote control so it bypasses the wiring.

How can the controller possibly activate the two vehicle brakes?