The Tacoma Towing Bible

So is there a 3rd gen towing bible thread? Or, what are the specific differences in towing between gens? I'm wondering why this "bible" is specific to a generation of Tacoma...

 

Towing capabilities. A quick google search will show you the differences. The towing capabilities ranged from ~3,300 lbs - 6,800 lbs depending on the generation, motor, and options (2wd vs. 4wd). Here is an article that breaks it down.

 

Thank for your sharing your experience with towing. Most of it was over my head but I’m trying to learn. I have a 2005 TRD sport which comes with a towing package. I just don’t understand the towing brake. Is the wiring already there and I just need a install a brake controller? I’m new to towing other than utility trailers. All the other towing package components are there. I think someone put in a regular battery but it seems I have everything else such as oil cooler oversized alternator. Truck is OEM and I want to start towing a small trailer. Would I find out more about towing specifically in the 2nd generation forum, although ur post seems to cover it all. I have the OEM hitch and wiring. I’m not sure what size hitch ball I need. My max towing capacity is at 6 thousand. Do I need a heavier duty hitch ball to pull a camper. So much to learn.

 

If you have the tow package the wiring should already be there for a brake controller. You'll need to buy the correct wiring harness adaptor for your controller to the Taco. It is a PITA to get to factory wiring harness, but do able. It's behind the kick panel on the left side. Look on YT, there are some videos to help you find it. Once you find the connector it's all plug and play. You just have to decide where to mount the controller. I put mine just below the coin pocket on the left side closest to the door.

 

That would depend on the trailer height vs the truck height. If you have the factory tow package I'd think 2" drop would be fine, but if you want perfection stop by a Uhaul and measure their trailer. You want the nose to sit a little high when empty.

 

Hey quick question regarding travel trailers and there fridge. I've always towed the trailer with the fridge off (no AC power or Propane). This is what I was told when I first got into travel trailer camping. My question is do any of you tow with the fridge ON using AC power? I can see why using propane would be a bad idea and would never do it. But can the fridge be on while towing? I have an older Nash 19' for context. What do you all do when it comes to the fridge. My system has always been, pre chill it the day before, load up, turn off, drive to site (typically 3-4hr drives) and turn back on when we have reached the site.
Thanks

 

Use propane all the time

 

I don’t use AC power while towing as I don’t have an inverter and the power usage from AC is high even if I have one. It stays cold enough when off for reasonably short trips.

 

Seconded here. Shut fridge off briefly at gas stations, but sometimes forget that too.

 

I answered part of the question above, but to elaborate. My system is to turn fridge on when thinking about next trip, it's already on for one on September 19th. Load fridge and freezer at leisure. I do have an alarm set in case something happens so I won't lose the food. Drive to campground with fridge in auto. As above, turn off at gas fill ups if one is needed. Upon returning home, empty fridge at leisure and turn off if not needed anytime soon, and prop doors open.

 

So I have a question that is even more basic than is covered here. I went through the first 10 pages.. and the last 3 and didnt see this.

I have a 23 tacoma. I have a redarc liberty coming tomorrow. (The 160 dollar kit with everything, unit, cable even the dash blank) I have a weight distribution hitch..

so do I chuck the weight distribution hitch? It is pretty heavy. Seems like overkill. I DO need a 2 5/16 ball. Not a 2" so.. do I get something like this?(I KNOW I got to get the drop right.. Ill figure that out)



my camper is 2800lbs dry. Lets call it 3500 lbs on a bad day. Seems to be some debate whether or not I need a Weight Distribution hitch or not. I have one so who cares. Then there are those that say. "It will damage your frame" then there are the folks that say "Been doing it for years. so im confused about that too but I trust my camper dealer. So ill ask them as well. The instructions say I can use the hitch WITHOUT the bars up to 5000 lbs.



mean I think I can get by with the husky.. but if I can do it with somethink like the CURT.. why not.. 35 bucks.. and simple. (just got to get the height right)

I am prone to over thinking things. I wont sell the WDH because the first damn time my trailer sways when a truck passes or those damn winds that kick up in Ohio I am putting it right back on. Im interested in thoughts. What am I supposed to do?

 

You already have the WDH in hand, try it out use it for a while. Later on if you still think it's so much overkill and you want a lighter stinger go for it. But I think you'll like towing with the WDH better, in my opinion when used correctly they work.

 

I added a pic of that WDH I got.. it is a huge monster.. I mean.. for simplicity shouldnt I just buy the Curt.. you dont seem to be concerned about the forces exerted by the WDH on the frame of the RV. Im totally not worried about my tacoma tho lol.. so I think I am hearing just use the WDH and put the bars on it. just dont go on a dirt road with ruts without removing them or going slow. (I guess) makes sense to me.

 

Static mechanics aside, the weight of the wdh is generally considered tongue weight add-on. Which then goes against your payload capacity. Me personally, for a 3k trailer I’d look at 1) Anderson wdh, 2) air bags, or 3) nothing.

Payload is one of the taco’s big weaknesses and throwing an 80-100lb wdh on there is annoying.

 

I use that same wdh and it works. 4000 dry trailer

 

I'm towing 5500lbs. Flushed Tranny and added a larger cooler. I'm in Texas and it's been a HELL of a summer. I've watched tranny temps climb just over 200 a number of times and I try to get it back below that. One time it hit 213 degrees. What is considered too hot for a 2nd gen (2015) automatic tranny?

 

@Dbarffish Im installing the redarc liberty and I am going to have to print and follow the install manual for that WDH to make sure I have it right. Not sure how I am going to apply 380 ft/pds to the bolts but.. Ill do my best. I think I have a 1/2 Torque wrench. Just not sure if it goes to 380. Bought 3 sizes at harbor freight when they were on sale over the years. Never used em.

I copied the height that the WDH was on my wife's van as far as height and carried that over to the tacoma. I am thinking that would be a good place to start to get the trailer the right height. .

 

I am a newby to towing - dealer set up the hitch. After a year I noticed a bit of play so checked the torque on those bolts. WAY low. So I used a buddies torque wrench to get them to as high as I could - maybe 300. There are some
Torque multipliers out there - but a reputable shop nearby said they just hit it with Their impact gun hard. He claimed those 380 numbers are crazy. Since I retorqued no issues. I carry a breaker bar and the torque wrench in the basement and just watch it closely. My camper is relatively small for that hitch. I have a red arc and like it. Installed using the punch out and it looks stock.

 

Stay below 220*. Somewhere between there and 240*, internal transmission damage starts.

I tow several trailers, the heavy one being about 3200 lbs. I will let the temp get up to about 220*, but I don't like it to stay there. Climbing a hill is one thing, as long the temp drops on the downhill side. If not, I'd pull over, to let the trans cool down.

Do you have an aftermarket trans cooler?

 

Anybody running a 3rd gen with a stick shift?