How do I know f I have the towing Package?

I was looking in my owners manual for the towing capacity and for the numbers shown on my information plate I either have 3500lbs or 6500lbs. Dependent upon weather I have the towing package or not. 2011 Tacoma access cab v6 manual trans TRD Sport. I do have the 2" factory receiver hitch and the 5 pin wiring connector, both factory I believe. Are there other options that would be included if it was designated as having the towing package. Would there be a number on the plate I should be looking for? Or does just the receiver hitch let you pull another 3000lbs? It seems like it would need to be more than just the hitch point to up it to 6500lbs.

 

You should have a little tranny cooler up where the radiator is located , it will have 2 hoses going to it. It looks like a miniature radiator.

 

Manual transmission?

 

Yah, no transmission cooler on a manual

You can check to see if you have the oil cooler. What’s it look like where your oil filter screws on?

 

I was under the impression towing package equipped trucks come with a 7 pin trailer electrical connector

 

Yea the easiest way to tell is the presence of the engine oil cooler under the oil filter.

They do.
5 pin trailer connectors are pretty rare, 4 & 7 pin are the norm. 6 pin was common in the 80s and 90s but has all but gone away, while they make a 5 pin and it is a standard I've never seen one in use.

 

LOOK FOR pink fan 'connector'!!

 

I think the towing package also includes a rear backup camera.

 

V6 is 6500 lb
7 pin connector
Heavy duty alternator
Transmission cooler in front of radiator A/T only

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/#post-35019

 

Yes it is a 7 pin connector. I will have to check for the oil cooler and look to see if there are any identifying numbers on the alternator. But it does state in the owners manual V6 is only good for 3500lbs unless it has the towing package installed.I won't be towing that much anyway but just checking. The trailer I have is 5x8 and 2000lbs max and I use it for hauling construction materials.

 

See link below for picture ID

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/passenger-side-blinker-problems.735173/#post-26176678

 

If you look in the engine compartment fuse box for your alternator fuse, a non-tow will have a 100A fuse. A tow will have a 140A fuse.

 

Thanks everybody for the help with the info! I have the oil cooler and will check the alternator fuse tomorrow. We had eleven inches of rain about 10 days ago and the mosquitoes are swarming so I'm not going out to look.You would think that maybe a heftier spring pack in the rear would be a component of the towing package.
I had a 1994 Dodge Dakota 4WD with a V8 and 5 speed manual trans with the towing package. It had heftier springs and sway bars,bigger alternator and a bigger radiator. Funny thing was when I sold it 10 years later there was no rust on the frame that I remember!

 

No such thing on a Tacoma.
There's aftermarket options for heavier springs but your really limited by the weight, power, & braking ability of the truck, you get too much trailer behind too little truck and things can get really sketchy really quick. It's ok for short distances at low speeds but not something I would want to do at highway speeds/on hills.

We have a complete thread on towing with a Tacoma and a subsection dedicated to towing.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/towing.34/

 

As far as springs.... I just don't want any sag when I tow my 3500lbs of my available 6500lb capacity. I am getting a Ranch brand cap and that will add a bit of weight also. I just received my 36" National Drive train AALs so that should stiffen up the 2 existing leaves a bit.Wheeler off road sells what looks like the same set of AALs so they look like a viable option.And the new Bilstein 5100's should control the ride a little better.I just got those today and they look substantially beefier than the factory Bilsteins. Also got a 2.5 degree shim set in case I get the full 2" lift out of the AALs.It states 1"-1.5" but if I get more I might add the shim to angle the diff up more.
I looked in the fuse box and there is a 140 amp alternator fuse. In the upper RH corner of the fuse box there is a fuse/relay labeled "towing brakes" and then in the corner next to that there is an open spot. On the cover that says "brake LP" or something like that.

 

The gen 2 with towing package also has the electric brake line pre-wired. I put in this controller and it works flawless towing a 1800 lb trailer. Brakes are a must

$86

$90 TEKONSHA 8508220 Brake-EVN Proportional Brake Controller for Trailers with 1-4 Axles, Compatible with Ford, GM, Chevy, Dodge, RAM, Toyota. Wiring Harness is NOT Included.

Amazon.com: TEKONSHA 8508220 Brake-EVN Proportional Brake Controller for Trailers with 1-4 Axles, Compatible with Ford, GM, Chevy, Dodge, RAM, Toyota. Wiring Harness is NOT Included. : Automotive

 

Keep in mind adding a cap will eat up a lot of payload capacity which tongue weight is part of. You could run out of tongue weight capacity very fast.

 

My understanding is all 2nd gen TRDs have the towing package. Unless that's just a Canada thing.

 

From the 2011 Tacoma towing guide. All models and configurations. Scroll down for the Towing Package specs/items.

https://towengine.com/2011-toyota-tacoma-towing-capacity/

Towing Package
Class-4 hitch
Transmission and supplemental oil coolers (not available on manual transmission models)
130A alternator
Heavy-duty battery
7-pin connector with converter

 

I just took a screenshot of the "Towing and Payload Capacity chart" on that page,printed it out and stuck it in my owners manual. I'm going to tape it in there in the back. Thanks!