About to buy 2nd gen, upgrade towing ?

Hello all, I'm about to buy 2015 Tacoma Limited, and I asked the dealer about towing capacity for this one, and he stated it's rated at 3500.
Is it possible, or rather, is it expensive to do aftermarket add ons to bump it to 6300lbs ?
I already see they have hitch mounted on it, but sales person wasn't too informed on tow package.



http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/toyota/...wcpo=ShowCpo&orup=39_15_97&pc=L9T 8V2&sprx=-2

 

Assuming the truck is V6 and has the tow package, the capacity is around 6400. Not 3500. Tell them it’s embarrasing that they don’t know that, and they’re not even willing to do a quick google search to give you the right information before selling you a multi-thousand dollar truck....

 

Good luck though with your purchase. I LOVE my 2015.

 

That's the thing, I'm not sure if it has tow package, or just hitch added.
Looking at '15 brochure, regular V6 has towing capacity of 3500, if you got tow package that included alternator, battery....etc it was bump up to 6300
https://cdn.dealereprocess.net/cdn/brochures/toyota/2015-tacoma.pdf

 

If you don't know how to check it to see if the parts are there, then ask the dealership to have their shop check it.

Or run the VIN through their database. You know, the one that shows the truck and it's options as it rolled out the door.

It's not hard to find out, your salesman is just ignorant. And lazy.

All that said, it would be a prohibitive cost to try and replicate the OE tow package. But you can get fairly close with aftermarket bits, assuming it's really the right truck at a great deal for you.

Good luck.

 

My base understanding is tow package has a larger alternator, larger battery, trans cooler mounted up in front of the radiator, and the class IV hitch which has a heigher tongue weight rating.
The hitch could probably be changed out for a class IV if it already isn't and the trans cooler can be added with aftermarket kits. The alternator and battery could be upgraded to tow package levels but then you are looking at a little more money and replacing factory working parts.

Here are a couple threads that talk about towing capacity between the trucks with tow package and ones that arent.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tow-package-vs-standard-towing-capacity-question.299764/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

 

Are you there now? Take a peek behind the grille and look for the transmission cooler. Make sure the hitch is OEM and not aftermarket. That will point you in the right direction.

Tow package includes a transmission cooler, engine oil cooler, 130 amp alternator and heavy duty battery.

 

I believe a key point being forgotten here is the different wiring harness and 7 pin connector.

 

If you look close at the rear end pictures it looks like its got the 7 pin brake connector just to the left of the hitch.
I am assuming its a true 7 pin and someone didnt wire a 4pin cable to a 7 pin receiver. *again assuming this*

 

You’d be amazed how misinformed some sales people can be. I bought my “SR5” from a Toyota dealership several years ago. I realized I was getting a good deal during the test drive when I noticed it was a de-badged TRD OR. Saved me some $$

 

As I mentioned here, no reason to guess. Or rely on the sales person.

You should wind up with a document that looks something like this, but of course for your specific vehicle

 

Just based on the pictures, I would say that you do have the tow package. The 7pin looks stock to me (and is in the horrible place that stock ones are in). I love my 2015

 

Thanks guys, really surprised how supportive this forum is to new guy

I think my sales guy is a bit of a goof.
I asked him for those specs and he is sending me service history

 

Service History?????? LOL

 

HA bet its full of blinker fluid changes. Take the vin and do a vin decoder online. Most should be able to tell you if its got the tow package.

 

IF that's actually what you are getting, I'm not sure it will be what you want.

Service history is nice to know too, but 1) can only show work at a dealership, 2) will likely only show oil changes, tire rotations, any recalls, Service Campaigns or any TSBs applied.

The document like the sample I provided in post 11 is what you want to see regarding how the truck is equipped.

 

Use this Toyota site find out all the build info from the vin.

https://www.toyota.com/owners/vehicle-specification

 

Do what @Greg3492 says, then teach your sales person how to do the same. You know, like in case they get another customer smart enough to ask questions they can't answer about a vehicle.

I'm assuming of course the sales person is smart enough to give you the VIN over the phone, and you don't have to toddle down there and read it off for yourself.

 

They gave me vin number,
5TFMU4FN8FX035644

 

I always take a picture of the vin on every vehicle I'm interested in. Makes research much easier, and I rarely listen to a word the salespeople say.