Do I need to purchase an after market transmission oil cooler?

Hi Everyone,
I have a 2010 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Long Bed w/o a towing pkg..ugh..I purchased a Curt Class III towing hitch w/wiring harness and am having installed soon. I plan to purchase a travel trailer but noticed that since I dont have a Transmission Oil cooler or Towing Pkg I can only tow (5350 pds). I want to purchase a trailer dry weight 4640 dry weight. Will my Toyota be able to tow this trailer or do I need to purchase an after market transmission oil cooler to add to truck. The dealership service rep told me that a tranmission oil cooler will not be necessary. My concern is that I live in AZ where it is hot and if I tow this beast up a hill in the hot sun during summertime is this going to affect my Tacoma. Love it to much to trade in for Tundra. What do you guys think?? Thanks in advance for any advice on this subject. :0)

 

I suggest getting the transmission cooler no matter what. It just helps protect your transmission from overheating. However a transmission cooler does not allow you to talk more then what the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle.

 

Mine runs pretty pretty warm even with the factory transmission cooler with no trailer (160-170 on a warm day, empty on hills). I haven't towed since I've had the gauge, so it's possible it never climbs from that.

Definitely wouldn't go without it.

Weird that a DCLB TRD doesn't have the tow package--I don't think I've ever seen a TRD truck around here without the factory hitch. Must be different regions get different allocations.

 

If your planning to haul along Interstate 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff I would get an aftermarket cooler installed. That haul is one of the most brutal runs in the country. Yes, there are steeper and longer climbs, but starting around 1,300 elevation at 115 degrees temp in July and climbing to 7,000 elevation in around 90 minutes will test your tow vehicle.

 

You could always buy the factory trans cooler. I added the tow package to my DC 2.7 with a factory hitch and factory V6 trans cooler. Towed a car on a trailer across the country with no problems. I wanted the install to look factory, so it was easier to just buy the Toyota cooler and hoses. The only thing I do not like is that the factory cooler is small. Aftermarket coolers will have more surface area and would able to more effectively control high temps.

 

http://derale.com/products/fluid-co...-electra-cool-remote-cooler-8an-inlets-detail

Don't waste your money and time on a factory transmision cooler.

 

Here's a recommendation...with-out getting robbed by Toyota..Same size & made for the Tacoma - basically plug & play...An inexpensive alternative compared to Toyota...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221938229609?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

It never hurts to add a transmission oil cooler.