Does this have the towing package & can it handle this boat?

Hello,

I am a complete novice to trucking and towing, but I was going to take advantage of a memorial day special here in Pennsylvania and buy a 2018 TRD Off-Road 4x4 V6 Double Cab Short Bed.

I want to make sure that the tow package is included in this vehicle. This is what the window sticker lists:

- Towing Receiver Hitch, Eng Oil Cooler, Pwr Steering Cooler, 130-Amp Alt, 4/7-Pin Connector, & Trailer Sway Cntr

I am assuming that this is the V6 tow package, that will let me tow up to 6400 lbs...? The dealer is not too sure. Also, I do not see any mention of a transmission fluid cooler on this window sticker, which I thought was part of the tow package...Long story short, I need to make sure that this vehicle has the tow package. Any comments??

ALSO

I would like to purchase a 21' boat. Dry weight on trailer (including motor) is 4100lbs, weight with fuel on trailer is 4500 lbs. I am also new to boating, and do not know else I need to add in terms of weight to the total weight figure, but I am assuming the total weight will not exceed 5000lbs.

Any feedback on whether the Taco can safely tow this load? i would be towing it one to two times weekly around a 30 mile radius, and probably two or three longer trips (around 300 miles) per year.

While the Taco has a SAE J2807 tow rating of 6400 lbs (assuming I have the V6 tow package as discussed above), I know I need plenty of headroom when towing.

Any feedback on whether I can tow this load with the Taco???

Thank you to everybody who posts and helps.

 

You are good, i think all 2018 have a tow package included, but yours definitely has it based on your list (mine is a 2017 with the same).

The boat weight you mention is fine, but remember that weight factor also includes boat and truck gear, fuel, water, mods, and people weight both in the boat and in the truck while towing. It should be ok and under your 6400 lb limit. Its good to stay around 20% under if possible too. Get a weight distribution hitch with an anti-sway function too, and think about a front hitch also- they really make maneuvering a trailer a lot easier around tight corners and let you see how deep you are to launch. Have fun, you will really enjoy your truck, and check out the towing thread here for more help, too.

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

 

Thank you to the above poster. More feedback would be much appreciated.

My dealer was not able to answer whether I could lock the Tacoma out of Overdrive? We did not see any button to do so. He did mention that there was an ECT button on the dashboard that was good for towing, but did not really know what that meant.

So: a 2018 Taco, with a 21' boat, approx 5000-5300lb wet trailer: Feedback on whether this is safe to tow one to two times weekly around a 30 mile radius, and two or three longer trips (around 300 miles) per year??

The other vehicle I am comparing is the diesel Chevy Colorado, but for the Toyota reliability and Tacoma resale value, I would much prefer Taco. As long as Taco can tow my boat, I will be a happy owner! Please share your thoughts with this newbie. Much obliged.

 

You're going to hate towing that boat quite frankly. You should be looking at a Tundra.

Yes the Tacoma WILL be within the tow ratings but you will have to stay in 3red or 4th gear to maintain any sort of speed

 

Im towing a travel trailer with the same weight, no problems here.

 

Not to sound rude, but what Toyota dealer does not know if the truck has a tow package, or if it can be taken out of overdrive? Im sorry, but you should find someone who knows what they are selling, you might not get what the both of you think you are paying for, or even worse- maybe their service department has the same hiring practice as sales!

 

I csn say we tow a travel trailer that’s maybe 4500 pounds loaded with our 2017 Tacoma DCLB off-road. I use the tow button. Thing gets about 8mpg while towing. Power wise it has plenty of power but is constantly at 3500 rpm it seems. I’m getting something with a bigger fuel tank and a v8 next time.

As far as the dealer goes I think I’d find one that actually knows their product.

 

Yes.

Wow. Just wow.

Sounds like you are working with one ignorant sales rep who normally focuses on hustling Corollas, where the main concern is the stereo, sunroof and color.

Disappointing they don't even bother researching the correct answers for you. Reading the owners manual, asking seasoned coworkers, or heaven forbid, lead technicians in the shop are all options they have.

Even if they call you back later with your answers.

 

I agree that you should be looking at a bigger truck if you'll be towing often. The Colorado Duramax is also a great truck, but it's small engine will have you facing similar issues while towing bigger loads.

Your sales rep is also lacking basic knowledge of their product and I would move to another dealership.

 

Things is, I am getting an amazing deal with this dealership. They just aren't sure about these towing questions.

So, it is possible to lock out of overdrive in 2018 Tacoma? I didn't know that there was a "tow" button.

I appreciate all the feedback so far. Again, would greatly prefer Taco to a diesel Colorado, providing it can tow my boat load.

Keep the feedback coming team!!

 

What good is "an amazing deal" if the truck can't do the work you need it to do --even if it is on the "borderline" of getting the towing done!!??

I really like my 17 Tacoma -- but I would never tow that kind of a load regularly with it --
GO look at the Tundras

 

Locking out OD means you shift to "s" mode and keep it in the desired gear.

I've done a lot of towing with countless boats in several trucks. Towing that boat regularly you will not enjoy with a Tacoma. Plain and simple.

If it were me looking at that boat i would actually lean towards a 2500 series truck

 

We can help, but the questions you are asking should be basic ones for your dealer. But since yooure getting a deal, that makes it a bit more justified... if its a really good deal. I elected to pay a bit more at a local dealer who has a very good technical team working for them that were very good with my previous Toyotas, so sometimes getting a good deal comes with a price. Anyways...

If you look inside the grill from the front, you will see the small auto transmission oil cooling radiator right below your horns in the left side of the main radiator (right side if looking from the front):

 

He doesnt need a Tundra, there are more people happy towing heavy loads with their Tacomas than not, Ive done it for years with no issues or heartaches.

Now if you live in Utah where folks can legally drive 80mph with their trailers and do on parts of the interstate, then yes, I would get a Tundra also

 

The "ect" button is the tow button I believe he is referring to. To lock out overdrive..... switch to "s" mode (push gear selector to the left) and it will not go above 4th gear. Move the gear selector forward or backward and it will limit the truck to not go above the gear selected.

 

This is great help!

My reason for not getting a full size is that it will be primarily be my daily driver and I need to navigate through narrow congested city streets in the northeast on a regular basis. The full size trucks seem like such a hassle size-wise, but having driven a nissan frontier, that was able to do city-streets well.

The towing will be for boat use in the summer months. I will regularly bring it with me around town, and take a longer trip with it a few times per season.

I know that the price and fuel economy of an F-150 are similar to the TRD Off-Road Taco, but for the manueverability, Taco reliability/resale, I would really prefer the Taco. As long as it can handle this boat. The alternative is a chevy colorado/gmc canyon with the diesel engine, but that has crap reliability/resale.

Please keep the feedback coming everybody!

 

Do you need an extra cab or quad cab pickup vs a regular cab pickup? A full size regular cab pickup is not that much bigger and much easier to tow and maneuver with. I think with a boat that big you are going to hate the lack of power for towing. I had a 2009 Silverado with the 5.3 and going down to the Tacoma with the 2.7 is painful.

 

I do need a double cab, because I have kids and will need this to be primarily my daily driver. Thank you.

 

The other consideration is what do the boat ramps at your launch places look like? Mossy, muddy or concrete? Some places I’ve been almost always require 4wd, or extra power because the ramps are so bad or steep.

 

Yes, the TRD Off-Road Taco 4x4 with locking rear differential and double cab, premium package, plus technology package, sale price $36k + tax/tags. That is a nice deal.