Help with towing question?

Hi everyone,

I’m new here so bear with me; I posted in a different section but didn’t get any responses so thought I’d try here instead maybe. I’ve been reading through the forums but still would love opinions.

So the question is: does this seem like a bad idea? Details below.

I have a 2011 Tacoma double cab V6 4wd, WITHOUT a towing package (so the manual says it’s rated for towing 3500#). When we purchased the car used a few years ago, it had a class III after market hitch and 4 pin connector installed (hitch max gross trailer weight 5000 lbs, tongue 500 lbs).

We have a chance to take a trip for a month in May and are thinking of borrowing a travel trailer that is 2935# dry and 3750# GVWR (and 350# dry tongue). We’d be traveling 1500-2000 miles with it, some hills.

We’d not be traveling with it at max cargo capacity (so it really shouldn’t come close to 3750#, I’d imagine closer to 3100-3200, but will do some better calculations if this seems like it may end up being an option).

I’m thinking of asking my brother in law (skilled mechanic) to install a combo transmission and oil cooler (something like this: https://www.etrailer.com/Transmission-Coolers/Derale/D15902.html), and converting to a 7 pin connector. Possibly upgrading to a 130A alternator and a bigger battery? And air springs? Depends on cost and what he’s willing to do for me but definitely at least some kind of transmission cooler (and obviously need the 7 pin).

I’d also be borrowing an e2 weight distribution hitch and curt echo brake controller.

I don’t want to overly stress my truck, as it still only has 70k miles on it and I was planning on driving it for awhile longer, but would hate to miss out on an opportunity for a trip either. Thoughts? Bad idea? Other tips or factors I haven’t considered?

Thank you!

 

You're going to get a lot of different opinions on this topic. I tow boats weekly and 3,500 lbs is not a problem at all, IMO. Travel Trailers are different in that they catch a lot more wind. A distribution hitch and brake controller are what I would consider to be a must have in your situation. I've never added a transmission cooler but my truck has the factory tow package and I don't know what your truck is equipped with from Toyota. On decent hills when my truck is towing I manually shift my trucks auto transmission. For 3,500 pounds I don't think you'll need to add air springs, I wouldn't. Trucks that come with a tow package have a higher output alternator, consider getting one. Personally I'd keep the stock size battery. Enjoy your trip!

 

Thanks so much for your reply. Glad to hear it hasn’t been an issue for you; this eases my mind a little.

 

DG is right - lot's of views coming your way! We had a 2006 Tacoma, V-6, 4x4, with the trailer towing package. It did fine with a bit heavier tandem axle trailer and in my view a tandem axle trailer would be much preferred.

First item we added to the truck was a gauge so that we could monitor both actual engine water temp and trans fluid temp. There are other choices for this ability now but back in 2006 not so much. We monitored both while towing and on some long climbs the trans got around 255 degrees, a temp not to be at for a long time and the gauge gave us the ability to ease off before trouble. The one we chose is a simple device that plugs into the obd port.

The 7 pin connector a good idea. Weight distributing set up another perfect choice. I'd certainly add the trans oil cooler.

Be prepared for a drastic reduction in mpg - we went from around 19 hwy to 12 mpg or less while towing - you might be surprised just how fast the fuel level drops.

We towed our trailer - likely around 3900 lbs fully loaded, up until we sold the truck with 270,000 miles on it. A fair amount of those were towing miles with no appreciable reduction in the towing ability.

The thing I'd question really might be the investment if this is going to be a one-time event, though most of your add-ons will benefit your truck overall.

 

TacoBaja super helpful, thank you.

It’s sounding like it probably can be done but will require a few upgrades. I think that last question there hits the nail on the head... I wish I could think of a cheaper alternative option to still be able to take the trip and not have to upgrade the truck... definitely going to be doing some thinking. I think it may come down to how much I end up having to spend to get the truck in a condition where I feel comfortable. I did price out renting a 3/4 ton truck for the length of the trip instead but that’s going to run me $3k+, which definitely isn’t going to work.

thanks again

 

Here you go, a much cheaper alternative to a ScanGauge but you'll need to use your cell phone to read the display of it. Trans temp and most everything else is there. It's called a OBD2 Bluetooth Reader and it's less than $20. Monitoring temps is a very good idea in this situation.

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai...wjeuJOz9ZbvAhXDrJ4KHZNvCeMQww96BAgHEFo&adurl=

 

Get the ScanGauge II on most models it will do Transmission Fluid Temp and water temp, mine I have set up to read actual tire pressure.

 

Sounds like all of this is for one trip?? You are talking about a lot of trouble and expense for one trip. Why not just avoid it all by renting a bigger truck that can pull the trailer with ease?

 

Thanks for all the tips with the gauges!

Badger, I’ve thought about that but the cost of renting a truck for a month (at least at all the places I’ve tried...) would be $2.5-3k. I would do this in a heartbeat if it wasn’t so cost-prohibitive. I’m also working on my brother to see if he’ll swap trucks with me for the month (he drives a newer Silverado), so we’ll see.

 

I was going to say without the tow package you don't have the bigger alternator to power the trailer that you're towing but also I think it comes with a bigger fan to help cool the motor but with the scan gauge and what everybody else is saying 3500 lb so on shouldn't have any issues


You basically have the same exact truck I do but I have a tow package which to me is weird

How in the f would you build a 4x4 and not put a tow package on there so that you have recovery points?

 

The Silverado would be the better option. I towed a 2,500# trailer many thousands of miles all over the West. Yeah, it did it, but there were many times at altitude and steep grades that it really sucked too. Everyone's "experience" concerning this topic is all over the map, but I'm firmly in the 3,000 lb tow capacity limit camp with these trucks.

 

Thanks, yeah I’ll definitely use the Silverado if it’s an option. He’s not sold on me borrowing it yet, so we’ll see.

Based on others experiences, I am somewhat relieved to hear that it can be done if needed though.

 

Would it be out of the question to rent a half ton truck from Enterprise or wherever for your trip? If you're just going for a month, might not be a bad way to go. Might even break even on fuel costs / upgrade costs with the rental.

 

Kairo, it’s definitely an option; I hadn’t considered factoring in the difference in gas, good point. It’s pretty expensive but I will have to do some calculating to see if how close it actually ends up being.