Question on self-installing hitch new specs

Have ‘23 4cly DoubleCab automatic Taco.
This afternoon installing:
Curt Class III Trailer Hitch - 2"
Curt T-connector Vehicle Wiring Harness With 4-pole Flat
from etrailer.com as suggested by this forum.

Per Toyota’s website:
Towing {FROM SPEC SHEET}
Maximum towing capacity (lb.) 3500
Tongue load (lb.) 350

QUESTION::::: When this is installed will i get somewhere better than truck specs suggest but guessing lower than the very high specs on the Curt Hitch?

And yes i should know this but i don’t.

 

Always better to be safe than sorry..I went thru this issue before due to Toyota actually refusing to put a factory hitch on the 2.7L 2TR-FE model.. there's a big push to get customers to get the V6 models that have 80 lbs of torque more but cost $7k more..the V6 is rated at 6,500lbs..2.7L 2TR-FE is under rated at 3,500 lbs..yet only 80lbs of torque difference and the same transmission, suspension, frame, rear end, brakes etc..literally only the engine is different.. So outside the US the 2.7L 2TR-FE is used in commercial 17+ passenger buses..it can tow 2,500kg / 5,500lbs outside the US.. So if you ask me its about up selling the V6 because it appears there is only a 1,000lb tow difference between the V6 and 2.7L 2TR-FE engine..no one would buy the $7k extra V6 if they knew it only tows 1,000lbs more then the 2.7L 4 cylinder model.
The V6 engine used is the Camry engine..never designed to tow or to have low end torque..nor can it be rebuilt like the cast iron 2.7L 2TR-FE engine..there is a 1.5 million mile original 2.7L engine still driving..the aluminum block V6 engine may see 300k or so.. there's a reason people special order the 2.7L 2TR-FE.. that said Toyota only got a DOT rating on the 4 cylinder model Tacoma of 3,500lbs..guess you have to drive to south America before you tow 5,500lbs with it..

 

thank you for the suggestion on etrailer.com. Very fast shipping to Texas and will have installed this afternoon.

 

If you aren't installing 7-pin and a trailer brake controller, you sure shouldn't be towing 3500 pounds, much less over that weight.


This is the law here in Washington. Most states have similar rules around trailers/brakes:
Any trailer whose gross weight is over 3,000 pounds must be equipped with a device that will automatically apply the brakes in case of a breakaway. Trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less must be equipped with brakes if the weight of the trailer(s) exceeds 40 percent of the weight of the towing vehicle.


If your Taco weighed 4000 pounds, that would mean you'd legally need trailer brakes over 1600 pounds. Tons of people do pull single axles with a sxs pushing slightly past the 2000 mark, but I'd call that the limit for safely stopping. I've had my trailer brake connection come loose while driving and it was scary trying to stop 4000 pounds with only my truck's brakes when traffic speeds suddenly dropped on the freeway.

 

Found the Florida version, looks like it's just about the same. I don't think WA requires all axles to be braked, though:


(3) BRAKES ON ALL WHEELS.—Every vehicle shall be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels except:
(a) Trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers of a gross weight not exceeding 3,000 pounds, provided that:
1. The total weight on and including the wheels of the trailer or trailers shall not exceed 40 percent of the gross weight of the towing vehicle when connected to the trailer or trailers; and
2. The combination of vehicles, consisting of the towing vehicle and its total towed load, is capable of complying with the performance requirements of s. 316.262.

 

Thank you and you are surely correct.
Im not really looking to pull 3500/4000 lbs. what i am looking for is getting a little better tongue load. I have a 4Runner for the bigger stuff. Im looking at a uhaul/HomeDepot, etc small trailer that weighs 800/1000 lbs and load 500/1500 lbs that i don’t wish for whatever reason to load in the bed. Just another option.
This being very local use as well.
Any trips to Florida would have the 4Runner on duty.
I’m guessing most of all i can’t believe Toyotas not including a hitch.