Really stupid basic towing question...

I didn't see this question posted anywhere, probably because it's too obvious...but I'll ask anyway because I've never pulled a trailer with my truck.

I'm thinking of picking up a very small and light pop-up camping trailer. My truck is a completely stock, base model 2nd gen Tacoma. Can I use a simple towing ball in the stock bumper, or do I need a specific kind of rear bumper or perhaps a tow package installed?

 

It depends on how much the actual trailer weighs. But I'd feel safest with a tow package over a bumper with a ball any day.

 

If your truck came with a factory mounted hitch, it will do the job. But if it didn't, and you are considering bolting a ball through a hole in the bumper, that would less than ideal. Most bumpers are pretty light, so have a shop install a real hitch, attached to the frame. If you ever had a failure at highway speed with an inappropriate hitch setup, it wouldn't be pretty - either the event or the aftermath in court.

 

I would not want to be towing with a bumper ball. I seen this a lot and everyone is bent. As the truck gets aged and rust starts it get weaker. You can get a hitch setup without breaking the bank and then you can adj the ride level also. Do it right the first time and never have to worry about it.

 

Get a tow hitch, don't chance it. Not worth the risks.

 

Thanks for all the feedback, definitely going to get a hitch. If I get this trailer I'll be picking it up today or tomorrow and won't have time to get the hitch installed first. For one-time use just to get it home, do you think it would be an issue to use a ball in the bumper? It's only about a 30 mile drive, and the trailer weight is 995 lb.

 

If there is a hole in the bumper designed for a ball, that should be fine to get it home. But definitely get a hitch setup. Do you have wiring setup?

 

No...hoping to get it home without getting pulled over. Usually there aren't too many police on patrol on the outskirts of Houston where I live so I don't expect to have any trouble on a short drive.

 

Roughly a bajillion and a half miles get towed every year using just a bumper and a ball. Don't worry about it. I prefer a receiver just because I can swap balls back and forth in seconds without tools and it pushes the trailer back a few inches from the vehicle, but as long as you don't go heavier than the bumper is rated for you shouldn't have an issue. Stock bumper I believe is rated for 3500 pounds. And really, I don't want to tow heavy with a light vehicle. Bigger trucks make better tools.

Sandwiched between the oh so pretty and oh so weak chrome sheet is a pretty thick piece of steel you're actually towing on.

Worrying you'll get sued for using the equipment as designed is silly.


When you wire the plug get a combo unit with the 4 and the 7 pin outlets. They don't really cost anymore, don't take any more to wire up for the 4 pin, and give you options without needing adapters down the road.

 

And the truck is designed to pull more than is rated weight so it's a non issue as long as you stay within design parameters. If we were advocating he use duct tape and bubble gum it would be different. Lots of money and engineering time went into it, it's as safe as it needs to be to do the job is meant to do.

The bumper is a class 2 rating, exceed that and you'll want an appropriate receiver hitch.

 

While you are at it, you might want to see about a transmission cooler and an auxiliary oil cooler. Yes, it's a light trailer, but these additions can't hurt.

 

I joined this forum just to have this very question answered. I was going over the owner's manual today and came across the section on bumper towing. It claims a 3500# towing limit, but my trailer only handles 1000 pounds, making the total weight around 1500#.
I had already called Texas Truck and Trailer in Austin, and they didn't even have wiring information on the new Tacomas. I will go to the dealer in the morning and confab with them.
BTW, I am also on the outskirts of Houston - if you consider Bastrop the outskirts.

 

One nice Tracker deserves another. My 1987 MV16.

 

Sweet........

Best boat for the kind of fishing I do.... No worries about scratching gel coat...