The Tacoma Towing Bible

Here's the post from the installer:

"Just ordered the Prodigy RF for you. It will be here tuesday and we will install and test it tuesday afternoon. This new controller just plugs into the 12v accessory plug(cig lighter) and thats it on the truck. When you get your trailer we'll mount the brake control box on the trailer. Just 2 screws and the trailer plugs into it and thats it. Prodigy RF made by tekonsha is the manufacturer if you want to look it up. Its a remote controlled unit with accelerometers built in. $500 unit but we are not going to charge you at all. Sorry about the issues. We will for sure get them all worked out for you. "

 

Hey maybe I mised the info but I have a 2011 taco and was looking to put a t- type plug in for pulling my little boat and I cant find the connector under the bed. Anyone enlighten me on this. Thanx

 

I don't think I've ever seen the famous T-style connectors for the Tacoma. Some manufacturer may make one, although I'm not sure where on the truck they would connect. But don't fret, Hopkins make an "almost" T-style.

You just locate each tail light harness and plug it in-line.
The product packaging lists 05-09 Tacoma's and the seach from the website for a 2010 pulls the same item number 43355. I don't see why it wouldn't work for a 2011, but a quick call to the customer service line [(800) 835-0129, 8-5 p.m. CST.] will answer that.

 

Anyone ever tow a Jeep on an aluminum car hauler? Considering making my wife's jeep a trailer queen and debating whether or not we will need a bigger truck to tow it.

 

Where to Mount an Electric Brake Controller? Where are you guys putting them? I drive a 2011 Quad cab... Pictures would be awesome

 

Hey guys .. basic question, but this is my first truck that I will ever be towing anything with. I have the '11 D/C TRD (with towing package). I plan on using my fathers old boat (now that my truck can tow it). Including fuel, trailer, ect it should be about 3200lbs, which is well within limits for our trucks. I figure it will be about 280 lbs tongue weight.

I have had the dealer order parts for the TSB upgrade, but I may tow one or two times before getting the upgrade done, just so I can use the boat this weekend.

My question is .. what settings should we use to tow? Do we use the regular D, or go to 4, 3, 2, or L? I know we have a few buttons for traction control and Overdrive, but I dont think either of those are applicable.
I dont plan to use 4WD unless I start to slip pulling the boat out of the dock, which sometimes happens at low tide and the ramp is all slimy. I also got a 7 pin to 4 pin adapter for the trailer light, and am running the wire for the power winch this weekend. I believe that is very easy.

I have driven trailers before, just not in my own truck. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

I tow my boat in 4 all the time. When I pull it up the ramp I do drop it all the way down to 1. I dunno if this helps but it is a habbit. I never have to use 4x4 to get it up the ramp unless I hesitate or stop. Not sure if you know this or not but unplug your lights before you back your boat/trailer in the water. f they are on and get hot they burst when they get wet. Happy boating!

 

Thanks for the info. I figured 4 would give me a little more torque, but didnt know how our trucks were designed.

I have never heard of the disconnecting the trailer lights before. All of my trailer lights are sealed, and made to be submerged. I have never had one crack, or burst. Usually the rubber seal fails before anything else.

 

Any type of heavy towing you want to keep it out of 5. It will keep your trans, cooler. Doing this keeps the truck from going from 5 to 4 all the time and gives your more pulling power on the hills.

I think my seals leak as the whole lense fills up with water and then draines after you pull it out of the water. As long as I disconnect the lights before I submerge the trailer they all seem to last longer.

You should post some pictures of your boat up!
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/boating-fishing/10854-show-us-your-boat.html

 

LOL. Maybe after I clean it up. Its been sitting for almost 2 years (since my father took his truck to Florida, and I wasent towing it with me '95 4cyl Taco). Its nothing special, just a center console '74 Mako. Perfect for fishing.

 

05 DC 4x4 here's mine. Prodigy brake controller. Mounts perfect so I can reach the manual actuator if I need to on long downhill grades.

 

I mounted mine under the shelf where you have your garage opener.
I was concerned I would be hitting it with my knee all the time (I'm 6'5").
I think I've only bumped it a couple of times. You want to be able to get to it easy enough so you can hit the brakes manually.
I also have a lower profile brake unit than the one pictured.

 

hey OP i hope you don't mind me doing this. but i have seen wear some people are having hard time finding "LOCKING" hitch pins. like wrong size and stuff. i took some photos (sorry they are off the tundra, my brother has my truck right now. but i think everyone can get an idea) i think it could help allot of people.


ok first i measured the end. FYI 2gen Tacoma's have a bracket wear the pin goes so it makes it 3"


on this photo ou can see that wear the pin goes is smaller than the end. the pin on the tundra is 2 3/4x 1/2 the tacoma it the same as the end. making it 3 inches.

the pin i got at wall mart.

this is the part that has to be 3 inches! on the tundra it is 2 3/4

 

i installed air ride on my 09 taco world of difference even with just the fourwheeler in the back worth 245 bucks.

 

Sorry if I missed it in here somewhere, but I don't see it. Does my V6 towing package have a battery charger for coach batteries wired in to the 7 pin plug, or is that something I have to install myself?

 

Did you do the install? If so, how difficult was it?

Thx

 

Yes. There is charging from the 7pin when the truck is running.

 

Did a test tow today with what is now our new travel trailer! Wildwood 23BHG...came in at 5100 lbs loaded. (water, gas, 2 six volt batteries, etc). Guess I have lots of extra space for beer!
Taco was great on the hills..little slow off the start, but that was expected. After about 50km/hr, there was lots of power when climbing...ran it in 4th about 2500 rpm and had no issues keeping the speed limit or very close to on the steep climbs. RV rep came with me and confessed he was surprised with the Taco's performance...he has been a big 3 guy and still had the 'little import' thoughts in mind. Can't wait for the first trip next weekend! BTW - Towing bible was read and re-read a number of times before deciding to buy a trailer we would grow into and the truck would handle instead of going small and trading up in a couple of years. Now the trade up in a couple of years can be to a Tundra.

 

Oh ya..I agree the after market tow mirrors are fugly and pretty cheap looking. Anyone have any luck finding a brand other than the Dodge mirror mod?
Come Toyota....you make a towing package for the taco but no mirriors??

 

Congrats.. sounds like same plan I had in 05. Still pulling my trailer today with 109,000 miles on the Tacoma. It just won't give up... though it would be nice to have a Tundra someday.