The Tacoma Towing Bible

I agree!! Great thread for towing questions!!! It answered some basic tow questions we had

 

I just went through the same thing last week and put up a post with pictures.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/196787-1st-gen-brake-controller.html

 

would installation of an after-market transmission cooler (like the jegs one listed above) void any warrantee? I have a brand new truck.

 

Quick question from someone new.

When towing a car, do you need the Gross vehicle wieght or the curb weight?

I ask this as I may be towing a Range Rover Sport this Summer and the curb weight plus a trailer if I am extremely lucky should be under the 6500 weight. If we need the GVW, then imma be towing my Taco!!

Thanks in advance.

I did look through some pages, so if this is a repost, ignore it please.

 

curb weight

 

Ok, thanks

 

Folks,

Got my 2012 Tacoma DC SR5 V6 4X4 (spruce mica!) with towing package and couldn't be happier with it so far. Just found this site; great wealth of experience and knowledge. Any comment/suggestions on my senario would be appreciated:

Plan on getting travel trailer (looking at Lance 1985). 3670#DW, 375#HW. Getting a good hitch with sway control, additional brake for trailer. Possibly adding suspension support or air bags. I hope to get some good info from the dealer on the set-up, and will be taking some short trips around the San Antonio area to get familiarized with the set-up. I drove farm equipment, hay trailers, and medium size trucks (26') in my youth, but nothing like that in the last 30 years.

However, in about 16 months I am heading back to Fairbanks, Alaska. I will travel in June, so weather is not a big issue. 4400 miles from here to there-no hurry to get there. Researching route for best trail now. I think I will be OK weight-wise and drive-wise. Understand low MPG, plan on gas cans.

Doable? Any issues jump out that I am missing? Suggestions on the set-up? Learned a lot just scanning this forum, but want to get as prepared as possible for the retirement (Army/29 years) adventure.


Any input greatly appreciated-sorry for the long first post! Thanks in advance for the help!

Jim

 

Welcome to the Forum, Jim!

You will still be pleased with the Tacoma after the trip. It will haul that load nicely with the LC/Sway setup.

 

Welcome.

Sounds like a good trip. Do your research on weight distribution hitches (WD) hitch and sway control. I use the equal-i-zer which has both WD and sway control and is easy to set up. One note: If you decide on air bags do not use them to adjust rear/front sag with the trailer connected with WD hitch. THe rear/front sag should be adjusted with the WD hitch only. The air bags are better for adjusting sag with a payload in the truck only, like a load of logs or dirt or if you have a non WD set up with a heavy tongue weight.

I had the rear suspension updated through the Toyota TSB that added a leaf spring and it made the truck much better suited for towing. Here is a list of the TSB for a 2nd Gen

Any questions just ask.

Paul

 

Firestone air bags

Primus IQ trailer brake

 

I agree whole heartedly on the value of the Firestone air bags -- best addition I've made to my truck, and had it almost 12 years now.

This wood was HEAVY - I know, because I got to load it all:

 

2011 Toy Tacoma double cab pre runner long bed. Whats the max I can tow, or does anyone know where the tow capacity is?

 

Its in your owner's manual. It depends if you have the tow package or not.

 

Just traded in an o8 f150 4x4 for a new toyota tacoma prerunner double cab 2.7 liter four cyclinder. Scared to death that I made a stupid decision. I have a 60 mile round trip commute every day and the cost of gas was killing me. All I hear about it how the price is going to go to 5 or 6 dollars a gallon. I tow a 14 ft alulminum boat about 15 times a year and a 5x14 atv trailer loaded with two four wheelers that weigh about 600lbs each.I tow this about 4 times a year. I don't have the towing package and was wondering if I will be ok. I am feeling that I have made a bad mistake. Looks like I can't put my transmission in D when I haul the four wheelers. It looks like I will have to stay in 2nd ir 1st. Any advice would be greatly appeciated.

 

You won't have any problems with the load you're describing. You can keep it in D when accelerating and driving slow, but keep it in 4th on the highway and don't let it hunt. You won't be passing anyone doing 70 on a 2 lane, but you'll have no problems towing what you have. It was a smart choice.

 

Thanks for the response. I don't have a fourth gear though. My shifter just has P R N D 1 and 2. Do I need to keep it in second then?

 

You're right, sorry. The 2.7 is a 4 speed. The tow cap is 3400 so both of your toys fall below that. You definitely don't want to run the highway in 2nd. My best guess would be keep it in drive and keep it just below where it wants to start hunting. Hopefully you're not hauling the toys too far.

 

Thanks, I have a 3rd gear that is to the left of D. I guess I could use that if my tranny starts hunting for gears.

 

You probably mentioned something about towing with a manual, but I can't seem to find it. I've been looking for a 4banger manual Taco, wouldn't be doing anything too heavy duty, but any advice?

 

Thanks for posting the "Tacoma Towing Bible". I used a lot of your suggestions when I towed a trailer about 1400 miles from Colorado to California. I was/still am a novice at towing so your tips really helped me out. Thanks!