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The Tacoma Towing Bible

Discussion in 'Towing' started by maverick491, Nov 18, 2007.

  1. Sep 28, 2013 at 2:34 PM
    #781
    PattonT

    PattonT Well-Known Member

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    You should fine, the biggest factor is your towing experience. Having towed with a 4.0 DC w/tow package I think the max capacity probably should be no more than 5500 rather than 6500. Over 6000 lbs the truck just gets bullied by the trailer in stops and turns, stiffer suspension would help.
     
  2. Sep 29, 2013 at 3:06 PM
    #782
    mstanicek

    mstanicek New Member

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    Mike
    Oceanside, ca
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    2012 double cab w tow pkg
    I have a lot of experience towing, just not with a Tacoma and a heavier trailer, just looking for any examples of the Tacoma getting dogged by a heavier load. Thanks for the comment
     
  3. Sep 29, 2013 at 4:13 PM
    #783
    piercedtiger

    piercedtiger Devout Atheist

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    Jon
    Southern Tier, NY
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    Stiffer suspension is definitely recommended! If the load is balanced and the trailer has brakes, it's not too bad hauling 6500+, but the ass end still sags.

    I have rebuilt springs, and had 800lbs of pellets in the back after the rebuild and the rear was level. Wish I had the chance to try towing a load again to see how it handles now! lol
     
  4. Sep 29, 2013 at 5:27 PM
    #784
    tx_shooter

    tx_shooter This place is a cesspool of bfo and spacer lifts

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    I tow my '87 4Runner on a regular basis with my 2006 DC PreRunner. I have only had two situations where the trailer actually started pushing the truck around. One was trying to move from a stop on a very steep incline and the other was going up a moderate incline on a dirt road. Both times were more so weight/traction issues. I'm planning on getting a locker for my PreRunner to resolve this issue.

    If you intend to tow heavy loads the two necessary upgrades IMO are Firestone Air Bags and trailer brakes.
     
  5. Sep 29, 2013 at 6:45 PM
    #785
    BillJC

    BillJC Well-Known Member

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    Bill
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    This is my setup as well. Definitely recommend the Firestones and a brake controller is must. If you have an AAL as well, it definitely helps too. I've got ICON 3 Leafs in the back as well.

    I've towed around 6K lbs with no issues. More power would be nice though. My next modification is going to be to regear to 4.56's or 4.88's.
     
  6. Sep 29, 2013 at 7:28 PM
    #786
    tx_shooter

    tx_shooter This place is a cesspool of bfo and spacer lifts

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    I forgot to mention that I did upgrade to the TSB leafs.
     
  7. Sep 30, 2013 at 9:21 AM
    #787
    J Gibson

    J Gibson Well-Known Member

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    J
    Knoxville, TN
    Vehicle:
    '12 DCSB,4wd,TRD Sport, tow pkg, MGM
    katzkin leather, toyota step bars, pro grill, advent overhead DVD player, cargo extender, bed mat, husky liners, impulse digital brake controller, avs bugflector, tinted windows, Firestone ride-rite air bags, ARE camper top with tool doors, ScangaugeII, ProEFX tow mirrors, ImMrYo rearview mirror lift bracket, Salex glove box and console organizers, 2020 Tacoma Pro styled wheels, 265/70 r17 Michelin MS2 tires, LED map lights, drivers seat extended and raised, ram ball tech deck installed, blacked out badges, tinted taillights, upgraded climate control knobs, ultimate headlight upgrade with Osram superbrights and wiring harness along wit OEM pro headlight housings.
    Yes! Go with the ProEFX towing mirrors. I had those exact strap ons from Camping World. They were horrible. Mirror is tiny, they shake, they are a pain to get on and off, nothing good to say about them. The ProEFX mirrors are great. Only negative that I have about them is that they limit your view out the side windows. You just have to be careful at intersections where the roads don't meet at 90 degrees etc but that is pretty easy to get used to.
     
  8. Oct 13, 2013 at 4:16 PM
    #788
    mikedgw

    mikedgw Member

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    Michael
    Citrus Heights
    Vehicle:
    06 Prerunner TRD Sport
    Undercover Tonneau Cover, PowerTech disk brakes w. stainless steel brake lines. ProEFX towing mirrors. K&N air filter. Billet radiator grill insert. Prodigy P2 brake controller.
    Maybe one of you has an answer for this:

    I'm towing a pup (tent trailer) with a 12 v Optima Blue AGM "house" battery and my '06 Tacoma has a traditional flooded cell (in other words, ordinary) battery.

    When the Tacoma is connected to the trailer the 12 v house lights are brighter BUT I've noticed the Tacoma isn't charging the Optima AGM trailer battery for some reason. (The converter on the trailer is dying so it doesn't charge the battery either. I have a bench charger for the battery. According to the bench charger, the trailer battery comes home at only 70-80% charge.)

    Is it because:

    1. I've wired the pigtail incorrectely
    2. The Tacoma's computer can't simultaneously charge two different types
    of batteries at the same time (AGM batteries have a unique charging
    algorithm).
    3. Too much impedance in the 10 gauge 8' pigtail?
    4. Other reason?

    I'm using the 7 pin factory towing coupling with a new pigtail. There are no sophisticated electronics at work in the trailer. Anyone have any ideas?

    Thanks, Michael
     
  9. Oct 14, 2013 at 2:28 PM
    #789
    ChrisRodriguez

    ChrisRodriguez Member

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    Chris
    Virginia Beach
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    I might of overlooked this, and im sorry if i did. But does a 2012 Tacoma TRD Off road edition have a button you press when you are towing. Or is it just a automatic thing.
     
  10. Oct 17, 2013 at 10:13 AM
    #790
    CottonTop43

    CottonTop43 Member

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    Bob
    Broomfield, CO
    Wow, Thanks Adam for the low down. You're from NJ, I am in Colorado where we have 6% grades up to 12,000 ft. on some passes. I will continue to search what should be an acceptable trailer wet weight for a Taco V6 4x4 TRD with tow pkg. on these passes. Any one using a super charger?
    Best regards,
    Bob
     
  11. Oct 17, 2013 at 10:31 AM
    #791
    CottonTop43

    CottonTop43 Member

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    Bob
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    Google CAT Scales in your area. I think it is about $9 pulse $2 for a reweight (at the same time)
    Bob
     
  12. Oct 21, 2013 at 11:01 AM
    #792
    CharlieM

    CharlieM Member

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    Charlie
    Northwest Florida
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    Bob,

    FYI, I just got my new 2013 Taco (V6-4X4-Tow Pkg-TRD off road pkg). I plan to tow a 24 ft. Camplite, 3500# dry, approx 4500# packed.

    We just spent a month in glorious Colorado towing out RPOD (3500# packed) with a 2010 4X4 Honda Pilot (3.5L V6, 4500# tow rating). The test was to see if the Honda could pull the 3500# trailer over Red Mountain and Wolf Creek passes. It did fine. Not fast, but it was adequate for the winding road conditions. Transmission temperature remained below 235 degrees so no problem. The conclusion was the Taco 4.0L 4X4 will pull the heavier trailer in CO just fine.

    So I'm getting the TRD supercharger just to be sure! That should be a screamer, particularly at altitude. I will try the new rig in CO next year or the year after. I lived north of Colorado Springs for 20 years and really miss CO. Home is where the mountains are!

    Charlie
     
  13. Oct 22, 2013 at 5:18 AM
    #793
    Blze001

    Blze001 Breaks things.

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    Question for you towers: I plan on towing a Coleman Pop-up with my 2013 DC.

    The trailer weighs around 2000lbs empty, and an extra couple hundred for gear/propane/etc. For argument's sake, we'll say we max out the trailers GVWR at 3000lbs. The truck itself will be loaded with, call it 1500lbs of passengers and bicycles. So we're looking at 4500lbs being hauled all said and done.

    Should I be considering airbags and weight distribution hitches? One or the other? Both? My experience with towing this was a (probably overloaded) Forester that only ever hauled this setup in the flatness of Kansas and a 302 V8 Bronco which hardly even noticed the trailer was attached.

    My truck has the tow package and I'll be getting a trailer brake controller for sure before we start using it. It also has the Sport package, if that makes any difference (I seem to remember Sport springs being stiffer than the OR ones).
     
  14. Oct 22, 2013 at 5:40 AM
    #794
    piercedtiger

    piercedtiger Devout Atheist

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    Southern Tier, NY
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    The rear leafs suck. You'll want to do something about them regardless. Airbags, new leafs, rebuilt leafs designed to hold the weight, or maybe a WD hitch.

    Every time I towed the nose was in the air even with a 3" AAL lift. I had a local company rebuild my leafs and with the arch they put in I can load 800lbs in the bed and it sits level.
     
  15. Oct 22, 2013 at 8:59 PM
    #795
    romafern

    romafern Hug diz nuts

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    80918 Let's meet!
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    Thinking of adding a second battery...
    Airbags. I have them and I towed about 4k cross country. Did really good.
     
  16. Dec 5, 2013 at 10:13 AM
    #796
    jdk52

    jdk52 Bro do you even 'Merica?

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    3 inch OME lift kit, rear diff breather mod, cb install, sliders, brute force fab front end.
    Sub'd for later use in the summer. Awesome thread, thank you.
     
  17. Dec 5, 2013 at 2:15 PM
    #797
    manethon

    manethon TTAS

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    I have oases my taco pretty damn heavy when I moved.
    I went on a weight scale and put each axle on the plate

    1.3t front weight
    2.9t rear weight
    3.6t trailer weight.

    I had stock gears w 33s and 6 speed and ap exp leaf pack
    Pulling wasn't a problem but over 90 wasn't very stable w any wind
    Stopping was a major pita, I'd say this was the biggest limitation.

    Some of the weight I had in my truck bed( 12 66# batteries ) amongst other things.
     
  18. Dec 13, 2013 at 1:22 PM
    #798
    humrick

    humrick Member

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    New owner of '14 Dbl Cab, v-6, tow pkg. Can't find factory brake controller harness. looked driver side kick panel both above it and behind it. Even had the Toyota service rep at the local dealer look for me since I thought it must be "obvious" but I am just missing. Any help/suggestions?
     
  19. Dec 13, 2013 at 4:37 PM
    #799
    romafern

    romafern Hug diz nuts

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    Paid for and saving a shit ton of $$$$$
    Thinking of adding a second battery...
    The dealer did not find it???
    they are boneheads.

    take off the panel, is in there.

    where in Colorado are you? I'll be there next week in the Springs. I could help you if you are near.
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2013
  20. Dec 17, 2013 at 6:44 PM
    #800
    psmcn

    psmcn Well-Known Member

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    Rockville Md
    So, this is what you are looking for. It has a a very short lead. Keep digging, it took me a while, it was tucked way back.

    P3Install_Taco_003_26c15741a1992aa80bb4ba152c732804e28ba456.jpg
     

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