The Tacoma Towing Bible

if you can, weigh the tongue weight with it 'typically' loaded, and subtract this from the 1200 lbs(?) payload including passengers of your tacoma (that 1200 number is what my AC TRD OffRoad says, its on the sticker in the door frame).

 

I'll get it on a truck scale once I take delivery and get it outfitted. If the dry tongue weight is 315 lb I can't imagine that it could be more than ~350 lb loaded. My door frame shows cargo/passenger capacity at 1205 lb., and my wife, labrador, golden retriever and I weigh <400 lb combined. :-D What would that Leer shell weigh, 250 lb? That leaves 550+ lb. remaining.

 

Those brackets look like it's from a FastWay e2 WDH. If you're getting the complete kit, great.

It has an integrated anti-sway feature so it's one less thing to attach. It's also great because with a traditional friction sway control, you'd have to remove it when backing up. Not with the e2!

It's what I have and it's great. Here's an Amàzon link:

http://amzn.to/2ag9voe

I contacted them about the product weight difference between the different weight capacity and it's only 4lbs. So get the 10,000 version (the link I provided above) to "future-proof" your investment.

 

I doubt a shell like that weighs more than 150 lbs... me and the seller managed to get my Snugtop off his truck and onto mine with just the two of us.

 

I agree -- they're identical! That's obviously what he meant by a "stabilizer" -- one less thing to buy. Thanks for clearing up that mystery!

Sweet.

Even better, another 100 lb of leeway.

 

Wow, this a link that's going into my 'Everything Tacoma' folder. Thanks for all the fantastic info OP!!!!!

 

FirstTracks, I will share my learning curve on my recent purchase of both Tacoma and 19 ft toy hauler (3500 lbs). I had a Durango (6 cyl) that had more than enough power to tow the weight of the toy hauler with loaded weights. The issue was lack of factory installed tow package (heavier alternator, larger fan, cooler for engine and another for transmission, etc). I could have had after factory transmission cooler added to Durango, but still lacked the larger fan and alternator. I live in valley and very hot desert (AZ) and concern was burning my transmission when traveling up mountains. Hence I traded for the Tacoma with tow package. I had the equalizer and brake controller installed and will take my first maiden voyage in September in the mountains. I do not have a generator and too hot now for camping without. Awaiting for the cooler weather and gathering essentials for my first trip (dump hose, fresh H2O hose, minimal tools, kitchen stuff, etc).
Hope this helps.
NomadicMe

 

Now that the seller has sent me a photo of the rest of the hitch, it looks a tiny bit different from that e2 but essentially similar? Does anyone know exactly what hitch this is? It's not sufficiently high res to zoom in to read the label.

Excellent, Nomad! It will be interesting to hear more after you get it out on the road. The northern AZ mountains aren't too bad this time of year, are they? I'd think that up around 10,000-11,000 feet it'd be a lot cooler.

 

Unless they changed something between '08 and '14 with the "extra" tranny cooler, get another. I was hitting 220-230 with mild terrain differences. With my additional cooler, I dropped between 50-60 degrees, and have not seen 200 yet. Barely 190. And yes, I have the factory tow package.

I edit this that I recommend anyone towing with an automatic in the summer get one. $60 + easy install = cheap insurance.

 

Am I mistaken in my assumption that this is a non-issue for those of us with a manual?

 

You are correct, only an auto thing.

 

That may be the Equal-i-zer WDH. (Expensive)

Yours is a trunnion type, whereas the e2 is a round bar type.

In fact the Equal-i-zer and FastWay e2 are the same company.

 

I believe those have the advantage of not needing a separate sway control device (which is that skanky old flat thing you can see in my picture that says Curt Sway Control)

http://www.equalizerhitch.com/

 

It's actually a FastWay e2. I emailed the seller and had him take close-ups to identify it:

 

What is everyone going to as far as electronic brake controllers? Picked up an 18ft, 4800# towhauler today. Came with a WDH, and I already have firestone airbags in the rear and the TSB leafs. Towed okay, but braking made me nervous. Thanks!

 

Tekonsha. i'd probably get the fancy P2 thing for that one. i'm using a more basic 7Voyager for my 3500 lb max Casita, I have to turn it down on dirt roads or the trailer locks.

and when you get a Tekonsha, get their Toyota truck specific wiring harness, and it will plug right in to the far left side of your under-dashboard, without having to do any wiring

 

I have heard of them and hear Tekonsha is the way to go from the guys that haul 40ft trailers! Glad to hear it from a Tacoma guy! Ill definitely look into them and the harness. Thanks!

 

here's the one I was suggesting, bundled with the 'yota cable.

$200 TEKONSHA P3 BRAKE CONTROL + WIRING HARNESS FOR TOYOTA 4RUNNER, LANDCRUISER, SEQUOIA, TUNDRA TACOMA & LEXUS LX570 GX460 LX470 GX470. CONTROLLER + PLUG/PLAY WIRE KIT.

https://www.amazon.com/TEKONSHA-P3-CONTROL-LANDCRUISER-CONTROLLER/dp/B007O5GXOG

 

Here is the Tekonsha I use. Wireless means you can put the controller anywhere when in use and remove entirely or stow when not. Communicates by RF to trailer brakes. Fantastic system; it can be moved from vehicle to vehicles (pulling the same trailer) by simply unplugging it from the 12 volt source (cig lighter).