The Tacoma Towing Bible

Ok, Curt sells a controller to pig tail kit http://www.curtmfg.com/part/51516 and wiring kit http://www.curtmfg.com/part/51500. These will probably work. So what good is the harness http://www.curtmfg.com/part/51363, if you have to have the factory towing option to use it? It is only useful for someone who wants swap the Curt controller for the OEM controller?

 

its worse than tongue weight because the weight is farther back. remember too whatever you put on your hitch has to be subtracted from your trucks payload, which likely is 1000 or 1200 lbs.

those hitch mount motorcycle racks are only really suitable for a light dirt bike, like a 250cc.

 

there's no such thing as an OEM brake controller. the factory tow package has a connector below the dash where you can plug a brake controller in using that harness adapter. with that wiring kit, you'd probably just hard wire the brake controller.

 

This is probably a really stupid question and I haven't found specific answers.
Could you please inform me of what is included in a "Tow Package."

I understand a hitch and harness, anything else? I've got a 2017 TRD Sport 4x4 Manual Trans.. don't know if that makes a difference.

 

hitch and wiring (including wiring for the trailer lights, electric brake wiring, and trailer charge wiring). heavier duty alternator (to better charge the trailer). transmission cooler (if automatic, manuals don't need this).

 

I exchanged the adapter harness http://www.curtmfg.com/part/51363 for the Pigtail harness http://www.curtmfg.com/part/51516. Now I understand that the adapter harness is only for trucks that came with the factory tow package. Question, is the red wire to the OEM connector active? Basically is there a signal present when the brakes are applied? I will verify if no one knows. It would be allot easier to tab the red wire to the OEM connector, rather than locating another place to access a brake light signal.

I ran the 10 gauge black charge wire and 12 gauge blue wire from the 7-pin connector to the engine compartment on Sunday. I see no reason to use 10 gauge for the blue electric brake connector. The manual for my trailer and the blue wire on the Curt 7-pin connector both are 12 gauge. I wire tied to the OEM harness until it went through the floor board. Then I used a wire puller to route through the frame out the opening below the alternator. This way the wires are guaranteed to be away from hot exhaust.

 

Thanks for info. I am having dealer put the Firestone airbags and compressor kit to air them up on my 17 Tacoma. I just bought the Aspen lite and was appalled at the sag when hitched. Haven't even used it yet. i can't do it myself and dealer even recommended the Firestone bags I read about other members using. Already have electric brake controller and bought the CIPA towing mirrors recommended.

Expensive fix for brand new truck supposed to be able to tow 6400 lbs and trailer is half that. Love the truck though.

 

You can run a weight distribution hitch and not need air bags. Also, is your trailer half of fhe towing weight when dry?

 

It is 3400 dry. I already had the air suspension put in before I read your reply. I did look at a weight distribution hitch but it was so heavy and reading the instructions it said it had to be removed when not towing. It seemed pretty heavy to me to take on and off every time I was camped and not towing. I have to admit I do like the way the truck is easy to change the stiffness with the air suspension.

Does anyone know if the air foils that are placed on top of the cab to kick the air over the top of the trailer actually help or are they more a big truck help?

 

hmmm........the one time it's ok to have a spoiler on my taco.............tempting

 

if the front of the trailer is sloped and rounded, that spoiler won't do jack.

do note, a flat/square REAR generates as much drag as a flat/square front.

 

Thanks for the info. I did not know about the back creating drag as well.

 

if there is high pressure at the front, there is low pressure at the rear.

 

Hi all!

Had no issues installing my brake controller in Tacoma #1 but can't seem to find the harness in this Tacoma #2. It should have it but I'm not experienced with all the wires.

A couple of pics. Can anyone assist?

Thank you

 

on my 2008, it was tucked down behind that grey panel, i had to fish it out.

 

Thank you ^

Not much luck there either.??

 

whats that plug behind/above the parking brake pedal?

this vehicle /does/ have the factory tow option, doesn't it ?

 

according to my tacoma wiring diagram, the brake controller should have...
1 - yellow - brake
2 - black - B+ (power)
3 - white/black - ground
4 - blue - 'stop'
5 - green - taillight

 

I'm pretty sure that's it just above the E brake pedal in the picture

 

and I just looked at mine, the blue and the black wires are quite fat going to the brake controller connector