The Tacoma Towing Bible

Oh yes I do know that one! I have an 06 2nd Gen so no 6th gear for me.

 

Hello All,

10 years later and this thread is still kicking.. Thanks Mav!

My set up: 2004 Taco 4x4 Xtracab 3.4L V6 5spd Manual TRD Off-road with tow package (tow package: based on my owners manual, meaning the fan collar is green). The dealer told me I have a class IV hitch on it based on my vin. I looked at the hitch sticker max 6000lb tow cap and 600lb tongue weight. I bought the Tacoma used with 93k on it.

I plan to tow a travel trailer possibly R-pod 180 (88''x20') or Rockwood Geo-Pro 19FBS (96''x20') both around 3800-3900 lb wet. So let's call it around 4k trailer weight on average. Most likely this will be used periodically maybe max once a month (for now, possibility of long term hauling around the continent for a few months)

I have a few questions I wanted to clarify:

1. Based on Mav's initial post it seems that the Transmission cooler is only needed for automatic trans? With my 5spd manual is a tranny cooler applicable or needed?
2. Can anyone confirm the max tow weight of the 04 3.4V6 with tow package? My manual says 6000lbs both dealerships I've called are saying 5000lb, i'm wondering if they reduced it for warranty reasons?
3. Outside of a tranny cooler (if applicable), extended mirrors, and a brake controller, what else is recommended to get my truck up to speed for towing this safely? the manual mentioned a sway control device for trailers over 2000lb. Any recommendations for all of these items (make/model)?

 

Weight distribution hitch. You'll love the 96" a lot more, but it will drag a lot more also. No reason to sway decision, just pointing it out.

 

Thanks @"OldManTan" , appreciate the feedback. I'm leaning toward the Geo-Pro but I'm undecided. I'll keep that in consideration.

Any recommendation on reliable manufacturers?

 

We are also looking at a Geo/e-pro and the r-pod 189. Great info to read here so thanks for letting me “tag along”.

 

manual transmissions, the transmission oil is purely a lubricant, and it doesn't get hot, there's no need to cool it. automatic transmissions, the ATF is a hydraulic fluid thats pumped through the torque converter, this gets it seriously warm.

 

@LeftCoastNerd I assumed as much since I couldn't find much on manual trans coolers, but better safe to ask the obvious question than sorry.

 

@LeftCoastNerd I assumed as much since I couldn't find much about manual trans coolers. I'd rather be safe and ask the obvious question than sorry .

 

@LeftCoastNerd I assumed as much since I couldn't find much on manual trans coolers. Rather safe than sorry.

 

Maverick,
Do you think I need the cooler as noted above? My stats:
Truck add on's (armor, etc.) minus items taken off, about 1100lbs
Off-road trailer - 1,800lbs with all gear and about 60lbs tongue weight
Back of truck - another 100lbs of gear.

Already made trips to Moab and Colorado over the last year and did not notice any significant issues in transmission. Anticipate multiple other trips like this (also plan to get 4.30 gears) and would appreciate your input.
Thanks!

 

Differing opinions on whether a cooler in your situation is overkill and that if too cool is a bad thing also. I honestly don't know that answer. If the trailer is narrow, and tucks behind your truck, I don't think you really have a need for one. Still probably should not use OD regardless. I towed a double wide snowmobile trailer with salt shield into the wind once with my 4 banger. Maybe 1200-1300 lbs with one sled. Weight wasn't an issue obviously, but I could not hold 65 mph. The moral is, wind resistance can be your worst enemy. Once you get weight rolling, it's okay. But wind will always affect you.

 

When you say overdrive, do you mean downshifting to a lower gear. Not sure I would have made it over some of the peaks in Colorado without doing so. Only place I have really needed to do so.

 

OD is when you leave it in drive. It's your final gear ratio and is meant for cruising when your not towing .

 

yeah, except for some new vehicles that have tow mode, you should basically never tow in OD with an automatic, even cruising on the flats. and if you're going up a grade you should shift down one more gear than you might have used without the tow. Even with my 6 speed stick, I don't use 6th at all towing, I cruise in 5th, and almost any grade above a little blip, I'm in 4th, and for long-steeps at speed, i'm in 3rd. The 4.0L V6 really doesn't mind revving, although it does suck gas doing so.

 

interesting, the owners manuals for my 'new' 2002 F250 diesel say, disable overdrive if its shifting too much. so they are ok with OD for towing, as long as the transmission isn't hunting for gears. of course, thats a 4R100 tranny which is way beefier than the Tacoma's slush-box.

 

there's a transmission temp gauge stock on the dashboard.

and yeah, re torque, something like 525 ft-lbs at 1600 rpm... stump puller. and thats before you get into tuners and such, mine is dead stock for now.

 

That thing is worthless. Once the needle actually moves and the light turns on, it's pretty much too late. Scangauge for 1st gens or Ultragauge for 2nd gens will let you watch the actual temps realtime. I can tell when my torque converter is locked when my temps run around 150-160*. As soon as they start rising, I know it has unlocked and I either downshift, let off the gas or otherwise assess how the road is going and react correctly.

 

Scangauge Trans Temp also works well for 3rd gens

 

I was talking about my 2002 F250 diesel... I do have a bluetooth OBD/CAN/J1850 module that works with TorquePro and shows all the Fords internal parameters, including tranny temp, on my phone or tablet. But the F250 7.3 has no EGT sensor, so if I want an EGT gauge, I'd have to add a sensor and wire it to an actual gauge. :-/