The Tacoma Towing Bible

So I guess I didn’t realize the mirrors only came as one and not a pair. Oops! So I’ll be short one mirror this weekend. Should I have the tow mirror on the driver or passenger side?

 

That sucks that it only came with one mirror. I would put it on the passenger side of the truck if it were me.

 

That’s what I was thinking. Yeah I wasn’t happy and it’s not super clear on Amazon that it only came with one but it also doesn’t say “pair” or “set”. I’ll use it this weekend and see how one works. I do have those little wide angle mirrors stuck onto the bottom corner of my mirror so I should be good.

 

@Spoon93 safe travels and let me know your thoughts on the mirror when you get back.

 

What’s everyone’s take on towing a 6x10 cargo trailer with general camping supplies and a motorcycle in it with my pickup?

I’ve got a 04 ext cab, it has the 3.4l 5 speed with the factory tow package and a added brake controller. Eventually I will be doing the TBU once my front brakes wear out. I’ve got a small lift and I’m running 32” tires on stock 4.10 gearing.

I’m looking to buy a enclosed trailer for hunting and I figured a 6x10 is probably about the smallest size I could go for headroom. Anyone tow anything like this? I’m located in Washington state so I will be going over a few 4-7k foot passes. Mostly North Cascades and possible a few in Idaho.

Here’s a picture of my truck and kind of what I’m thinking about getting. The trailer pictured is a 5x8 I believe.

 

Any recommendations on a brake controller ?

 

I’ve towed about the same thing on my 11, 4.0. I take it easy and keep it around 60 mph and have no issues. Gas mileage stinks. I have a cheap break controller also as I tow about a 3500 lb TT occasionally also.

 

What’s your average mileage with towing and without? I assume the 4.0s have more torque then the 3.4? I think the 3.4 is 200-220 ft/lbs.

 

2200kg is about 4800 lbs, so same ballpark.

but yeah, Americans seem to have a thing for geenormous travel trailers.

 

Tekonsha Prodigy P3

 

I get 16-17 mpg normally which is half city/highway.

 

The mirror worked well on the passenger side. It doesn't shake any more or less than your standard mirror will. The trailer I had to tow was 8ft wide so I still could't see all the way around but enough to know when I did and did not have space to move over.

 

The trailer I just picked up is 3900 dry, I forget the GVW, but it was more than what yours said. My 2013 Tacoma pulled it home with no issues. I would assume your dry weight is less and you have a newer truck with more HP.

 

Who are you referring too?

 

Tekonsha p3 install location

 

This is a great resources! But I am still going to ask yet another towing question. I have a 2000 2wd automatic trans 2.4 l. The two rating on the door is 3500lbs. We bought a new boat and I am going to go pick it up, and bring it home. Its about a 1000 miles. The boat + trailer weight is 3,400lbs (wet), trailer has surge breaks, and the truck has a class 3 hitch rated to 5000lbs. Am I crazy to pull that home when the load is so close to the max rating?

 

you probably will need a WDH for that, or find your truck riding nose high with very sketchy steering. keep your transmission down one gear even on flatlands, so if it has a OD, turn that off, otherwise shift to the gear below D. whatever gear you used going up a hill, stay in that gear going down the other side. take it slow and easy, leave LOTS of room in front of you even if it means traffic keeps cutting you off.

 

I wondered about that... I've been poking around trying to find the right WDH and so far I am at a but of a loss. The traiker has a one neck. Are there WDH that one have one trunnion bar/chain?

 

can you find out from the seller what the tongue weight is? if its no more than around 400 lbs, as long as you're traveling light, you can probably forgo the WDH