Tow info help

Hey all, I picked up a new 2023 SR 4x4 DC last fall. I need to do some towing soon and cannot for the life of me figure out the tow rating.

I do not have the tow package(according to the sticker), but I do have a receiver and 7pin connector. I am 99% sure it's part number 51908-04020

Is that considered the bumper hitch(3500 lb rating) or is that a class 3 hitch (6500lb rating)?

Anyone know offhand? I don't see any stickers in it anywhere.

Thanks in advance.

 

4-Cyl or V6?
Did you buy new or used?

Either Toyota messed up their spec sheet (possible) or they started adding tow package standard on some 2023.

https://www.toyota.com/content/dam/toyota/brochures/pdf/2023/tacoma_eBrochure.pdf

If the hitch and 4/7 pin connector look factory and both sides are fully functional I would say its factory.





Here are the stated ratings for the 2023 SR:

 

Bought new, V6. The sticker lists the hitch receiver but not a tow package.

Your pic is identical to the one I have.

Sounds like I'm good to go at 6500.

Thanks brother!

 

Don't forget you need a trailer brake controller. The 7-pin is there, but no brain to control it. There's a connector under the dash/driver kick panel that you plug a controller into to get trailer brakes. Which you really really need if you think you are towing even half that 6500.

 

Might also spend some time in here, it's a great resource:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

What you planning to tow, and how often?

 

I have the same A/T truck. I found the forum postings on Towing invaluable.

Installed a TowPro Elite towing controller and separately purchased Toyota harness. Easy.
Like the underdash box and lit control button with color coded button diagnostics. Use the button for testing and adjustment of braking level and for manual dampening of trailer sway.

After several years of poor or failing back up cameras, I love the Tacoma onboard rear camera and bought the Anytime Backup Camera relay mod and a similar camera for each of my trailers.
Turns out needed to hardwire the run under truck to trailer due to voltage loss, but well worth it. Having the large Tacoma screen show either behind truck or behind trailer at flip of switch is ideal.

De-rate your towing capacity by mods to truck weight and tires, cap/rack air resistance, dead and live loads.
A heavily or rear-loaded utility trailer can sway and bounce unexpectedly.
900# of 20' PVC lumber on a 2800# 22' flatbed trailer was literally uncontrollable above 25 mph*, whereas my 3900# 18' box trailer and 2900# 16' camper are great at any speed with no weight distribution hitch.

Any trailer wider than the truck will need towing mirrors. Strap on mirrors avoid permanent solutions that stick far far out and hamper parking and maneuvering.

Practice backing and turning and hard braking in an industrial lot, preferred to public parking lots.
Learn to adjust your trailer brakes and ensure properly lubricated bearings.
I carry an infrared thermometer to occasionally check for uneven hub heating from braking.

*commercial rented trailer axle was more forwards than center of bed. Inherently unstable. How does anyone tow an excavator with these things?

 

that's max,,, like slow moving, flat roads, short distances.
Also keep in mind the resistance of drag is not factored in yet either. For a comfortable tow, I want to be about 50% or less of max.

 

Well, I guess I need to be the contrarian here; I comfortably towed a maxed out 6x12 over 500 miles through some very hilly terrain with no issues. When towing that kind of weight do you drive like normal? Hell no. But the Tacoma is easily capable of towing that kind of weight if one is rational about how one drives.

 

I'm curious how you got 6500 pounds in/on a 6x12 trailer, lol. Single axle? double? enclosed? open?

I think when you start getting closer to these weights more is needed than just a brake controller. Weight distribution hitch, HD leaf springs/air bags, would be needed if towing regularly at those weights. Or the stock leaves would be shot in no time. Personally, I tow regularly around the 4000-4500 pound weight regularly hundreds of miles, and occasionally thousands. This is on an open double axle trailer (and includes weight of trailer). Can definitely be done. Hell, I do it while hauling my camper, lol.

 

A 6x12 U-Haul enclosed trailer (tandem axle with brakes) is not light when it is empty, when one fills it to brim with a few pieces of very heavy furniture and then many dozens of book boxes, it is easy to bring the entire assembly up to that weight.

 

Yeah, well Maybe, except U Haul says empty weight is 1920#s and 4400#s max.
It would be pretty hairy at 6000#s These trailers are even fun with a Full size Chevy.

 

Dang, you used that thing like I use my pickup. 1 ton over GVWR, lol.

 

There has not been a "tow package" at least since 2020, possibly earlier. Since then the engine type (I4 vs V6) is the only thing that affects the tow rating.

 

What about the 3rd gens that don't have a trailer hitch? I was surprised that was even a thing, only learned about them earlier this month.

 

Thanks for all the great info. I have a small sub 1000 lb trailer that I use from time to time. No brakes to keep it spicy, so I don't take it loaded over 55.

I think I've had it around 2500 lb max so far.

The reason I asked though is ill be renting a uhal dolly(with the compression brakes they have) to tow an 84 Ford f150.

Before yall ask, it's partially stripped down. The bed, front quarter panels, hood, and a bunch more parts are already off it. It's basically the engine/tranny/cab on a rolling chassis. Drive shaft is also removed, so the dolly shouldn't be a problem.

My brother is tearing it down and restoring it.

We guesstimate the weight around 4k lbs.

Plan is to take the back rounds and keep it slow and steady.

 

Sounds fine, specially with not a lot of tongue weight. But... I've heard Uhaul usually asks what you're towing and might deny giving you the trailer if they think it's out of their spec for liability or whatever. So just be prepared for that.

 

Aren't they all old ones?

As I remember my 2016 SR5 had a "tow package" listed on the door sticker, but my 2020 OR did not, however both have a hitch. There has also not been a "tow package" listed on the builder on toyota.com for some time, but I don't remember the years I checked.

I also remember the 2016 specs listing different tow ratings based on whether the truck had a tow package, however the more recent specs do not mention a tow package.

It's possible my memory is bad, so it would be nice if someone could confirm this.

 

Yeah, I've got no clue whether it was a package or anything. I'm just noting that some didn't even have a hitch. They may have just called it out separately? shrugs**

 

I fact checked myself.

The 2016 specs mention a "tow package" and the 2019 and 2020 specs do NOT mention a "tow package". 2018 is the last to mention a "tow package".

See TOWING specs in:

https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/toyota/2016-tacoma.pdf
https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/toyota/2017-tacoma.pdf
https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/toyota/2018-tacoma.pdf
https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/toyota/2019-tacoma.pdf
https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/toyota/2020-tacoma.pdf

One oddity is that the 2018 brochure lists different tow ratings for with and without the "tow package", but then also says the tow package is standard, not a package. That's confusing.

FYI: this is what the brochure lists as the towing features (whether in a package or standard equipment):

Class-IV towing hitch receiver, ATF cooler (not available on M/T), engine oil cooler, power steering cooler, 130-amp alternator, 4- and 7-pin conn

 

Fair enough, if it fits it ships! We all have different preferences.
My definition of “comfort” would be towing regularly, like a travel trailer. I’m also in the camp of “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”