Tow Package vs. Standard Towing Capacity Question

Not sure if this is totally relevant but my first Taco was an '03 double cab SR5 TRD 4x4, V6 and had the factory receiver hitch. (class III or IV; don't remember) Came that way from the factory. I made the assumption that it had a factory towing package. Faulty assumption. It did not and was limited to 3500 GVWR. In addition to the window sticker listing it or not, there was a mark on the timing belt that told you for sure whether or not it had the tow package... I was basically S.O.L. Wound up trading it because I needed at least 5000 GVWR for adequate towing margins. I just bought a 2014 Taco and made sure first that the towing package was listed... Now with 5500 GVWR I'm where I need to be! As a footnote: I talked to the factory rep about adding the tow package to the '03 and although it could be done at considerable expense, he wouldn't recommend it because it still wouldn't match factory specs for a tow package...

 

From my understanding, even if you add the components of the tow package to your truck, it will not technically increase your tow rating. You are still held to the 3500lb limit for liability reasons. Maybe you can get the truck re-tested by the DOT? I'm sure that would be insanely expensive though.

 

If the receiver says it's rated for 5,000 lbs, it's a class III receiver and is different than the one that comes on the tow package. The dealer can not approve any rating, GVWR are applied at the factory.

If you get the tow package receiver, battery, trans cooler, oil cooler and alternator, you will be equipped identically to a Tacoma with the 6,500 lb rating. Your truck will not get that rating unless you go through the proper channels I believe with your state's DOT.

I would not go through your dealer for a factory receiver, keep your eye out on here for a used one. I would be willing to bet the dealer charges upwards of $500 for that receiver and you can find them here for $1-200.

Legally, you are correct. The sticker applied at the factory is what dicates the vehicle's GVWR and, by extension, what it's rated to tow. Even if you get a non-tow package equipped Tacoma equipped with all the same stuff the tow package ones have, you're still legally overweight towing over 3,500 lbs.

 

i just both one from craigslist for my truck sr5 2014 no towing package... for 120... used but still good shape...