Towing trailer with 2003 3.4L 6cyl.

I used to tow my enclosed trailer with my tacoma from time to time. 2001 3.4 5 speed with trailer brakes. The weight was never as much of a problem as wind drag. My trailer weighed approx 3,000 with out quads and gear, but with everything in it pushed 5500 easy. I pulled more on my open trailer and wasnt nearly as hard on the truck (no wind drag).

Use load bars and a trailer brakes, be prepared for hills and dont overwork the truck. Get used to the truck swaying when you pass or get passed. It can be done but for long trips I wouldn't recomend it.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, atvlifestyle! I feel more confident with the lighter trailer we switched to. And we will take it easy with it and not drive too far in one day.

 

Another factor I didn't metion is the speed limit of the roads you will be on. My above opinion are based on 70 MPH speed limits. If they are 55 to 60 the truck will do considerably better.

 

I have been towing trailers for most of my life, with several different trucks. I currently have a Tacoma 03 double cab with an auto. My truck has stock gears (4.10) and 265/75/16 tires. I also added an external trans cooler. as of now I have an 18.5 foot cabin trailer I tow that weighs 3200lbs. This is about the absolute maximum that my truck can handle. The next mod I plan on doing is to re-gear to 4.65 to get my rpms up a little more. My truck works hard to stay at the speed limit with is current set up. If there is any wind or hills forget about it. Any one who says they are towing 4000 or 5000 lbs with a stalk auto i have to call B.S. As it is now my trans runs at about 180 deg F on flat ground with no wind. Because I am running bigger tires there is a noticeable difference so I'm hoping the re-gear will correct and help that.

 

Over the last couple months I have been towing 1.5 cubic yards of various materials, the wet sand being the heaviest in a 12 foot trailer that all ready weighs about 2k due to a rack I made out of scrap pipe. So 2k for the trailer and around 4k-4.5k for the sand. Towing this much with a 2001 3.4 auto was sketchy and if it wasn't for it only being a 6 mile trip each time I wouldn't have loaded so much, and I agree when the loaded trailer weighs more than the truck it can cause you to slide... Was going down a steep hill at 15mph and when I tried to slow for the stop sign I just slid down the whole hill... so I would say 5-6k is the limit, not worth it to push it farther due to the braking is not safe when overloaded...

 

If I can do this semi-regularly:

..then you shouldn't have a problem.

 

My Tacoma is set up just like yours minus the external trans-cooler. What are you using? Is it absolutely necessary? I only tow a 6' x 12' U-Haul once every few years when I move from one state to another (rated max load is 2,500 lbs).

 

You should be ok. I installed a B&M SuperCooler 70268 it is about the perfect size for the Tacoma's. If you go to big it will end up dropping the pressure in your trans and causing major damage. I tow my camper 8-10 hour straight at least 2 times a year and I push it as hard as it can go, and I've never had my trans temp hot enough to have to pull over and let it cool down. I will try and take some pick of my install and post them later. If you are concerned then at the least install a trans temp gauge for piece of mind.

 

Checking your weight on a scale is a really good idea. My dad and I towed out 35 ft sailboat with our GMC 2500 duramax. When we pulled on the scale it was over 22k truck and trailer haha. Gotta love diesels.4

 

You will not be happy with 4000+# 3250 is doable but you'll know it's there and hills will be a killer that is about what I tow with a 6 spd 4 liter. A 4 pin trailer connector will not power trailer breaks and you'll need trailer brakes with 3200# I believe Toyota says any thing in excess of 1000# requires brakes.

 

Yes add a cooler it's not the weight so much as the air drag that takes it's toll on the fluid.

 

OP, how did you turn out with your set up since you've had

Does anyone have a definitive answer on the max tow cap of the 1st gen tacomas with the "tow package" (green clutch fan, class III or IV hitch receiver, 4 pin connector)? My manual says 6000lbs, every stealership I call says max is 5000lbs?

I'm contemplating buying a R-pod 180 (2662 dry and 3850 wet) or Geo-Pro 19FBS (2962 dry and 3860 wet). Outside of the 7pin connector, brake controller, and wider mirrors what else do I need to get this up and running safely?

Others have recommended a weight distribution hitch and a sway control device. Can anyone make recommendation on models/manufacturers? Is it best to have an all-in-one weight distribution hitch with sway control built in?

 

IMO 4100# is too much to tow with a Taco even with a tow limit of 5000 pounds. A buddy had a tent trailer that was ~3300#. He could barely muster 45 up some hills (on the hwy). My tent trailer was ~2500#, and that did decently well, but you definitely feel the weight on the hills. I could maintain a decent hwy speed up steep hills, but only if I buried the skinny pedal - now you're in negative MPG range, lol...

I eventually bought a 2017 4.0L 4Runner to tow it (among other reasons), then promptly got a bigger hard-sided travel trailer, lol.

 

I run a 20 foot enclosed trailer, 5 speed v6 reg cab no less with double axle and electric brakes with controller. i have helper springs.
Works just fine but the ride is rough.
With a load and electric brakes you have full control of all your stops, Im sure part of the loading rating is that the stock tacoma brakes are not the best to begin with and forget about adding a heavy trailer. So yes definitely get electric brakes if you can and a double axle is much safer also
Wind is your biggest enemy when pulling an enclosed trailer.

 

does anyone knows how you can detect if your Taco have or not a tow package???