Towing with a Tacoma

I have a 2013 Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab long bed and want to tow a 2007 Infiniti G35. Is there anything special I should do first?

 

Depends on how far.

 

What kind of trailer. Single or dual axle? Electronic brakes?

 

Confirm that you have the towing package. If you do then start calculating weight, I believe 6300lbs is the max weight. If you don't have the tow package then I would take in to consideration how far you'll the towing the G35. Just my 2 cents.

 

Close 6500 lbs for short bed and 6400 lbs for long bed:

http://www.toyota.com/content/ebrochure/2013/tacoma_ebrochure.pdf

 

If you have an auto, keep it in fourth gear on the highway, and third gear around town, and take it easy. This will keep the torque convertor locked. This will keep your trans fluid cooler and keep you from cooking your trans. It'll heat up fast unlocked...

If you have a manual, never mind.

 

Yeah, that's true. As long as you drop it down into 4th on a hill or, like RL said, if the trans starts "hunting". I can monitor trans temp with my ScanGauge at the pan and the TC and switch gears when needed. I wouldn't expect you to buy a SG for one towing trip. 4th is a fail safe.

 

If you get a uhaul car carrier chances are it will come with surge brakes. They are automatic and are engaged when braking as the trailer (essentially pushes forward against your truck)
You should be well within the 6300lb towing capacity assuming you have the tow package
No need for an electric brake controller

 

I towed an SC400 from D.C. to Detroit, through the mountains and all on a Uhaul trailer (5600 lbs). Kept in 4th (auto) cruising btwn 60-65MPH, no issues at all... I do run Amsoil in the trans and according to Torque-pro Android app trans temp stayed around 170F.. I did order a larger B&M trans cooler but it's not necessary... take it slow and keep your distance... cheers

 

5th is fine if you like buying trannies! Check this forum (and others) lots of info on this topic. 5th gear is not strong enough for towing and over time you will grenade 5th gear if you tow much weight at all. Tow in 4th and you will usually get better mileage than you do with 5th and your tranny will be much happier. Scan Gauge doesn't help as it is not a tranny temp issue, it is a "small sized weak gear" issue.

 

Doubt your flat towing, but Dolley? Trailer? How far is it going? Brake controller is a good idea if it's going on a trailer unless by odd chance it has a surge brake. Dolley, tie off steering wheel remove cars drive shaft and use wheel straps or load it backwards if not gong to far and again tie off the steering wheel

 

Depends on where you're towing too, but make sure you criss cross the "safety chains" before you start your journey. Up here in NY the highway troopers are notorious for writing tickets if they're not criss-crossed.

 

All your questions have been answered here already.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/

 

You think? Same manual that they never bother to change? When I got my Tundra I called Toyota directly and was told sure, it's OK to tow in OD, just kick it off if you are in the hills. 2nd trip to Moab kissed OD goodbye and Toyota bought me a tranny at 35k miles. Had a talk with my buddy Marlin at Marlin Crawler (he knows a wee bit about trannies) and he told me to never tow in OD due to the weak gear etc. If you are towing some little thing it is most likely OK, but if you are towing anything that weighs much use OD at your own risk. There is a lot on this forum about this issue and a good picture of what towing can do to 5th gear.

 

Thanks for all the help everyone! I tried to rent an auto hauler from u-haul but they said my 2013 Tacoma double cab 4x4 long bed wasn't rated to tow a 2007 infiniti g35 coupe the 550 miles I need to go so they wouldn't rent me one. So now I am trying to figure out if I can tow my Tacoma on a tow dolly behind my 38' Winnebago (Cummins Turbo Diesel). I called the local Toyota dealership and asked about having the 4x drive shaft removed and putting her on the tow dolly but the nimrod told me I can NOT tow my Tacoma unless it's on a flat bed. What to do?

 

Thanks for all the help everyone! I tried to rent an auto hauler from u-haul but they said my 2013 Tacoma double cab 4x4 long bed wasn't rated to tow a 2007 infiniti g35 coupe the 550 miles I need to go so they wouldn't rent me one. So now I am trying to figure out if I can tow my Tacoma on a tow dolly behind my 38' Winnebago (Cummins Turbo Diesel). I called the local Toyota dealership and asked about having the 4x drive shaft removed and putting her on the tow dolly but the nimrod told me I can NOT tow my Tacoma at all unless it's on a flat bed. He didn't instill much confidence so I am wondering if this is true.

 

Tell UHAUL you're towing a VW Bug...

 

Seriously, they don't need to know WTF you're towing

 

They have guidelines which they HAVE to follow in accordance with corporate.

Take Walmart. They would not mount any tire on any vehicle other than oem spec because of the lawyers. I bought larger than oem on my Dakota from Walmart. Had to go down the road and have them mounted and balanced.

After 30 years as an insurance agent, I want to personally choke out every personal injury attorney. A percentage of everything you buy is built in cost because of them and lottery mentality low life's trying to get rich without really working or at least trying