Trailer Connection

Long time browser of the forums here and first time poster.


Long story short: I will be driving my 2008 PreRunner SR5 (Stock) from Ohio to California with a Uhaul trailer (5 by 10 or 6 by 12). In tow will be a very, very small one bedroom apartment (Basically, a couch, bed, table and some boxes. Nothing very heavy.). I will also be purchasing the appropiate hitch for the trailer since my current hitch is extremely cheap.

Since my truck is currently in Ohio, I am wondering if it has a 7 pin or 4 flat pin adapter for the trailer electrical connection? I know the Uhaul trailer will need the flat 4 and I'm just looking to be prepared.

This will be the first real towing trip that I've done with my Tacoma, and am looking for a little reassurance. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Welcome
If your truck came with the Factory tow package you will need a 7-4 adapter.
$10ish
Did it come with the factory tow or did you add a tow package?
My 2006 Tacoma did not come with factory tow & was added aftermarket.
That was a flat 4 plug.

edit if it has neither you will have to add a converter kit that plugs in behind your tail light
like $50 plus install uhaul should have them.
search Hopkins converter kit

 

Thank you for the reply!

This does not have the factory tow package. I was just going to use the standard hitch. I know it has a connection back there, I just forget what it is.

Do you think it will be able to tow a 3,500 lb trailer?

 

If your truck didn't come with the factory tow package, it wouldn't have come from the factory with any wiring for a trailer. Any wiring you have back there would have to have been something you or the previous owner added, in which case, it's anyone's guess as to what it is...

Same goes with the receiver. From the factory, non-tow package equiped Tacomas are rated to tow from the bumper. I would not tow a Uhaul 5x10 or 6x12 from the bumper, it's too high of a tow point, the trailer will handle like crap and you'll probably bend your bumper. If you add a decent class 3 receiver, you'll be able to tow 3,500 lbs no problem.

My Tacoma did not have the tow package and I added a Hidden Hitch class 3 receiver with a Curt T-connector wiring kit. That gave me a flat 4 connector. I bought my wiring kit through Autoanything and it only took me about 15 minutes to install. No special tools are required, you just need to remove the tail lamps and it's all plug and play.

 

There is a sticky called the Toyota Tacoma towing bible.
There is ALOT of good info in there compiled by those who know towing.
I towed an enclosed trailer with my 2006 truck that didn't have the factory tow.
It had a standard aftermarket frame hitch (not the bumper) & that converter thing.
Loading the UHAUL trailer properly is probably most important.
Read the bible & wish you the best.
Also maybe some of the guys will chime in to help here.

 

Bear with me here as I am a total newby tow-er. My apologies.

My truck came with a receiver, that I am able to slide a hitch/ball too, as well as a connector for lights. (I just forget if it's a 4 pin or 7 pin)

Would that be the same as towing from the bumper?

 

Negative...
Towing from the bumper and towing from your hitch are two different animals.

I'd recommend towing from the hitch for the same reasons mentioned above. Towing from the bumper (although doable) expect shitty handling, bent bumper, etc.

 

Just wanted to give everyone an update. The trip went great. I spent $20 on a 7 blade to 4 flat adapter for the connection and used my factory hitch, and a 2 inch ball to haul the trailer. My truck ran great. Struggled on the hills and head winds but did not overheat and I could not be happier.

 

Glad everything went well.