Sway bar needed for 3000lb tow?

Hi guys ,
New to the forums , but I have been reading them for awhile. Ive read through the towing threads but still have some questions. I have a 2007 Tacoma 4cylinder 2.7 liter 4x4. Currently I tow a 1500lb pop up and a 2000lb boat and trailer. It tows both like they are not even there. I have a class 3 hitch on it and that it the only modification I have. I am looking at buying a camper soon. Dry weight on the camper is 2600lbs. Total will probably be around 3000-3200lb. I have been told I need to have a sway bar and a electronic brake controller installed. I know I need the electronic brake control but what about the sway bar? Any thoughts on this set up ? Ive never hauled anything bigger than my boat with this truck. Appreciate any help with this.

 

I would definitely get the brake controller but I think I would hold off on the swaybar, your money would be better spent elsewhere or on a new set of leaf springs to keep the truck level while towing. That to me is more important than a swaybar. Consider a new leaf pack or a set of airbags.

 

What he said^^^^^^^. Did your truck come with the class 3 hitch from the factory or did you add it yourself? Reason I ask is if your truck came with the factory tow package then you will have a tranny cooler. If it didn't and unless you have already added one then you might to invest in a transmission oil cooler.

 

I am thinking what you mean is a weight distributing hitch, not a sway bar. They do make anti-sway systems that typically work in conjunction with a weight distribution hitch. Campers often have a lot of tongue weight, so a WDH is very common with them. Here is a link about both WDH and anti-sway systems: https://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx

 

You might find this useful if you haven't read it yet.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

 

Ok. So I pulled the trigger and bought a camper. Weight is 3000lbs. Im afraid I bought to much camper for my truck. I was assured by the Servicce manger after much research ( me sitting at the computer with them ), that my truck can handle it. Im having a brake controller installed as well as a weight distribution hitch and rv plug.
What do you guys think ? Did I go to big ? I will be hauling short distances ( under 100 miles ) in PA.

 

Well the camper falls within the towing specs. I did do all the research on that. 3075lbs ( add another 200-300lbs for food , clothing and misc. , no water ). Towing capacity is 3500lb , 350lb hitch weight. Still a little worried as the most I have towed is around 2000lbs. It tows 2000lbs like it is not even there. Ive read over the towing bible here and seems like it should be able to handle it ok.

 

if you have an auto, get a trans cooler and with those other mods you should be ok.
I know with mine i have towed right at the limit (6300lbs) and with those mods it towed it fine and in control

 

Has the 5 speed manual

 

Was a factory tow package available with the 2TR-FE? I thought they were rated for 3500 lb across the board, including bumper tow, with no factory tow option available.

If OP doesn't have an automatic transmission then no need for tranny cooler.

OP - I'd just take it slow and keep a huge following distance and see how it does. If you have any hills you might be "that guy" in 2nd or 3rd gear getting passed while spinning the engine up to high RPM but so be it, the 2.7L is one of the toughest SOB engines out there, it can take it! The same engine is rated to tow 5500lb in the Hilux sold overseas.

 

Can it tow that weight? Yes. How well it will tow it is another question. Should it tow that weight? I wouldn't.

 

This is correct, only the v6's came with the optional factory tow package

All i4's are rated for 3500 like you mentioned. That would mean that all 2.7s with a receiver hitch had it added at the dealer, or aftermarket by the owner.

 

Other than the engine there's nothing different between the 2.7L chassis and the 4.0L chassis, the latter of which is rated for 6500 lbs. So OP is less than half that. So as long as he can maintain speed and drives safe he should be just fine. I would.

 

The 4-cyl engine came in a lot of different configurations, yet they all came with the same tow rating. For example, automatic vs manual, 2wd vs 4wd/prerunner. There are a lot of differences in the suspension and in the gearing between these different options, and these differences will have a dramatic effect on how the vehicle pulls a trailer.

The 4x4 manual is the most favorable 4cyl configuration for pulling a trailer, by far.
The 2wd automatic is the least favorable.

I'd say that if the 2wd automatic is rated to do it, then there is no question that it will be a cakewalk to do it with the 4x4 manual.

 

Im going to go for it and see how it feels. Unfortunately my truck does not have the brake controller connection so that is being installed tomorrow along with the plug and a back up camera. I pick the camper up on sunday and have a hour drive home. Crossing fingers all goes well.

 

It'll be fine, nothing at all for you to worry about.
You should see some of the pictures of what people are pulling around with trucks like yours. Things like skid steer tractors -- i.e., loads that exceed even the V6's towing limits.

 

Just looking to be safe about it. Never towed anything over 2000lbs before.

 

It's all about keeping speed low and following distance about double what you think it should be, and you'll be golden! When I tow I go 55 mph max unless I'm waaay out on a deserted 75/80mph interstate in which case I might creep it up to 60, 65 until I see somebody in front of me. 3000 lbs ain't that much and is under the "idiot limit" Toyota puts in the owners manual. Try a couple test "quick stops" to get a feel for how your brakes behave before you actually need them.

 

It is a *very good point* in referring to it as the "idiot limit". That's the number where even the dumbest retard can manage to make it through alive.

 

I am due for new tires this year. Any suggestions on what to get to maximize towing? Would like something a little aggressive for off road as well. Not extreme off road but I do hunt and do drive off road to get to where i go.