Tow Capacity

My Tacoma didn't come with the tow package, so it's tow capacity is only 3,500 lbs. What differs on a truck with a 6,500 tow capacity? (ie. what would I have to add/upgrade to realistically tow up to 6,500 lbs?)

 

Trans cooler is the first thing that comes to mind

 

Towing package includes:

27F battery (non Tow Package has 24F)
130 Amp Alternator
Engine Oil Cooler
Auxiliary Transmission Cooler (A/T only)
Class IV Receiver Hitch
7 Pin Trailer Connector with Trailer Brake Control Harness in Cab (Brake controller not included)
2012 and up models added Trailer Sway Control Programming in the VSC System


You can add most everything easily but it won't change the legal tow rating of your truck, if you get into an accident and you are over the tow rating of your truck you could be liable.

 

You can add all the shit to your truck you want but it won’t change to official tow capacity. Even if you add everything that comes with the tow package from the factory it won’t change the tow capacity. The official max tow capacity is assigned at the factory and it cannot be changed. Only the manufacturer can do that and it doesn’t happen. You can add all the additions and tow over 3500lbs but you will be towing heavy, over max capacity. Technically illegal. It’s just the way it is.
As said above - You can add most everything easily but it won't change the legal tow rating of your truck, if you get into an accident and you are over the tow rating of your truck you could be liable.
If you injure someone in an accident while towing heavy it could grossly increase your liability possibly beyond your insurance policy limits.

 

I mean is the frame any different
Probably not.

I wonder what a loaded uhaul 6x12 weighs. Maybe not applicable if that’s not what you’re towing.
Website states unloaded 2k lbs. not sure what the average household moving items filled inside would make it out to be total.

 

Because the legal tow capacity does not change, this falls under the category of:
Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

 

In the real world 4500 is a realistic limit for a Tacoma even with the tow package. If you want to tow 6500 lbs you need a properly equipped 1/2 ton truck. At least 50% of the 1/2 ton trucks on the road won't handle 6500 lbs. I wouldn't pull that much with my 2014 F150. 7000 lbs is getting close to needing a 3/4 ton truck. That is the point where I'd at least start thinking about it.

Look at the sticker on the driver's door jamb. There is a statement printed on it that reads (The combined weight of passengers and cargo should not exceed XXXX lbs). That is your trucks payload, and it differs on every truck. My Tacoma is rated for 1200 lbs. They are typically 900-1300 depending on the truck. There is also a GVWR printed on it, it will be 5400-5500 lbs.

While the truck is rated to PULL 6500 lbs the suspension is only rated to handle about 5400 lbs total weight. That's the truck, any cargo and passengers along with the tongue weight of a trailer.

Since I don't know how much your truck weighs or it's payload I'll use my truck. With a 6500 lb trailer I'll have an additional 950 lbs on my trucks suspension with tongue weight and a weight distribution hitch. That leaves me 350 lbs for passengers and cargo in the truck. My wife and I combined are 360 and I have a 180 lb cap on my truck. I'm about 200 lbs over my payload with no other cargo in the truck.

All truck manufacturers do this. When they show tow ratings on their websites that ASSUMES an empty truck with only a 150 lb driver in the cab. Start adding additional passengers and cargo to the truck and tow ratings go down significantly. A skinny driver and skinny passenger can be 300 lbs. Four grown men could easily be 800-1000 lbs which would mean no trailer at all.

The most important thing in a tow package is the transmission cooler. Your manual doesn't have one anyway. If I had your truck, I'd tow up to 4500 lbs and not worry about it as long as I could do so without exceeding the payload rating. From a legal standpoint it is exceeding payload that is dangerous and will get you in trouble legally. You're going to need the 7 pin connector and a trailer brake.

Even if you had a truck with the tow package and had a 6000 lb trailer behind you you'd be within tow ratings but could very easily exceed payload. That would be more dangerous.

 

Marshall R makes some good points.

Just to highlight one of the more important ones....you need working trailer brakes. The trailers I pull have all had electric brakes so my tow vehicle has to have a brake controller installed. Adjusting the braking bias always gives me something to do for the first 20 miles. Too much and the trailer wheels lock up. Too little and the trailer tries to push you through the stop sign. There is a sweet spot you have to find.

 

Thanks for all these points. Yeah, I'm perfectly aware how ridiculous 6,500 lbs is on a Tacoma, especially a 2.7L Are you saying its "the gross combined vehicle rating" that is more important from a legal/liability standpoint ... or is it the "gross vehicle rating" ... or do you think I'd get absolutely screwed in a civil lawsuit for exceeding tow capacity (even with proper upgrades)?

Gosh dang, I love America, but what a shit attitude this country has in regards to "liability". F***ing lawyers ruin everything.

 

Oh, if you have the 2.7, none of those come with the tow package. So add V6 swap to your list of differences.

3500 is your limit, full stop. Most on here would install an aftermarket Class III hitch, but your stock bumper is legal for 3500 lbs. You probably need to add wiring for lights, though.

If you have a 6-lug model, then you aren't missing out on much, especially for 3500 lbs. With the MT, you don't need the trans cooler, and all 6-lugs have the same rates brakes and suspension (which are most important for safety).

Your clutch will be the most unhappy, I think. I'd try really hard to avoid hill starts.

 

Just buy a clapped 2nd gen cummins, It's going to be a lot cheaper than getting into an accident in an overloaded tacoma

 

I’m probably older than most on here. I knew a time when passenger cars were the primary tow vehicle. The photo is of my family on a trip to Canada I 1970 when I was 17 (I helped with with the driving on that trip).
Today I tow a Tab 320S Boondock with my 2015 2.7 5 speed manual. Fully loaded it comes in around 2700 pounds depending on how much water is in the tanks. I’ve been all over the Eastern US, the Maritimes and out to the Midwest towing it and it does a pretty good job.
It came with an OEM hitch and I added 7 pin and brake controller. If you look at specs around the world one can see that Lawyers have much to do with our tow limits.
They are what they are though and you have to play the game.