Towing with a 2008 Toyota Tacoma

I haven’t posted in awhile. I have in the past but that was with a 1st Generation. I now own a 2nd Generation Toyota Pre Runner. I have towed a lighter weight camper but now I am getting a bigger one. I do not have a towing package but I believe I am going to need something to increase the towing capacity. The camper itself weighs 4,300. I think from researching the Toyota Tacoma that the standard hitch will only tow 3500. Would putting a trailer hitch help? If not what do I need to do without putting the whole towing package on it? The truck is a 6 cyl 4.0. Thanks

 

You need a proper hitch, controller and 7 pin wiring. Class 3 hitch is what you need.

Also check the condition of the truck, if the leaf springs are old and have a reverse arch, they will need attention as well.

Lastly, if you live in a hot area, an external transmission cooler is a great idea for the longevity of the transmission.

 

Thank you so very much. I have spent the last two days trying to figure out what I needed. I was about to give up when I thought of Tacoma World.

 

Just one last thing. This is what it has on the GVRW. 5350 lbs. Plus, if you can tell by the poor picture. It is all the info on the truck. I do have a brake controller and a 7 pin hitch. By the way is the radiator hose all 5/16” on 2nd generation Toyota Tacoma’s? Just wondering because all Trailer Hitches I can find. States that size on their descriptions. Thx

 

Sorry forgot to add the picture.

 

You can do anything to the truck you want but it won’t increase the official tow capacity. The tow capacity that the factory designates cannot be changed no matter what mods you do. Only the manufacturer can change it and that is never done. Towing above the manufacturer tow rating can get you in a lot of trouble should you have an accident. Your liability increases and you could get your ass sued off. You need a lighter trailer or a different truck.

 

So, the GVRW showing 5350 lbs doesn’t mean anything?

 

I had a Jayco Jayflight 154 BH Baja at 2,600 lbs. dry weight. Too much for my 06 Tacoma Pre-Runner V6 Auto with the 5 Speed. Took 3 trips, my poor Tacoma let me know it was too much for it. Sold the trailer after 3 trips, bought a 2016 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22r on the Ford E-350 chassis. There is a difference between "Capacity" and "Competency" in towing. Keep it "Light".

 

I spent many, many hours doing my research. I wish I had accessed this forum first for input. But what the heck, I had 3 good trips before I figured out even at 2,600lbs. dry weight it was too much. Factor in water at 8lbs. per gallon, full propane tanks, equipment in the trailer, equipment in your vehicle plus how many adults and If you have a 100lb. GSD like I do. I love my Tacoma but anything other than a pop up trailer or the like is just too much.

 

I had an early Toyota pickup truck, a 1971 "HiLux", a four cylinder engine (the 8RC) which was entirely inadequate for towing anything heavier than the 1963 Apache "Eagle" which ran 900lbs with camping gear aboard. However my current tow vehicle is a 2012 Tacoma DC/SB Pre-Runner with the 4L V6 5 gear automatic transmission. It is considerably more than adequate when it comes to towing, handling, and stopping my 2750 lb travel trailer (a 15' riveted aluminum 1955 beauty) -- and that's with the 5.5' bed packed full of camping gear for three month roadtrips. I'm surprised the '06 V6 doesn't have more towing muscle. My 2012 4L V6 is mostly in 4th gear doing 2500 RPM at 60 MPH, rarely dropping down into 3rd to do 3000 RPM and 50 MPH when pulling significant grades. On the very steepest grade, I have used 2nd, not often, doing 3000 RPM and 40 MPH.

 

"adequate" has a lot of room in it. 3 month camping trip...man, I wish. How much of that gear is toilet paper? What does a case of beer weigh? Either way, good for you!

 

I actually wrote (perhaps confusedly) "considerably more than adequate," but suffice it to say she's a remarkably capable truck and a helluva tow vehicle for a trailer that weighs about 40% of the DC/SB 4L V6 rated capacity. This year's camping/road trip -- my 15th Annual! (I retired in my 50s) -- was 5000 miles and 12 weeks. I'm getting to know Oregon/Washington pretty doggone well. There's plenty of great beer along the way. One thing I've learned: I'm in settled countryside -- not like I'm going to the arctic or the Gobi Dessert where you gotta bring everything. While it's true I drive backroads and byways, county two lane blacktop, I still carry way too many "supplies" -- like what if I need a little spring or some aluminum tape or crimp-on connectors, and so on. There're hardware stores and autopart stores in every small town.

 

Again, good to hear you are enjoying your retirement. My spouse and I along with our 12 year old GSD have taken 12 RV trips in the last year in our 2016 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22r. I camped solo in the back of my 06 Tacoma for 15 years. Most memorable trip was to Convict Lake in the Sierras when it got down to 32 degrees. My Jeans I left hanging out froze and the spot where I got up to pee during the night was a "peesickle" Desert Camping is the best in my Truck, I could do it anytime.

 

Just means that when loaded to rated capacity your truck will weigh 5350#. The tow rating is a separate issue. If it’s rated to tow 3500#, then you’ll have to work with that. Or not.