Toyota Tacoma Trailer and Towing Questions
Has anybody out there hooked up an electric brake controller to their 2005 taco, according to the owner manual the truck is prewired, but my dealer isn't able to confirm or deny this? If the truck is wired i don't want run more wires!
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Anyway, my understanding is you just plug in the connector under the dash, and then connect the loose wires on the other end to the brake controller.
Has anyone out there hooked up a brake controller and is it a big deal (it doesn't seem like it)?
Thanks!
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Currently have an F250 but "trying" to sell to get a toyota truck again.
I'm sure the truck can pull the weight just fine. I'm mainly interested in how effective the "limited slip" and "locking differential" is on a surface with little traction.
Thanks in advance!
Another point of interest, I'm not sure if towing would be advised when you have the Locker turned on???
Anyhow after test driving the 07 Tacoma TRD and 07 Frontier. I've decided to go with a 07 crew cab 4x4 frontier. I'd rather have the 4x4 option and not use it, then need it and don't have it. The other discussion regarding the Tacoma road noise and visibility problem was very noticeable for me during my test drive this past weekend. The Frontier had more torque and was very noticeable during the test drive. Another unexpected experience that I felt from driving the Tacoma was the rear wheel slipping as I was pulling away from the lot. Did anyone experience this? I don't know if it was because the TRD Pre-runner that I drove was light in the back or what?
Thanks for all your inputs.
Can anyone tell me if a 2007 Tacoma is pre wired for the light hook up. I have been told by a garage it is not and will have to buy a converter for it and they want to charge me for 2 hours of labor to install a converter and run the wires for my camper.
Please send information will appreciate anything I can find out. Thank You
:confuse:
I want to wire the truck lights to a four wire flat plug that will activate the lights on a small boat trailer.
Where can I find do-it-yourself instructions for this task or would I be better taking it back to the dealer ?
I have a 2006 Tacoma V6, 4x4 DC (with tow pkg) that I've been using to tow my 22' travel trailer for the past year. The unloaded weight of the trailer is 4,340 (max. rating of 5,500). I would estimate that the trailer weighs around 5,000 lbs. when I tow - plus two adults, one rugrat.
Your situation might be different but here's what I was looking for. I wanted a truck that can serve as my hunting truck, our second family 'car', and then tow our trailer adequately when necessary - and get reasonable mileage, especially around town when not towing. My Tacoma consistently gets 17 mpg (checked today and it was 17.25) in strictly in town driving (SoCal suburb driving with lots of signals and traffic), and usually 21 mpg in strictly freeway driving - @70mph. The Nissan Titan I was considering probably gets a 'real world' 10-11 mpg in town - I am sooo thankful I bought the Tacoma and not the Titan (plus, the Titan has some quality issues as well).
So far, I've towed the trailer on 4 trips, the longest about 600 miles with lots of big hills. And I am leaving next week on another 600 mile trip. Obviously, a big V8 or diesel will outpull the Tacoma up a hill but so what if I have to drop down a gear and it takes me a few minutes extra to pull a long, steep grade? Besides, I'll pass the V8 while they're getting gas - or would if they didn't have a much bigger tank than my 21 gal's!
So then, the Tacoma was a compromise for me. It's great the 95% of the time I'm not towing with very good mileage for a 4,100 lb truck, and adequately tows my trailer when called upon. Frankly, I was a little worried initially about how it would tow up hills and much relieved when it did a pretty good job.
I haven't jumped on this forum for quite a while but will check back over the next few days in case you have more questions.
I have a brother who has a Dodge 2500 diesel and I would not be able to drive such a truck the rest of the time. The noise of the engine is unacceptable to me.
1. Engine power (my biggest concern): I want to feel confident that the truck has enough power to maintain a reasonable highway speed on most hills. Could you confidently take 5,000 lbs. up a long, mild grade at say 50mph, or would the Tacoma slow way down to say 25 mph? How often and under what circumstances have you had the feeling that you couldn't get it to go faster if you got behind and pushed?
I am in total agreement that getting better mpg is more important than being able to race up a hill at 75 mph--I don't expect to be able to go even 40 mph up a steep grade--but at the same time, I wouldn't be comfortable slowing to, say 25-35 mph on a mild but long grade, because to me, that means that my tow vehicle is underpowered for the load and could be unsafe in inclement weather and challenging conditions.
2. I definitely plan to use an Equalizer sway control and weight distribution hitch and appreciated hearing that the long bed helps in keeping the ride smooth--Banowetl, are you using a 4 x 4 too? I was planning on getting a Double Cabd in a 2 x 4 because the gas mileage is supposedly a little better and my wife's older Nissan 4 x 4 used to go out of alignment a lot even when it wasn't taken off-road. Would you both recommend a 4 x 4 for towing, or will a 2 x 4 do just as well? We will be taking some washboarded dirt and sandy roads, but I have seen minivans doing well along them, so wonder if would we need the 4WD? Do you feel it helps with towing traction?
3. Any other optional equipment or after-market add-ons that you would recommend for increasing safety, power, mpg?
4. Banowetl's Starcraft is, I assume, a fold down--Gandalf1, what kind of travel trailer are you towing--is it a hardsided or fold down? If hard-sided, are you happy with it?
Thanks for your input on any of the questions above!
We want a lightweight hard-side that doesn't fold down So far, looking at the 17' Casita, the 18-20' Trail-Lite Crossover and TrailCruiser, and similar "lightweight" TTs. The manufacturer's websites are not all very straightforward about the GVWR of their TTs, so I am still researching which will get us the lowest GVWR with the size fridge and storage we need, and just 1 Q bed).
Like gandalf1, this would be the second family car, so the Titan and Tundra's mpg are unacceptable(we are in Phoenix, AZ, with traffic that is often very similar to SoCal, though I try to avoid getting stuck in it as much as possible).
Banowetl's note about the Dodge engine noise would ring true for me as well--can't stand noisy engines. The main strengths that caught my attention with the Dodge 2500 Ram Turbocharged Cummins diesels were the gas mileage and that Dodge is now manufacturing their 6.7L engine to comply with 2010 clean emission standards, while the current Tacoma and Tundra have very poor air pollution ratings (which makes no sense from a manufacturer that is able to make a Prius--the plug-in electric hybrid will be our next purchase when it comes out).
First, my trailer is a 2005 22 foot Outback by Keystone(although model is listed as 21RS, the length is 22.1 feet), and hard-sided, two axles. This is not one of the so called 'lite' models. It has every option available (A/C, microwave, awning etc.) so that puts the unloaded weight up to the 4340, although the brochure says it's 3990. And like I mentioned before, it is probably around 5,000 when I tow it (and 1,500 under the Tacoma's rating). The queen bed slides out the rear so it's essentially a 26-27 footer once it's set up. Frankly, from what kind of trailer you're thinking about, the weight should be much less than my trailer.
Yes, it will pull a long, mild grade at 50mph or better, but you will have your foot in it a bit, and of course, we're talking 4th gear, not overdrive. On the trip I took it on last year (and will again next week), I got up to 7,500 ft. elevation and there's a long, very steep grade (like 10-15 miles or so long) that seems like it is 30 degree's, that I pulled at 35mph, but could have gone 40mph (and I could have gone 140mph coming down that sucker..). Btw, they say you lose 3% hp for every 1,000 ft of elevation, so at 7,000 ft, I was 21% short of sea level hp.
I use an equalizer hitch and sway control bar (very unwise for anyone not to I think). Also, Toyota gives you a handy little pig tail plug-in (they hide it in the glove box) for connecting up your electric brake controller (I put in a Prodigy model)- to the left of the steering column, making the spare change holder inaccessible
I think a 2x4 PreRunner model will be fine, and perhaps even better since it won't have as much to haul around as a 4x4. That said, and it sounds like you plan on doing some mild off-roading, so you get stuck just once in sand and you'll wish you'd bought the 4x4! I mainly got the 4x4 for my quail hunting trips, but there is peace of mind knowing that I can probably get my trailer out of mud, deep sand (when we beach camp) or anything else if need be, especially with the locking differential (part of the Off Road pkg). Btw, I put 140k miles on my last Toyota 4x4 and it never needed an alignment so I wouldn't be too concerned about that...although that was a solid front axle, not like these new independent front ends.
I don't have any other optional equipment (other than I just bought clip-on extender mirrors, the regular mirrors wasn't quite enough). . The tow package comes with the good stuff - aux. transmission cooler, aux. engine oil cooler, HD battery, alternator etc. The only things Toyota should have included, but didn't, was the brake controller and extendable mirrors.
Well, hope I didn't miss anything! And good luck!
It does sound as though the 4 x 4 option might be smarter for our needs. We were recently trying to drive a "shortcut" dirt road on our way to Southern Utah. We were in my little Nissan Altima, which did as well as it could considering that it has hardly any clearance and the road was very rutted and washboarded. When we came to a sand pit, however, we had to turn around and go the long way (turned out to be the more scenic way anyway, but the dirt road would've shaved an hour off our time and gotten us a better camping spot). The trucks of course were plowing right through, though in slightly rainy conditions, I bet only a 4 x 4 would have made it.
Really helpful also to hear about the brake controller set up and extendable mirrors. Thank you again and happy trailering!
There will be probably be times when you will be towing and maybe thinking you should have gotten a Chevy or Ford half ton and their 9500lb (or whatever) tow rating, but I look at it this way. The Tacoma is just about the perfect truck for me the 99% of the time when I'm not towing (carries stuff - bed extender is cool, good mileage - esp. compared to a V8, and goes like stink - no kidding, it's fast), so I can handle the 1% 'adequate' while towing. And by adequate, I'm saying pretty good, and that's including towing up some major mountains.
Good luck, and happy trailering to you too!
Ps. Today, at the 10,000+ mileage mark, it needed a new air filter so I sprung for a lifetime K&N filter at Auto Zone for $36.99 (best price I found), instead of a standard filter for $20+ that will need replacing in another 10k miles. Plus, the K&N is supposed to flow a lot more air.
It looks as though the Cummins diesel engines last a long time without issue, but it's the other parts of the American vehicles that I am worried about: transmission, AC, electrical, fuel pumps, etc. There is deep loyalty and pride expressed by many diesel owners and at the same time, the reliability reports of the Ford/Chevy/Dodge products and warranty services are not anywhere near those of Toyota or Nissan. There must be some deficiencies in order for the reliability to be considered "average" or "below average" as compared with "above average." I wonder if the diesel owners giving their trucks rave reviews are just used to having to deal with a certain amount of chronic repair issues and consider them normal, or if in fact their particular truck has not had problems?
If the Tacoma can tow 5,000 lbs. safely and steadily, and get better overall mpg, then I am willing to make do with going slower uphill (within reason) at times and having the diesel owners wave at me as they pass by. I am also considering the Nissan Frontier because it has higher torque than the Tacoma, which might give it a little more oomph up the hills, but the Taco gets better mileage (reliability wise, I have a Nissan Altima which has been terrific and my wife has a Toyota Echo, which is also fantastic, so I feel pretty confident in both makers).
I really appreciate learning of the 10K air filter--I am right with you in being willing to spend a little more to improve performance and increase the car's longevity--after all, new cars cost as much as a downpayment on a house (well, maybe not a house in CA, but in a lot of other places still). These forums are really helpful and I thank you again for sharing your experience and great tips!
2. I have the 4x4 sport package and use it in the snow here in Iowa and beach driving down in Texas. I plan on using it this summer on national forest roads in Montanna. I wouldn't change to a 4x2 even for better gas mileage.
3. The Equalizer brand hitch is the best and works great with the Tacoma and my Starcraft. I purchased mine online and saved a bundle (free shipping). I also got the Prodigy brake controller. It was a snap to install witth the tow package and also works great. My other option was the skid plate which we used while beach driving
4. We had been looking at the 2006 Jayco Feather Lite campers for $16,000-$20,000 when we found this hardsided 2001 Starcraft 21ck for sale down the block from our house for $4000. It is 21 feet long and has a queen pop out in the front and a full pop out in the back. It has the bigger dual powered fridge, microwave, hot water, air, and a 30 gallon water tank. The only thing that it lacks is an oven. On a few trips with the wife and my self, we did not put out the pop outs and slept on the dining table bed. Our next camper most likely will be a 25 foot Jayco Feather Lite. They have a slideout and an oven.
We are both dreaming (literally) of taking some wonderful road trips soon.
First, I just wanted to comment on the truck purchase issue.
Go Toyota!! Nissan's are way less money for a reason. Dodge are scary too. Toyotas run and run and run.
I will be getting my Pre-runner V6 4x2 w/ towing package set up this week. I am being quoted $700.00 to 900 for hitch, weight distrib., brakes and anti-sway. Also need the wiring redone for 7 prong instead of 4. Is this w/in reason?
Tent2tt - I am purchasing a trailer that weighs 5100 dry and a little concerned myself. I hooked my truck up to a similar trailer at the dealership to test and it felt pretty good w/ out any of the equipment on yet. I have to wait for my trailer to come in so they are giving me a loaner w/ similar weight to take on a trip July 15th. I will be going into the mountains then. When I get back, if it felt like too much, I am going to jump down to a 4300 lb trailer instead. I will post my findings when we get back.
A tow package price of $700-900 seems okay, but only if you are getting a good wdh/sway control with that--the Equalizer brand is particularly favored on online forums, as are the Prodigy brakes, so if you are getting a less-expensive brand for that price, then it is not a good deal.
Really glad you like the Tacoma so much. We test drove a Tacoma 4 x 4 but didn't like how much it swayed back and forth when driving down the highway as well as off-road. Because we are planning to take a 5,000 GVWR trailer on backroads that can be muddy or sandy, we need a 4 x 4, so we took the Frontier out and really love the ride...it's much smoother. It's a matter of ride preference though, certainly not performance. We own both a Toyota Echo and a Nissan Altima and they have been equally excellent cars, so we like both manufacturers.
Please do post your experiential results after your trip to the mountains! We would be eager to know how things went.
Haven't heard of JC Whitney, but would recommend doing as much online research and posting on forums like this one to ask about other people's experiences. With how uninformed the dealers are about their product, I would swear they just drive go-carts themselves. Good luck!
We got a Reese 1000 lb hitch w/ weight dist. and will be putting a dual cam sway control on new trailer.
Does anyone know if the taco towing package has larger wiring to charge the house batteries quickly? And any tips on getting a generator. I am thinking of starting out with just a converter along with two 6 volt house batteries for quick 120v use.
Really glad to hear that the Taco did so well.
Happy Trails!
Ran 70-80 mostly , some flat (florida) some mountains Ga , NC . Worst MPG was 16.5 Best was 20. Truck ran as if trailer was not there on the flats. Going up hill in 5th the tranny would come out of overdrive then down to 4th. Never needed 3rd.Never ran hotter than normal.