[SOLVED] Tacoma towing package

Good question, as far as I can tell just a heavier fan clutch and somehow mysteriously able to tow more than a Tacoma without the towing package, maybe stronger leaf springs?

Towing consists of a hitch that bolts to the frame, wiring harness and if want a Class III capabilities, a fan different fan clutch. It's a well made setup but a bit pricey especially from the dealer. I purchased everything online and saved quite a bit.

Rock,

Where did you get the differnet fan clutch?

Kevin

I called Toyota about this very thing yesterday... the fan clutch is basically needed if you have the automatic tranny, since it has a cooler too. The service guy said with a 5 speed like mine it would not make that much difference. I already have the frame mounted trailer hitch and the only thing left is the wireing harness..wich you can get other places than the dealer that just plug in and need no cutters!!

thats my guess anyway

Steve

I fairly certain that the fan clutch and cooler(s) are sold separately.

Rock,

Thanks for all the help, but I have a few more questions.

In an earlier post you said a cooler was also needed. Is that a transmission fluid cooler? Also what is this wiring harness? Does that work in place of an electric brake controller? If not, does that mean one needs a Toyota wiring harness and an electronic brake controller?

Thank you very much.

Kevin

Thanks Steve,

When you say cooler, do you mean a transmission fluid cooler? Does the automatics come with a transmission cooler?

I would think an electronic brake controller would include the wiring harness.

Thanks Kevin

I read my owner's manual and look at the window sticker of my 2003 SR5

- the owner's manual says if you have a green fan clutch housing you have the "towing package".

- the owner's manual says if you have the towing package you can tow up to 6000lbs or so

- my bumer is stamped 350lb tongue weight 3500 max trailer weight

- my window sticker and Port of Entry sticker doesn't mention "towing package" at all.

- I have the Port Installed Option Reese towing hitch and wiring harness for a trailer brake lights

- I have no freakin' idea if my Tacoma has the towing package or not or if I'm subject to the non towing package vs. towing package weight guidelines as spelled out in my 2003 Tacoma Owner's Manual

Rock wrote:

I didn't mean to suggest that a transmission cooler was needed. Rather that a cooler, if one is wanted, it will have to be added separately. I believe Toyota has one in their accessory catalog.

The wiring harness from Toyota spoken about before is only to provide a four wire connector for whatever you're towing. It does not provide nor does it have anything to do with a brake controller. That's something entirely different and is probably not appropriate for the lighter Tacoma.

transmission

You need a hitch receiver...the square or round bar across the back that bolts to the frame and carries the ballmount or weight distributing hitch.

You need wiring...either a converter for the 4-wire for a trailer without brakes, or the converter and whatever else is included in the 7-wire kit for a trailer with brakes. You also need an electric trailer brake controller.

If you're going to tow heavy, an air-cooled automatic transmission cooler is very wise. As others have said, the heavy duty fan clutch is smart.

All these parts can be obtained from quality aftermarket sources for much less that from a stealership. Cequent makes the hitch, wiring, and brake controllers under several brand names...Draw-tite, Reese, Hidden Hitch, Fulton, Wesbar, Tekonsha, and also sells through NAPA and U-Haul. The brake controller to get is either the Tekonsha Prodigy or the identical Draw-tite Intella-Smart Ultra. Any other controller is way down the line in effectiveness (except two...the Jordan and the Brakesmart are even better). I like transmission coolers made by Long Mfg., and sold under the brand names of Long Tru-Cool, Tekonsha, B&M, and others. The "Made in Canada" is the tell-tale. They have internal bypasses for cold oil.

If you're going to tow a heavy travel trailer or heavy boat and need sway control, the two that do the best for the money are the Draw-tite or Reese dual-cam (not for surge brakes & need over 400# tongue weight) or the "Equal-i-zer" brand for any tongue weight and works well for boat trailers with surge brakes.

RVWholesalers.com is a good source for much of what you need. Summitracing.com is good for the transmission cooler.

Ken,

Thank you very much. You have answered all my questions about Tacomas and towing.

Kevin

Good job Ken! Much better than my feeble attempt.

controller.

I have a 2000 Tacoma, 6 cyl, 5 spd, so I didn't need a tranny cooler. I just had a hitch and the light module (30 Amp) installed by the dealer - and bought my electric brake controller elsewhere.

Susan

The lighter the towing vehicle, the more you need an electronic brake controller. Although I can stop my horse trailer with my truck in an emergency if the power fails, it's much better to have the trailer have its own braking system - and the electronic brake control applies the trailer brakes whenever I touch my brake pedal.

Susan

The tow package is misleading in that all you get is a frame mounted hitch and wiring harness.

You still need to get the fan clutch and larger tranny cooler.

Tacoma Dude wrote in news:%i%8d.52226$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.southeast.rr.com:

"Tacoma Dude" sez:

If you are towing enough weight to require electric brakes, a higher output alternator is a good idea to be able to take the additional load of having to charge the trailer/brake batteries.

Fan Clutch not truly need for Manual Transmissions. but will not hurt anything.

You may need brake controller depending on trailer weight.

Tacoma Dude wrote in news:RVnad.56149$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.southeast.rr.com: