2002 Tacoma Trailer Towing

3601 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by dirt666, Apr 22, 2009

gus_zernial

Discussion Starter · Apr 16, 2009

I have a 2002 Tacoma S-Runner V-6 with 5-speed manual trans. It does not
have a towing package, and on this basis the owner's manual says I can tow a
3500# GVW trailer. I want to tow a cargo trailer cross country - the GVW seems
to equate to about a 5x10 cargo trailer, am I right?

I'm interested in recommendations from people with similar vehicles.

-The manual says I should use sway control - what's that?
-What type and/or brand of trailer hitch should I use?
-Any other equipment/accessories I should add?
-What's a safe hiway speed?
-Does anyone know the approximate empty weight of the truck itself?
(The owner's manual doesn't say)

And, since I have no experience with this - if anyone wants to recommend a good quality brand for cargo trailers, I'm interested in opinions. Thanks!

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Sizzlenut

· #2 · Apr 16, 2009 (Edited)

The vehicle weight is on the sticker in the driver's door sill. Be forwarned about certain trailer rental companies. If you are going to rent a trailer, some may reject your request because they base they're ratings on the smallest Tacoma available. They just won't rent you a trailer because not all Tacomas are rated to pull the same weight. Call ahead.

Pulling the trailer won't be a problem, just make sure you don't overheat the brakes. Be gentle with them.

It's always best to overkill on the hitch, it's only a matter of a few dollars. 3500 lbs is good, 5000 lbs is better, just don't use the bumper ball if you're in doubt.

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22b22

· #3 · Apr 17, 2009 (Edited)

I agree completely. I'm looking to source a 5k Class III hitch today or tomorrow. Will I ever tow anything with real weight? Probably not - just bike racks, motorcycle trailer and little yard waste trailer I have. But, if I did need to, I'd have it.

Better to have and not need, than need and not have...

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gus_zernial

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 17, 2009

I was planning a frame hitch not a bumper hitch. But the best I can find
for this vehicle is Class III hitch, see

http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2002_Toyota_Tacoma+Pickup.htm

Class III seems adequate for what I'm doing - anyone disagree?

Also nobody answered by question about sway control. Yes I know it's
to control sway when towing a trailer, but how they do that? What's a
good brand?

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hossmaster

· #5 · Apr 17, 2009

Go to U-Haul and get a class III installed for about 2bills. The one's they use are the contoured tube design and only the receiver box shows, the rest is behind the bumper. Remember it's not what you can tow, it's what you can stop that you need to take into consideration.

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dirt666

· #6 · Apr 22, 2009

hossmaster said:
Go to U-Haul and get a class III installed for about 2bills. The one's they use are the contoured tube design and only the receiver box shows, the rest is behind the bumper. Remember it's not what you can tow, it's what you can stop that you need to take into consideration.

I have found the Valley brand hitch fits this bill nicely, totally hidden behind and above the bumper, all you see is the reciever tube dropping down below..... also it was the only one that worked with my TRD Stainless Steel exhaust without totally butchering the exhaust, just a slight shave of the hitch bracket req'd. Rated 5000#, 500 tongue.

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