Parts Needed to Tow a Small Travel Trailer with a 1996 Toyota Tacoma

Question

Question:

i have a 1996 toyota tacoma, i have never pulled a trailer, but can i pull a smaller travel trailer behind this truck? what would i need? how big of a trailer will this pull? is there anything i should do to modify my truck? thanks.

asked by: Dennis

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Expert Reply:

The towing capacity of your 1996 Toyota Tacoma will depend on if your truck has a V6 or a 4 cylinder and if it is a 4X4 or a 4X2. I have listed the towing capacities of the different options for the Toyota Tacoma below.

4X4 V6 - 8,300 lbs
4X4 4 Cyl. - 7,400 lbs
4X2 V6 - 8,300 lbs
4X2 4 Cyl. - 3,500 lbs

You can verify the towing capacity of your truck by checking your owners manual or contacting a local Toyota dealer with your vehicle identification number. Toyota also places a few restrictions on towing with your truck. If the trailer you are pulling weighs more than 1,000 lbs, then Toyota states that the trailer must have brakes. If the trailer weighs more than 2,000 lbs, then the trailer must also have a sway control bar like the Reese Friction Sway Control, # 83660.

To tow a trailer you will need a trailer hitch, a wiring harness and I would recommend adding a transmission cooler. For a trailer hitch, I would recommend installing the Curt Class III Trailer Hitch, # 13013. This trailer hitch has a 5,000 lb towing capacity and a 500 lb tongue weight capacity. Keep in mind that you should not exceed the lower towing rating between the trailer hitch and your truck.

This trailer hitch does not include a ball mount or hitch ball so you will also want to pick up the ball mount kit, # 989900, and the sway control bracket, # RP26003, if the trailer weighs more than 2,000 lbs.

For a wiring harness, you will want to install the Draw-Tite T-One Wiring Harness, # 118379. This wiring harness will connect into the factory connections behind your tail lights and provides a 4-way flat trailer connector. If your travel trailer requires a 7-way trailer connector because it has an additional battery or brakes, then you will also want to install the 4-way to 7-way installation kit, # ETBC7. I have attached installation instructions and a video showing how to install a 7-way trailer connector.

Finally, I would recommend adding a transmission cooler. Towing a trailer with your truck will put additional strain on your engine and transmission, especially if it was not equipped with a tow package. For your truck, I would recommend the Derale Series 800 Transmission Cooler, # D13503. I have attached an installation video for you to check out that should give you an idea on what is involved to install a transmission cooler.

This cooler includes a universal adapter fitting, but most customers find it easier to just cut the transmission fluid return line and install compression fittings. To ensure you choose the correct compression fitting for your vehicle, you will want to measure the diameter of your transmission lines. The most common size is 3/8 inches, but it would be safe to measure first. I have attached links to the compression fittings that we carry, part # D13031, D13032, D13033.

expert reply by: John H

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Answer 1

Trailer tires and wheels do not typically come balanced from the factory like what you see with standard passenger vehicle tires. This isn't usually needed for trailer tires and most car shops don't have the needed setup to properly balance…

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Answer 2

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 3

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 4

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 5

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 6

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 7

Even though I cannot comment specifically on the grease you used because I am not familiar with it, I can tell you the best grease for trailer bearings is a a grease with a rating of GC-LB, which just means it is made to withstand very high…

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Answer 8

The only difference between 7-Way Utility and 7-Way RV is the color of the wires. The pin outs are the exact same so either would work just fine with the other. If you check out the picture I attached you'll see that the functions are all the…

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Parts Needed to Tow a Small Travel Trailer with a 1996 Toyota Tacoma

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