Tow package?

[birdhunter]

Alright, I just bought a '97 Toyota Tacoma. Before I can start towing a boat with it, I need to do a few things. It has a hitch on the bumper, but no tow bar. The max tounge weight is 350 lbs. The max for towing is 3500 lbs gross trailer weight. I looks much sturdier under there than I ever would have expected. I won't ever be towing anything but the driftboat with it. Do you think it's worthwhile to spend the money on a tow bar and the installation or will it be okay as/is?

The second question is regarding wiring. I have an extra 4-flat and a few feet of wire. I've taken a look under there at the wiring and it's a bit more complicated than what I've delt with before. Is there a way to wire the 4-flat on there or should I get a T-connector and do it that way? I'm sure someone has done this before.

I'd like to save some money, but also don't want my boat falling off or the lights not working right. Any insight would be very much appreciated.

[Small Fry]

As far as the wiring goes you can buy a kit at any auto parts store. I’ts real easy.
Just follow the instruction and it’ like plug and play.

As far as the hitch. Yes you may get away towing your drift boat: But I would say get a good frame mounted receiver and be safe.

[PRINCEMASTER]

I agree with small fry you are better off spending the money on a frame mounted hitch than taking chances with the bumper hitch. Any hitch store or auto parts store sells a conversion kit for the wiring. Initial cost is not real high and may save alot of heart aches in the end

[Rippenlips]

Check to see if you have a spot for a fuse in your fuse block that says Tow 15amp. If you do and it has terminals in it you probably already have the converter and wiring under the truck some place, you just have to find it. Good luck and hope its there. Oh ya I would put a hitch on, that way you can adjust the hight of your ball by changing recievers.
Jon T

[fishbait]

Would ber nice to have the receiver hitch, but for the driftboat absolutley not necessary as long a the bumper height is acceptable.

[Drachir]

I agree with the earlier comments. I think your Toyota has a connector that can accept a T connector to make wiring very easy. They sell them @ GI Joes pretty cheap. I would get a Class III reciever hitch installed. That way you get a ball mount that will set the touge of the trailer at the right height, 18"- 20" to the base of the ball on level ground is a good rule of thumb. :cool:

[Jsail]

The bumber hitch will work for what you described but, if you turn fairly tight (usally while backing) the tounge will come into contact with your nice shiney bumber and leave a dimple in the bumber. They just don't make bumpers like they used to and there 6 to 7 hundred to replace one.
If I remember right Toyotas have a positive ground system, like Britsih cars. you can get a converter to wire to.
I would drive to the nearest U-Haul or other ... and ask what is involved and how much would it cost to set it up set it up the way you want it . They should be able to tell you

[boater]

i`d leave it as is and wire it up and tow with it, your driftboat with the trailer probly dont weigh 1000 pounds all together so why spend the money on somthing you dont need.

[Hook-up]

I was wondering the same thing for my truck. Then I noticed the dimples in the chrome bumpers on the trucks with the bumper mounted balls, so I decided to get the receiver. Call around on the phone for a price to save some running around. I got the adapter kit for the lights and installed it according to the directions. It was pretty easy. Go with the old saying: Buy once, cry once!

[ 06-09-2002, 07:50 PM: Message edited by: Hook-up ]

[Cast Away]

If you have your receiver hitch installed make sure it dose not block your spare tire. I had mine done at u-haul and my spare tire cannot swing down unless I let out air. My truck is a Ford, not a Toyota so I don't know if it would be an issue or not with yours.

[Gus Orviston]

I would check out what Toyota does for Tranny cooling before getting concerned about the receiver hitch. If Toyota requires, or had an option for a tow package that included a T-cooler I would not worry about adding a receiver because down the road you might think you towing capacity is better than it really is and toast the tranny.

This could be mitigated by adding a Tranny temp gauge before hauling heavier loads.

my 1.7 cents graemlins/program.gif

[Cigar]

birdhunter,

If it were me, I would just go to Hitch World and have them install a 2" receiver, it'll be done right and fast. :smile: Anything smaller is for
sissy cars. :tongue: :tongue:

Great choice of truck!! :cool: :cool:

Cigar

[CATCH AND EAT]

Get hitched Birdhunter! ?Although that bumper looks strong it is not a good idea. These bumpers are ment for a 5 mile and hour impact and are reinforced for such. Your little 1000lbs of boat will eventually put some ugly spots in the bumper. Plus, hitchs are cheap insurance.

Rember the post, how strong is your hitch? :shocked:

I had a Nissan that I ran with just a bumper mount for a while. Ended up replacing the bumper and getting a hitch. :blush:

So get hitched!!!!! :cheers:

[Silver Hilton]

I disagree with the folks who tell you to get a receiver hitch. I used a bumper mounted hitch for years, and never had a problem. Now, I have a lot of expereince in backing trailers (old farm boy), and so don't worry about getting pinched. Maybe, if you use some really tight ramps, you might want the additional angle you can get from the receiver hitch, but I don't see the need. I think it's a waste of 200 bucks.

Five of those years of towing was with a Toyota pickup, towing a drift boat and a small power boat. Bumper mounted, no problems.

I did get a receiver hitch when I got a heavier boat, but that's a different kettle of fish. The new boat weighs 2500 lbs. I think it would have been fine on the bumper as well, but I wanted the extra security of direct frame attachment.

If you have the money, a receiver hitch won't hurt a thing, except your shin when you walk into it. But neither is it necessary.

[Fish Hunter]

Hi BH,
My 88 Toyota's bumper hitch worked just fine for years towing a drift boat. Just don't let the angle get too extream when backing. When I wired the lights for that rig I had to buy a module at u-haul to deal with the trailer's single brake/turn lamps. This was required due to Toyota's separate turn signal and brake lights, bet it's that way on your truck too. JD

[Artwo]

BH,
I've had/towed with two different Toyota's in the past (an 87 and a 96). Towed a driftboat off the stock bumper on both with no problems except as mentioned about the turning divots, and it will happen.......garenteed. If I were you, I would go with the reciever hitch and then you would be ready to tow anything the truck is rated for. I had Gresham u-haul do my current rig and they did a very nice job at a decent price. I stayed and watched them install and wire everything to make sure it was done to my satifaction. Spend the money now and you won't have to deal with it ever again.

JK