trailer TOYOTA TACOMA 2021 (in English) User Guide

1874-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross
vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the
limits.
■GCWR* and TWR*
Access Cab models
*1: The model code is indicated on the Certification Label. (P. 537)
GCWR, TWR, Unbraked TWR, Fifth wheel and Gooseneck towing
TWR
*: These models meet the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE International per SAE J2807.
Model code*1EngineDriving
systemGCWRTWR
TRN265L-CRTSKA 2TR-FE
engine 2WD
7740 lb.
(3510 kg) 3500 lb.
(1590 kg)
TRN245L-CRTSKA 4WD7980 lb.
(3615 kg) 3500 lb.
(1590 kg)
GRN325L-CRTSHA 2GR-FKS engine 2WD
11270 lb.
(5110 kg) 6800 lb.
(3085 kg)
GRN305L-CRFSHA 4WD11230 lb.
(5090 kg) 6500 lb.
(2950 kg)
GRN305L-CRTSHA 11310 lb.
(5130 kg) 6500 lb.
(2950 kg)

1884-1. Before driving
Double Cab models
*1: The model code is indicated on the Certification Label. (P. 537)
■Unbraked TWR*
1000 lb. (450 kg)
■Fifth wheel and gooseneck towing TWR*
Toyota does not recommend fifth wheel and gooseneck towing.
Model code*1EngineDriving
systemGCWRTWR
TRN265L-PRTSKA 2TR-FE
engine
2WD7870 lb.
(3565 kg) 3500 lb.
(1590 kg)
GRN325L-PRTSHA
2GR-FKS engine 11300 lb.

(5125 kg)
6700 lb.
(3040 kg)
GRN325L-PRTLHA 11250 lb.

(5100 kg)6600 lb.
(2995 kg)
GRN330L-PRTSHA 11240 lb.

(5095 kg)6600 lb.
(2995 kg)
GRN330L-PRTLHA 11290 lb.

(5120 kg)6600 lb.
(2995 kg)
GRN305L-PRFSHA
4WD11260 lb.

(5105 kg)
6400 lb.
(2900 kg)
GRN305L-PRTSHA 11240 lb.

(5095 kg)6400 lb.
(2900 kg)
GRN305L-PRTLHA 11300 lb.

(5125 kg)6400 lb.
(2900 kg)
GRN310L-PRTSHA 11290 lb.

(5120 kg)6400 lb.
(2900 kg)
GRN310L-PRTLHA 11040 lb.

(5005 kg)6000 lb.
(2725 kg)
*: These models meet the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE
International per SAE J2807.

1894-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●A recommended tongue weight or kingpin weight varies in accor-
dance with the types of trailer s or towing as described below.
● To ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must
be loaded by referring to t he following instructions.
• Tongue Weight The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the tong ue
weight is 9% to 11%. (Tongue We ight/Gross trailer weight x 100
= 9% to 11%)
Gross trailer weight
Tongue Weight
If using a weight distributing hi tch when towing, return the front
axle to the same weight as b efore the trailer connection.
If front axle weight cannot be measured directly, measure the
front fender height above the front axle before connection. Adjust
weight distributing hitch torque until front fender is returned to the
same height as b efore connection.
The gross trailer weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight
can be measured with platform sca les found at a highway weigh-
ing station, building supply company, trucking company, junk
yard, etc.
Trailer Tongue Weight
1
2

1904-1. Before driving
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities. Toyota rec-
ommends the use of Toy ota hitch/bracket for your vehicle. For d etails,
contact your Toyota dealer.
● If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dea ler.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requ ire-
ment of your vehicle.
● Follow the directions suppli ed by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball and kingpin with a light coating of gr ease.
● Remove the hitch ball whenever you are not towing a trailer.
Remove the trailer hitch if you do not need it. After removing the
hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to prevent en try of
any substances into the vehicle.
The rear bumper of your vehicle is
equipped with a hole to install a
trailer ball. If you have any ques-
tions, contact yo ur Toyota dealer.
The gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus cargo weight) when
towing with the bumper must never
exceed the TWR ( P. 187) or
3500 lb. (1590 kg) whichever is
lower.
Hitch
Bumper towing (vehicles with steel bumper only)

1914-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Use the correct trailer ball for your application.Trailer ball load rating
Matches or exceeds the gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter
Matches the size of the trailer cou-
pler. Most couplers are stamped
with the required trailer ball size.
Shank length
Protrudes beyond the bottom of the lock washer and nut by at le ast 2
threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole diameter size.
Weight carrying ball position:
52.0 in. (1320.8 mm)
Hitch receiver pin hole position:
45.2 in. (1148.8 mm)
Selecting trailer ball
1
2
Trailer classIVII and IIII
Typical trailer ball size2 5/16 in.2 in.1 7/8 in.
Positions for towing hitch receiver and hitch ball
3
4
1
2

1924-1. Before driving
Use the wire harness stored in the
rear end of the vehicle.
The tow lighting system is
designed for 54 watts/4.5 amps of
electrical current per side (right
and left) for the trailer brake/turn
light functions.
Please contact your Toyota dealer
with any questions or concerns.
■ Service connector for towing br ake controller (vehicles with a towing
package)
Connecting trailer lights
Your vehicle is equipped with a service
connector for the trailer brake controller
as shown.

1934-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. To help avoid
an accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in min d when
towing:
● Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not
exceed the posted to wing speed limit.
● Toyota recommends that the vehicl e-trailer speed limit is 65 mph
(104 km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this li mit, the
posted towing speed limit or the speed limit for your trailer a s set
forth in your trailer owner’s manu al, whichever is lowest. Instability
of the towing vehicle-trailer combination (trailer sway) increa ses as
speed increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of contr ol.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-
trailer connections. Recheck af ter driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer attac hed in
an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the fe el
of the vehicle-trailer combination.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires pra ctice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the rig ht to
move the trailer to the right. (This is generally opposite to r eversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicl e-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least one v ehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or
slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before maki ng
a turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by mak ing
a wider than normal turning radius.
Trailer towing tips

1944-1. Before driving
●Slow down before making a turn, in crosswinds, on wet or slippe ry
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the lengt h of
your trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changi ng
lanes.
● Vehicles with an automatic transmission: To maintain engine bra k-
ing efficiency and charging system performance when using engin e
braking, do not use the transmission in D. If in the S mode, th e
transmission shift range posit ion must be in 5 or lower.
● Vehicles with a manual transmiss ion: To maintain engine braking
efficiency and charging system performance when using engine
braking, do not use the sixth gear.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or lo ng
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the bra kes
too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when drivin g
up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gau ge
indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditionin g (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 528)

1954-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trai ler’s
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put th e
transmission in P (automatic transmission) or in 1 or R (manual
transmission). Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after perform ing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P (automatic transmission) or 1 or R (manual transmi s-
sion) and turn off the engine.
● When restarting afte r parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P (autom atic transmission) or the clutch
pedal (manual transmission) depr essed, start the engine. On
vehicles with an automatic transmission, be sure to keep the
brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake (and also the brake pedal on vehicles
with an automatic transmission), and slowly pull or back away
from the wheel blocks. S top and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4

1964-1. Before driving
■Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■ Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 545)
● Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacture r’s recommen-
dation.
● All trailer lights work as required by law.
● All lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
● The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for imprope r tongue weight,
overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors ap propriate for tow-
ing purposes.
● Depress power mode button (vehicles with an automatic transmiss ion).
( P. 211)
No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball
1
2