Which Trim for Towing?

Hey y’all,

looking at 2.5 gen as a road trip truck to move a 18-22’ camping trailer - approximately 7k lbs loaded. Which trim levels/package upgrades will suit my needs?

I see a tow package listed as a feature on some of the listings I’ve come across. What do you get with the tow package and is it necessary in my use case?

all the best
Mikey

 

Get a 2017 doublecab 5.7 in SR5, Limited, Platinum or 1794 depending on taste and level of accoutrements. It will come with a factory transmission cooler and the old style refrigerant that blows coooooold. Or get a 2021 doublecab with the 5.7 and add a cooler yourself. Trim doesn’t really matter.

 

check this out https://letstowthat.com/toyota-tundra-towing-capacities/

2019-2021 do not have an external trans cooler, but several quality aftermarket options exist.

It will be less about total trailer weight, and more about the tongue weight- you'll likely run out of GVWR before actual towing capacity.

Double Cabs will pull more than Crewmax.

 

I was looking specifically at a listing for a 21 SR5 today. It said it came with a Tow package upgrade. Does that even mean anything in that model/year?

 

2016-2017 DCLB SR5.
2018 if you don’t care about annoying TSS beeping at you and still want a T. Cooler.

The SR package like mine still has the smaller fuel tank. Lowest trim you get the larger fuel tank is the SR5. Lowest trim = highest payload, usually.

“Tow Package” likely just means a trailer hookup ha not much difference year to year model to model when it comes to that. Anyone know if the tow hitch itself is different from Tundra to Tundra. Maybe “tow package” also means class IV hitch and others don’t have it.



Long bed sure pulls smoother than the shorter wheel bases if you’re interested. If not, whatever SR5 DC you can find, 2016-2018.

 

Out of my price range anyway brother, buts it’s a damn sweet truck

SR5 is what I’m targeting, just hoping to determine what I need/or can get out of the package upgrades and what not

 

not sure I know how to interpret this chart. Can you explain it to me like I’m 5 please?

 

based on the configuration- long bed, short bed, and cab size (double vs crewmax) and drivetrain (4x2 vs 4x4) you'll see the max towing based on the trim.

 

Let me preface this with I don't tow anything, ever.

This was pretty much the TOW package on my 2014.



Trans cooler, engine oil cooler, higher amp alternator, the battery is a 27F as opposed to a 24F, and the trailer light plug. .



I'd try to get an SR5 with the upgrade package.
2014 this was a standard SR5


The SR5 'upgrade'


If you see one with an TSS package, that is all cosmetic crap.
I've replace everything except my wheels.


Which is not to be confused with the TSS option that is part of the adaptive cruise control.
Not sure what year those started, maybe 2017?
It has a sensor behind the bottom of the grille.

If you can find a TRD Off Road, better shocks and probably 18 wheels.
Those come in any trim except the SR.
The SR is bare bones, more or less a 'work' truck.

Maybe a Limited if you don't mind the chrome.
Limited will have leather, dual zone climate control, maybe a brake controller, and a few other goodies.
Some of them have sunroofs.

Others have said a double cab for towing.
I do love my double cab, enough room in the back seat for 3 adults, but I wanted the 6' 5" bed.
Crewmax has a 5'5" bed I think.
My kids are long gone so it is just me in the truck 95% of time.

Couple things the CrewMax has over the Double cab is the back window goes down and the back seat is huge.
I had the lowering rear window in my 2005 double cab and I really miss it in my 2014 that has a manual slider that I have never opened.



Good luck..

 

One more thing;
You can look up Toyota vehicle VINs on this website.
It will give somewhat of an idea of the options of a particular vehicle.
Sometimes it doesn't show port add stuff, like my TSS package.

You will need to create an account.

account.toyota.com


It's the closest thing you'll find to a window sticker.
It doesn't have my TSS package on it.

 

Thanks this is super helpful actually. TSS means Toyota safety sense I assume?

 

Yes, I don't have it in my 2014.

I now see it is more than just the adaptive cruise..

Toyota Safety Hub – Vehicle Safety Features

And I forgot to welcome you to the forum.
I'm on my 3rd Toyota; 1997 4-Runner, 2005 Tundra, 2014 Tundra..

 

The best Tundra for tower would be the an SR model 2 door regular cab with 2 wheel drive. Basically the most bare bones truck have the highest tow rating, 10,000lbs I believe is the highest, then the Platinum will have the lowest of around 8000. Basically the higher the trim the more weight on the truck, the lower the tow rating.

 

I’ve had a 2020 SR5 double cab Sport and now have a 2016 SR5 double cab Off Road. The rear springs in the 2016 held more weight then on the Sport. Also the 2026 has a trans cooler and keeps the temps down better than the 2020 and I had added the external trans cooler. The AC does work better in the 2016. Both trucks have the 38 gallon tank, a must when towing.

 

My opinion is to get the highest trim truck you feel you will be comfortable in on your road trips.

Splitting hairs between trims for highest payload doesn't mean much since you aren't a commercial driver. It's ok if you go over a couple hundred pounds. You may need a wdh or air bags.

If you think you will be over payload severely, maybe move up to a 3/4 ton truck.

My Tundra has the same payload as my old Tacoma. Yet by looking at the frame, suspension, brakes, etc...I know my Tundra can easily carry more.

Since the main needs would be for towing, get the towing package. Add a cooler if you get a 2019+ MY.

 

any recommendations on aftermarket ATF coolers?

 

Most coolers can work. You mainly need the oem thermostat and hardlines to get the fluid from the transmission to the cooler and a bracket to mount it.

I went with a setrab cooler for $180. Nice mounting bracket from a forum member was $105. Additional hardware for that cooler was $80. The oem thermostat with hardlines and other parts was $323. Extra transmission hose was $30. So total is around $700.

It's a bit pricey. If you want a plug and pay kit, go with genuine cooling systems.

If you are handy, you can do it cheaper. Some people get the thermostat, and do their own tube routing with different coolers and diy mounting brackets for a lot less.

I just wanted an oem look. But most universal truck coolers work.

These are the oem parts I got.

 

Oh and ps. I just got my Tundra last month. I'm far from experienced but this site is perfect for us that want to upgrade them

 

Just got excited cuz it was an ideal time to use one of my favorite little emojis...

You're absolutely on point though, and even more so to your point and in answering OPs question...

It's kinda rare for someone to say, "I want to tow a trailer, so I'm thinking about buying a Tundra to do it"... Most of us acquired our trucks to use as comfortable, large, and reliable daily drivers that were capable of everyday 'truck' stuff, etc.. and somewhere along the line say, 'crap... I'm tired of tent camping and I'm going to buy a trailer; how the hell do I do that safely with my Tundra so I'm not forced to trade it in on a 3/4 or 1 ton rig?'

 

It means that starting 2018, also last year of tranny cooler. But TSS is also a package. See post farther above for example. Just so you know which it is when you’re looking around.

 

I’m a rare breed.

I guess that brings me to my next question, does a tundra actually make sense or should I be looking at 3/4tons? I’m admittedly a Toyota fan boy, this will be a primary vehicle for us so I don’t really want to play the lottery with a Ram or GMC etc if I don’t need to.

again I’m looking to pull at a MAX 7-8k camper wet. Most of the campers I’m eyeing are actually in the 5-6k lbs range

 

So what do you think is the max I can pull comfortably and safely and without stress or added wear on the truck? 8k? That’s about 80% of max capacity which as I understand is good rule of thumb. What about tounge weight?

it’s just me the wife and the dog now since our youngest has flown the coop. I don’t need anything humongous but we will be on the road for long stretches

 

This one was 8k#. Towed ok. It was a lot back there. Ended up selling it and the big tundra for a smaller camper that’s easier to tow with a half ton. The Tundra did a good job pulling it, but it felt like work driving it. Constant scanning and correcting, it was a bit tiresome.

 

I understand the capacity but why would I care about bed length for towing purposes?

unless I’m misinterpreting the charts it looks like the sr5 crew max has the same capacities as the double cabs

https://letstowthat.com/toyota-tundra-towing-capacities/