2015 5.7 L Tundra Double Cab - Do I need Tow Package?

I am about to buy the 5.7 L Tundra TRD double cab SR5 which has the 7 pin plug and towing receiver. It also has the Tow/Haul switch. It does not have the brake controller, I plan to add it. The owner told me it does not have the Tow Package, however and I could not see a tranny cooler or oil cooler in front of the radiator. The lowest tow weight rating on any 2015 5.7 is around 9500 lbs. My anticipated total cargo weight plus trailer weight is around 6200 lbs. Do I really need a towing package? If the specs say the truck can tow nearly 10,000 lbs why would I add a towing package? Does it increase the capability for towing to way above 10,000 lbs? I will be towing a TT all over the States and Canada.

 

WELCOME!

Well if it has 7pin plug, towing receiver, and tow/haul mode, than it has towing package.

It can tow 10,000lbs because of towing package.
But I don’t recommend towing that much with a 1/2 ton pickup for long distances.

Yes I would recommend having towing package if you will be towing 6200lbs.

 

Thanks for replying SR5 Azul. I think I might have an uncommon combination of having the Tow switch, receiver and 7 pin plug but not the heavier alternator, transmission cooler and oil cooler that is mentioned in the 2015 brochure tow package description as shown here:
Tow Package includes: towing hitch receiver, trailer brake controller prewire, 4.30 rear axle ratio,
TOW/HAUL Mode switch, supplemental engine oil cooler, supplemental transmission cooler,
heavy-duty battery, 170-amp. alternator and 4/7-pin connector (standard on 5.7L V8 models)

So I should revise my question to "should I worry about not having the tranny and oil cooler"? I'm sure I will be OK without the larger battery and alternator. As a stretch question I am wondering if I might be missing the prewire (behind the dash) for the brake controller?

 

My 15 came with the brake controller prewire,
I just added the oem brake controller. But others have stated on here, it’s better to go after market brake controller.

To you have pictures of the truck you want to buy or a link?

 

Thanks Sr5 Azul. Attached is a photo of the truck.

 

Well I see you want to buy the best and fastest colour!

That truck should have the full tow package.

 

As discussed recently here, confirm the differential ratio. Count drive shaft revolutions as you manually rotate a rear tire one full revolution. If driveshaft rotates 4.3 revolutions, you have the tow package; 4.1 revolutions, maybe not.

 

You may have the tranny cooler, it’s huge and looks just like your radiator. It’s right in front of the radiator which makes it look like your radiator, but if you look closely, you can see there’s a radiator behind the a/t cooler. I don’t have the “tow package”, at least not according to my build specs, but I have everything else you mentioned except for the oil cooler. You can look at Toyota.com/owner for the specifics of your truck. I don’t get why I don’t have the oil cooler tho so I think there’s more to it than just having a 4.3 rear diff or whatever...

 

I would think 6200lbs would tow pretty easily without the extra coolers, but I suppose if you are going through the mountains that may not be the case. Assume your trailer has controllable vs. surge brakes? Even my 24' boat trailer didn't come with controllable brakes, only surge, and it is over 7k with boat and trailer. The brake controller is useless on that rig.

 

Find the area of toyota.com where you can input the VIN and I believe it tells you how it was built at the factory. Plus other items like factory recalls and if they were done.

 

@daylorb: Thanks. The trailer does have electric controllable brakes. Thanks also to Tundra McGov for the tip/ I will ask seller for VIN.

 

I just went to www.toyota.com. At the top of the page is a small horizontal "menu." Look for where it says "Owners." Click that. Super easy after that.

I put in my VIN and..POOF. the entire factory build specs (mech & perf. copied & pasted below). Shows my tow package and the 4.30 axle ratio.

You should find the same luscious factory build information once you get the VIN.



Mechanical & Performance

5.7L i-FORCE V8 E85 Flex Fuel DOHC 32V with Dual Ind VVT-i 381 hp / 401 lb-ft 6-Spd Automatic Trans w/Sequential Shift 4WDemand Part-Time 4WD w/Elec Controlled Transfer Case, A-TRAC & Auto LSD TripleTech Frame Tow Pack:Tow Rcvr Hitch,4.30 Axle Ratio, Eng/Trans Fluid Coolers, TOW/HAUL Mode, HD Batt & Alt, & Integ 4/7-Pin Connector Dbl Wishbone Frnt Susp w/ Stabilizer Bar Trap Leaf Rr Susp, Staggered O/B Shocks Power-Assisted 4 Wheel Disc Brakes 18" Styld Stl Wheels w/ P255/70R18 Tires

 

Thanks TundraMcGov! I tried this and I get a list of included options but I cannot find the Mechanical and Performance paragraph like you posted here. There is a link to download full specifications, but when I download it I get a .7L file which I can find no application which can open it. Is there something I am missing? Would you mind getting my my Mech and Perf. info if I private message you my VIN, please? Or could you give me a bit more info on how I can get it/ what I might be missing?

I went to Toyota.com, found the "Owners" option in the menu bar, clicked on it then My Vehicle, Vehicle Specs, entered my VIN and clicked Submit. Then I got a long list of included options and the Link to download the un-openable .7L file of full specifications, but there is no mention of the Mech & Perf.

 

Update, I just figured out how to view the .7L file... register the computer to open it with Acrobat Reader...works fine, but still doesn't include the detail like TundraMcGov was able to share above.

 

PM me the VIN and let me try it from my side???

 

K. I got your VIN via PM and put it into the Toyota.com portal, from my end, and I agree. It doesn't spit out info like it does for my truck. Hmmm. Something going on there.

For the kind of money you're investing you do want to be 100% sure about the vehicle you're buying.

At this point I'm not sure what your next path is on this particular vehicle.

 

Who installed the tow and the tow switch and the 7 pin?
hard to believe it came from factory like that and with no cooler. I think all 5.7s with tow pkg, come with the cooler.

 

Can the truck be taken to the nearest dealer to determine what's up?

 

I am pretty sure you have a tow package, but have a dealership run the Vin number. They should be able to print out all packages, features, options and accessories for your vehicle.

 

Are you buying the Tundra from a Toyota dealership? If so, they should be able to answer all your questions. If not, do what Ajkkane said.

 

Thanks man. Just joined the Forum. I bought my 2015 Platinum 2 years ago. Considering selling my motor home and buying a trailer. Just exactly what I was looking for. And I found out I DO have the towing package! Nice. Here is a link to the page you can enter your VIN.
https://www.toyota.com/owners/my-vehicle/vehicle-specification

 

Nice stock Rig. Congrats