2005 TOYOTA TACOMA towing

2782005 TACOMA from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM35862U)
When stowing cargo and luggage in
the vehicle, observe the following: Put cargo and luggage in the rear
deck when at all possible. Be sure
all items are secured in place.
 Be careful to keep the vehicle bal-
anced. Locating the weight as far
forward as possible helps maintain
balance.
 For better fuel economy, do not
carry unneeded weight.
CAUTION
To prevent cargo and l uggage
from sliding forward during
braking, do not stack anything
behind the front seats higher
than the seatbacks (access cab
and double cab models). Keep
cargo and luggage low, as
close to the floor as possible.
 Never allow anyone to ride in
the rear deck. It is not designed
for passengers. They s hould
ride in their seats with their
seat belts properly fastened.
Otherwise, they are much more
likely to suffer serious bodily
injury, in the event of sudden
braking or a collision.
 Do not drive with objects left
on top of the instrument panel.
They may interfere with the
driver’s field of view. Or they
may move during sharp vehicle
acceleration or turning, and im-
pair the driver’s control of the
vehicle. In an accident they
may injure the vehicle occu-
pants.Cargo capacity depends on the to-
tal weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capac-
ity) – (Total weight of occupants)
STEPS FOR DETERMINING
CORRECT LOAD LIMIT
1. Locate the statement “The com- bined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
pounds” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity. For example,
if the “XXX” am ount equals 1400
lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400–750 (5x150)=650 lbs).
Cargo and luggage—
—Stowage precautions —Capacity and distribution

2792005 TACOMA from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM35862U)
5. Determine the combined weight ofluggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available car-
go and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
For details about trailer towing, see
“Trailer towing” on page 287 in Sec-
tion 3.
SU21020
Cargo
capacity
Total load
capacity
EXAMPLE ON YOUR VEHICLE
In case that 2 people with the com-
bined weight of A kg (lb.) are riding
in your vehicle with the total load ca-
pacity of B kg (lb.), the available
amount of cargo and luggage load ca-
pacity will be C kg (lb.) as follows:
B kg (lb. ) – A kg (lb. ) = C kg (lb. )
From this condition, if 3 more passen-
gers with the combined weight of D
kg (lb.) get on, the available cargo
and luggage load will be reduced E
kg (lb.) as follows:
C kg (lb. ) – D kg (lb. ) = E kg (lb. ) As shown in the above example, if the
number of occupants increases, the
cargo and luggage load equaling the
combined weight of occupants who
got on later must be reduced. In other
words, if the incr
ease in the number
of occupants causes the excess of
the total load capacity (combined
weight of occupants plus cargo and
luggage load), you have to reduce the
cargo and luggage on your vehicle.
For details about total load capacity,
see “Vehicle load limits” on page 277
in this Section.
CAUTION
Even if the total load of occu-
pant’s weight and the cargo load
is less than the total load capac-
ity, do not apply the load uneven-
ly. That may cause not only dam-
age to the tire but also deteriora-
tion to the steering ability due to
unbalance of the vehicle, causing
an accident.

2812005 TACOMA from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM35862U)
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Before starting the engine282
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How to start the engine 282
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Tips for driving in various conditions 283
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Off −road driving precautions 284
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Winter driving tips 286
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Dinghy towing 287
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Trailer towing 287
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How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer 297
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SECTION 3

2872005 TACOMA from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM35862U)
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any
other substitute because it may dam-
age your vehicle’s paint.
Do not use your parking brake when
there is a possibility it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into
“P” (automatic) or into first or reverse
(manual) and block the front wheels. Do
not use the parking brake, or snow or
water accumulated in and around the
parking brake mechanism may freeze,
making it hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating
under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders
can make steering difficult. During bad
winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving,
we recommend you carry some emer-
gency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the
vehicle are tire chains, window scraper,
bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.LS30001a
Your vehicle is not designed to be
dinghy towed (with four wheels on the
ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four
wheels on the ground. This may
cause serious damage to your vehicle.
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a
passenger−and− load− carrying vehicle. Tow-
ing a trailer will have an adverse effect on
handling, performance, braking, durability
and driving economy (fuel consumption,
etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend
on the proper use of correct equipment
and cautious driving habits. For your safe-
ty and the safety of others, you must not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Ask your
local Toyota dealer for further details be-
fore towing.
We recommend you use a weight distribut-
ing hitch when towing to keep your ve-
hicle level with the ground.
NOTICE
When towing a trailer, be sure to con-
sult your Toyota dealer for further in-
formation on additional requirements
such as a towing kit, etc.
WEIGHT LIMITS
Before towing, make sure the total trail-
er weight, gross combination weight,
gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight
and trailer tongue load are all within
the limits.
Dinghy towing Trailer towing

2882005 TACOMA from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM35862U)
The total trailer weight and tongue load
can be measured with platform scales
found at a highway weighing station, build-
ing supply company, trucking company,
junk yard, etc.CAUTION
The maximum gross trailer weight
(trailer weight plus cargo weight)
must never exceed the following.Without towing package 1587 kg (3500 lb.)
With towing package 2948 kg (6500 lb.)
If towing a trailer and cargo weigh-
ing over 907 kg (2000 lb.), it is nec-
essary to use a sway control device
with sufficient capacity. The com-
bination of the gross trailer weight
added to the total weight of the
vehicle, occupants and vehicle car-
go must never exceed a total of the
following.
Twowheel drive models except Pre-
Runner 3402 kg (7500 lb.)
Fourwheel drive models and Pre-
Runner 2TRFE engine 3628 kg (8000 lb.)
1GRFE engine Without towing package 3674 kg (8100 lb.)
With towing package 5034 kg (11100 lb.)
Exceeding the maximum weight of
the trailer, the vehicle, or the ve-
hicle and trailer combination, can
cause an accident resulting in seri-
ous personal injuries.

2892005 TACOMA from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM35862U)
LS20008
Regular and double cab models (type A)
LS20008b
Regular and double cab models (type B)
LS20009
Access cab models (type A)
LS20009b
Access cab models (type B)
Trailer hitch assemblies have differ-
ent weight capacities established by
the hitch manufacturer. Even though
the vehicle may be physically capa-
ble of towing a higher weight, the
operator must determine the maxi-
mum weight rating of the particular
hitch assembly and never exceed
the maximum weight rating speci-
fied for the trailerhitch. Exceeding
the maximum weight rating set by
the trailer hitch manufacturer can
cause an accident resulting in seri-
ous personal injuries.
The gross vehicle weight must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) indicated on the
Certification Label. The gross ve-
hicle weight is the sum of weights
of the unloaded vehicle, driver, pas-
sengers, luggage, hitch and trailer
tongue load. It also includes the
weight of any special equipment
installed on your vehicle.

2902005 TACOMA from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM35862U)
The load on either the front or rear
axle resulting from distribution of
the gross vehicle weight on both
axles must not exceed the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed
on the Certification Label.Total trailer weight Tongue loadTongue load
Total trailer weight 
100 = 9 to 11%
The trailer cargo load should be
distributed so that the tongue load
is 9 to 11% of the total trailer
weight, not exceeding the maximum
load of the following.
Without towing package
158 kg (350 lb.)
With towing package 294 kg (650 lb.)
However, if towing with a fifth
wheel trailer, the cargo load must
be distributed so that the tongue
load is 19 to 21% of the total trailer
weight. Never load the trailer with
more weight in the back than in the
front. About 60% of the trailer load
should be in the front half of the
trailer and the remaining 40% in the
rear.

2912005 TACOMA from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM35862U)
HITCHES
If you wish to install a trailer hitch, you
should consult with your Toyota dealer.
Use only a hitch recommended by the
hitch manufacturer and the one which
conforms to the total trailer weight
requirement.
The hitch must be bolted securely to
the vehicle frame and installed accord-
ing to the hitch manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions.
The hitch ball and king pin should have
a light coat of grease.
Toyota recommends removing the trail-
er hitch whenever you are not towing
a trailer to reduce the possibility of
additional damage caused by the hitch
if your vehicle is struck from behind.
After removing the hitch, seal any
mounting holes in the vehicle body to
prevent entry of pollutants such as ex-
haust fumes, dirt, water, etc.
NOTICE
Do not use axlemounted hitches as
they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels or
tires. Also, never install a hitch which
may interfere with the normal function
of an Energy Absorbing Bumper, if so
equipped.
LS30011
1 Trailer ball load rating
2 Ball diameter
3 Shank length
4 Shank diameter