2012 Double Cab SR5 Driving Habits....

Hello all, newer 2012 Tacoma I bought certified a few weeks back. Double cab, Winter 265/75/16s for tires, good tread, just for a back ground.

Has the automatic, 4x4, towing, double cab, SR5 etc.

The other day it rained here in Portland. Went to go make a left through a turn signal, was probably going around 30, nothing crazy at all, was right along with traffic, the important part, I didn't touch the gas, and well damn, the rear end swung out on me. It was pretty crazy, first truck I've ever owned, and well, I've flown through that same light, much wetter, much faster in my previous cars, and zip, stable. Is this normal?

Also, same day, was showing my mom the new truck, took off out of a light, gave the truck some gas in a straight line on wet blacktop and the rear end started pulling to the right again, this time straight. I gave it enough gas to break the tires loose this time and welp, that's also a first in a car other than my old 350z.

My main question is, this seems a bit... Uncharacteristic of a truck with big tires, lots of footprint, 4x4, traction control, etc etc.

What am I missing? I was non-too impressed by how badly this truck performed in simple wet rain, I can only imagine if it got some snow out how bad it would be.

Any advice, suggestions, etc? For background, I'm a good driver, been driving for almost 20 years, zero accidents, 25 different types of cars/motorcycles, I have a lot of experience.

I'm venturing to say it wasn't user error that was causing the issues with the Tacoma.

Thanks!
Mario

 

Nice Tacoma. Good choice on the dclb!

What kind of tires do you have? When I was researching winter tires for my Corolla, I discovered that a lot of them do poorly on wet pavement. You might go to TireRack.com and find your exact tire and see what the specs and reviews say.

 

Thanks all, that makes sense, just light rear end, possible bad rain tires, even if they say winter on them. I'll do that go to tire rack and see what these tires say.

Thanks all! LOVE my truck, it's one of my favorite cars I've ever owned.

 

Mine did that all the time when it rained on my stock Dunlops. I upgraded them to Cooper ATP tires and it feels like it's glued to the pavement when it rains. Coming from another guy whose driven in Portland weather all my life, i reccomend a good A/T tire on this truck.

 

One thing .Did your VSC kick in it should have I think. One other thing is you didn't say if you have ever owned another truck before .They don't handle like a smaller sedan etc. as my brother in law found out ( used to driving small imports all his life ).Damm near killed us trying to negotiate a high speed turn like he did with his Honda civic.

 

Is there air springs on it?

 

No air springs that I know of. It's completely stock at this point. I looked, and the tires are some off brand local to us here in Oregon through Les Schwab, Wintercat SSTs or something. I'll be upgrading them when I get the opportunity, I'll just have to drive it carefully for a while, I really would rather not dump another 800+ into tires when these are almost brand new. I bet they have another 10k+ on them.

First truck as the title stated, I've owned every other type of vehicle, just never a truck.

Thanks all!

 

The only tires I ever had trouble with on my DC were the stock BFG Rugged Trails. They sucked, and what happened to you happened to me once with them on. Now I have two different sets, BFG K/O's for summer and Continental Cross-Contacts for summer. Haven't had an issue since. I don't know if it matters much, but my DC is the short bed, not the long bed.

 

Welcome to TW neighbor! I to had the same thing happen o me when my truck was stock and with my 33" duratracs it feels alot better and is harder to break the rear tires loose..