Tfl truck does a rigorous towing test of tacoma

4 just locks out 5th and tow/haul mode on other trucks changes the shift strategies, no?

 

Living in Denver, I've towed over this pass and Vail Pass with my old travel trailer (~5,000lbs). The Taco did the job but it didn't really like it.

 

It's the same Taco in both videos too. Sport with OR stickers. I don't think Toyota is giving them trucks to drive, it looks like someones personal vehicle given it's got plates.

 

^This

I've seen on their site where they ask for local stock trucks for various tests.

 

true.

But the trans / ecu on the tacoma senses the extra load and essentially turns itself into tow haul mode where it holds gears longer etc all on its own.

 

I agree with everyone, they could have done a better job with this review, however I still enjoy their channel. They tow with all kinds of different trucks and usually have them pulling close to their limit. I think they're doing the ram eco diesel soon. I look forward to that. They also did the new 2.7 F-150.

 

No
4 in our trucks is an actual Tow Haul mode.
Dont ask me why Toyota did not put the button for it, but thats what manual says. When you shift to 4 truck changes shift pattern completely, and enables engine braking on down hills. (all you need to do is hold brake for couple seconds)

 

Wrong, there is no sensing, 4 is tow haul mode, check your manual.
So nobody reads towing section in Manuel ?

 

Is that the spanish version?

 

exactly. (my truck will downshift to 3rd AUTOMATICALLY in drive on my decent home almost every single time without me touching anything and being in D, i like it)

The reason why they say put it in 4th as this is "tow haul mode" is simply to make sure you arnt hunting for gears and locking and unlocking the torque converter and frying your trans.

The auto trans in these trucks is smart. I tow in D and in 4th and experience no change in shift points outside of the fact the trans knows there is more of a load and thus will hang onto a gear much longer and refuse to upshift to 5th if it knows it cant hold it in lockup.


EITHER WAY... this review is crap

 

Wait. Putting TRD OR stickers on a Sport is actually a thing?

 

Where does it say this in the manual? I can't find it anywhere in my 2011 manual. All they say is to use 4th for more engine braking, nothing about shift pattern changes.

 

what's wrong with a Sport? I have the towing package Sport TRD and see no reason to have the OR stickers on mine.

 

Apparently you should be embarrassed of your truck.

 

I've noticed there are a lot more "different" looking OR decals you can get that aren't the stock look (e.g. mountains below or other stuff)

 

actually there was the rugged trail edition TRD OR that was legit (the sticker with mtns below)


But really... looks like some poor sport owner wanted to be the much better TRD OR and magically get a locker and atrac by sticking a different sticker on the side of the truck.

 

Hmm looked at online version and see nothign about tow haul mode in 4. But I remember seeing in the manuall. Will check my printed out version. Would be strange if they changed this in different years. What is strange my truck does not do engine breaking unless I am in 4 and below.

 

As I clicked this thread again, I looked at the title "Tfl truck does a rigorous towing test of tacoma" and I'm just here stunned because that was one of the worst videos I've ever watched. The OR sticker is just a cherry on top haha

 

I actually wonder if the truck had been wrecked and the body shop didn't pay enough attention to make sure they used the correct decal. I can't imagine anybody taking the time and spending the money to swap a trd sport for a trd off road decal. 98% of people wouldn't even notice the difference.

 

Well, at least I can kinda see that if one actually likes the look of a hood scoop. I mean, it's not functional, but someone may prefer the look. And I put TRD SEMA wheels on my non-TRD truck, but that was purely for function. Doesn't mean I wish I drove a 4-Runner either.

The sole purpose of a sticker though is to identify the trim. That truck reeks of desperation.