Who tows with a manual transmission

I finally test drove a few tacomas last night. Drove an auto and put 10miles on it and i was instantly bored, drove the manual and really liked it. I only plan on towing two nights a week for about an hour or so each way. Just wondering how you guys feel about it. I realize it's not a big deal, but an auto still makes towing a little easier. Just want to get some input from the guys who drive manual and occasionally tow.
thanks

 

I have towed a lot of heavy loads up and down mountains, long distance and sometimes non stop. The manual tranny works fine. Just becareful not to burn a clutch starting off on a good hill.

What are you planning on towing?

 

just a two place drive-in, drive-out trailer for the quads and snowmobiles. double axle

 

You are golden. Don't even worry about it man.

 

I've towed an explorer on a fairly heavy trailer with no problems. Probably 6000-7000 lbs and the tacoma held it's own fine with manual trans.

 

I have prob towed with it 15-20 times, always a car on a double axle diamond plate car trailer! Loads weighing prob 3000-5000lbs and never had a prob, i really like how it tows, it takes a few times getting use to taking off, but i like it a lot!!!!!

 

Been towing my single place and my buddy's two place snowmobile trailer for 5 years. 6spd's shorter first and last gear compared to an auto, so loses mpg unloaded, but is perfect for towing. You can still use 6th most times and get reasonable mpg on the hwy w/ your typical <2000 lb trailer.

 

I have towed a small 5X10 single axle utility trailer, towed cars on 3 different occassions with my buddy's 17' featherlite car trailer (no trailer brakes wired up just left plenty of stopping room) I would say around 4,500-5,000 lbs total weight, and I tow my seadoo which weighs practically nothing.

The good thing you don't have to worry about driving a manual is there is no torque converter to build up heat and burn out, only a clutch disc that costs a few hundred bucks.

With the really short first gear and a heavy load its actually really easy to get going and you dont have to slip the clutch much. I would even say you slip the clutch even less than driving with no trailer.

 

Agreed with above...towing with a manual, given you know how to properly operate a clutch, is better than with an automatic.
I towed a 21' Skidoo from Seattle to Lk Roosevelt in July, two mountain passes, approx 4k lbs, no problems other than flat tire on boat trailer, which the truck handled very well.
99 degrees with the AC on, climb from Vantage to Snoqualmie Pass, no heat issues, 55mph in 5 gear.

 

I have a access cab with a 6 speed and i know damn well it was well over weight but i pulled a outlander 800 quad in the bed, a tandam trailer with a full size ford with 35 inch boggers on it and gear with bbq and propane tanks and a dirtbike on the back :d it was heavy but i was able to still do 100 up the hills and 120 on the straights its way better to be able to pick your gear than guess with the auto... And well i wouldn't tow that again... But it was just one of those days.... and it was pretty hot out as well with the ac on and all i have to say is i like the cold air intake it helps with the fuel and torque when towing

( im canadain so the 100 and 120 thats kph not miles in miles its like 100= about 60 and 120 is about 70 mph )

 

access cab, 6spd, pulled a double cab long bed taco about 800 miles through every condition possible. NO problems. I prefer it because you have the choice on gearing vs the auto which most people dont down shift with them.

 

Check my gallery. towed a full size Ford, lumina, blazer, and a ranger all on U-Haul auto transports. Trucks probably pushed 6000lbs or more. Manual did fine.100 miles each time, 14mpg.

 

It's good to hear that the manual's are good for towing, and from how it sounds the clutches seem to hold up well also.

To all TW users who read this thread: Anybody had any clutch problems associated with towing?

BTW, Good thread- I was thinking of doing a poll about clutch problems to see how many people have had issues. I've read where some people have talked about premature clutch failures on 2nd gens.

 

I pull my pop up fine! But I only have a four banger.

Which dealer did you go to? My friend was looking at Lia. Said they aren't budging on their prices.

 

I tow all kinds of shit with my 6 speed. Works great for towing, just watch the clutch when starting on a hill.

 

Wow, I don't think anyone can top Relentless Taco, but I've hauled my 3 rail moto trail with a couple bikes up the Cajon Pass and almost forgot the trailer was even there. For some reason my flat four connector needed a gender-swapper, but I'm a bit suspicious of the trailer connector more than the truck's.

RZ Rob

 

Yes it still is, and I can say I've towed over limit a tad on occasion for short distance and it still did fine IMO. Dont want to do it too often though(insurance and liability are the main reasons for me). The backhoe in the above pic is 6500lbs by itself, then figure in the trailer.

 

Ok, so apparently I lied.... Not in my gallery.






Apparently my rear axle shifted back a couple inches at some point, so I'm wondering if that's why it sagged so much. I haven't towed anything since the dealership noticed that, replaced the snapped centering bolts, and re-aligned the rear axle. It does seem to ride and handle bumps better tho!

 

Thats quite a bit of weight towing those trucks. Those uhaul trailers are pretty heavy themselves. If I were you, I would have backed the truck onto the trailer to distribute the weight better and take some weight off of the tongue. That would center the majority of the weight over the tailers axles but still give you enough weight on the tongue for stability.

 

Also been looking at lia, and that's probally where i'm going to buy as well. Msrp on the truck is 31,025 and i was told they could do 28,900. I'm waiting to sell my wrx right now so i didn't go after a better price but i think they would probably go down a little off that as well