Trailer Towing

I have a 2010 Tacoma 4 cyl, 5 speed, 4x4. Was thinking of getting a trailer fr the motorcycle but not sure how it will work out. I'm thinking an enclosed trailer.

Anyone doing trailer towing?

 

I had a 98 4 cyl 4x4 regular cab 5 speed and traded it in on a 2015 2.7 4x4 access cab 5 speed. I tow a 6x10 cargo trailer from central Virginia over to West Viginia on a regular basis. The trailer when loaded weighs around 2000 pounds. Now this is over the mountains on 2 lane roads. It may be my imagination, but I swear the new truck pulls better. Sure I don't blast up the mountains, but it does an admirable job. I guess at 61 years of age I am not interested in racing people while towing. Out on the interstate the 4 cylinder keeps right up with traffic while towing my trailer.
My new truck came with a factory hitch and 4 pin wiring harness.

 

Here is a photo of my truck and trailer at Spruce Knob WV.

 

Thanks Nessmuk, that's almost what I'm looking at getting. I want the truck to be able to pull the trailer and a 750 lb motorcycle.

I also neglected to mention that mine is an access cab too, in fact same color as yours. Been a great truck but I was worried I was asking to much of it.

 

I tow a 6x10 enclosed trailer with my truck configured like yours. I've had it loaded to as much as 3200 lbs gross weight with no problem. The key is to not use 5th gear at all, and shift at higher RPM. My RPMs when towing range from 2500 up to as much as 4000 when climbing in the mountains. With a 750 lb motorcycle in a similar trailer you'd be just over 2000 lbs gross weight. No problem IMHO. For the enclosed trailer towing mirrors were a huge improvement for me; wish I had got them sooner than just this past May.

 

All in the gearing, my 97 2.7 has 3:73's and it tows terrible, my buddies 2003 2.7 has 4:88's and its like towing with a V6

 

The key is, don't go too big.

I don't know where you are from or where you will towing. Up and down mountains can be a challenge; but if you live on a fairly level plane, you won't have any problems.

I live in the mountains; and the extra weight behind the truck, makes for some interesting situations.

I used a TRD - Off Road, V6, auto; it would pull easily; but going downhill, you could get into trouble. Because most of the 6 x 10, 6 x 12, enclosed trailers don't have brakes, some do.

I regularly pulled a 6 x 12, loaded with 2 motorcycles, and gear, parts etc. On a dry day, no problems at all.

Last December I bought another 6 x 12, and on the day I planned to pick it up; the weather was nasty cold and a light icy, snow mix coming down. Plus the fact I was traveling North, into the real Eastern wilderness, but good roads, on a nice day.
I had lots of trouble, with the trailer pushing me; enough for me to say" that is the last time I will ever do that". I bought a 2014 Tundra, 5.7, the next month. The extra weight makes towing so much safer.

oldracer

 

Moose is right, don't use 5th gear at all with the manual. My trailer has no brakes, and this is where I prefer a manual. I gear down on the downhill rides. I have never had a problem doing this AND leaving plenty of room between myself and anyone in front of me.

 

Yep, should have mentioned downshifting to "engine brake."

 

I just bought a used 8x8 snowmobile trailer and a 2005 ski doo.....my trailer needs repairs though and I was itching to get the sled home so i rented a u-haul 6x12 with ramp. never expected a trailer that size to weigh 2,290 pounds! plus the 500+pounds of snowmobile once I picked it up.I was worried about towing something this big with my 2.7 reg cab 4x but I took it cautiously while still hitting speed limits ( up to 55 ) and she handled it surprisingly well! The trailer is equipped with brakes so that helps a lot, and I downshift always to be as light on my brakes as possible on the truck. 5th gear is a definite no-no though, she falls flat on her face with no more pull. I will not tow another trailer this size, weight etc. again unless absolute necessity but she does have it in her to handle it!

Link to trailer for anyone questioning my specs :
http://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/6x12-Utility-Trailer-with-Ramp-Rental/HO/

 

crappy night picture but you can see it

 

Dual axle ... explains the weight.

 

yeah and its all heavy gauge steel construction.....its a rental unit so they make them to get abused

 

biggest thing I've towed with my '97 4 banger is a 4 seater side x side on a steel trailer. I towed it up a winding canyon road into the mtns. I was actually pretty surprised how well it handled it, it even handled 5th gear on the flat sections. If it will pull it without lugging like on flat highway sections don't be afraid to use 5th. I'm sure the second Gen 4 banger is more capable than the smaller first Gen. like mentioned stopping the load is way more important than getting it moving so don't over do it.

 

yeah it was a windy , crappy Buffalo night and I was driving into it with what I would say is this trucks maximum towing capacity.....i also have 255/85s which are pretty heavy so it would lug in 5th, I tried it twice and then told myself to forget it....like I said I have a light aluminum trailer, this bear was a rental unit