Which Transmission is Best for Towing?

I haven't bought the truck yet, so which transmission would be best for towing? I had a Ridgeline and hated it. There was no control to lockout 5th gear, so it would hunt between 4th and 5th constantly. Honda stated they "didn't recommend towing in 5th" , so the only alternitive was to tow in 3rd. A friend who bought the Tacoma after I told him this got the 6 speed manual. He said that's what his dealer recommended.

 

Great, thanks!

 

Yep, unless you've got a "granny gear" like the old F250s and others, it's too easy to burn the clutch when getting a heavy load moving from a standing start.

Torque converter in the auto has "torque multiplication effect" at stall in low RPMs.

 

I tow a lot in my 2006 DC Tacoma 4x4 4.0L auto.
Its a 100 miles one way to our cabin in the mtns.
Keep in 4th most of the time except flats on the highway.
I have a large enclosed snowmobile trailer fwiw.
Its pretty smooth though the gas mileage stinks due to the big block behind me. The trailer is not very aerodynamic.
Truck was bought new in 07 now 53k & 3 winter seasons of towing.

 

Made 3 trips with this rig. Averaged 11 mpg. Got the Tacoma Saturday! I'll see how the rear springs perform. I read all the threads about those.

 

So did you get the auto? Congrats on your new Tacoma.

 

Thanks for the welcome and congrats. Yes, I got the auto, tow package too of course. The Ridgeline was nice handled well towing. Just that one flaw not being able to lock out 5th. The in-bed trunk was handy but I discoverd mouse droppings in there, so it's not a sealed compartment. Once it's broke in I'll hook up the trailer, drive it around, then go get the springs done.