First time towing, not impressed

This was the first time ive towed my utility trailer with the Tacoma. Its a 5x8 Karavan, about 650 lbs. I only took it to work so i could pick up a couple sheets of plywood. Compared to my Xterra i had before the Tacoma, it doesnt seem that the actual capacity could be higher. 5000 vs 6800 lbs. It seemed very laggy on the wway in. In my xterra, you barely noticed the trailer

The biggest eye opener was traveling home. I took back roads in, and highway home. Traveling at about 70 mph and 12 miles, i got off the highway at my exit and pulled into a parking lot waiting for someone. I smelled a slight burning of rubber. Nothing strong or smoking, engine was around 185, and trans about 158 at highest, but something clearly wasnt happy.

Could you chock this up to the first time the engine has been taxed more than usual, and hitting that next break in stage? The truck has about 8000 miles on it, but from my experience today, im afraid to tow anything substantial.

 

I'd say there is something up. I have towed close to 3000 lbs with my 11 and it had no issues at all.

 

Not sure why a 650lb trailer would cause issues for you. A lot of people up here tow way more than that with no problems. I tow a 2klb travel trailer. Yeah I can tell it's back there, but it doesn't have any trouble at all putting it where I need. I towed it for 1.5 hours to get it home and didn't have any problems with smells or temps. Maybe someone else can chime in about the break in period as I got my truck used.

 

I tow:

- a 6x10 3.5 ton dump trailer full of wood (7 to 8000 lbs.)
- an 18' equipment float with a compact tractor/back hoe (6400 lbs)

... no problem. Just take it easy and try not to push it. And install air bags and a brake controller.

Don't use overdrive.

There's a thread here that all about what people tow.

Enjoy!

 

I pulled a 14 ft u-haul trailer that weighed ( trailer and cargo ) about 3000 pounds cross country 2500 miles about 5 months ago on my 1st gen with about 100,000 miles on my truck . I had no problems . Did I have great pulling power ? No , But I had no issues with smells of any kind . So IMO , yes you have an issue that should be addressed

 

Just throwing this out there but was the e-brake on? Might explain the burning smell and feeling of lag. I've been towing about 1000 lbs nearly every week all summer since 2010 and I'm on 33's without re-gearing. No problems pulling (don't even really notice the difference) but breaking I notice the difference. Just need some extra space to slow down. Not worth adding break control for only 1000 lbs.

 

^^^ I agree
I pull a 2000 lbs popup with 0 issues

 

Probably nothing to do with it but at 8k now would be a good time to switch the rear diff oil over to synthetic.

 

My guess, parking brake was partially engaged. Would explain what you experienced. Like some of the others, I pulled way more than that and didnt have any burning smells.

 

ya, I pulled a 4-5k pound, loaded uhaul trailer from MA to TX (2000 miles) and the only issue I had was the low gas mileage

does the trailer have any sort of braking system on it? maybe there is some sort drag on the trailers tires? brakes, bearings, tire inflation, or?

 

I have a regular cab 4x4, 2.7L, 5 Speed manual. I've hauled crushed rock full in my bed with no problem. I also haul a 16.5 foot Nitro Tracker bass boat with not problem. However, when I pull the boat up the ramp after loading that smell you say you got I also get. It does go away however. For me as well I always know when I accidentally right my clutch because its way worse of a smell. By the time I get out of second gear I can't even tell the boat is back there until I head up a big hill on the highway, then I have to downshift to maintain speed.

My truck has 18k miles on it now and I started hauling the boat around 12k miles, so my truck is fairly new as well. I noticed no "lacking performance" since the hauling and work I do out of the truck.

 

I pull two different trailers: 2300 pound when loaded flatbed and 4000 pound travel trailer. I do air up the rear tires to max when pulling the travel trailer. I have had no problems.

 

I agree with what's been said above, somethings up with either the truck or trailer (brakes stuck, bad bearings, etc). You shouldn't even feel little bit of weight back there. The Tacoma actually tows fairly well aside from the weak ass leaf springs.

 

Doesnt seem right at all... Ive towed 800 lb+ trailers for hours, and I barely noticed they were there.

 

No breaks were on, i want to take it out for another trip to see if it repeats.

As far as performance, its not like the truck was struggling, but i was comparing it to my old xterra which pulled it much easier

 

What's the difference between a 650 lb trailer and three fat passengers as far as powertrain loading?

 

Great question, ive had a full cab and it seemed fine. The difference is the trailer has a large gate which was up, so it pulls heavier. Its also the first time the trailers out since being covered in feet of snow. Im usually very good at inspecting things like that seeing as how it was out in wet conditions all winter, but i just kicked the tires and went. Still dont think it was the trailer, but we'll see, not that worried, yet.

 

Towed two motorcycles on a trailer for over 250miles and other than the sound I count tell the trailer was back there This trailer also had a gate that went up about 5' like a horrible spoiler.

 

odd. i have a buddy that had an ’08 DCSB trd off road with 6" lift and 35”tires and now has another Xterra(he was in a wreck with his other one) anyways he trucks towed a 6X10 Uhaul full of stuff from johnson city TN to the outer banks in NC. he said he though the taco towed a little better.


I have towed close to 4k pounds at 60mph with no trailer breaks or anything and did not have a problem at all even up hills or on back roads here in TN. I have also towed a 7x12 trailer with full side gate and 6’ rear gate with a rhino and atv on it adds up to about 3k pounds at 70 up and down 4% grades in 4th gear(trying to keep the over drive from kicking in) and not had any problems or odd smells.


could the bearings be bad or dry(no grease) on the trailer?

 

I don't think it's a problem with Tacoma's in general. There's a lot of clues in your post. Not sure if it's your Tacoma or your trailer but there's obviously an issue somewhere.

1. Where is the smell coming from?
2. What's causing the smell?
3. Is the smell normal?
4. Is this smell causing some issue like drag on the truck or trailer?

Start there.

Does the trailer have brakes? If so, I'd start there.