First time towing with Tacoma

I'm a rancher and always tow with my Z71. Unfortunately, the Z71 has a tail light out so I can't use it on the highway until I repair it. In the AM I have to tow a squeeze chute about 12 miles to a corral to restrain a heifer for vet treatment. I have a 2015 TRD Off Road with automatic transmission and towing package. This Tacoma is my baby. If it were a choice between my wife and my Tacoma well, let's just say I sure would miss my wife. Question: I know I shouldn't tow in overdrive, so if put the transmission in 4D, with the stick pulled left toward the driver's side, will that be the correct selection, and keep the transmission out of overdrive? Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

I believe that puts it into 4th gear specifically. To the right is Drive. To the left is 4th gear.

That's my understanding.

 

To the left is 4th gear to the right is Drive which includes overdrive. What's the weight of the trailer? Always safest to leave it in 4th.

 

FYI - The Toyota Tacoma Owner's Manual (my 2015) also says not to tow a trailer over 65mph on flat straight roadways.

 

yes putting it in "4" will keep it out of overdrive and honestly you shouldn't go fast enough to ever really rev out your tacoma in 4th so no big deal while towing!

 

The chute weighs no more than 1500 pounds. The road I'll be using is very straight, flat, and paved, mostly. I'm planning on traveling no more than 50 mph. That early in the morning I shouldn't inconvenience too many folks by driving that slow. I really appreciate the help with the correct gear selection. Also, I hope you enjoyed your dinner, KyleNowad.

 

Unless your squeeze chute is bigger than anything I've used, I wouldn't sweat it. I have one from well before I was born in the back yard (I'm 40, it still works). I've used the ones that are trailers and moved some onto trailers with tractors.

Keep in in 4 and you're sure to be safe, though.

I hope you have better luck than I did this spring - pulled out a still born calf and the cow prolapsed. Lost both. Best of luck to you!!

 

So always tow in 4? I thought there was a "tow" selection. Maybe i am thinking of my dodge??? I have a 15 also and have not towed with it yet. Have the goat for towing but wanted the tow package just cause.... you never know.

 

Putting it in the "4" position lets it only go as high as 4th gear which is best for towing. In my limited knowledge I have towed in the past in OD thinking it couldn't have been good for the engine to rev so highly. Little did I know, high RPMs are better than high engine load. My transmission seems fine to my knowledge now but to answer your question yes putting it in 4th is the way to go. You don't plan to go over 50 MPH? Shoot, sometimes I keep it in 4th if I'm only going 50!

 

Sorry to hear about your cow/calf, 58 Siesta. Just a part of it, I guess.

 

I was also very sorry to read that. I hope better fortune has found you since then.

 

Thanks. They're beef critters. The cow butchered surprisingly well. You would never know it hadn't been a steer from the quality of the meat.

 

Mine are beeves also. Just don't think I'd enjoy the dairy business. Never have butchered any of mine. Just send them to auction. My luck, I'd butcher one and wind up with a freezer full of tough meat.

 

Man there might be I know i got the tow package. Have not used it since I have the diesel for the boat and get slimy and dirty while fishing. Rather use the ranch/hunt/work/fish truck for that.Guess I need to look for the tow mode. Is it a button? My hemi had a tow mode, my cummins does not.... but i guess that goes with out saying. 6 speed manual 5.9 cummins was made for towing. Guess they could of added a race/roll coal button but....

 

Grind it. Have you seen the price of hamburger....

 

Good idea, dirtymike420.

 

We have many local meat processors. I generally butcher all of my own wild game, but a beef would be a big effing undertaking!

On topic: The Taco doesn't have a tow "mode" like the Tundra. That's why 4th gear is recommended. If you're towing in D and it searches for the right gear too much, you can prematurely wear out the gears and crunch them. Ask @gearcruncher...

 

addicus24
We want a pic!

 

I'll try to take several and post them up this evening, smcgill.

 

Great!
We love pics of taco's earning there keep!