Why I switched to first gen to third gen, then back first gen, and back to third gen again

I can see this escalating ...

 

This may be true, but these testers do not care about their instilled confidence, just trying to get the best result regardless of wear and tear.
Smitty99 is just stating that "does not make for a comfortable or confident towing experience".

Example: They are race car drivers trying to get the best result, if the engine blows on the race course there is no recourse.
Conclusion: If the engine blows at 126,000 miles after towing 5000# regularly at 4500RPM is that a good result?

 

This is what happens when you block someone you don't get the whole story . I'll just be happily bliss .
Besides I have not tried towing with my 3 gen ...or my 1 gen for that matter . That's what the F350 is for .

 

Not confident because the engine is reving a tad faster. Really ? Ever ride a motorcycle at 100 +.

 

I have lots of times, depends on the bike.
My thug motor from Ron Simms customs cruises at 100 plus .

 

It's like oil changes. People were panicking when they came out with 12k mile oil. Always was 3k.Now it's common knowledge.
Technology builds faster revving engines now and everyone thinks they wear out.

 

Comfortable or confident are user dependent, not vehicle dependent. I live in AZ, and I have towed a few thousand pounds in my Tacoma. I had no issues, didn't feel like the engine was working too hard, and was actually quite pleased. Granted I have a MT not an auto so there are some differences.

I had an old GF who borrowed my dad's F250 to tow something once and she was not "comfortable or confident" at all even through what she was towing was less than what I have done in the Tacoma. I know the F250 would handle it better (obviously) but those descriptors are about the driver, not the vehicle.

Now, I get that the Tacoma is not the best vehicle for towing, but it is by no means bad at it either in my experience.

 

I live on a east coast mountain. I've found that with the 2016, in order for me to feel any power with going up grade it has to be in 3rd"automatic"

But, I didn't buy a truck to go fast, so it doesn't really bother me.

 

Gen 2 doesn't pull that much better. If pulling / $ invested was a concern, any other truck would have been arguably better (tundra, f150, Silverado)

I hall 600lbs payload in bed, plus gear, plus another body, with a bass tracker hitched up. Probable about 20 times a year, 2-4hrs a trip. I've owned 2 gen2 and now a gen 3.

The truth is the Tacoma sucks at towing. Not the gen 2, or 3 or the OG. Can it, yes. But Its like arguing who's farther away from the sun, gen 2 as the moon, gen 3 as earth, or the rest of the truck world as pluto.

Congrats on the buy OP. Rev her up and bang gears my friend. 4wd lo with this gearbox is a joy when you need it. Haven't had to use A-trac on mine yet, but my buddy has and said it kicks ass too. I wish you tacoma good health and longevity.

I got 99 problems but towing up this ain't one

 

Not to be the fun cop, but the mods are kinda fed up with "dick measuring" that's been happening in a number of threads. This one seems to be going that way.

 

Nope better tech = better longevity

 

Indy race car tech allows 12000 rpm.

 

Not sure I'd tow firewood or anything , but probably a light bass boat ?? Or a utility type trailer ?
I saw a pic of a member towing a 21' camper on here somewhere . It was a 3 gen. I'm sure the 2 gen with 5 speeds would fair the same ??

 

Most make it the 500 miles lol

 

At 3000 rpm probably would run a million miles.

 

Could you see the Indianapolis 1,000,000

 

I just didn't like it screaming along at 4,500 rpm on even the slightest of grades.

I'm sure the engine can handle it, but it's not what I consider optimal towing characteristics.

It did that even with an empty utility trailer. It did it with my 2,850 pound trailer. And it especially did it while towing the trailer full of parts back to the shop.

It's a perfect truck otherwise, it's just not what I would call a good tow vehicle, but that's just my dumb opinion.

 

Would make the 500 yawn fest into a coma . Lol

 

To be fair, my gen 2 spooled to the moon when towing too, all while not actually going anywhere fast.

 

As long as they don't run out of beer I'm good.