Rookie Question: ANSWERED Problems turning while loaded up?

I'm new to the truck game (first time owner), so don't shoot me if this is a stupid question.

I was hauling 3 kegs this past weekend, total weight of the kegs alone was 411 lbs. Myself and 2 other guys were in the cab and a few other things loaded in the bed as well. She drove great in 4H, however I noticed when pulling into parking spaces, or even backing out, the truck felt sluggish, and almost like it was stalling at times. Does the truck sink low and the wheels rub when you're loaded up?

Side note, it was a great weekend!


Thanks in advance.

 

damn that's a lot of stuff in your bed.

 

From the picture it looks like the ground is dry, why were you using 4H?

 

Well, in 4wd you will notice difficulty in turning if the front wheels can't slip a little bit. Were you on a dry parking lot? That would explain it. Very bad to be driving around on dry pavement in 4wd.

 

Yeah don't use 4WD on dry pavement. The turning issues are because of that, not the load in the truck.

 

Yeah OP using 4H on dry asphalt is basically murdering your transfer case if you turn at all. I know youre supposed to engage 4wd once a month but do so in a straight line and then shift back into 2H before turning. I can explain further if youd like.

 

If you're driving in 4H on dry roads you're binding up your drivetrain. The 4WD system in the Tacoma is meant to be operated in 2H in dry. You could potentially do damage if you keep turning in lots with 4H engaged if there is no snow on the ground.

 

Even wet ground is better than dry, sunny day pavement... That shit is grippy as it gets

 

I was in 2 wheel, but was noticing quite a struggle going up hill. Was driving through a fairly hilly region. Switched to 4H and that problem seemed solved. Any recommendations?

 

Hard pavement with 4wd + turning = bad

These trucks transfer case locks the front and rear driveshaft together. When you turn the rear wheels go a shorter distance than the front wheels.

On dirt, it doesn't matter. On dry pavement eventually the tires will slip to relieve the pressure. (Or break the truck, but that shouldn't happen from just a few times while driving reasonably)

So no, it wasn't rubbing, the drive train was binding

 

Awesome, thanks! This answers my question then. Glad I only did this going in and out. After that it was straight sailing.

 

Unless you're driving in a perfectly straight line I would advise against using 4wd on pavement. Your diff relies on the tires being able to slip to prevent binding.

The 3.5L motor in your truck has more power in the higher rpms, next time sink your foot a bit deeper and your truck will get up and go.

 

Yeah that is that stock tune for you. I had the same issues. Downshifting helps to an extent

 

Perfect. Thanks for your help all! Really appreciate the insight. Lesson learned for sure

 

I will go ahead and answer the next couple of questions you will probably have. As mentioned above, run 4wd 10 miles per month (dirt or straight line), per the manual. Exercising those lockers and actuators seems to be good for them. (Read the manual for going into 4Lo... otherwise just going to flash at you)

See this thread for talk of the traction controls/modes
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-traction-control-modes-explained.530695/

(Note, sorry if this came across as dick, actually just trying to be helpful and hit you before hand... we all learned this stuff at some point, sure wasn't born knowing it)

 

Next time put it in S4 instead of 4wd. It will lock out overdrive.

 

You actually lose power in 4HI. You gain traction though. In 4LO you gain torque, but still lose power. Don't use any 4wd setting on dry pavement. ever. Unless you like visiting dealerships and paying for expensive things you broke.

 

what kind of beer did you have?

 

Great Lakes Brewery Blonde Lager, Sunnyside Session IPA and Over My Dad Bod Pilsner. If you can get your hands on any, they were great!

 

4wd isn't going to help with power or transmission hunting in hills. It's only for traction. Don't use 4wd unless you are losing traction.

You probably strained your T-case and front diff pretty bad if it was dry pavement.

Matt