Towing R-Pod trailer

we just bought a travel trailer gvw-2700 lbs and use a fast way E2 equalizer hitch. It tows nicely but it seems the Tacoma was under powered for this trailer. Are there any chip upgrades or re-gearing options that will help. I have 2011 TRD Sport withtowing package (everything stock).

Thanks

 

supercharger or turbo will get you a big gain

other things not so much

 

If you're underpowered you are either trying to drive too fast or something else. I tow about 5k lbs and it does fine. make sure you aren't towing in D, manual states to use 4 only and feel free to shift to lower gears when needed. Read the manual and here is a great thread with plenty of info https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

 

I have a 3400 lb travel trailer that I don't even use cause the Taco sucks at towing it. If you live anywhere that isn't flat it's pointless to tow....

 

I towed a 3500 lb camper with ease through the white mountains in NH

you cant race when you have a camper attached

 

<definitely not flat where I tow. Hell I hit traffic on steep grades.

 

other things not so much[/QU

We weren’t to expecting to race with it, just pull the Wyoming roads at more than 35mph up slight grade. I’ve been pulling trailers all my life with diesels, I was just looking for a little more performance from the Tacoma (ie, gas mileage, torque and Hp).

 

It'll do it but you can't be afraid to make it work. I tow 5,500lbs between 3,500 and 7,500 feet elevation pretty regularly (trailer sees about 2,500 miles a year behind the truck) and the Tacoma will maintain 55mph in the passes if you aren't afraid to wind it out in 2nd gear.

 

my 99 taco 4x4 ACLB pulled same trailer but with an i4 MT it was not fast at all and used 3rd at 55 many times on big NH hills.

my 09 taco 4x4 CCLB V6 AT did a lot better and only down shifted a few times on big hills

 

I just took an 1100 mile trip towing my camper. Did I know it was there? Yep but the truck did pull it nicely. stayed in 4th gear and let the truck do the work.

 

Your definition of "ease" must be way different than mine. I don't think ease means downshifting and running the motor at 4000+ rpm just to keep it at 50mph while getting 8mpg.

 

Well that's the issue right? Who wants to redline their engine just to maintain speed.

 

I don't see the issue really. If the 4.0 couldn't run at 4,500-5,500rpm then the rev limiter would be set lower.

If I want more towing power I'd look at a supercharger and gearing but if that didn't do the trick I'd buy a full-size. Problem with that is I don't want a full-size, which is why I'm in a Tacoma.

Plus, I've passed plenty of full-size trucks when dragging my trailer around the mountains.

 

5000 RPM isn't scary or bad

don't like the MPG, get a diesel full size like I did

 

I used to live in Casper and before that Lander - 5300 ft altitude. Wind speeds normally 35 mph and higher. Heavy grades if you go up into the mountains. Tacos don't appreciate any of this...... Views are nice though!

 

I tow an RPod also. You know it's there, but I wouldn't say the Taco is underpowered. I run the revs high when climbing steep terrain at highway speeds, just gotta gear down and hold the RPMs.
My truck is the manual so maybe its not the same experience as you, but at 60mph on the flats I'm good on power and sitting around 2000 rpm. Up steep hills I gear down to 3 and hit 3000-3500 and drop down to 45-50 in a 60 zone for perspective.

 

Supercharger is the only thing that’s going to give you any real power gains. That’s bolt on anyway. You’d need some custom work for a turbo.

And, even then, you need at least a 2.8” pulley (yes, I know the URD Super Grip is 2.825”) to really wake it up.

I’ve towed with and without a Supercharger. It’s a world of difference with some boost.

That’s an expensive rabbit hole though...

With a 2.55” pulley, and many supporting mods, I can tow the Wife’s XJ up hill passing people on the interstate in 5th if I want to. Knocking it down into 4th (auto) if the trans starts to hunt of course.

Fuel mileage is crap obviously. I’d love to get a diesel and a two place trailer one of these days to trailer both rigs.

I don’t normally tow the XJ either. It was broken in this pic.