Towing With the Taco

Thanks. Makes me feel a little better. So I should just get it rolling basically and may spin the wheels a bit. I wasn't using the WDH so there was probably a bit more weight on the rear wheels too. Hitch weight is about #400.

 

So towing my trailer about 150 miles in Thursday I found at 65 I was in 4th gear Almost the whole time. I am very used to the RPMs at around 3k now and it feels like the Taco is not working hard at all trailer is around #3000. Also I averaged about 13.5 mpg.

 

One more thing, I don't know how it is in other parts of the country but this has happened to me three times now and I have learned my lesson I hope. DO NOT trust your GPS. Towing in the mountains in New York and PA my GPS says to make a turn down an unassuming road where after I make the turn I realize it is a ridiculous windy, hilly gravel road that would be impossible to turn around. My Casita is 17 ft so it handled these roads o k and survived but if I had a bigger heavier trailer I am not so sure I would have made it. If I had taken the time to look at a map like I would have had to back in the early 90s I may have avoided a couple of white knuckle situations.

 

I did the opposite trade lmao.... traded a 2015 ecodiesel for my 18 Taco

 

One time I was at a campground in the mountains on a very steep gravel road / driveway and the truck didn't want to get started without slipping the clutch a lot or spinning the rear wheels. So I put in 4 low until I got up the hill.

 

So what's your impressions/comparisons?

 

Yes same thing happened to me last month. I did mean to mention that and if it wasn't for 4wlo I would have had to back through some guys seasonal campsite. As it was he was out wat hingcme with a very concerned look on his face. Thank goodness for 4wd.

 

Man, this is SO true. Recently had GPS turn us into a street that was so steep it seemed vertical. Stupidly (very stupidly), I floored it. We barely made it up the hill - it was really dangerous, and I still regret not stopping and backing up instead of going for it.

 

What state we're you in?

And yeah it gets nerve racking.

 

Here in the mountains, we're regularly surprised to see Camrys on 4wd roads because they believed the GPS over their own eyes. Ophir Pass in particular seems to show up as a preferred route between US 550 and Colorado 145. Crazy.

 

Michigan. Upper Peninsula near Houghton.

 

I had this issue until I removed the clutch accumulator. It lets the clutch apply softly for a “more comfortable” diving experience. I replaced mine with a 90* hydraulic union that matched the tube flare and the thread size. There are several write ups on TW about doing this. Makes the clutch much more predictable and gives it the feel of a traditional hydraulic clutch.

 

@RedBeard1 thanks I will check it out.

 

I have the M/T too so no ECT. I think the problem is mostly mental. I usually cruise between 2k-2500 RPM. The truck drives like crap if I do this while towing. If I had an automatic, it wouldn't matter because the truck would just be in the RPM range that it needs to be in. With the M/T, I need to determine that for myself which has been more difficult because the truck sounds horrible to me when it's revving so high. I have no doubt though, that revving it out more will solve my problems. I'm sure the truck is more than capable of towing my 2k pounds. It's just that I need to learn how to drive the truck better while towing.

 

Anyone have a good recommendation for a set of mirror extensions (towing mirrors) for the 2017 Taco? Can't see shit in the stock mirrors when towing my 8.5 ft wide snowmobile trailer.

 

I’ve been looking for mirror extensions too. I don’t want tow mirrors but just something to clip on when towing

 

I would keep RPMs atleast at 2500rpm on flat roads. 5th gear in the 6MT with stock tires going 2500rpms is 62.3mph. For hills absolutely downshift to 4th and if really heavy and/or steep 3rd gear 3200+rpm

 

I see some Dakars on there! I love my 05!!!! I'm gonna ride it until it falls apart.. then find some mods for it and keep going!

 

9 mpg? can't go over 50mph? or do you have a unicorn truck that can haul that up the mountains on 81 and keep up with the smart cars doing 90mph? LOL just joking but no way it can go up hill doing the speed limit.

EDIT: but if you can tow it decently, then give us the name/make/model of that camper because that would be sweet to have a camper that big!!!! I'm looking at 17-19 footers now for the taco to tow but I keep seeing longer and heavier ones for sale locally for cheaper. do you use a load balancing hitch? I'd assume you do.

 

Side note, it does make me feel better about the taco to see some large trailers being towed! Maybe i'm just spoiled after owned a f350 and a few 5.7 HEMIs... I need to just slow down and stay off the skinny pedal maybe. I did go back to stock tire size b/c it was so bad shifting on the 33"s even empty (auto).