Are Gen 3 Tacomas as unreliable as Tacomaworld makes them seem?

I bought this truck to set up for long road trips and go back and forth between residences. And to camp out of.
I bought a truck with CC expecting to be able to use it.
Yes, I can not use it. But I prefer to and thought it was capable when I test drove a few times in the flatter terrain where my primary home is.
It wasn't until I hit mountains for the last 5 hours of the drive did I realize it just doesn't work for me.
Down through most of WI, no problem.
Across a little bit of the Chicago area, across all of Indiana and all the way to the east end of Ohio it was just fine
Then right before PA and all the way through, it was a nightmare on CC once the hills and mountains started.
And I was pissed. Because this truck didn't meet the most basic expectation of a functional CC and transmission system knowing I have to do this trip and bought it specifically to do so. And it can't handle it.
Other than the way the CC makes the trans jump around on anything but flat ground was one of my biggest disappointments.
Because I really like this truck. It fits well and we have 3 nights in it camping. It's perfect for our camping needs.

 

Repeat after me

Rear fucking drum brakes.

 

Let's see, what are the infamous Friday posts? Headrests in the back make it tough to see out rear view mirror, turning on 4x4 instead of AC, banging your shin on the door climbing in and out, etc.

 

people not washing their hands, chrome bumper caps, trees that provide shade that’s not accessible to your position, bars being closed, sports seasons being canceled and delayed, Karen’s everywhere, Honda Ridgelines, people that hate dogs, bears, 2 front and 3 back seats but 3 front and 2 back cup holders, people that ask what tire size they can fit, people that ask what lift to get, anyone with raptor lights, cold drinks that turned warm before you finished them...

I mean so many more important things than cruise control!

 

THE HEADTRESTS ARE TOO BIG@StayinStock

 

There is nothing wrong with drum brakes.

 

Easy there fella.

Just trying to help the people who aren’t creative enough to find something to whine about...

Isn’t that what this forum is about?

 

don’t provoke him chief

 

I live in SoCal so I basically never get to use my mirror defrosters. Not every feature is applicable to every region. It’s generalizing but if the trucks CC doesn’t work well in the mountains, don’t use it in the mountains. Everything else works right?

 

I get it but why did you have to go after the drum brakes?

 

No driver "oh shit" handle

 

So sorry. Sell it. Move on. Life's too short.

 

It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.

 

Geez man enough with you not liking the cruise control! Drink a beer! Take a shot! Eventually you won't care.

 

Get the f out of here with your logic.

 

My tailgate camera doesn't work when my tailagte is down. This is bs

 

Welcome to TW!

Here's my very first post on TW, about my new 2020 after my first month of ownership:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2020-trd-or-access-cab-one-month-review.657162/

I have been thinking about updating this post, but the only thing that has changed is that I am even more pleased & happy now than I was then; and I don't think that I can adequately express that with words.

 

I seem to be more sympathetic than some others here, which is weird, but seriously man, try S5 + ECT + cruise and see if its better. I honestly though have never driven anything through hilly terrain with cruise that didn't shift more in an automatic.

The other flipside is I can best my MPG on cruise vs. using my foot by up to 4 MPG, so for me it's a comfort and economical choice. I fully understand wanting to use cruise, but if that is your biggest grip, either take the hit on trading it in, or find a way to mitigate the frustration.