Going to be honest, not super impressed with the towing

You can see the S with + and -

As for the “feeling” it back there part, that’s just it being a mid sized truck, air springs/sumo springs can help some tho

 

Feeling is not reliable measurement of how capable the Tacoma is. The Taco has been properly certified to tow it’s advertised tow limit. I drive brown trucks and all our vehicle wobble, bounce and creak going down the freeway but you wouldn’t know they have 10,000lb payload limit unless you looked at the door jam sticker. You need some more experience towing and build your confidence.

 

A couple of weeks ago we towed our SxS from GA to Windrock Park in TN. About 400 miles one way. Speeds ranged from 55-60 on two lane back roads to 70-75 on the interstate. ECT and S4 and I could pretty much leave it there. I would bump it down to S3 on some of the longer steeper grades, but there weren’t but a few that required that.

If you leave it in drive, it’ll shift around. If it’s in drive with cruise control, it’ll shift all over the place. ECT and S4 is the sweet spot. I towed the same setup with my 2019 Tundra. The Tundra will always tow better, but the Taco suits me much better the other 98% of the time. I would happily tow with either one.

 

Okay, when you hook up a trailer and don't notice it, it is either because you have way too much power (not a Tacoma) or the trailer is nonexistent.



Basically, if you are towing you will notice it, its just the nature of the beast, but tacomas can handle more weight than most on here think and safely also

 

I didn't...?

 

I was reinforcing your point?

 

Pull it all the way forward put some tongue weight on the trailer or it’s gonna Sway...

 

It's all relative. After towing with a Tundra you won't be impressed with a Tacoma. Nor should you be. That said the Tacoma should handle the weight of the SXS but you WILL know it's back there. Those are heavy plus you have the weight of the trailer.

The boat may be pushing the envelop a bit. Not sure how much they weigh, but around 4500 lbs is a reasonable limit for towing with a Tacoma.

 

I pull a 3000#-plus camper. Last month I drove 600 miles to the Black Hills. Effortless on the way up, got 15 mpg. Kept it in 5th gear most of the time, 6th for some stretches (mines a manual).

While there I did a little off-roading, which was really fun.

On the way back there were a lot of hills and 30 mph headwinds on I-90. It was a lot more work, and usually required 4th gear. Not sure of the real gas mileage, but at times it read 7 mpg.

Anyway, no problems at all. It should pull your ATV fine. As said, if you want effortless towing, a full-size truck is the way to go.

 

Anchovy hit the nail right on the head. ECT on and lock out 5th and 6th.

 

I am surprised you are having such difficulty with pulling that setup. I had the same trailer with three dirt bikes on board and pulled it with a Honda Civic from South Texas to Northern Minnesota and had no problems. Granted the dirt bikes would be less weight, but we're talking a 142hp compact car versus a 300hp midsized pickup. Doesn't seem right, do you know someone with another Taco that you could use to compare?