Input from Taco owners who tow

In most states a trailer that heave will have to have brakes by law.

 

Thanks again for all the replies. Is towing with a manual in these trucks really to be avoided like the plague? I used to pull a trailer with a work truck that had a manual transmission and I never really noticed a handicap or deficiency in performance or reliability. Granted that was a super duty pulling a 19' trailer, but could someone please elaborate?

 

I know you said manual trans but just in case you change your mind and get an auto, mine likes to tow in "4" instead of "D"

I'll shift to D on the freeway or when going downhill, or really anytime 5th gear is ok. And x2 on the 2lo anytime mod.

2005 tow package
Towed a 16' crestliner canadian
Retro 16' kurman fireball trailer
Fleetwood/coleman bayside popup
Currently dragging around a quad in a utility trailer, but thats like nothing is back there.
Among a lot of other things.

I would recommend holding out for the tow package, but you can always set up a non-tow package truck.

Plenty of power for towing within reason np's and yes on upgrade the brakes.

 

I tow my 19’ Alumaweld (boat, trailer, motor, misc. 3500 lbs) all over . Have towed it with my truck over 100 times. Absolutely no problem. If you get a truck with the tow package then your max tow weight is around 6500 lbs. your 3000lb rig will be easy for a 2nd gen v6 Taco. I also am an avid fisher and hunter and the 4x4 gets me deep into back country over difficult terrain and back (without the boat of course). Tow in 4 not D as the owners manual tells you and you’ll be just fine.

 

Personal preference.
You can roll thru the gears with an auto just like you would with a manual imo.

Personally, me and clutches, dont get along.
Love racking through the gears/hate changing them when they wear out.
(Clutches and all their associated moving parts)

 

No. He was being a bit dramatic. Towing will be fine with the manual. I believe the auto is a stronger transmission and there are complaints that the reverse gear is tall so the 2low anytime mod is good and you should expect to put more strain on the clutch but it's all within specs to hold up if you're within the tow rating.

 

I'd much rather tow with a manual, they are normally geared lower than an auto., way less parts to go wrong with a manual, & stronger built than an auto. Just my opinion.

 

There is no right answer to manual vs. auto. I’ve driven and owned both. I like manual in my fast cars - vets, mustangs and others I’ve owned including an xke jaguar. When it comes to trucks give me the auto. A manual in a Taco gives you no advantage. Manual trans have problems too as much or more than automatics. Over the years I’ve had to replace clutches, pressure plates, throwout bearings, I’ve had gears crunch teeth, and other problems. Each to their own but for me I’ll take an auto in my trucks anytime. But if manual is your thing then go for it.

 

Amen

And I will add you'll never stall an auto following me in on the trail to camp and youll be a lot more relaxed and have one hand on the wheel while the other is holding the coffee cup.
Also goes for the boat ramp.

Just recently took a ride with my son in his roush and watching him shift on tight corners on hills with oncoming traffic and he tried to hand me something but had to toss it in the back or drop it because a quick shift was needed....
Ive had manual tacos and chevys, no thanks.

To each his own I say.
Youll never convince me a manual is any better for towing.
Ive driven semis.
All the old timers wanted the manuals, same discussion, better, stronger etc etc. I'll take the only auto in the fleet.
Call me whatever you want.
Have fun spending all your free time shifting on these mountain roads.

 

Srry to jack, thats a whole discussion for another time & place, but sounded like you were on the fence.

 

Very true.....I added trailer brakes to the taco when we got the travel trailer as well as a weigh distribution hitch. Would not want to venture out without the trailer brakes!! Good point!!

 

Don't worry about towing with the 6spd manual it's fine. Just go find yourself a clean truck with the drivetrain you want. It will do everything you ask it to. Hell mines a 4cyl 5spd 4x4 on 35s and you wouldn't believe the things I've towed with it(all legal and withing local regulations). Tandem Wells cargo enclosed, turbo diesel air compressor units, a generator. I've put about a metric ton in the bed of concrete debris on an emergency job site cleanup. The tow package isn't all that stock Yota leafs are shit anyways so upgrade those, I've snapped 3 sets in half, mostly from wheeling. Pick a good truck and enjoy it!!! I'm also working on a utility/offroad trailer

 

I have a 2015 with tow package auto tranny and tow a 5000# trailer. I think anything over 3500-4000 lbs is pushing the limits of a comfortable tow experience for a Tacoma. Ya it’s rated higher and I’ve had a bed full of firewood while towing....it’s possible. but on stock gears I would stick to the ~3000lb range and you will be golden

 

Bed full of oak+full size ford bed trailer with side racks full of oak+four wheeling back to pavement=timbrens
62mph all the way home w/ac on high=priceless

 

I'm about +1500lbs over stock. Just got a 19' center console that weights 2200 dry, probably 2500 with the motor on there.

Towed it in 4, wasn't too big of an issue at all. Give yourself ample brake room if you don't have trailer brakes.

Most noticeable difference was the drop from 18mpg to 12mpg. Smiles per mile beats out any MPG loss.

 

my truck with the stock 3.73 gears,V6, Manual Trans and I'm loaded up with full steel skids, sliders, bumpers, Tepui, 285's, truck box with tools feels pretty inadequate already let alone towing. I want to pull a small enclosed trailer with dirt bikes, probably around 3k total weight "I'm guessing"

pretty sure I need to do a re-gear to 4.56 to get back to pulling something....anybody have any more input?

I'm on Kings with good rear leaf's, they are stiff and don't sag any at this point. Thanks

<a href="https://imgur.com/4YjwWZK"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/4YjwWZK.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

I would do 4.88.
That’s what I’m on right now with smaller rubber and less weight. I think if u went 4.56 you would still need more

 

I was thinking that because a lot of Auto guys run 4.88 and manual guys run 4.56 from most research I've done. I guess if we do it, prob should go higher with 4.88 and not worry about doing it over again to get more gear. Thank you!

 

If you plan on towing, stick with the auto transmission. I had an 06 with the manual and I found the clutch weak when taking off with heavy load. The 5 speed auto is a much stronger transmission in my opinion. I regularly tow the max or more and find this truck to be well suited for towing. Anything over 3000 lbs and trailer brakes are required.