KDMax 6.0 for Towing?

Don’t shift so soon then. You have choices in life.

 

Hm, that’s not the experience I have. When empty I shift from first at about 2k, when towing about 2.5 maybe 3.

Yeah, from what I read the tune that comes with the supercharger is not great. One of the guys said they felt more torque with premium SFOB tune, that’s what I’m running by the way.

 

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences — exactly what I was looking for.

To be clear, I’m not unhappy with OVTune 2.0 now. I also am totally fine hanging out at higher rpms where the truck needs to be. I think it’s a great versatile truck. I have no delusions of wanting diesel-like power curves out of it.

Just reading all the positives about KDMax makes me want to try it, but not if towing will be harder. I think I’m convinced it won’t be, and might be even better.

 

I wouldn't own a Tacoma without a manual, it solves 90% of the problems by letting us choose exactly what gear we want to be in. The low torque is a minor annoyance that really only comes into play when towing. Even with that it's still by far the best truck available on the market for my needs.

 

If either of you have access to a tuner, try KDMax XXT... it's amazing.

 

I'm good.

 

I don't agree that the low torque at low rpm only comes into play when towing. I think it comes into play any time you put ask too much from your engine at low rpm. With no trailer at all you can easily bog the truck down by shifting into 2nd too early leaving a stop light especially if you suddenly notice some d00d flying up your rear. It's also really easy to get into that situation when driving off road or just screwing around in a snow filled parking lot.

 

All very interesting
I decided to read over this since I'm towing a Uhaul 6x12 enclosed trailer from Denver to Phoenix next week. And, I've never towed anything significant with it before, don't ordinarily have much need but we're moving. Toyota says my towing capacity is 6400 for DCLB V6 Auto4wd (please don't hijack OP's thread over this!). The Uhaul weighs just under 2000 leaving me a theoretical payload of 4400. I don't expect to approach the max but I assume I will be pulling around 4000 total. Almost entirely highway from here and about 1K miles one way.

I have stock gears w/33" tires but have the KDMax6.0 tune. I saw one of you recommended poking the ECT button for towing and even using Sport mode. ECT sounds like a good idea if only based on my experience driving it pre-tune and I wouldn't have thought of it, thanks. But isn't S mode going to put my mileage in the crapper?

Not really sure how to best take advantage S mode or even S+ECT in my particular application. A little more detail/help from those that tow maybe? Best recommendations? Should I read my manual for towing guidance?

 

I’m sure it’s great. Few things: I’m not a fan of shared tunes, I read a lot that KDmax feels less torquey at low rpm and I’m actually loving my premium SFOB tune (full Otto cycle)

 

wiljayhi said " KDM6 is designed to be used for towing using S+ECT according to @PapaRee. And, I agree with that. I tow a 3200# camper very comfortably using S4+ECT. However, my towing is all flatland a lot closer to sea level than you so I can’t comment on operating at altitude."

Can I maintain highway speeds 75 +/- towing 4000lbs using S+ECT or S4+ECT? Will the engibe be screaming it's head(s) off! Will I have to stop at EVERY gas station along the way?

Sorry, this is new to me. All previous trucks were full size with "tow" mode available. A little out of my depth!

 

At that speed you should be in 5th.

 

The “tow mode” on these AT trucks is S+ECT. Use S4 to “lock out” the overdrive gears 5&6. If you can get it up to 75mph you may be able to go to S5 but if you need more from the skinny pedal it will hop down to 4.

Can’t comment on going 75mph towing 4000# because I’ve never tried that nor would I want to. I can say that I can tow in 4th gear 55 - 65 mph steady rpms of 2500 to 3000 sustained. I wouldn’t categorize the engine as “screaming”, just louder than when cruising with no load in 6th gear at 1600 rpm.

My rule of thumb on mileage: if I tow anything that weighs over 3000# the normal unloaded mileage of 20/22 mpg is cut in half. Head/sidewind even worse. Climbing hills takes a bite too. So yes, you’ll be gassing up more frequently.

 

Thanks wiljayhi, and I see that PapaRee is backing you up here.

S+ECT it is. The majority of my life has been with bigger trucks so, I'm used to towing a camper at 80mph...no problem. But, I can take it down a notch for sure. I'll shoot for 60-65mph and select the most appropriate gear for the terrain I'm in at any given stretch.

BTW: I don't know how you guys get that kind of mileage, mine gets a very annoying 16mpg (after tune) on a good day, down hill, with no wind and gets worse from there. My '07 Dodge 1500 4wd w/Hemi got better mileage on its worst day. At least the Tacoma isn't broken all the fucking time?

 

Your welcome. The mileage numbers likely a by-product of the amount of aggression that goes into the throttle from a stop combined with a higher than the average cruising speed? Maybe the degree of “tip in” has something to do with it. My normal driving is pretty much “vanilla” plus the terrain is mostly flat so I’m expecting the numbers I’m getting.

 

I understand your comment, all you know is I wanted to tow at 75mph!But, here's the truth of it...

I have the KDM6 tune of course, and I added the "super light" throttle. When I got the tune I had about 1/4 tank remaining and "enjoyed" driving it with the added response and smoothness. When I filled up next, I set the cluster so I could observe my mileage to see what I would be getting with the tune. I drove back and forth to work that week. My commute was 40 minutes one way, mix of highway and surface roads, light traffic and I stayed at or very near speed limits and driving normally, "vanilla" as you say. Add in a few errands, this an that and I averaged 15.8 mpg for the tank. Not great.

So I thought I would really make an effort and see what I could squeeze out of it. Filled the tank again and followed pretty much the same routine; back and forth to work, a few side trips and I was empty. The difference is I virtually coasted on downhill opportunities, accelerated on the downhill and flats whenever I could, eased on the throttle from stops and never broke the speed limit. In a word, I "nursed" it for all I could. I averaged 16.1mpg.

So when I said 16mpg downhill with no wind, that is truly what I meant. I don't know why my mileage is so crappy.

With my other full size trucks, I never cared about mileage because they performed. I mean, that was the price I paid for more power than I needed at any time. The Tacoma is different, it literally gets worse mileage than any of my other trucks and is frankly, a big fat slug comparatively with regard to power. It is ZERO fun to drive. The tune only makes it more tolerable with the throttle adjustment and smoothing some wrinkles out of the tranny.

To be clear, I love the Tune and would call it a necessary option for driveability, no regrets. And, I love the Tacoma. It's comfortable for me, it's a great 4wd, it's attractive and super reliable. Just disappointing. If my performance is lacking, it would be more acceptable if I got great mileage (20+). If mileage is lacking, it would be okay if it really performed with lots of power. Sadly, I've traded both power and mileage for a reliable truck.

 

What was your mpg pre-tune on the same commute?

 

I have to admit, I don't know. If I even checked when I bought it, I have long since forgotten. And in all likelihood, I never checked. I was never one who cared that much for mileage because I always had performance (acceleration/power) and was willing to accept the trade off. But I remember (I had it 10 years) the Ram 1500 would get 20+ on the highway easily and averaged 17-18 in town. Again, the absolute BEST I can get "nursing" the Tacoma is slightly over 16, the daily reality is worse. I only care now because I have neither performance nor good mileage. If the Tacoma got even 17 or 18 I wouldn't be having this discussion. Or, if it had any appreciable acceleration or power (torque) for the current mileage I would be happy.

I suspect it's an accumulation of aggravating factors: 33" tires, 2.5" lift, and camper shell. Tires are larger, heavier, and harder to get rolling. I suspect the lift changes aerodynamics? And, the camper shell on a long bed weighs a lot, too. Maybe mileage was better before the Tune, maybe not. The fact remains it's not great in the current configuration that suits me and, I feel every mod I've made was necessary, including Tune. BTW, I'm including a random snapshot of current mileage taken when I got in the truck this morning...

 

I get 20 from mine but I don’t have a long bed or all the other upgrades you have that add weight and hurt mpg.

 

That sucks you are getting that kind of mileage. Any mods?

Per my fuelly I’m getting 18.5, that’s about 80% city. I’m on larger C load tires too, stock suspension. I’m running premium SFOB tune which is amazing.

Also, my truck is super fun to drive. I find every excuse to go drive it!

 

14.9? Yikes!