Handling at highway speeds

Anybody notice their steering wheel feels jerky of sensitive starting about 60 mph. For being a brand new truck think it should handle better.

 

Go get an alignment. You have stock suspension?

 

Yes. I have stock suspension. Last oil change they said they re aligned it. Doesn't seem to drive any better. Didn't know if this was a common problem or just my truck.

 

It should drive great. I would get a new alignment and make sure they deliver to you the report showing the numbers pre and post. Low caster values result in twitchy handling at interstate speeds.

 

Ok. Next oil change I'll get em to check it out. Thanks man

 

Driving my '13 home (about an hour) after purchase scared the hell out of me. Truck drifted all over the place driving down the highway. After about 10k miles it either settled down or I got used to it.

 

My current Tacoma is the 4th I've owned. That said, there was a 10 year gap between this one and the previous one. During that time, I drove an '04 Dodge 2500 Quad cab, long bed, 4wd, Hemi/Auto gas guzzling, school bus handling tank. I always ADORED my Toyotas, so when the Dodge got smashed in a wreck, my first instinct was to go find me another Tacoma! And I did. Got a real bargain on a VERY low mileage 2011. On the drive how, I though, "DANG! There's something wrong with this truck".....Steering seemed kinda "nervous" at highway speeds.

a few days and a 1000 miles later, it drives like a dream. It just took a few days to get used to driving something that had some feel of the road.....The Dodge most definitely DIDN'T.

 

My 2011 is the same way. At first it was a little interesting getting used to it, but after a few days everything was ok. It does like to hug any little bump and dip though and follow all the imperfections in the road. Like others said though, get them to show you a before and after report for the alignment next time you get it checked out. Something may just be a tad off. It may be within spec, but right at the edge. A report will give everyone else here with more knowledge a better view of things.

 

For some reason, they specify no toe in the alignment specs. I asked for a little bit of toe at the dealership (1/16") and it tracks better on the highway now. I'd really like more caster too, to make the steering heavier, but no one will set it outside the factory specs. Eventually I'm going to try going to a race/tuner shop to see if they'll set the caster higher, or maybe get a set of the light racing control arms to allow even higher caster numbers.

 

Check your tire pressure (COLD, no driving, no sun on tires). Try 33-front, 30-rear.

 

Dealership must've messed up the alignment, took it to a local shop and it's driving good now.

 

I misread the title and thought it said handling at high speeds. My truck handles better at 90 than it does at 60. At 60, it will do everything it can to find the grooves in the highway.
Glad you were able to find someone to fix it. Not always the trucks fault, sometimes it's an idjit with a wrench.

 

Glad you got it fixed. Was about to recommend checking tire/wheel balance as that's a known issue for Tacomas.

 

I bought my truck just outside Boston and drove it across the state back home. It did great.

 

Check your alignment, just had mine in for an oil change, alignment was out.
I could tell something was wrong, could feel it at about 60 mph, thought it might be an out of balance tire.

 

Drives like a dream now that alignment is fixed. Hit about 117 going down hill today. Handles great even at that high speed now.

 

Yikes! But good to know it's still handles at that speed.

 

Had to see what it would do once lol

 

Just curious, did you happen to notice your rpms at 117? Mine will never get there.

 

About 4700. It was 117 or 112. Can't remember for sure.