The Tacoma Towing Bible

If it doesn't "hunt" for gears, don't sweat it; just keep an eye on your temperature.

6500 is what my 2013 dual-cab pre-runner V6 is rated at, so I would be very leery of towing a long distance right at that limit...

 

1. If it performs fine, no need to replace it.

2. Brakes are cheaper than transmissions. Transmissions are cheaper than accidents. Towing in hilly terrain necessitates engine braking. OMG esp if you don't have trailer brakes.

3. Any use of a mechanical system will wear it out. yeah towing will probably wear out your engine sooner. I wouldn't worry about. Maybe you will reduce your engines lifespan from 300,000 to 250,000, or from 186,000 to 185,999. Who knows. Full throttle is full throttle as far as your engine is concerned.

4. 12 mpg sounds about right for towing IIRC when i had my first gen. I regularly towed "AROUND" 5k with my 1997 taco its whole life, sold it with 225000, engine worked just as good as the day I got it.

5. IDK I don't buy designer oil.

 

Newbie question: All things being equal, which is the better package to have for towing purposes, the TRD Sport or the TRD Off-Road?

 

IMO, pretty much apples to apples if they both have the tow package.

 

How about Manual v. Automatic? All things being equal, which is better for towing?

 

I recently towed the camper and kayaks you see in the picture for about 3k miles. Got about 15 mpg with my 4 banger.

 

Hey All. I'm going to need some expert advice on this. I have a stock height 2015 Tac. 4x4 and an off-road camping trailer. The trailer is small but sits at a pretty steep angle toward the hitch. Should I A: get an adjustable height hitch ball (to raise the trailer more level) ? or B: Put smaller tires on the trailer to lower the trailer height to be closer to the truck height? Thanks in advance!

 

Oh, I also found this I thought you guys may like http://www.mrtrailer.com/weigh-safe-hitch-scale.htm

 

I would think tires are sized for the trailer they're on. If you install smaller tires, they would run that much faster and be more prone to fail at some point. How about a hitch with more rise? I had to buy a 'rise' hitch for my PreRunner as the popup we bought sits pretty high. Good luck.

 

'Tis why they make adjustable height ball mounts..

 

Just bought new 2016 Tacoma yesterday and guess what? As of 2016 the towing package no longer includes the brake control pigtail connector, so you have to 'special purchase' that. As the towing bible posts state, they WERE included until this year.

 

I've never cared for the "adjustable" mounts... not really sure why, except that more links = more play. Can't you just get the right drop/lift ball mount?

In other news... just towed a Uhaul 5x8 enclosed trailer, loaded with my sportbike and assorted gear (about 500 lbs total load) up to Orlando... about 240 miles, all turnpike. Got about 17 mpg, no "hunting" for gears (but it did downshift on any upgrades - overpasses, here in Fla). Kept it to about 65mph. Took almost a full tank each way. Towed very well, overall. Nothing really to report. I'm sure a "V-nose" trailer would improve the mileage, but Uhaul doesn't have any of those... they're stuck in the stone age of trailers, LOL.

 

Did the same a couple months ago with a 5x8 from Uhaul. Melbourne to Tampa though

 

Yeah, I went up for the AIMExpo and a motorcycle rally (they actually have curves and those up & down things up there... what do you call them... HILLS! Was there for four days, and didn't want the bike outside at night, so I used the trailer as a garage. Worked out well.

 

I doubt the vnose would change your mileage any with a trailer that size. That's pretty impressive mileage already anyways.

 

lots of stuff to read and try to understand,

but can someone give me a thumbs up or thumbs down?

I plan on towing a Uhaul flat trailer with my 88 BMW M3 (2800lbs) on it to NJ from VA (roughly 400 miles total).

I have a 2015 DCLB 4.0 automatic 4x4 with Tow package.

 

I'd say no problem, but for one caveat. Last time I rented a uhaul flatbed it pulled like shit so bad I bought my own trailer. Couldnt get enough tongue weight and the trailer brakes were crap.

 

i would love my own trailer but living on base housing and with 3 cars already I wont have room.

thanks for the answer. will need to read and understand this all

 

I should stop by Uhaul to make sure. thanks for all the advice guys. love this forum.

 

hey guys i need your advice , out here where im from they're having this 4x4 car meet at a local dirt track and they are putting up this challenge to pull a Mercedes Benz 1017 15k pound heavy rolling it up a hill the winner is the one who in 4x4 stock(no chains , or special tires) can roll it up the highest. video explanation so the ? is can i do any good with my factory tow ready tacoma ? prize is 200$ that i could use right now