Towing Feedback from Road Trip

The next time you tow, i wouldn't do it in drive, you could damage the transmission.

Just put it into shift mode and it will be set to only go up to 4th gear. I would try to keep it under 60, just try to allow yourself enough time.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

How can it harm the transmisssion?

 

Someone on here posted a damaged transmission or something from towing in overdrive.

Same thing can be said about the previous gen, to not go above 4th gear. Atleast that is what I've heard.

Oh, i think i read it on the towing thread.

Post number 5 on the tacoma towing bible.

 

How big is that boat? I'm thinking of getting one. What I'm looking at is 16'5" or 16' aluminum. I might have to travel long ways like the OP. Just wondering how my truck would handle it.

 

It's a 16' Aluminum V.

Getting a little off topic, but in case you are still figuring out what you want....here is where I was coming from.

• I wanted the walk through windshield, as a lot of our good fishing is spring and fall and it's really helps a lot with wind / cold / rain.

• I also wanted Aluminum hull as there is awesome boat access only camping where we boat.

• I have a wife and two kiddos, so I also wanted to be able to pull a tube around....and I like to fish....

I think a 16' Aluminum is perfect size for pulling with the Taco.

The issue for me was that most of the older used boats in my area are a lot of work.

That thing is a 99' and it's in amazing shape.

To get a boat like that new is in the $25K range plus tax, etc.

I couldn't justify that kind of expense for the amount I'm going to use it.
It seems like the boats / trailers / motors are in a lot better shape in the south.

That is a general statement as there are a lot of guys up here that take care of there stuff too.....but lots more to choose from in the used market down there is seems like.

Here is pic from lakeside camping....

 

Anyway . . . . . . . Glad to hear the Taco did so well. Congrats on the new boat.

G.

 

I guess you speed guys would have shit, seeing me pull my 18' flatbed at 100mph behind my 4Runner.........

 

oh shut up people. you've clearly never been to the midwest. you tow at 75mph, you keep your distance, and you don't hold up traffic. there are no hills. everything's laid out in straight lines. calm down.

 

what were your rpms?

 

Glad the Taco did well pulling the trailer!

I thought the speed rating for trailers was 55mph due to the tires only being rated for that speed? I'm not throwing stones at the OP or anyone else who pulls a trailer faster than that (I've done it myself). I'm just curious if anyone has any other information on it.

 

Might as well just go ahead and change the title of the thread. OP went 5mph over the speed limit on roads and in conditions no one was there to observe. Maybe he was careless or maybe people are jumping down his throat for something that was perfectly safe.

Nice setup OP. Love to see a nice truck/boat, truck/camper, truck/trailer combo. Kudos for the good intentions with a positive thread.

Way better mileage than I would have expected pulling weight at that speed.

 

speed limit varies by state. i'll use MN as an example, even tho it's not OP's state. MN towing regs state that that towing speed is the posted speed limit. 35W is 70mph

from AAA's website http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-speed-limits/

 

Mine tows my race car (car + trailer ~4000lbs) at 75-80mph just fine, but in the interest of gas mileage and transmission longevity I keep it to around 70-71 in 4th with ECT.

Some of you have clearly never been the midwest (Texas here) where the land of flat and wide-open 75-80mph speed limits are prevalent, and driving 55mph is going to be a lot less safe for other drivers as you hold up traffic, cause people to change lanes, shoot the gap, and interrupt the flow.

I leave plenty of room for other drivers, have trailer brakes, and drive defensively. Truth be told, the Taco tows a lot better than the Dodge 1500 i used to tow with, or my F-350 Dually pulling a 40ft gooseneck; both in braking capabilities, handling, and gas mileage.

 

Page 180 of the manual has this, but nothing about damage:

• ● Vehicles with an automatic transmission: To maintain engine brak- ing efficiency and charging system performance when using engine braking, do not use the transmission in D. If in the S mode, the transmission shift range position must be in 5 or lower.
  

 

so downshift to use engine braking. duh. charging system efficiency, though? Maybe trying to keep the trailer brakes running and battery charging?

 

I have an enclosed trailer that is about 2500# loaded that I used to pull with an SUV, First thing I noticed with the tacoma was a complete lack of feelback from the trailer. Even off road, I could see the trailer hitting nasty bumps but couldn't feel them.

 

for fucks sake. so many people butthurt lol