Towing with a 3.5L V6 6-speed manual (3rd gen)

What kind of mileage did you average? I hate to ask but is yours a third gen?

 

It was probably 10-12 MPG, 2nd gen, 4.0, 120,000miles, lifted and all the jazz.

 

I have a 2016 DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 manual and I tow a 21.5 ft travel trailer with an unloaded weight of 4200 lbs, gross weight rating of 5600 lbs. I figure that typically loaded for camping, the trailer is around 5000 lbs (I don't haul fresh water or fire wood.) The truck is totally stock (stock suspension, wheels, Firestone Destination LE2 tires) with an Extang solid fold 2.0 tonneau cover. I use a weight distribution hitch and a Tekonsha Primus IQ brake controller with the vehicle specific wire adapter. The controller was plug and play, installed in under 15 minutes while sipping on a beer. The Primus IQ didn't fit well in the little cubby on the left side of the dash and I wanted to keep the cubby for storage so I installed the controller just below the left side switches. I do hit my foot on it once in a while, mostly while wearing my size 13 rubber boots, but it's not enough to really bother me. Previous to the 2016, I had a 2007 DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 manual that I used to tow the same trailer.

Overall, my Tacoma 6 speed manual tows great. I drive aggressively enough to not be blocking traffic so I usually find myself doing the 1-2 shift at 4500+ rpm but after that gear changes can be done at a lower rpm. Then again, the 3.5 loves to rev so it's very easy to shift at a higher rpm when more acceleration is needed. With the brake controller and trailer brakes, the truck stops comfortably. Even in high winds, when the truck and trailer are moving around a little, it never feels like the trailer is driving the truck. I pass 18 wheelers on the interstate with ease at 70 mph. You should have no problems towing another vehicle on an open car hauler trailer, wind resistance will be even less of an issue than with a travel trailer. I've found that I get about 12 mpg towing on secondary roads (50-60 mph), about 10-11 mpg taking it easy on the interstate (65-70 mph) and 9 mpg if I'm pushing it (75 mph). This is on mostly flat land (Eastern Ontario and Northern New York State). The biggest shortfalls when towing are: lack of torque below 2500 rpm (the 4.0 was better for low end torque), reverse gear is way too tall, and model specific towing mirrors aren't available. None of that is enough to deter me from using the 2016 as a tow vehicle, it really is a great little (er, midsize) truck.

 

Great that's exactly the sort of info I was looking for. Out of curiosity which of your trucks (this or second gen) worked better overall for towing this trailer (in particular the suspension/handling of the load and engine/performance).

 

Without a doubt, the 2016 is better overall as a tow vehicle but part of that is due to the tech improvements that make the truck more enjoyable on a long drive. Bluetooth, navigation, dual climate control and a sunroof don't suck. The rearview camera is a phenomenal assistant when hooking up a trailer. The 7 pin connector integrated into the bumper ('16) is nicer than the connector hanging below in harm's way ('07). The transmission in the '16 is in another league in shifting quality and smoothness. The 4.0 had better low end torque but it died above 4000 rpm. The 3.5 is weak down low end but pulls hard above 4000 rpm. The 3.5 gets 10-20% better fuel mileage when towing. I found that my '07 sat level under load with the wdh but my '16 sits with the rear end an inch low using the same hitch... but I've also added tongue weight to the trailer (having a new baby means bringing more "stuff" in the camper) so that is not a totally fair comparison. The '07 would occasionally bottom out (rear end) over large bumps, the '16 doesn't. The '16 has trailer sway control but I've never noticed it engage.

 

Kevin,

Great info. I'm struggling trying to decide between a 3rd Gen Taco or keeping my 07 Taco or replacing it with another one with less miles and 4x4. Thoughts? I have pulled a 16 ft TT (2600 lbs, 3500 fully loaded) as well as a pop of trailer with my truck all over the western US. The last three years I've towed more than 15,000 miles with it. Gas milage I've found is related to wind drag and rpm on the truck. I try to keep it below 3200 rpm. With the pop up I'd only loose a few mpg and could pull at 75 mph. With the TT the truck does not like going faster than 65 mph and I get 12 mpg. If I tow at 75 or have a head wind it struggles with the TT. I might get 9 mpg. I also use the weight distribution hitch but does not need it in my opinion. I've found the truck does great with climbing Mtn passes. Yosemite, sequoia, Glacier, etc.... What are your thoughts on climbing passes with the 3rd Generation? Torque is about the same on the two trucks. How much better is it driving at highway speeds? New truck has one more gear, so I'm thinking it's better. 10-20 percent better you mention on gas is a big plus. Thanks.

 

this was great info... I am planning on towing up to 6400 pounds and was hesitant to push it up the limit. I thought this truck could handle it but its great to hear a detail of your experience.

 

Sounds to me like you DIDN'T learn...
If you don't know what you're doing, then sure, you'll occasionally roast your clutch.
Also, where you roast your manual clutch, you burn your AT fluid, and that takes out your transmission, which is a lot more expensive than replacing a clutch.

 

Burning up your clutch by slipping it isn't going to harm the transmission. The heat generated by a slipping clutch couldn't transfer to the trans oil to cause it to overheat. By the way, our transmissions use gear oil not AT fluid.

You're right in the fact that towing with a manual will not harm the clutch if you operate the clutch in the proper way.

 

He wasn’t saying MT use AT fluid I think he was saying in those moments that you need to slip your clutch will be the same moments you overwork your AT. I could be wrong.

 

I tow with my 2nd gen, 6spd manual all summer long. Yes, different engine, but still a Toyota and they are great and no issues working hard. I tow a 3500 lb loaded RPod up some steep mountain terrain with no problems.
What's great about having a manual transmission is you can gear down in advance and hold the gear as you see fit which I find is better for hills and long climbs. Don't be afraid to let the revs run high and let the engine growl.

As people have stated already, just be mindful of your overall payload as the trucks can easily hit or exceed that magic number with gear, food, and people in side. With a double axle trailer it should have a decent carrying capacity (versus my single axle RPod) so double check and add some of the gear in there when you can.

Look into airbags as a good option for levelling the ride and definitely use a WDH, ideally one with anti-sway bars or add the anti sway separately. I have the 2" OME kit upgrade over stock springs which were pretty saggy in the rear. Much nicer ride now. I don't use airbags, but considering maybe in the future. I have the E2 Fastway 600/6000 trunion bar WDH. Tek P2 brake controller has been good.

Most importantly, recognize your limits and capabilities of the truck. Take your time and give lots of space and you'll get around just fine.

Good luck.

 

Put all your cargo in the trailer as much as you can. The Taco is only rated for a 650 tongue weight, which means if you already have 250 pounds in your bed, you can't add another 500lbs safely. I would suggest you decrease your speed to less than and not greater than 65mph, there is more wind resistance at higher speeds, trailer instability increases and you are putting more load on your equipment, do your self and your family a good thing and drive slower which is much safer.

 

Tongue weight and payload capacity are not the same thing. 250lbs in the bed will not reduce tongue capacity but the tongue weight does reduce the payload capacity.

 

According to eTrailer. Any weight placed the rear axle of a tow vehicle will reduce tongue weight because it will the affect a weight-distribution setup differently.https://www.etrailer.com/question-56529.html

 

Nope. That impacts what size WD spring bars you need, it does not reduce the tongue weight capacity. That link spelled it out fairly clearly and at no point do they say weight in the bed reduces tongue capacity.

"The reason is that any weight behind the rear axle affects the performance of the spring bars in a weight distribution set up. Because the added weight does affect the spring bars, you need to know the tongue weight of the trailer plus the weight of the cargo behind the rear axle to get the right capacity spring bars. Spring bars rated too low will be ineffective"

 

My Tacoma really struggled with much more than 3000 lbs. I am at high elevation most of the time though as well

 

Bigger tires can cause that. My previous trailer was 3K and it was a brease towing it up the mountains. My new trailer is 5.5K and the truck works at elevation.