I See What Everyone is Complaining About.

Wow. First cross country trip started today. Towing my T@b Boondock trailer. We’re in Florida headed north to the Carolinas. Flat Florida Interstate 75 running at speed limit 70. The transmission is almost constant shifting. I’m towing in 5th, per manual even though my trailer is maybe 2300 lbs. No way would I tow anything bigger and expect the trans to survive. I just stepped up from a Dbcb 1st gen. Been driving 1st gens since they came out. Whole family was on my case to get a new truck. I made this exact trip last month in my 1st gen pulling same trailer. New truck does feel much more secure. I don’t think $35k more secure though. Very disappointed. This technology stuff is the future I’m told. I really wanted a mt but got talked into the auto by my wife. Guess I’m keeping it long enough not to get hurt too bad to cross to a mt.

 

Try ect and shift limit to 4 or 5th

 

You’re concern of towing anything larger is a bit silly. There’s really no shown correlation between the transmission reliability/strength and it’s shift programming. A guy I know has 2 Tacomas with the auto, nearing an accumulated mileage of almost 400k. He pretty much hauls or tows that amount on a daily basis, and has zero issues with the drivetrain. It’s plenty strong to tow more than that, even if the transmission shifts funny.

 

5th is an overdrive gear as well... try S4 for towing in the 3rd Gen (I know the manual states S5 or lower)... also, reduce to 65 MPH and see if the performance is any better (other option is to trade-in for a F150).

 

6MT

 

I’d go this route

 

We tow a trailer loaded up around 4000. ECT S4 is what you want. These engines LIKE and are built to run in the higher RPM range - it's where it makes its torque.

 

Use ECT (it's basically tow/haul button on other trucks)
Limit gears to S4 since 5th gear is still overdrive

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9DA2M3G7pqs

Pretty well documented that 3rd Gen Tacoma’s (especially the Autos) are simply geared wrong. I know it’s not exactly acceptable to have to re-gear a brand new truck but it brings better mileage and power.

FWIW I’m installing 5.29’s in Spring. But my truck is heavy. 4.88’s would be sufficient for most people. Watch this video and do some research. 3rd Gens are just begging for gears.

 

I used mine to tow a 20’ car hauler trailer loaded with various building supplies. Shingles alone weighed 1300 lbs. trailer weighs 1800 empty. Also had Sheetrock, osb, tools, 3 other people with me, and air compressor and generator and various other things. Hauled it just fine and I stayed in s5 no ect button pressed.

My truck is 2019 trd off road. Now has little over 6k miles due to two very long mile trips out of state. Towed everything I needed to tow perfectly fine. Trailer brakes a must though.

 

Try This:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDHkaLmE_Q4

 

Used ShiftSense Pros are about $120. Even new is only $175. Done.

 

I feel you as far as the shifting with the auto trans and towing. The shifting seems excessive but like @StillNoPickles mentioned it's toyotas design and it has proven to to be very reliable. I have a 2016 with about 44k on the clock and believe it or not half those miles are towing a 3500lb gvwr trailer
Its on 35s now and allot of heavy armor as well. There are a few modifications that have made towing very easy and believe it or not I can pull 5th gear all day long and 4th gear on 6 percent grades. Still need 3rd gear and a bit of slowinging down on the long climbs.

 

4th gear on a 6 percent loaded down 35s full armor towing a 3500 lbs trailer is surprisingly pretty good

 

4.88s a big trans cooler and the OVT gear lock tune is very nice. I pin my trans thermostat open and combined with the big cooler I rarely break 200f on the trans (pan temp). Not bad considering the tranny thermostat opens around 190f. Modifications aren't cheap but still less than a raptor or ram 3500. I think my truck is better than both lol