Want to add HP to Tow.

I have a 07 4 Door Tacoma V6. I tow a 26' 4500 pound camper. I would like to add some HP and was wondering about the performance chips that you can buy and if they do any good.

Any ideas or suggestions would rock!!!

 

If performance chips were worth a crap the manufacturer’s would be all over them but they aren’t. 26’ and 4500lbs (I assume dry weight) may be within the Taco’s weight specs but is really a bit much for a Taco. Loaded I assume you are around 5500lbs. Taco’s are great trucks but they just aren’t designed to pull your size and weight load. They can do it but it’s certainly not ideal. Were it me I’d get a different tow vehicle, maybe an F150 or a Tundra or something like those. Ain’t no chip going to improve your towing experience.

 

Thanks for the reply. My Taco may not be ideal but it does fine and is all I have. I was just wondering about a chip as I wouldn't mind a few extra horsepower. I saw that would be also benificial 4WDing as I got in a BUNCH of hairy places that could have used it. When I go out west I just plan on a slightly less big mountain pass trip. I was recently along the continental divide in New Mexico at 8000 feet and just had to slow down on the big upgrades.

 

A full size would be ideal, but some things I’d suggest:

• rear airbags to help carry the load
(Keeps Truck Level, and front wheels more planted on the ground)

• and/or weight distribution hitch, makes trailers ride like a dream.
(I use one on my 18’ #3000 trailer, and my Tundra barely sag’s when hooked up)

• brake controller for the trailer wired into the Tacoma

• TRD supercharger, URD supercharger if you Daily drive the truck as well. They are both upwards of $4k+ though.

•re-gear the truck to 4.56 gears, but keep tires close to oem size. This will give you relatively more pulling power and a torquier ratio for the engine.
(If you are 4wd, you need to do both differentials, running probably closer to $1k for each)
Downside if you daily drive, rpms will be higher throughout every gear and also raise the freeway overdrive rpm, causing a reduction in MPG.


I’d assume and hope you’ve done some of the earlier items, but I just added all my suggestions for anyone who reads.

Edit: good brakes would also serve well, SOS performance makes a big front brake kit and rear brake conversion for our trucks.

 

You can go with ovtune which is the only one actually shown to improve shifting and increase power somewhat but 4500lbs is a lot. Is that the dry weight or the weight with everything on it?

I'd also be concerned with the suspension not being able to handle that load and needing something like Firestone airbags. Also probably getting an ultra gauge to monitor transmission temp.

It's doable but there are a few tricks to make it work somewhat. Search for some threads on TW about towing

 

More HP isnt gonna help with towing. Lots of other things factor in like the transmission and gearing and cooling all of those things.

 

The thing that's killing you at high altitude is the fact that its naturally aspirated. The only way you'll improve up there is a bigger engine or forced induction such as supercharger or turbo.

As far as needing a bigger truck, meh. As long as you're within GVWR/GCWR and aren't in a rush, you should be fine. The thing to remember with towing is that everything just takes longer - stopping and going especially.

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mUAAF6zcqiqdPZvJ8

 

ov tune, urd supercharger seems to be the holy grail though. Underdog racing development. youll have to keep the truck a long time and be willing to do a lot of work yourself, but from what ive heard its totally worth it. When i get my career going in a few years, im planning on something to that effect.