First 3rd Gen Towing Experience (3500lb TT) to Garner State Park (TX)

As the title indicates, this was my first real test of the towing capabilities of my 2018 DCSB OR.

I have plans for a ~3800-4200lb trailer in the next few years, and I wanted a shake down run to determine if I was going to be pushing this thing too hard. From my calcs: Trailer weight I'm going to be okay, but cargo weight I'm going to be pushing the limits.

So... I rented a trailer (https://www.dutchmen.com/product/kodiak-cub) at ~3500lbs dry and 21.5'. I spec'd a WDH and I have a RedArc brake controller. I'm also OVTuned running the latest 2.0 beta. I'm carrying ~220lbs of sliders, but stock otherwise.

Based on comments on TW, I was expecting anything from 'I needed to get out and push', to 'why didn't I get the 30' trailer'. My gut told me it would probably do okay, but not a spectacular job. My gut also told me I'd be uncomfortable hearing the rpms.

The trip was about 325 miles one way from the DFW area to Garner State park in the hill country. I got to experience some decent flat highway, some long Texas grades, Ranger hill for those that know it, and of course the hills down in the hill country. I told myself I was going to keep it at about 60 mph and see how it went. That lasted until I got out of town. With average highway speeds here around 75-80+, doing 60 in the right lane seemed a bit spooky. when grade, road and limits allowed it, I kept it at about 70. I didn't care about mileage (only making sure I had another gas station within range). I averaged about 8.5mpg, so that's only about 175 miles per tank. I filled up at about 1/4 tank rather than risk it. Once even at 1/2 tank based on the upcoming section.

I ran OBDFusion to watch my transmission temps. I drove a good bit in S4, but the transmission in the hills would shift up/down with TQ lock/unlock every 2-4 seconds on some sections. While pretty annoying, it was doing it's job. Temps peaked at about 250 degrees (note to self.... find out if this is too much). After that experience, I used gear lock mode (for those OVtuned) and held it in 4th, occasionally manually dropping to 3rd. Transmission temps held at about 195-200, peaking at 210 on occasion.

So what did I learn?

• 5th and 6th were pretty useless. I'd pop into 5th on occasion for downhills.
• 4th was king for almost the whole trip.
• 3rd will definitely get you back up to speed, even on uphills, but you'll have to listen to the rpms climb to 5500 or so. This was actually the surprise of the trip. Even with a fair hill in front of me, 3rd gear would get us up to 65+ and hold it if I needed it to. You just have to be comfortable at 5k rpm steady.
• Mirrors are a bit weak (this trailer seems a bit wide too).
• Around town and up to about 50mph, it actually handles pretty well.
• WDH made the rig pretty solid... very little bobbing and hardly any sway from oncoming or passing traffic.
• Plan your gas stops if tuned on high octane! The current tune I'm running is 93 octane specific... I had to pass on at least one station because of that.
• I averaged about 8.5 mpg roundtrip. Had I kept it down to about 60mph, I think I would have probably gotten about 10-11 mpg.
• This particular trailer has a big 'ol flat face, and even though it's slanted I think it's pushing a lot of wind.
• Once I accepted that we were going to always be 3k+ rpm, I settled down some and it seemed much easier.
• The truck accelerates acceptably, so I think its mostly wind drag at highway speeds. Trailer design is important.

So what will I do next?

• If I commit to a trailer... I'm likely to drop the coin for one of the supercharger kits now hitting the market. That extra 70-80 Hp will make a pretty big difference in keeping the truck in 4th, and perhaps 5th on flats.
• I'll add yet another camera to my system rather than some sort of mirror extenders. This will go on the top back of the trailer and serve as my rear/spotter mirror.
• I may consider adding 2 optional 5gal emergency tanks for longer sections.
• I'll probably do a Bilstein upgrade at some point to give me about 1-1.5" of lift and stiffen the rear just a little.

It was a two night camping trip with my daughter and we had a blast. We ran out of propane on the second night and the little electric heater couldn't keep up with the temperature drop over night. The sleeping bags did though. She took off early the second morning and I tore down camp. Frozen water supply lines were a bit of a pain (no hot water to warm them either). Straight water was enough to unfreeze the connections and get me untethered. At 28 degrees and now soaked gloves, I opted for the $40 grey/black water service from the rental company. He split that with me due to the propane issues.

Conclusion: Successful tow trip.

 

Excellent report, great information. Just my 2 cents worth but if I was planning on getting a 4000lb + or so trailer (loaded will be close to 5000lbs) I’d just opt for a full size truck (F150 or Tundra) rated for 10000lbs or more. It would make towing more pleasant, less hassle and safer.

 

Appreciate the comments. That’s a common consideration; ie get a full size. There’s truth in your comments. I looked up the base weights on an f150 crewcab 4x4 and it’s only 350lbs more than my base taco. So I don’t think a trailer will push me around much more than it would that full size. Wheelbase probably has more effect on it than weight; f150 is about 2.5’ longer. But to your point, the greater power of the full size will lessen the stress of towing. Agreed.

I’m just a little too focused on the ‘other 335 days of the year’ when it’s so much more pleasant to drive the taco vs a full size.

if I were to opt for something other than the taco right now, I’d probably do the current power wagon, the upcoming Tundra, perhaps even the soon to be released Defender. Going out on a limb, I’d be open to the Rivian or Cybertruck in 5+ years.

For now, I’m set on a proper towing setup for the taco and a little more power to help maintain speed when towing (and who ever complained about more power?).

I figure I’ll drop a foot or two on trailer size, thus saving $3k or so which will be about half the cost of a supercharger or twin turbos.

I’m not trying to trick myself into this being a towing beast. But rather accepting what it can do (with some aftermarket aid) and seeing where it takes me.

if it turns out we use the trailer a lot and mpg or performance becomes an issue, then it’s time to reevaluate. Then I’ll be starting another thread; New Tundy vs Defender vs Power Wagon vs electric for DD and regular towing.

 

Nice detailed write up. I just traded in my 15 for a 19. I have a 4200lbs tt and towed it through the Rocky's 2x with no issues. I added a extra trans cooler inline with the stock mini one and used a WD hitch. I did add airbags but in the end it was more for some of the gear I regularly carry versus the trailer. The WD really took care of any sagging issues. I accepted that I would never be the fastest and on the steeper grades I was the slowests but I'm on vacay, so not in a hurry. I wasn't going to push the truck to hard and with the kids more stops are needed anyways. Average speed is around 60mph. I will install another inline trans cooler as that reduced the temps by up to 30%. I'll also add the new fangled overload bump stops instead of the airbags. I found the same with the WD hitch. Pretty solid tow and I felt very confident regardless of what was passing or how hard the wind blew.

The truck pulls the rig just fine and as longs as you're not in a hurry, you'll get there safe. Just a bit later than the rest

https://www.dropbox.com/s/locdt9jg6xu23ir/tacotrailer.jpg?dl=0

 

Have you looked into regearing?

 

It’s a possibility. But I won’t do anything like that or forced induction until I bring home a travel trailer. My truck suits me fine and gets the job done otherwise. But towing 4500-5000 lbs with any regularity; i.e. 6+ times a year and I’m pretty sure I’ll want some more oomph.

 

I recommend you Slow down to 55-60mph and you won’t be pushing the truck too hard, you get better mpg. 70mph is not very safe and you’re putting more load on your equipment with higher rpms, increased wind resistance and longer braking distance.

 

That’s always a fair consideration. Slower is always safer for the vehicle doing the towing. Here in Texas however, doing 55 can put a 30mph+ differential between you and passing vehicles. That by itself is a bit of a hazard. I’d rather sit somewhere in the middle, probably 65mph as a target speed.

In other states, where the max speed isn’t as high, dropping another 5 or 10 seems very reasonable. I also drove to conditions. It was dry, sunny, and very little wind. I suspect that in other locales where highways aren’t as straight, flat, and wide, the slower speed you recommend would be more important.

 

The owners manual recommends no more than 65mph and don’t use higher than S5/5th gear. Take into consideration the speed rating for trailer tires, many are good for 65mph Max and will wear much quicker at higher speeds. Take care and God bless.