Manual or Auto for Towing/ Long Bed or Short for Towing

What are your thoughts on the 2 transmissions for towing? I have the auto now and its works for towing, I am picking up a compact tractor with a 20ft flatbed and the total will be around 4500-5000 lbs for the combo. I won't be towing it every day, but often enough.

I am also considering trading my 2016 for a newer one. Any thoughts?

For that matter any thoughts on the long bed or short?

looking at double cab 4x4's only. (package is not as important as price, the only non negotiable for me is 4x4 and double cab.

I would be interested to hear what you guys opinion is

Bigger truck answers are not helpful, I like the size of the Tacoma, I had a 3/4 ton truck prior

 

The manual has lower gearing which is more ideal for towing, the auto has the convenience of the torque converter though, no worry about slipping the clutch with a heavy load.

Also, the long bed double cab is not available with a manual. The extra Long wheelbase however makes towing feel more stable, you will have less towing and payload available with the the DCLB 4x4.

 

I towed a 4500lb trailer from VA to OR with my Tacoma. It's a DCLB auto, but it's a second gen. I don't know how things changed with the third gen. My biggest recommendations are to use a weight distribution hitch, never have the gear selector in D, and always have a can of gas with you.

 

I could also see the extra wheelbase length with the long bed helping with stability when towing that.

 

Towing light loads has been more than fine with my 6MT DCSB. First gear is plenty short so that slipping the clutch has been minimal, and probably won't be an issue at higher weights. However REVERSE is the bitch here, being such a tall/fast gear that even up hill without a load I'm absolutely shredding my clutch away. One mod on my radar is the 2WD low mod, so I can change to low range without being in 4WD. This should help with situations where I have to reverse up hill/with a load.

 

Auto longbed will be best for towing.

 

True story:

18ft tuna boat sitting in muddy backyard grass on trailer with flat tires. Hook up to 2018 4x4 automatic taco with 4L engaged. Pull boat out and over curb, and floor jack (which I forgot to move out of the way)... did not smell burnt clutch at anypoint in time.

 

My manual in 4L won't burn the clutch. You can let the clutch out slow and it'll roll without the gas.

Honestly after towing in both, it doesn't really matter as long as you're in the right gear.

 

DCLB auto with a scangauge to watch the trans temps..

 

Manuals in modern trucks suck for towing. Most of todays engines develop torque at much higher rpm than old school trucks. A new V6 Tacoma needs 4600 rpm to develop max torque. My 1985 F150 got max torque at 1600 rpm. Guess which one is easier on the clutch to get moving. Especially in reverse. Once underway there is no difference, but trying to maneuver a trailer in tight spots with a manual today is a PITA. Some guys have to resort to lo range if they have a manual and 4X4. But that isn't a good option either.

The torque converter in an automatic negates the problem. This is why none of the full size trucks that are actually meant for towing heavy loads even offer a manual anymore. Manuals are for the guys who think they're driving a sports car not a truck.

Long vs short bed? If you're talking about The Access cab with a long bed then fine, but if you're thinking about Double Cab long bed no. The biggest issue with towing with these trucks is the limited payload. Since the DCLB is heavier than the DCSB it further reduces payload. And it is payload that will limit how much you can tow. Forget about the 6500 lb tow rating when you only have 1000-1200 lbs of payload.

If I were thinking about a DCLB I'd just buy a 1/2 ton. The overall length is within 2-3" of the same and you get way more towing and payload in a package that is no harder to maneuver. Fuel mileage will be within 1 mpg of the same.

 

Mine also has the tow package with factory trans cooler. The cooler is a must if you're gonna be towing frequently with an auto.

 

You can easily make a manual tow just as good as an auto. Semi-trucks that have an automatic transmission use what’s called an automated manual, it still uses a clutch and gears because a torque converter will overheat with the amount of power and load those trucks make and pull. HD pickups are still primarily passenger vehicles and generally aren’t used as severely as a very large commercial truck.

 

Show us on the doll where the guy with the manual touched you...

 

How often and how far?

 

Be cautious if you live around any sort of hills/inclines. I tow heavy with my 6mt and it's doable but I have to plan my route to avoid starts on pretty much any sort of grade.

You can’t start on a hill if towing heavy without serious clutch abuse or putting it in 4 low.

Same goes for reverse. 4 low if you’re heavy even on flat ground.

 

50/100 miles maybe couple of times a month (in traffic and downtown areas when I do tow it)

 

I'm thinking you'll be happier if you got a 1/2 ton, my friend.

 

That looks like the set up I’ll have to contend with (pic with Kubota xcept mine is green). I think I’ll stick with the auto, I’ll see in a few weeks (I have to tow it home with my current rig) Dcsb Offroad auto.

 

I would agree if I were towing every day or almost every day, I’ve owned all of the big 3 half tons at one time or another and one of the rams 3/4 ton. None of them appeal to me for the other stuff I like to do with the Tacoma and while I would like to think the new Tundra coming out would fit the bill, I really don’t want another 45k plus truck.

I’m weary of dealing with the domestic 1/2 ton truck companies issues.

I know the trade offs with the Tacoma, I just need a tractor around the property and I know my GC friend will want to hire me and it out on ocassion. I miss the payload of a 3/4 ton but I have been able to work around it when I need to using one of my trailers

 

Do you have any aftermarket suspension parts on your set up beefing up the rear or is it stock? That doesent look that bad (sag) I’m not sure if I’ll have the brake controller in before I have to pick it up so I’ll have to creep home.