Should have bought a half ton

I recommend purchasing a ~$3000 3/4-ton of early 2000 origin and making it your designated tow truck. And since this is a bitchin' and moanin' thread about towing quality, make sure that you get a long bed, not a short bed: they tow better. Mine's only a 1/2ton, a '97 long bed with a Leer fiberglass bed cover. I leave my camping gear in it full time, always ready to go to the lake. And if I have to actually CARRY SOMETHING OF ANY SIZE IN THE BED, like plywood, I don't have another reason to regret owning a Taco. It carries and tows everything I require as good as can be expected, without drama.

Every man in a lifetime will find that he needs a $2000-$3000 full-size truck many times along the way. Go ahead and gitcha' one now and stop your bitchin'.

 

I'd disagree. It doesn't sound right as I pull 3 different trailers at times that weigh more than this one. Check the bearings, wheels (and brakes if you have them) on that trailer. If you're constantly climbing thousands of ft inclines then I can understand the complaining.

 

4th is the perfect gear. Automatics are only doing 1700rpms at 65mph in top gear. There is very little power at that rpm towing a trailer. There is nothing wrong with truck.

 

Shoulda, woulda, coulda got a MT .

I have towed my 8' x 14' landscape trailer w/o any issues with a exmark or a 2305 JD many time with any issues. Now, back up a small grade towing any weight is no fun.

EDIT - "Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer can have an adverse impact on handling, performance, braking, durability, and fuel consumption. For your safety and the safety of others, you must not overload your vehicle or trailer. You must also ensure that you are using appropriate towing equipment, that the towing equipment has been installed correctly and used properly, and that you employ the requisite driving habits. (P. 198)" https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM04025U/pdf/OM04025U.pdf

 

80mph is too fast. It’s unsafe and you are drastically reducing your mpg .

 

per the manual you should be towing in s4 with ect on.....

 

OP forgot to mention

 

I'll be spending hours stabbing out my mind's eye now........trying to erase the mental image.......

 

I bought a 3500 lb travel trailer this summer, and have towed around 5000 miles with it already. I have found that the drag created by the profile of the trailer affects the performance much more than the weight. Throw in a headwind and it can make for a miserable ride.

 

OVTune would help quite a bit.

 

There goes my other eye........................

 

11 mpg is NOT normal for the trailer pictured on what OP described as level ground.

 

I only towed a trailer one time with my Tacoma and that was enough. I really didn’t like how my 15 got blown around on the interstate. Traded it in for a full size, went a couple years, got Tacoma fever again and got a 2018 and then realized I had the same issues.

Tacoma’s are great in my experience for in town and highway. Towing and interstate are quite the struggle.

I get 20mpg pulling my bass boat every weekend now if that makes you feel better OP.

 

It is if OP is trying to drive 80mph in 6th gear with that trailer

 

Niiice

 

The Tacoma is a 1/2 ton truck. It is a mid-size truck with a fairly short wheelbase and narrow stance.

Any full-size truck with a V-8 will handle pulling a trailer better and with less trouble than a Tacoma due to power, wheelbase and wider stance.

We pulled a folding camper, loaded near 4000 lbs with a Ninnivan, TrailBlazer, Sonoma, Sierra 2500HD w/6L. All were able to pull. The TrailBlazer was the most squirrely because short wheelbase and soft suspension. The Sierra didn't know the camper was there.

 

you should have bought a manual!