Towing with a Manual

I have a 2019 Sport with a manual (yea theft prevention!). Reading the towing threads (there are just a few) - I have a question. I understand with an automatic to not tow in overdrive. So translating that to manual speak - keep it out of 6th. Just let the engine climb to about 4K or so and get the torque.

If plans work out, I will be pulling a livestock trailer, being careful to keep under 7,000lbs. That's all the animals the trailer will hold anyway.

I just keep wondering is all. Thanks for helping with the newbie question.

 

5th and 6th gear are overdrive. I doubt you would have enough power to pull a heavy trailer in the upper gears anyway.

 

I towed around that much with a manual. You won't have to worry about towing in 5th or 6th because you will not want to go that fast.
Your problem is going to be backing up, as the reverse gearing is set up to go 90 mph backwards. Be careful to not slip the clutch too much. If I had to back up a hill, I would put it in 4lo so I could have that reduction.

 

Great thought!

Thanks

 

I havent bought one yet, but you might be interested in checking out the 2lo mod for this type of situation.

 

Not towing in overdrive is about how the automatic transmission heats up and how strong the gear itself is.... None of this applies to manuals.

-Drive in whatever gear you want as long as it's not over-revving.

 

I mostly agree with this.

But I rather be turning more RPM than need as to less.
As long as the engine isn’t lugging, you should be fine.
If hauling heavy loads, I’d still want to turn more RPM, to keep me in/closer to the “power band”.

Heavy loads on steep grades at too low an rpm, can result in a pretty drastic drop in rpm between gear changes. I live in the foothills of the Smoky Mnts. and have hauled a few good sized loads though the Blue Ridge Mnts. I doesn’t take long to lug and engine pretty quick if you don’t pay attention.

 

Agreed, I guess I made my statement short since I assumed someone who tows would figure that aspect out. Thats true for every towing situation no matter the transmission.

But, can't assume anything... next week we'll get someone who says the Tacoma can't tow because they shift it at 2,500rpm like how their pappa taught them to drive.

 

Lol, yes.
Won’t be long before some says they pull 10k lbs all the time.
Then the same one will be the guy that complains about the poor brakes.

My opinion, an mine alone. The Tacoma is “over rated” for towing.
Will it do 6k? Yes.
But, I don’t find it enjoyable.

The Tacoma is well suited for a single axle utility trailer with 3k lbs axle.
Other than that, you can’t beat it in woods, trails, or on road. They just seem to go and go.

 

Luckily these events won't be often. You don't have to enjoy it - you just have to do it.

 

The owners manual for my ‘20 Taco TRD OR MT pretty clearly states not to shift into Fifth or Sixth gears (overdrives) when towing. The manual for my previous MT 4wd said the same thing.

 

Indeed.

I know a guy that has done somethings “only a dumba$$ would do”, but it got the job done.
Rest assured, I wasn’t that guy

 

I live in a very hilly region and I would not tow more than 3500-4K. Once you are moving it’s no issue at all, it’s very hard on the clutch to start on hills on red lights for example. Even the slightest hill, I really felt it. On flat roads it’s not an issue at all.

This is what I was towing. About 3500-4K trailer and some stuff in the bed. Barely felt it once I got moving.

Edit: 2WD low mod was absolutely fantastic. IMO a must if you tow any kind of trailer.

 

Yes, and I always wondered how frequently they check the adjustments on those surge brakes.
An those things SUCK trying to load it yourself. Maybe I’m weak? But it seemed heavy to me.

 

I tow around 6000# often enough. Good trailer brakes are a must. I have a cheapo break controller (well, a good one just not fancy-non digital just dials and a lever for manual application)……one of my trailer axles does not have brakes…..
I rarely use 5th. I’m not on highways so rarely above 50mph.
I did the 2lo mod just for reverse. It’s awesome.
Air bags are on my wish list.
Use common sense, you should be fine!

 

2007 manual states "When towing a trailer, in order to maintain engine braking efficiency, do not use fifth gear (5−speed models) or sixth gear (6−speed models)."

2020 manual states "Vehicles with a manual transmission: To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system performance when using engine braking, do not use the sixth gear."

This is for engine breaking, not for driving. Using sixth gear is fine.

 

I beg to differ as the manual for my previous 4wd also stated the same about not using O/D gears when towing. Remember, the actual size of the O/D gears are quite a bit smaller/weaker then are the lower gears.

 

Well... Ok.

I'll happily tow in 6th gear as long as there is power and the speed is reasonable.

 

I tow 3000lbs in 5th gear at 65-75mph with a supercharger and it does ok. I have to downshift to 4th or 3rd depending on how steep the hills get in order to maintain speed. The engine likes to rev and be above 3000rpm to start making any decent power. It's also at 6000'+ so the stock engine was struggling from the get go even without a trailer.

If I towed daily I would not have the Tacoma but for weekend tows of 2-300 miles it isn't terrible.

 

Am I the only one who thinks towing isn't an exact science and completely situational? Not getting enough power? Downshift! Slowing down over a longer distance? Downshift! Revving the piss out of the motor? Upshift!

It doesn't matter what the tranny gear ratio is; you have a diff behind you too...one with slightly lower gears than an auto ending with a much higher RPM (~600 @65mph) at speed.

If you've driven stick for any sort of time it should be as obvious as when you're going up a steep hill.