KDMax 6.0 for Towing?

Currently running OVTune 2.0 on an AT and have been very happy with it driving around town, highways, and towing about 2k lbs.

Saw some (lots of) posts on KDMax 6.0, and everyone seems to love it. I’m considering it now. I also saw this dyno chart:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kdmax-6-0-ovtune-april-4-17-2021-k-d-tuning.709247/page-10#post-25409968

and questions/posts on whether the low end HP/TQ is less with KDMax. Saw a couple responses claiming it tows ok. I’m hoping to get a little more experience/feedback/comparison here, specifically from those that have towed with KDMax and OVTune 2.0.

I think I understand the other benefits of KDMax (it’s why I’m considering it). I just want to know about towing.

Also, possibly relevant, I live at elevation (7k ft) with lots of steep hill climbs to even higher elevation when towing.

 

What about engine performance is specific to towing?

 

Low end torque is very specific to towing, and lacking that is what makes the Tacoma not very good at it.

 

I mean its not bad at all for what is is. But I would not tow more than 4K with my manual. Taking off on slight hills in the city were a bit sketchy, once driving I honestly barely felt the load unless I was braking.

IMO 2WD low mod is a must, it really makes low speed maneuvering a breeze.

 

I don’t understand why. Are you forced to use a lower rpm while towing? I just choose a lower gear myself.

 

I wouldn't get too hung up on any dyno charts. I have quite the first hand experience of towing with KDMax. Colordo to Alaska (3,500 miles) pulling a completely loaded 7' x 16' cargo trailer. I couldn't imagine pulling this bad boy without being tuned. I've been using OVTune/VF Tuner for about 2 years, so I've been able to try a lot of different tunes. OVTune 2.0 still felt underpowered, and the truck would eventually revert back to its gear hunting ways. KDMax has held strong over the months. There's only so much you can expect performance-wise when towing with a Tacoma, but KDMax made the experience much better!

Also, I was at 6,300 ft in CO, so I've tried it out at elevation too. You can tell that the truck struggles more at higher elevations, but the tune still helps a ton. The constant gear hunting when driving through the mountains of CO is what drove me to tuning to begin with. KDMax will eliminate a lot of the gear hunting. Only potentially better option is to spend the $2,500+ on regearing, but I'd recommend trying KDMax for a couple hundred bucks first.

 

Brought this boat home 2 hours from San Diego, about 4500 pounds in total give or take… had no issues towing for power.

KDMax, threw it in ECT and it was fine.

 

My truck tows my boat just fine despite a tune, but in any case, my last read of the ovtune thread suggested that low end torqued is improved.

 

Why do you complain about your automatic transmission shifting for you? I shift my 6mt a lot while towing. It wouldn’t be terrible to have it shift itself, but I do like the control.

 

KDM6 is designed to be used for towing using S+ECT according to @PapaRee. And, I agree with that. I tow a 3200# camper very comfortably using S4+ECT. However, my towing is all flatland a lot closer to sea level than you so I can’t comment on operating at altitude.

I’ve towed my rig with OV1.05(GL), OV 2.0 and KDM6(non GL) and my verdict is KDM6 does it best. In my opinion one has to try it to really feel what’s going on. Originally I thought I would need the KD gear lock version for the best towing but found out by trial and error that I don’t need it. The tune, in S+ECT, uses (what seems to me) functions of gear lock to avoid unnecessary downshifts when calling for slight increases in speed or climbing the prairie inclines. Appears to have all the torque required for my needs/speed in any of the towing gears.

 

Holy smokes, is that the angle or that trailer is twice the size of the taco?

I imagine towing this huge sail wasn’t enjoyable with a midsize.

 

I may be a little partial but the first time I towed with KDMax I was blown away.

 

I tow with OVtune but I don’t run the KDMAX tune. I did not like the version I got so I cannot comment on 6.0. I chose another tune that is stellar and has netted me the highest mpg yet with a better power to pedal ratio (shoutout to @DownhillDragon) One thing to note is that locking TC in 3rd is ideal when towing something like a trailer to keep temps low. I suggest getting a tune that allows TC to lock when you go into 3rd. This setting should ONLY apply when in ECT. I tow 4300lbs loaded and have 4.88’s on 32’s…just FYI

 

Haha, a little of both. I only got 7 - 10 mpg the whole trip, but at least I made it safely. I was honestly impressed with how well the truck handled (brake controller and weight distributing hitch). I thought the trailer would pull me just as much as I was pulling the trailer, but it tracked well. I couldn't help but loose a lot of speed on some of the steep, long inclines in the various mountain passes (plus it was winter, so I had to be cautious with all of the ice/snow on the ALCAN); but I felt safe and in control the whole way.

 

Impressive! So the weight of that trailer was about 6k?

Winter too, you are a brave man! Haha!

 

I didn't officially weigh the trailer, but I would guess that the combined trailer/cargo weight was pushing 6,000 lbs. Had I felt out of control I would have figured something else out, but other than the gas mileage, there's not much I would complain about. I'm sure a full size would have towed much better, but I didn't get the Taco for it's towing capabilities. At least it is capable enough at towing for the few times I need it.

 

The Tacoma's 3.5 doesn't build decent torque until above 2.5-3k rpm. That makes a huge difference when towing. Over half my miles on my truck are with a trailer and it's hugely noticeable when accelerating from a stop.

 

I’ve towed 4K trailer with my truck and I did not go over 2.5-3k with normal driving. Plenty of power at lower rpms, I’m sure 4.30 rear end helps.

 

If I shift 1st to 2nd at 3k rpm while towing the truck will completely bog out. There's just zero bottom end when towing up at altitude even with a supercharger. I have the same 4.30 gearing as you.

 

I suggest using a gear that puts you above 2.5-3k rpm.