Towing

New to Tacoma World . I have a 2019 Toyota Tacoma V6 with Tow package. Just purchased travel trailer 17 ft. 3500 lb. Installed new Redarc brake controller. Added a E2 Fastway Weight distribution and anti sway control system 8k lb rating. New Heavy duty receiver and Heavy duty 2 inch ball. Filled up Tacoma full tank. Hitched up trailer to my Tacoma. Went just 100 miles to a RV camp ground. On empty as we arrived at campsite. I see posts where people are getting 10 miles to a gallon. I think we were a averaging about 5.0 to 5.5. Going down hills we actually slowed down. Up hills a strain. Had ECT button on and in S mode. Going to get

$152 ScanGauge - SG2 II Ultra Compact 3-in-1 Automotive Computer with Customizable Real-Time Fuel Economy Digital Gauges , Black , 5"

Scan guage before next tip to monitor trans and engine. Any suggestion for better gas mileage besides slowing down? Would appreciate any advice from Tacoma owners who pull a camper/ travel trailer. Thank you,Tim.

 

Your pulling a brick with a brick. Mileage is gonna suck pulling anything. I know it's not helping ya but my mileage sucks pulling a rt188 ranger bass boat.

 

It would be cheaper to buy a different truck than to spend the money on power adders and gears.
My vote is “Run what you got”.
Unless you are towing all the time, I bet it’s cheaper to fill it up more.

 

I appreciate feedback. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. How can I get 10 mpg.? Aerodynamic solutions? Changing weight on travel trailer, add ons? Love my Toyota but 6400 pounds says it can pull! I'm very disappointed with this towing ability!

 

Another thing is all these Taco owners saying they get great towing? I'd like to hear from you all too! Thank you, Tim

 

You don't need a WDH with a trailer that light. A friction sway control bar would have been more than adequate. But something ain't right. You should have been somewhere between 9-11 mpg pulling that trailer. Just a wild guess, but if you were slowing down while coasting down hills I'm wondering if the trailer brakes aren't adjusted properly and you're driving with the brakes dragging. If not that something is wrong.

 

Scheduled maintenance at Toyota dealer. Going to have them do all maintenance for pulling travel trailer. Then I'm going to take your advice and do a complete inspection ad repair if needed on travel trailer brakes, bearings, drums, everything! Thank you very much, Tim

 

I agree with Marshall... Something is not right- probably with that brake controller. I pull a 4K pound trailer from Denver to the high country and get 11 to 13 mpg uphill almost all the way. Also strange to slow down going downhill- physics usually doesn't allow that to happen unassisted. Those brake controllers can be tricky... Maybe reset it and readjust? Good luck with it.

 

I pulled our 5100 lb Grand Design 17MKE last summer into a 30-40 mph headwind. Was expecting 10 mpg but got 8.67. Refilled with .9 gallons left! Usually I get 10-11 towing over rolling hills at 60-65 mph. How fast were you going? That makes a HUGE difference. above 60-65 even not towing, the Taco mileage will drop. Wind resistance goes up by the square as mileage doubles. So think speed doubles from 9 x 2 = 18 mph, but the wind resistance goes 9 x 9 = 81. Not sure what the unit is, but that's how it works.