Pulling a camper

Hello I have a 2018 trd I pull a camper and a motorcycle in the bed I had to add air bags and weight distribution hitch this helped a lot but when pulling into any head wind the truck is working hard my question is with stock tires would you go with the 4.88 or the 5.29s? From what I’ve read I’m leaning towards the 5.29 no interest in adding a lift or bigger tires …. At least not til I’m done pulling with it I’m not about to try to load a bike into a truck with a 8” lift lol

 

This is a repeat - but - Many threads on here about adding transmission coolers cause you are really working that assuming it's an automatic. Just another thing to think about. Regards Scott

This thread I started with one cooler and post #45 I added the second. Couldn't be more happy with the reduced temps. Especially when towing. Two was for sure the way to go.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/easy-transmission-cooler-install.731014/#post-26037632

 

I’d go 4.88, unless you only pull a load all the time.

 

We use the truck as a truck and only drive it when we need to all other we use the car my wife and I work opposite shifts so sometimes the truck sits for 2+ weeks at a time

 

Leave it in S4 when towing. No need for gearchange. You dont want to tow in overdrive.

 

I do leave it in s4 and she is in and out of 3-4 sometimes 2-3-4 if up a hill

 

Sounds like you simply need a larger more powerful truck.

 

"working hard"... it's a small displacement V6...it's designed to spin to make power, turn up the music, downshift and let it spin.

 

He has a 2018, so its got the factory cooler already (Toyota removed it in 2019 I think)

 

I just got done pulling a 22 foot camper trailer, in wind I had to keep it in 3rd at 55mph the whole time, but once out of wind I could get up to 70 in 4th. The biggest issue I found was that the truck power band is too high to cruise at 55-65 in 4th gear, it just slows down and you have to bump it into 3rd.
You could try getting the intake manifold spacer, its supposed to move the torque down to a usable rpm for towing.
https://www.aesinnovate.com/product-page/2016-2022-toyota-tacoma-v6-3-5l-intake-runner-kits
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...manifold-spacer-install.798957/#post-28627111

 

You don't give enough info, but I seriously doubt anything you do to the truck will help. You most likely need a bigger truck. Your problem is payload, and Tacoma's don't have much. My guess is that you've exceeded it by a lot. There is a sticker on the driver's door jamb with a statement that reads something like (The weight of passengers and cargo should not exceed XXXX lbs). The exact number varies, but a 4X4 DC will usually be 1000-1200 lbs. Some as little as 800-900. Some 2wd Access cabs can be a little over 1200, but I've never seen a DC 4X4 over 1100 and those are 2nd gens. 3rd gens are usually closer to 1000.

That includes the tongue weight of the trailer and passengers. Figure 13% of trailer weight, so if your trailer is 4000 lbs that is 520 lbs. The weight of a skinny driver and passenger will be 300 and could be as much as 500. You don't say how much the motorcycle weighs but figure another 500. Then add up everything else in the truck including tools, luggage, etc.

You first need to find out what your payload is. Then add up everything in the truck. My guess is that you're way overloaded. But maybe not. No one can say with the limited info available.

Just a SWAG, but I'm thinking you're probably borderline without the motorcycle. If you want to bring it you need a bigger truck. Most 4X4 1/2 tons will have 1600-1800 lbs payload. But some are as little as 1200 and a few can go a bit over 2000. So even moving to a bigger truck you still have to choose carefully to handle that much weight.

 

Those small coolers were kinda useless for his needs and most other needs. Aside from saving money, I would almost believe that they were discontinued in 2020 for the fact that they really did nothing. A second and larger one is most necessary for large payloads.

 

yes 100% over the payload but under the towing lbs …. But even when pulling the trailer empty (4200lbs ) it still acts as a sale and is quite hard on the truck I figured I’d buy a toy hauler in the future if the truck can handle the trailer on its own …. I was thinking that a lower gear will add the power to the road better while hauling