How do I increase towing performance?

I think the thermostat set point is 190, that's right around where I would like to stay temp-wise. I find when towing with Tacoma the pan temp is pretty stable and consistent but the exit temp after the torque converter can spike very quickly when it's unlocked. Not a huge issue on flat roads or cruising along but it becomes an issue on hills and in the mountains. Pinning it open keeps the temp a little lower because it's being cooled prior to the thermostat setpoint. That gives you more room for temp increases.

The "cooler" is a little tube that runs through the transmission. I don't think it provides very efficient transmission cooling. Not even close to an external cooler with a fan. EDIT: I have a 2021, there is no "external" transmission cooler. I only have the "built-in" cooler.

 

Great point. That does help a lot to get back up to temp. We have a 6-gallon, totally fine for us camping with the kids.

 

I appreciate the response! I'll have to read up more on the Taco cooler, but even pinned once it hits that temp it wouldn't do anything anymore, correct? So it may delay reaching that temp for a time, but I'm not sure how long that would take.

 

Do the 3rd gens have an external transmission cooler? If not, definitely add one.

On m 2nd gen, I replaced the factory trans cooler with one about 3 times as big, and added an external transmission oil filter. Clean and cool fluid is essential to the life of the transmission.

 

Yes and no; some do, some don't. I don't remember the timeframe, but they did away with the external coolers at some point in time I believe. I think earlier year models are more likely to have them.

 

I have a Casita travel trailer and they're wonderful trailers (low maintenance, high resale, comfortable) but may be small for full timing unless you're a minimalist.

If it were me then I'd put a standard litterbox inside a floor cabinet (like under one side of a dinette) and install a cat door to it. then I'd plumb an outdoor vent to that cabinet.. with a fiberglass shell a hole saw will make it easy (then would consider an inline 12v fan just to keep the odors out of the living space.)

OP is in Texas? Rice TX is the birthplace of all Casita travel trailers.

 

IIRC some time in 2020 they were removed. I have a 2019 and added a Tru-Cool 4590 in line after the factory cooler. I also run with the transmission thermostat pinned. Most of the time my temps are 165-170 cruising on flat roads in S5 with the torque converter locked. On a steep grade, when it shifts down to 3rd, and the torque converter unlocks, I have seen the torque converter temp reach 225 for a few minutes until the road levels off enough for 4th gear again and the torque converter can lock up. I run a bluetooth OBD2 dongle and OBDFusion to monitor temp, torque converter lockup, gear, ect, and I have a tune. I am on 265/75R16 Duratrac tires and have a 2" lift and all the steel armor, skids, sliders, bumpers, winch. I am typically towing at 55-62 mph and see 14 mpg while towing the 3,500 lb Basecamp on flat roads with no headwind. Re-gear to 5.29 and 35s are next and then a supercharger is in my future, just have to decide between Magnusson and Procharger.

 

Be sure to check with a good trailer/hitch company. I went to mine and turned out I didn't need a wdh with my trailer. Don't just buy one to slap on, get your rig checked out first

 

Any trailer in the size/weight range the OP is considering will need a weight distribution hitch to be safely towed by a Tacoma.

 

Maybe, maybe not. Take it to a shop you trust, mine literally could have sold me $100s of dollars of stuff that I didn't need.

 

No, there’s no maybe, maybe not here. A Tacoma needs a WDH when towing 4000+ pounds behind it. A quick trip to a scale with and without will quickly show how much weight you lose off the steering axle when dropping 500lbs or more on the hitch of the truck and how the majority of that weight transfers back forward when you properly hook up a WDH.

 

He didn't buy a trailer yet bud, we don't know how much it will weigh. He may buy a lighter trailer and not need the wdh.

 

By the sounds of it you will be considerably over payload. Payload is likely less than 1,000lb (mine is only 940lb) You will be maxing out the tongue weight for sure 740lb (which is 100lb over the tacos allowed 640lb), WDH 100lb. This only leaves 160lb which has to cover you, your extra mods and anything in the truck.

All of the things you listed will improve the driving experience of pulling a TT that big but they won’t help if you get in an accident and the police/insurance want to check if you’re within limits. Your insurance will insure the TT regardless (they want your money), however the GVWR of the trailer has to be under the 6,400lb rating of your truck. If the TT GVWR is 6,500lb but it only weighs 5,000lb over the scale you will not be insured in the case of an accident.

I towed an Apex Nano 213rds (5klb loaded) 8k miles last year and the only way I did it legally was to have nothing in the truck, I even removed the rear seats (100lb plus) to help with payload and give the dog more space. You can read about it here… https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...4-700lb-travel-trailer….760812/#post-27122598

I highly recommend the Anderson WDH and redarc brake controller.

Personally I would recommend finding a TT that weighs 5klb loaded and keep the width to 7.6ft wide. The Apex I tow has been a good unit.

 

FYI Brochure tongue weights don’t mean shit, they don’t include batteries or propane. Tongue weight should be +\-13%. 4,000lb TT = 520lb

Your payload is listed on the tire decal.

 

Yeah thanks to the advice from y'all with more experience I've decided to downsize to a little guy max that's 4.2k fully loaded. But I probably don't have enough stuff to put in it to fully load it to 4.2k. It weighs ~3k empty so I'm not 100% sure if i need but the WDH but if you guys think its still a good idea then I'll get one. The Redarc Brake controller is going to arrive from Amazon soon. Is this the WDH you're talking about?

$750 ANDERSEN HITCHES | Weight Distribution Hitch | Tow Accessories | Universal Hitch Towing Kit | 4" Drop/Rise, 2" Ball, 10k lbs GTWR, 1400 lbs tongue weight| Grease free system | 3324

https://www.amazon.com/3324-Anderse...la-570737247751&ref=&adgrpid=63195598278&th=1

 

yeah, I looked at trailers at the dealership yesterday and out of all the smaller ones the Little Guy Max really stood out to me. @Scott B. was right about them. They're pretty cool and to be honest it feels a lot more spacious in person. I don't think im going to fully load it to the 4.2k lb rating. I think all in all i might top out around 3500-3800lbs when i get moved in. Would the WDH be a good idea still?

 

So steel trailer, wood walls, aluminum roof and what holds it all together? naw man.. hard pass.

 

I'm going to be towing on the gulf coast between Texas and Florida most likely, probably just Texas and Alabama mostly. So I won't have to worry about hills, I-10 is mostly flat with a slight incline once every blue moon. I think the only major incline I'd be driving over is one bridge in Louisiana IIRC. So atleast it won't something I have to worry about too much. I planned on getting a Transmission cooler put in to beef up the truck compared to the one that's already in it. Would that solve the problem too if hypothetically I was driving up mountains and hills?

 

I currently do not have a WDH, and have been considering getting one. I was just looking at the Andersen Hitches, suggested by @mosccat, and I really like them.

I am now seriously thinking about getting one.

 

I wouldn’t buy a Little Guy Max to live in unless you will always be at a RV park with hookups. The tank capacities are too small. You’ll run out of fresh water after about two days (2 showers at about 7.5gal each, brushing teeth, flushing the toilet, washing hands, washing dishes) and fill up your black tank in about 3 days. The grey tank will fill in about 4 days but since you’ll have to go to a dump station at least every three days that’s not a big deal.

Wet baths are a pain because you will have to wipe down the entire interior of your bathroom with a shammy style cloth after each shower.