Dumb question about pulling a trailer

So I've got a little 5x8 utility trailer (one of those Tractor Supply cheap ones) that we use for camping. Pretty much load mountain bikes and coolers and a couple totes on there.

I can just pull that in 6th gear on the highway, right? This will be the first time pulling it with a MT Tacoma.

 

People are pulling 4K lb campers...getting shitty gas mileage. So you will be fine with a little 5x8

 

Right, I'm mostly double checking to make sure I don't need to be in 5th for pulling this little trailer. Paranoid about breaking this truck for whatever reason lol

 

I have the 3.5L V6, which is an over square design which runs at higher RPM levels than a long-stroke diesel.
Choose the gear that keeps your RPMs in a sweet spot without lugging.
This would be about 2500 RPM for my rig on the flat, or maybe 3000 on a hill.

I don't have the luxury of an MT, but I can do selective shift to choose my highest gear.
IMO, mileage is secondary when towing. You get what you get.

I also own a 5x10 Wells Cargo for transporting sound equipment, but have not yet towed it with the new truck.

 

Its light enough. Should be just fine is it auto?

 

Manual Transmission, I'm thinking it's fine, but figured it's worth it to consult guys that have been there / done that

 

Something like this?

On my little 5 lug I just let it shift as it wished. Didn't even know it was back there. Ran the speed limits in mixed driving (including some interstate) and my MPG for that tank was indistinguishable from my 10 year average.

 

Just watch rpms on hills. Might bog down a bit. But in flats should be ok in 6th.

 

Yes exactly like that - thanks!

Like I said, probably dumb question... Previously pulled it with our minivan, no prob

 

You will find out when you give it a try! And what is the issue / concern with using 5th gear to pull it?

 

Both 5th and 6th are OD gears. If you are putting your foot in it, get out of those gears. 4th is always safe as it is direct drive / 1:1.

If it is easy going, the OD gears are fine.

 

No issue, other than gas mileage.

 

Perfect, thank you - this is what common sense was telling me too

 

Just use a little common sense as long as you’re not lugging the engine or over revving it you’re good to go and obviously shift up or down in those cases

 

pulled a boat MANY a mile with a 3rd gen 4 cylinder manual. Higher rpms dont hurt the engine at all, much easier on it than lugging. I always towed in 4th (1:1) but I'd use overdrive on flat stretches. Dont overthink it, but I'd lean more towards lower gear/higher rpms than higher gear and lugging.

 

Towing and gas mileage are incompatible parameters.

 

You are fine in any gear regardless of MT or AT. If it was an issue, I suspect the owners manual would say so. Note that you should still avoid lugging engine towing or not towing.

I think the notion that you should not tow in “overdrive” is either an anachronism or urban legend. I don’t know where it originated.

I towed my 2300 lb boat both with an AT and a MT and used 6th gear much of the time. Note that 4th and 5th were required for strong winds and inclines, but only because it was bogging in 6th.

 

Cheers!

 

I pull my 5x8 enclosed cargo trailer made into a mini camper setup. Across the country with my ‘08 .

 

I had a 2018 v6, and it would shift out of 6th a TON when I put 32" tires on it while not towing. Couldn't ever imagine it would like 6th while towing.