2017 Towing Experiences

Hi,

My towing experience with my 2017 has been extremely disappointing. This is my 3rd Tacoma, and compared to my 2009, the 2017 has a very hard time towing. Yes, you can put it in S4, with ECT crank it to 3000rpm, but that results is gas mileage that is largely equal to Tundra. This is occurs with trailers ranging from 600lbs, to 2700lbs. Today, i drove 200 (65-70 MPH) miles on largely flat roads in MI, with a drift boat & trailer (600lbs) and i got 13mpg? With my 2009 i was up in the 16-17 range easily, and it handled it in 5th gear.

The other thing I noticed is that even without a trailer the truck struggles in 5th or 6th when any reasonable wind is present (10-15mph). It simply cannot hold those gears without constant downshifting.

These combined seem like a major design flaw from my perspective. Why offer a tow package ,or advertise better gas mileage when the truck can only come close to that in the best of conditions.

What are others experiences and thoughts?

Thanks Pete

 

Give em' hell Pete

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gen-3-towing-thread.413026/#post-11688246

 

May I suggest selling your 3rd gen for 2nd gen? It appears it may be the only viable solution

 

I have been towing my horses around with no issues. Trailer weighs 3800 and 2 horses go around 1200 each. I get around 17 with 1 and 14 -15 with 2 loaded.

 

Have you had the transmission tsb performed or had your transmission fluid checked?

You shouldn't be having issues towing 600-2700 pounds as people have been towing more than that without issues.

As far as mpg goes, either slow down or put the transmission into s5. You should be fine using s5 with the amount of weight you are pulling and being on flat roads.

Going 65-70 mph in 4th gear is going to give you terrible mpg no matter what.

 

Get a manual. Then you can downshift only when necessary.

 

I'm towing about #2300 with my '16, keep it 55-60, ECT on, use the sport shift on hills if necessary, and get about 15-16 MPG.
I used to pull the same rig with my '02 manual, had to shift into 3rd a LOT on any hills (2.7ltr). Enjoyed towing with the '02, the '16 is more labor intensive, but I'm still more than happy I moved into the '16.

 

Just to clarify, "Enjoyed towing with the '02, the '16 is more labor intensive" - with the same load did you feel like the 1st gen with a 4cyl towed better than your new V6 truck? I'm not planning to do a lot of towing but I do have an 1800lb 16' car hauler that should total around 4500-5000lb with my jeep on it. It's been 2 years since I last towed it, and don't plan to tow anytime soon, but still want to be able to if needed.

note- If I do decide to get a new Tacoma it will be a DCSB OR with a manual transmission.

 

I believe any manual gives better control for towing than any automatic.
That said, the amount of towing I do isn't close to being a dictating factor to buy a manual over the automatic.
This is the first automatic I've ever owned, (have been driving/owning vehicles for 48 years to date), and for the amount of towing I do, I'm happy with my decision.
But then the truck I wanted was not available as a manual.
All is good.

 

Yeah, I definitely hear you and understand/agree with the manual giving control. I've only towed with manual trucks and often wondered what it would be like with an auto. I have this picture in my mind that you can just put it in cruise control and turn up the stereo and let the truck worry about it. I love driving a manual day to day, I can't imagine driving an auto on a daily basis! but on cross country drives with lots of time to ponder I've found myself wondering if an auto might be just more relaxing than trying to keep the motor at the right RPM all day long. I currently drive a V8/stickshift chevy pickup, but it's the little 4.8L V8 and it's a bit peaky like the new 3.5L.

 

I tow my ATV (750lbs) and an 8ft trailer and I get 14MPG, ranging from 70-80 miles an hour....

 

My 6MT 2016 TRD OR, towed two Ducatis to the track. 950lbs + trailer. 75MPH, 13-16MPG

2017 Pro hasn't towed anything yet, I don't suspect it to be different.

If I really want to tow heavy, I use my LX570, which gives me 9-11MPG

 

Oh and I was on ECT mode the entire time. Maybe next time I try without that

 

I thought for the autotragics, ECT is recommended for towing?

 

I was never told that so I am not sure... but there were multiple climbs reviving about 3000 RPM. Truck was really working and I feel like an ATV is nothing in comparison to what other people are towing.

Could also be the fact that I drive 75mph

 

I drive the same speed as you. You haven't read your manual?

Keep ECT on for towing.

 

That sucks to hear Pete. I never noticed much of a mpg loss towing my driftboat with my 2nd gen 4 cylinder, it will be interesting to see what the new truck does (also in Michigan). Both trucks are manuals though...

Mike

 

Mine does very good. I'm like 99% sure you got a lemon. I just heard Honda has a tacoma trade in special for the Ridgeline.