2017 Towing Experiences

i had an 07 tundra crew 4x4 , and a 12 Tundra crew 4x4 and a 15 Tundra 4x4 crew. Towed my bass boat that was 19 feet and loaded with gear and gas was about 4k. It towed it great. Over the years also had 3/4 ton chevy diesel and f250 diesel crew cabs also and same half ton other trucks in past of all brands. Tundra is a beast towing and does extremely well. I drive almost 700 miles a week to work and weekends and 85% is hyw between 65 and 75. The tundras all got 14.5 to 15 empty average mpg in my driving and when towing my boat it always averaged about 10. I know longer tournament fish and sold my boat so really dont tow and now got the 18 tacoma . Same driving and after 3 months and over 6k miles i average 20.4 on my tacoma. I have towed my buddies bass boat one time 80 miles to and from lake one weekend and truck got 14 towing it. It did just fine and id have no issues towing with it a bass boat but if i was going a lot like i used too i would get the bigger v8 and big truck just because it is so much nicer and so much smoother power and just weight of the bigger truck. If i was only going to lake on some weekends and not towing a lot of miles all over the tacoma is fine. Just dont expect v8 towing but it for sure can handle no problem.

 

I find this exceptionally hard to believe. If your 2009 did get better gas mileage its because you drove your 3rd gen in S4 while your 2nd Gen was in 5th. At the end of the day the 3rd gen is more aerodynamic, has similar engine specs, and the final drive ratios between the 2nd and 3rd gen are almost identical with the 3rd gen having slightly lower final drive ratios in every gear.

 

I regularly tow 5700lbs (weighed on the truck scales). My experience has been generally positive, I won't win any speed races but the truck does quite well even on the hills. I use ECT and S4 and S5. The engine revs higher for sure but that's where the torque is on this engine. Fuel mileage is usually in the 11mpg range. All in all I'd say it tows as well as my old gmc sierra 1500 5.3 v8.
To the OP, I wonder if your transmission needed software updates and a fluid level check as your original post was from 2016 and many 2016's had those issues .
Here's my old gmc with the boat

 

...and have full rock sliders and skids, and KO2’s, a cabrac and a big shell, and sometimes an RTT.... so yes, when I tow my 3500 lb travel trailer, I’m getting those mileages too. Also with ECT on and S4-5 setting on the AT.

 

I like to hear reports like this. Ill be towing half your boat, prolly bout 1800/1900 tops, loaded. On a Mt. Hopefully before xmas!

 

Just finished 4300+miles over 3+ weeks, throughout the western U.S.; CA, OR, UT, CO, NM, NV, and AZ. 17mpg+ in the flats ECT, S4-S5. Lots of 60mph, but lots of 70 mph too. Even cruise control at times. Pulling grades in the Sierras and the Rockies, not so good. Naturally.
But now with 30K miles on the odometer, I believe the truck's performance continues to improve. I have no qualms.