2019 TRD OffRoad Towing experience

First post here, Just want to say lots of knowledge and great info here and is appreciated. I know this has most likely been beat to death here, But just wanted to share my experience and opinions this weekend towing with my new 2019 TRD offraod. Took a trip from North Louisiana to Old Town, FL. - about 710 miles, one way. Took down an almost empty trailer, 5x14, not heavy at all. 3 passengers, suitcases, etc. Had quite a headwind going down. I experienced all the issues everybody has complained about here, Using cruise control, VERY shifty, loves to jump in 4th and 3rd on the slightest incline, way worse with headwind. "Cringy" to say the least. (new word my 16 yr old daughter taught me - applicable here. ) and a whopping 10.8 MPG.
Now, coming home fully loaded with Items in picture, zero wind- turning to tailwind later in the trip, MUCH better performance, even using CC, Still downshifted, but it was more normal and when expected when any vehicle would shift. and 12.8 MPG.
My opinion: 3.5L is a bit weak at lower RPMs, using the 6 speed gearing to milk out every bit of HP it can at higher rpms. (Im sure this is no revelation to most of you) Once youre in the 3000+ range it moves along just fine. And the higher RPMs didnt seem to bother the 3.5L motor at all - temp gauge was glued to dead center the whole time - never moved at all. So the motor is obviously made for this kind of abuse. So I just let it do its thing, trying my best to just ignore the fact the transmission is playing a tune with the engine. Thinking to myself "screw it, its under warranty let it blow up if it wants to" And cruise control and wind seem to be the main affectors. (although I'm not sure if my warranty would've got me home from the middle of bumf** Mississippi - *cue deliverance music*)
I really do love my new Tacoma, tough little vehicle. It takes some getting used to the constant high rpm operation, I do think a truck as great as the Tacoma deserves a little more motor. Hell a full size truck with a V8 gets better gas mileage. So why not have the added HP to go along with it. Anyway just my $.02 - for what its worth. Thanks again for all the good info on here.

 

Did you use S4 and ECT?

 

S5 and ECT... Trying to save a little gas when/if I could. Kicking into 4th didn't bother me as much as the jump to 3rd. At 70mph, 5th was at 2400RPM, 4th was 3400 RPM and 3rd ran at 4600 rpm...give or take. Coming back it was pretty content in S5 most of the time.

 

I don't like cruise for towing as I feel it makes the shifting issue worse when it hammers the gas. I use S5 also and usually use ECT. I tow 2500-3000 fairly often plus a full load of camping/hunting gear. Not sure what tire size/weight you have on, but I have 255 MAXXs along with sliders and skids, and hidden winch/mount. My tach/trip is off a little, but I think get 9-10mpg. The Tacoma does feel like it tows better than my 17 4R though. Definitely has less issues with sway.

 

Recommend you drive slower. 65mph is the fastest I would recommend. The slower you go, the more stable your ride will be and you will encounter less wind resistance. Thus your truck will struggle less and get better MPGs.

 

How many pounds are you pulling?

 

Inflating your tires will also help a lot!

 

I try to stay at 65 and maxing at 70. I've had a wheel bearing explode and lock up on snow and had both trailer tires throw tread in another incident while towing my ranger.

 

That I did...I went up to 45PSI. Bumpier ride but Im sure it helped.

 

No idea - Can you see the pic? 2000 maybe?

 

A good portion of the trip was on State highways in MS.. I went 65. 70 On the interstates. Going down empty I was pushing to 75+, probably why it got such bad mileage. Few MPH makes a difference!

 

I tow an Aluma 6x14 tandem enclosed 1400lb empty, and around 3400lb loaded. The truck tows it fine, mostly in S5. But in D on long flat roads. Worst mileage towing that trailer has been 15.3 (math) at 60 to 65mph. No CC ever when towing, easier to control overall average speed, and gear hunting.

 

This is my first mid-size truck in a long time and it’s got me a little dissapointed on the towing side. I guess it’s like any other smaller displacement engine though- gotta keep it higher in the rpm range for hp/tq. It discouraged me enough that I sold me steel/wood deck trailer and bought a full aluminum one. The fuel mileage still sucks with my empty Aluma utility trailer at highway speed. Figured shaving 600+ pounds off my empty weight couldn’t hurt....

 

Weight isn't the only issue. Wind resistance plays a huge part aswell.