7mpg?!

Even still 7 seems pretty low.

Maybe install a scangauge and drive to optimize instantaneous readings.

 

I'm getting ready to move cross-country and I'm thinking about towing my wife's car on a u-haul dolly. The car and dolly should add up to around 4,000 lbs and I'm hoping to fit another 1,000-1,500 in my truck bed. Any estimated on MPG?

 

The winter gas blend also might have something to do with the low gas mileage.

 

7mpg reminds me of my dads 64 chevy pickup that was all metal with a straight-6. ridiculous for a new tacoma regardless of tow weight. if i ever see that lame of gas mileage, im getting a new truck. just sayin

 

How is your payload, GVWR, axle loads and GCWR with a camper shell, gear, people and the tongue weight? That would be some important data and something to consider.
Can you go to a scale somewhere when loaded up and with the trailer attached? I use our local landfill for that frequently, it's for free.

 

I have been getting about 10 mpg pulling this little guy fully loaded. I even took a scrap metal load that weighed out at 3100 lbs, plus the trailer that must weigh somewhere around 1200 to 1800 lbs.

 

If Toyota eventually gives us a 6cyl turbo diesel, then those of us that tow will enjoy better mileage both "empty" and when pulling a load. Until then, using a (relatively) small gas engine to generate the torque necessary to get a heavy load moving and keep it moving behind the vehicle is simply going to require the gas engine to burn more fuel to do the job.

I recently read an article (I think it was linked here) where two identical Ford F150's with the 6cyl "EcoBoost" (turbocharged gas) engines drove the same extended course except one pulled a 4-5000lb loaded trailer. The ecoboost is pretty economical in town and yet generates impressive torque numbers for a relatively small displacement V6. Well, the take home message was that the truck pulling the load handled it fine - but mpg dropped precipitously because the motor was constantly in boost, hence burning more fuel to generate the power needed to keep the extra mass of the trailer moving. I know a Taco is not an F150, and the ecoboost is not a diesel. I'm just pointing out that a small gas engine, while it can be very versatile with a power adder (S/C or T/C), will never match a diesel of equal displacement in terms of torque producing capability - and it's torque that gets that loaded trailer moving from a stop and keeps it moving up a grade.
If Toyota (or Ford, or Chevy, or Dodge) would build a midsize 4door 4WD pickup with a 6cyl turbo diesel I'd buy one and never look back - but I'd rather it be Toyota or Ford.

 

Check out "Six Cylinder Towing Review" for a bit more info. I tow in 5th all the time unless is starts hunting.

 

Toyota already makes diesel trucks, they just don't sell them in the USA. Go to China, Japan, Australia, etc... and they're all over the place. Over there they call them the Hilux instead of Tacoma.

 

Why do you say the Taco will "never" get a diesel? Not trying to spark a flame war - just asking.

 

When I tow my 1st gen, total weight of both trucks and trailer are just shy of 11k pounds. I tow in 5th, sometimes 4th depending on wind direction and get around 10 mpg-14 mpg. NEVER 7 lol

 

If you are not using 91 oct fuel or higher, give it a try next time you are hauling. The 4.0 is designed to run at peak performance with 91 or higher. You will notice the difference in power if you have been using 87oct. and it should increase the mpg a bit. I generally get between 10.5 to 12.5mpg with my rig loaded even with a 375lb motorcycle in the bed.

Could also be a clogged fuel filter.....or mouse nest in the air filter. I speak from experience here.......

 

It's not just Toyota. There are very few foreign car companies that import their diesels into the USA. Volkswagen and maybe a couple of others. There are diesel cars all over Europe and Asia that get up to 80 mpg that aren't available here. Some people say they can't import them because they won't pass our emissions requirements, but I don't see how a 4 cylinder 1.1 liter diesel puts out more emissions than the turbo diesels that go into our American car company (Ford, Chevy, & Dodge) trucks. A diesel Tacoma would be very cool and I would buy it unless they want $40K or more for it.

 

And there-in lies the problem Imcc007. A diesel option will cost $5K to $6K more than an SR5 or TRD Tacoma. Sure, some people would still buy one but, there won't be enough buyers to justify Toyota's tooling for the option. The fuel savings isn't enough to justify the price premium in the US.

Another problem is that the only available diesel engine is the 3.0L 4 cyl in the overseas Hilux. That diesel Hilux actually has a lower tow rating than the 4.0L V6 American Tacoma even though it weighs the same and has basically the same equipment. There's absolutely no reason to believe that some how an American Tacoma with the 3.0L 4 cyl diesel could have a significantly higher tow rating than a Hilux.

That miniscule number of people who continue to beg Toyota for a diesel Tacoma won't even make a miniscule difference in Toyota's bottom line.

 

We tow in D all the time. Only shift out to 4 if we hit a significant grade change or if the tranny is hunting. We noticed that the TC locks in 4 and in D years back.
My buddy told me the TC will always unlock when you apply the brakes. Sometimes when we come to a hill I tap the brake pedal and the TC will unlock in D and give us that little bit of RPM change the truck needs to go up a small grade change. Works everytime. This is our trailer.

 

Thats funny! Good crap! My brother has a prius. Ya bad mpg's suck, but in the end it's a truck. Tow what your going to tow and have a good vacation and worry about the small stuff later. If the truck gets you there and back in one piece with no problems thats a good day. Thats a Toyota.

Brett

 

I keep seeing in these threads about some European version of a car getting fabulously better mileage than the us version of the same car. Or the "diesel-never-to-be-sold-here" getting a sky-high rating.

Here's an article I read explaining those ratings.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/out.php?...-European-gas-mileage-ratings-differ-from-U-S

 

Yes we use the same imperial gallon in canada too. I think most people's points are that we can't choose for ourselves what engine we want here. Most other countries have more options available to them and we , primarily, only get the regular fuel option.
I would choose the diesel over gas if it gave better mileage , towed the same weight. The longevity of some diesels is attractive too cause , properly maintained, it could go decades. The gas motors can as well but the torque of the diesel is delivered earlier and usually pulls better. Depends on what you are gonna use the truck for, again more choice would be better for all.
My $.02

 

I just towed a 3500 lb Trail Manor trailer (20 foot hard sided pop up, expands to 27 feet open) from Denver to San Francisco. I got 13.2 mpg through northern Colorado and Wyoming due to heavy winds with gusts up to 75 mph. After I got past the heavy winds I was averaging 17-18 mpg even through the mountains of Wyoming, Utah, & Nevada. I used 91 octane to tow because it seemed to add extra power to my engine without having to push my gas pedal too close to the floor. I towed in 4th through the heavy winds and up steep mountains. I towed in D through the flat lands and going downhill. My RPM's were between 1800-2600 and I towed between 55-65 mph. All in all I'm happy with my gas mileage because I thought that I would be getting 16 mph at best on the flat lands and 10-12 mpg through the hills.