Dissapointed owner

Hello,

I really appreciate all the folks who have posted here on imroving the TACO. I have a like/hate relationship with mine and I'm trying to make it better or look at upgrading to something else in a year or two. This is my first pickup - int hepast I had SUV's.

I have a 2010 TRD double Cab. I tow an enclosed cargo trailer 4 times a week mostly short distances around town (20-40k) in the summer, I tow 3 or 4 longer (3,000km) trips in the summer and the rest of the time it is my commute vehicle and main family vehicle for road trips. I am upgrading my trailer this year and loaded it will be about 3,500 lbs. Weight inside the truck varies.

I used to own a fully-loaded Highlander Limited (had two Highlanders - wish I had kept it ) I lease since I can write it off and change the vehicles every 3 years or so. I have considered trading in and upgrading now but it would be a huge hit as the lease buyout is very high and used Toyotas have dropped in value.

I have had the Taco for 10 months. I really don't like a lot of things about it but I'm stuck with it for a while. I'm looking to make it better - especially for towing.

What I do like - the 10 loads of junk I have hauled out of my basement, cleaning out the cabin basement, many delivery charges saved for me and familty I have hauled stuff for. Pickups are definately the way to go!

But I have issues:

It tows much more stable than the Highlander but has poor pulling power on the highway and especially up any hills. I live at 2,500 ft alt and go up to 4,000+ in the mountains when I tow on longer trips. I have to drop to 4th gear any time it's not flat and even with just a 2,500lb trailer load it labors. I can watch the gas guage move at the speed limit (110km/h) when towing (5x10 v-nose trailer.) My Highlander had way less towing stability but it pulled with WAY more authority at Highway speeds. Milage was bad on the Highlander too - but better than the Taco.

Around town it tows fine and has a lot of pulling power from a dead stop - much better than the Highlander SUV ever was.

I asked the dealer about it twice and they said it "should" pull 2,500 lbs like it's not even there on the Highway even up hills. It doesn't but they don't seem to have any answers for me. I asked about the S/C kit and in Canada they want over $7k just for the parts NOT INCLUDING install!!! I could have got a Tundra 5.7 for less than 7K more.

I live in Edmonton where it is -20c a lot in the winter and we have icy roads. The 4WD works okay when there is ice so the torque can "unload" but it sucks that it can;t be used on dry road. We have a lot of variable road conditions and I end up swithching back and forth all the time. In 2WD I find a I need a LOT of weight in the back to not spin the tires like crazy. I guess this is normal for a pickup? Yes I have snow tires (Nokian's.) Are others putting a lot of weight int he back for snow/ice?

Not having heated mirrors or rear window defroster is really bad. I just assumed these woule be on there when I got it. I have to park outside as the truck is too big for my garage. I have read a couple of do-it-yourself threads. Is there an easy after-market kit/fix for this now?

I have a developed a lot of rattles in the windows, "squeeky fan syndrome" and the interior plastic is super easy to scratch. Small but very annoying issues that my dealer can never seem to duplicate. Is this the norm for the 2010?

Any help/suggestions to make it better would be appreciated.

 

Sounds like you should have gotten a tundra if you are going to be frequently towing stuff up hills.

Most people get tacos to be plucky, utility trucks or off-roaders. Maybe to tow a bike trailer or haul around a quad. For heavy trailer pulling you are seriously better off with the Tundra.

 

Did you get the tow package ?

A bit of weight in the back in winter really settles the truck over the back wheels and you will have a better experience with the 4x4 .

The no heated mirrors is one of my only bitches with my truck , so I agree with you there , aftermarket is the only way forward on that one .

There is a Canadian tsb # for the heater now .

 

Welcome to the forum from vermont

Can't help you with the towing.
The non heated mirrors are a bummer. I mean if you live in Florida or non-inclement climate than nobody misses them. may think they are a luxury or do not belong on a truck but I miss mine terribly from my 2006 Tundra. Yeah I can add the muth mirrors (300) or do the mod but c'mon at least offer a cold weather package. It use to be a $100 Toyota option Ck on the tundra including a heavy duty battery.
Now the pkg is standard equipment except on our model.
There are days I cannot literally see on the sides so yes agree with you Anyway you can add them for some $$$ is my point. Search heated mirror mod for other options.

As far as ice, I run studded snow tires. Best investment I made. We tow a lot in the winter and this by far has helped so much in winter. If you cannot run studs, many here swear by Bridgestone Blizzaks that is like having studs but not. Biggest thing is to swap them out fast once higher temps hit.

Weight in the back like oz said helps too for my winter towing. (about 2500 lbs) in hilly environment.