Fed up with my Taco

Ive had ths truck since new, 3.5 years and 45000 miles....Ive really tried to like it and have had it back to the dealer several times to try and fix its shortcomings, the biggest of which is erratic shifting and what I feel is mismatched gearing vs power delivery (2 overdrives, no low end torque, bad programming).
I had it reprogrammed at the dealer and it was different but not better. Let me explain as I just got back from a 1600 mile road trip. Had one motorcycle in the bed, two on a trailer all three bikes were 300 lbs each, the trailer weighs 400 plus 600 for the bikes so around 1000 say, surely not too much for this truck, right? Truck CANT pull the gearing, keeps hunting for the right gear and ends up shifting back and forth constantly even on flat ground...I didn't even bother driving in D, went to M mode and locked out 6th, but it kept hunting between 3rd, 4th and 5th. Got worse when we hit the hills on 26 in the Carolinas. I locked out 5th and was screaming it at hiway speeds up to 80 mph but it still could not hold 5th on flat ground at this speed always dropping down to 4th and even 3rd. ended up finishing the trip in 4th with it dropping to 3rd when it wanted...way too much revs and shitty MPG (under 12) This thing is so confused, I could have a full size truck with v8 torque and get better mpg and none of these problems.
What was Toyota thinking when they programmed this engine/trans combo???
By the way I talked with a customer of mine who has an 08 Taco and pulls his 3000 lb camper and he said he has no such problems.

 

Have you tried the ECT PWR button?

 

If you are SO unhappy with the truck, WHY do you still HAVE it?

 

regear it, OV tune,

The options are out there for you to make the truck to your liking.

***if you dont want to invest the money and would rather complain online then there is nothing anyone on the forum can do for you.

 

ECT + S4 = Success

 

40k isint a big enough investment??

 

For the majority of the people yes it is... (i wouldnt pay 40k for this truck and i didnt) But for you to taylor it to what you want exactly you gotta come off of some money.

doesnt bat an eyelash at financing a 40k truck (that will cost 60k total) scoffs at the idea that spending 3k for tune and gears.

 

Sell it and get something you like. Life is short.

 

Damn, my 4cyl tows 3000lbs on the highway every time I go camping, no gear hunting and it feels fine. Strange

 

its perspective, if you drove OP truck you might think it was a towing monster.

 

I doubt it, I’m used to v8 heavy duty trucks

 

My '17 Tacoma has pulled several thousand pounds, and has no such problems.

80mph while towing in a hilly area. I think we have found the problem.

 

get 4.88s

 

im pretty sure you understand what im trying to say? right

 

Easy OP, trade it in or sell it.

 

Maybe Tundra is the answer to your problems.

 

Like @auskip07 said, check out the OV tune.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-toyota-tacoma-ovtune-1-05-tune-development-thread.495735/

 

ETC power is essential for a smoother tow. I tow regularly, from 1k-5k and don't have any issues. Up real steep hills going up in VT, and up and down mountains running Rt 2 in western MA.

Without the etc, it shifts like a bastard and is annoying. Not sure what you towed with before, but if it was a larger truck might not be a fair comparison. I know the 4runner actually tows better than the Tacoma, at least the feeling of towing is smoother and nicer.


Edit: Don't waste money on that tune people push, plenty of complaints in that thread too, and its ever changing. Total PIA if you as me. Either be happy in ETC mode, or grab a different truck while yours has decent value.

 

If you’ve had it back to the dealer and they say there’s nothing wrong with it, those are pretty much your only options. OV tune or trade it in and get something else.

I know for sure what won’t help, complaining on an Internet forum.

If my truck did that I’d be pissed too, by the way... Good luck.

 

If you want/need a mid-size truck that tows really good without the gear hunt may I recommend the Colorado with the Duramax. Fact is the Tacoma's gear ratio/transmission gearing is designed for MPG not towing. Either regear or move onto another truck. BTW I have towed a 2 place snowmobile trailer & it was okay but still not what I would call good. Fair share of gear hunting & not being able to maintain speed at times.