First time towing with my Taco!

So I decided to tow my camper for the first time yesterday and I was less than impressed with the capability. I know people are complaining about the power of our Tacos but wow... It really seemed to struggle on the hills and they weren't that steep.
My camper is a Coleman pop-up with a GVRW of 3350# and an unloaded weight of 2200#, well below the towing capacity with the class 4 hitch. I used to tow it with my old Dodge Grand Caravan and it pulled fine. Now I'm trying to figure out what is the best option to improve my towing... It's not like I'll be towing every weekend but I do plan to tow often, that's one of the biggest reasons I got a Taco.
What is everyone else doing? I was also planning to upgrade my camper to a travel trailer in the future.

 

Maybe you can trade with @rambandit

 

Don’t have a 3rd gen but a lot of y’all talk of ovtune. Your not towing in drive correct? Is rear end sagging bad? Possibly air bags, leaf helpers or add a leaf. How about transmission temps? Do you have anywayto monitoring that. If my vechicle doesn’t have a transmission cooler that’s usually my first mod

 

Start easy and get the vF tune for low end torque and better AT programming. See if that helps, it should.

If that is not the answer, then 5.29 gears is the next step.

 

Mostly stock, only cosmetic mods at the moment. No sagging and the camper was empty. I did select the ECT for better towing but my fuel mileage was cut in half.

 

My little popup has 21 states under its belt. It's crossed over the Appalachians, Rockies, and Sierras, and then some. I can't say I ever had a problem with it, either before or after the tune.

You are towing S4, ETC on, right?

 

What specifically are your issues with the truck's towing abilities?

Lack of power?
Engine screaming uphill?
Poor Control? (tail wagging dog?)
Poor Braking?
Too much Squat?

 

Will I need to switch back to stock for any service? I still have a warranty.

 

Sorry...
Lack of power? YES
Engine screaming uphill? YES
Poor Control? (tail wagging dog?) Some, but not bad
Poor Braking? No
Too much Squat? No

 

ECT on Yes
S4?

 

So the 3.5 in the 3rd gen Tacoma is built to run high RPMs, that's where it makes power. It's prolly pretty disconcerting at first, but it's just how they run. The motor likes to rev, and it won't hurt it. Even my 2nd Gen runs pretty loud upwards of 3500 rpms sometimes pulling passes at speed.

As @Rock Lobster said, are you making sure to lock out high gear, and also to use ECT?

 

@Rock Lobster What kind of fuel mileage are you getting?
Maybe I'm just used to getting 20 - 21MPG under normal conditions. I got 10.4MPG for the short trip.

 

Tow 4800-5000lbs all summer long.
ECT+S4(or S3!) and let it rev. Little 3.5 wants to be a Honda vtec yo!!
Enjoy your camping, don't worry about the mileage.

 

That is pretty normal mileage for towing. Maybe a LITTLE low for such a small trailer. I found a topper/canopy on my truck helped with towing. I think it helped with aerodynamics. Maybe @Rock Lobster might have input on that, he also has a softtopper it looks like.

 

14 average, 16 with tailwind, 12 with headwind. 65 mph highway. Milage suffers at 70 and above.

How much towing have you done, out of curiosity?

 

Over the years

I have a tanneau cover so that helps.

 

Over the years, quite a bit personally but professionally, every day. I'm a truck driver / yard jockey

I'm used to seeing mileage like that hauling a 53" trailer

 

I tow a 3,500lb boat a few times a year. My experience is you need to get nice and comfortable revving this thing to 4,000+ rpm. This engine just doesn't make much torque down low, and the gearing does not help you out at all.

 

You probably don't want to hear this but: You have the wrong tool for the job. These trucks are designed for hauling first, towing isn't a priority. I found that out reading the Owner's Manual ;-)

You could do some mods ($$$) and "maybe" get used to the way the Taco tows or bite the bullet and get a truck designed for hauling/towing/ and carrying people. Something like a F150 Crew shortbed 4x4 with the 7.2kw built in generator that runs off the the engine or off the 1.6kw onboard battery (depending on load). You can even plug your camper's 30amp shore power cord into the bed of the truck. Do it. You will freaking love it (and the 30mpg). Pretty much a game-changer if you are going to be camping and not always in a RV resort w/hookups.

 

lol. I would suggest they are made for offroad/commuting first.. towing and hauling come later down the list..