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First time towing with new Tacoma completely stock

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by winnipegbeachtacoma90, Nov 20, 2023.

  1. Nov 20, 2023 at 6:44 PM
    #1
    winnipegbeachtacoma90

    winnipegbeachtacoma90 [OP] Wer rastet, der rostet.

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    IMG_3735.jpg IMG_3736.jpg IMG_3737.jpg So I today a wrench got thrown in my plans when a delivery of cement board siding for my moms new house build fell through and I was voluntold to go pick it up with her neighbours trailer. Never having towed with my Tacoma but reading a lot of people here imply you can’t tow any serious weight without a WDH, airbags, a tune, and even then it’ll be squirrelly so I was a little nervous. Turns out these little trucks can haul!! Now to be fair I was hauling over the prairies so very few hills and although I was heavy it was concentrated low, not tall and wide like a camper so it’s probably different when you’re hauling big bulky awkward trailers. However if you’re hauling construction material I think the taco is perfect!

    My trailer and load combined was just over 5,000 pounds, running shell V-power premium, driving into a 23km/h wind I averaged 16.8 litres per 100 kms (14 mpg) at 95 km/h (59 MPH) and left the transmission in S4 with ECT PWR turned on and it hummed along no problem. I think these trucks are pretty great and plan to tow a lot more in the future!
     
    cmonjack, Irons, Tocamo and 15 others like this.
  2. Nov 20, 2023 at 8:04 PM
    #2
    Jsnemec

    Jsnemec Active Member

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    Couldn’t agree more OP, I have no issues towing in the 4-6k pound range. Maybe if I towed every day of the week or needed to tow more than the truck’s recommended tow capacity I’d feel differently. I also live in north eastern Ohio which isn’t mountainous in the least. Regarding towing and everything else pertaining to truck ownership, I have zero regrets trading in a F150 for my Tacoma.
     
  3. Nov 20, 2023 at 8:08 PM
    #3
    Hogleg918

    Hogleg918 Well-Known Member

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    But why premium?
     
  4. Nov 20, 2023 at 8:58 PM
    #4
    winnipegbeachtacoma90

    winnipegbeachtacoma90 [OP] Wer rastet, der rostet.

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    Well when I first got the truck I used regular and every time I shut it off it was pinging and popping which bugged me and after reading on here couple guys recommend it since it has less ethanol, is better grade fuel even though it all comes from the same pipeline but apparently additives are different in a better way? All I know is it’s an extra $14 tank which is nothing, the pinging stopped, I feel like I have a little more oomph, and my fuel economy got a little better. Also apparently I got the only Tacoma that doesn’t hunt gears.

    I’ll admit it’s probably all in my head.
     
  5. Nov 20, 2023 at 9:08 PM
    #5
    winnipegbeachtacoma90

    winnipegbeachtacoma90 [OP] Wer rastet, der rostet.

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    I think people are a little hard on tacomas, at 5,000 lbs I thought I would be dragging ass and riding on the bump stops but it pulled beautifully no problems with barely any squat (I will be doing firestones soon though) I could have even gone faster but wanted to save fuel and was happy with where the RPMS sat. Today totally changed my mind on these little trucks. I agree with the few old timers here I occasionally see saying “just haul it, it’s a truck it’ll be fine” lol
     
  6. Nov 20, 2023 at 9:59 PM
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    Sandthemall

    Sandthemall Well-Known Member

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    Blue Crush is a stunner!
     
  7. Nov 20, 2023 at 10:06 PM
    #7
    crazysccrmd

    crazysccrmd Well-Known Member

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    That’s really the kind of load a Tacoma is meant to tow. Limited drag like that makes a huge difference compared to a 5000lb travel trailer dragging the truck down.
     
  8. Nov 21, 2023 at 5:52 AM
    #8
    02TRDXTRA

    02TRDXTRA Well-Known Member

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    I dont even like how my Taco feels towing my 1000# utility trailer with a dirt bike on it
     
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  9. Nov 21, 2023 at 5:57 AM
    #9
    Hogleg918

    Hogleg918 Well-Known Member

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    Well the first step is admitting it's in your head! Kidding, like you said it doesn't drastically alter your budget, not like you can't afford milk and cookies if you put premium in.
     
  10. Nov 21, 2023 at 5:58 AM
    #10
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    I would have felt more comfortable running a pair of 3" straps or doubling the amount of 1" straps you have there, but otherwise good job.


    Yes, utility loads are a very different animal than campers.


    :thumbsup:
     
    gudujarlson, Chew, EMR and 1 other person like this.
  11. Nov 21, 2023 at 6:07 AM
    #11
    jmneill

    jmneill Well-Known Member

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    Am I the only one that thought the OP was bragging about towing a mattress before reading the post? lol
     
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  12. Nov 21, 2023 at 6:36 AM
    #12
    winnipegbeachtacoma90

    winnipegbeachtacoma90 [OP] Wer rastet, der rostet.

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    Yes I agree, but this is all I was given. I can’t find any of my “man straps” yet from the move so these were the straps my mom gave me that she normally uses for her Subaru lol I did my best, pulled over a few times to check on everything
     
    Rock Lobster[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Nov 21, 2023 at 6:37 AM
    #13
    winnipegbeachtacoma90

    winnipegbeachtacoma90 [OP] Wer rastet, der rostet.

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    Lmao “you’re all idiots who don’t know anything about towing. I was able to haul a queen size no problem! I bet I could’ve even done a king!”
     
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  14. Nov 21, 2023 at 7:09 AM
    #14
    Delta09

    Delta09 Has Seen Things

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    Hah, there was a thread on that (now deleted) a while back... :rofl:
     
  15. Nov 21, 2023 at 8:00 AM
    #15
    CplGumby

    CplGumby Member

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    My 2WD SR5 towed this Jayco no problem a couple months ago - first time towing anything beyond a tiny U-haul trailer. The RedArc brake controller and ECT made it pretty easy, plus Florida roads are flat as carpenter's pencil so that helped too.

    TowingPopup.jpg
     
  16. Nov 21, 2023 at 8:06 AM
    #16
    Delta09

    Delta09 Has Seen Things

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    Flatness really helps out. I had to tow this UHaul up and over the steep Tuscarora Mountain (not as steep as many see, but still steep for this area) several times when I was moving. It was admittingly over-weighted multiple times.

    [​IMG]

    This was my previous automatic truck. Used ECT, but had to keep it selected in 3rd to maintain speed up the mountain. Never had braking issues though. Keeping it in S3 down the mountain kept the engine braking up.
     
  17. Nov 21, 2023 at 10:17 AM
    #17
    OnHartung'sRoad

    OnHartung'sRoad -So glad I didn't take the other...

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    Adding a soft top RTT on top of the cab to sleep extra people makes towing the travel trailer feel normal… felt sorta like the circus coming to town during our last family reunion.:rofl:
     
  18. Nov 21, 2023 at 3:27 PM
    #18
    forana

    forana Well-Known Member

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    No money, all went to truck...
    The double axle probably made a better experience.

    Needs better tie downs....
     
  19. Nov 21, 2023 at 3:42 PM
    #19
    rndsommer40

    rndsommer40 Well-Known Member

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    I think its the tall 5k lb campers or box trailers that give the Tacoma a tough time with all the wind resistance.
     
  20. Nov 21, 2023 at 9:13 PM
    #20
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    1000%. Bumper pull campers are the worst. They are tall, they can be top heavy, and they are low density. Those things just want to dance in the wind. Considering the average midsize camper is right at the maximum limit of the Tacoma, it's begging for disaster.


    It's funny, I bought a pop-up solely because my only spot to park a trailer was inside my garage. But as it turns out, I don't think I would have kept any camper that would be taller than what I purchased.

    I think I've said it in other threads, but there has been surprise weather that made even this little thing a huge challenge.

    PXL_20221101_181912261~3.jpg



    That said, when I'm on the road, I'm passing those 20 foot campers like they were nothing, and that's even with me purposely going slow.
     

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