Gen 3 Towing Thread

After reading about this brake system that Jayco is has on their trailers for anti sway control I'll go out on a limb and predict that many other travel trailer manufactures will offer this system or eventually. If it works as advertised it will become a standard add on as a WD and anti sway hitches are now. Seems like a no brainer to me and its just a shame that the manufacture seems to now limit its distribution.

 

I'm new to towing and have 2016 TRD OFF Road 4x4 with tow package, will it be necessary or a good idea to ad a tranny cooler for towing?max tow weight 5000 lbs

 

The tow package has a transmission cooler. No need for another one.

 

Simply put, I am not impressed with the towing capabilities. I have the towing package and have pulled two different loads, one rented skid steer that weighed 2,670 lbs AND it's two axle trailer http://www.boxerequipment.com/equipment/boxer-525dx-compact-utility-loader/ and my own single axle 1,990 GVW landscape trailer with a ton of 57's gravel. I live pretty deep in the Appalachians of Virginia and it was not happy with pulling it over the mountains and around the bends. I didn't bother with pictures because the thought never crossed my mind. Even my empty landscape trailer was noticeable before I picked up my gravel. Of course the gravel went better than the skid steer but just the lack of general power was disappointing. My 2005 4runner with the 4.0 V6 did better, even with 190,000 miles on it. I feel that if I tow more often that it will have a long term effect on my motor and transmission because of all the down shifting and high rpms. I may have been spoiled with the 3/4 ton pick-up I used to haul with but I still expected more.

 

Yup. Heading south in a few minutes. Looks like rain along the way but I don't complain about that in Texas during the summer.

 

You purchased a mid sized truck with a 3.5 liter v6 after towing with a 3/4 ton... and you're mad

Y tho?

 

I didn't own it, it was a work truck. I was looking at one of the GMC Sierra "elevation" package trucks but liked the Taco better. I still feel good about my decision to get the taco instead. I don't tow often but recently I just had so many reasons too and just had to vent. No problems with my taco just that one gripe.

 

How often do you need to tow a load like that?

 

Not often, but I did want to get a RV later down the road. I was looking at one before the taco but I figured I would kill my high mileage 4buggy and postponed the purchase until I got something I felt comfortable towing in. I still feel it may be okay but I am definitely going to keep it "small" when I do make the move.

 

I don't understand how some people are totally impressed with the towing capability while complain about it?

 

I was impressed, but I only towed a couch on a 5x8

 

IMHO.....your motors that have to rev high to get max power are not an ideal pick for towing...who wants to run at a high RPM down a highway or up an incline while towing...my brother has a 3rd gen and the looks etc are growing on me, I really like the truck, but for towing not so much it does not have enough power down low to get the job done.

 

Safe travels and most of all....Have FUN!

 

I don't think you need a lot of RPM's to tow sub 4,000 lbs unless you are on some steep grades are need to pass. Tacoma is not mean to be a tow vehicle yes, but doesn't mean it can't tow. It has a towing package so mitigate unnecessary wear and tear. If you are like me and tow only 10-15 times a year then a Tacoma is just fine.

 

I bet with a 4k billboard travel trailer behind you that you wont be cruising under 3-3500 rpm on a regular basis...I have a 2nd gen and a Tundra and have 8k plus miles towing,doubt my 2 gen would tow under 3500 -4000 rpm on the hwy with that much weight.Not talking about driving 50-55 mph but keeping up with the flow.

 

Avoid buying hitches from RV dealers. Professional trailer and hitch shops are way more qualified and experienced in working on TVs. They can also be cheaper and more convenient when doing trailer services.

 

I have a 2013 DCSB SR5, w/tow package. But I have just pulled the trigger on a larger more efficient trans cooler. Our trucks come with a factory one that is WAAAAYYYYY to small. with that weight, I would consider upgrading to a larger trans cooler. I tow the same weight,

 

Someone wanted to know about towing a HI Lo Trailer. Here it is.

Found a 2204T model in Traverse City, MI. (2004, 22foot Travel Lite). I live on the other side of Lake Michigan, 40+ miles West of Milwaukee; about 450 miles each way. Left to look at it Thursday night. Wife and I liked it. Raises and lowers like shoe box, electric, hydraulic and SS cable. 12 - 15 seconds up or down. Weight is 3,850 dry. Added WD hitch. Put in Tekonsha 3P last weekend following great advice here for mounting in small hole left of steering wheel; SUPER folks and thanks for instructions, 15 minutes and in.
Drove down late Friday from RV dealer to Manistee National Forrest and found campground at a place called Baldwin ( 70 miles North of Grand Rapids) with water h/up and 30 Amp for AC (in 90's with matching humidty). Stayed Friday night, Saturday and early Sunday getting trailer set up and getting used to it. Figured weight with AC, awning and wife packing for armagedon about 4150lbs + 4450 for Taco. Electric brakes on trailer.
Expected 6 hour trip around bottom of Lake Michigan, turned out to be 11 hours with expressway construction in Michigan and Indiana. Really ugly with hour long idling stops on expressway. Hi Lo trailed like a dream, trucks, lots o' trucks around bottom of Lake on I-94/80, never bothered trailer. I have sway bar but wasn't set up for it yet. Didn't need it. Maintained 55 - 60 with trailer when I wasn't parked in traffic or battling rain storms, had to pull off road once. Four tanks of gas back and forth; on way up Fuelly gave 26 mpg doing 70, pulling Hi Lo from mid Michigan fillup to near home fill up was getting 16.9 by Fuelly. Taco was superb towing and kept about 2,500 rpm in 4 sport. Rolling steep hillls and s curves in Northern Michigan, no problem. Took Taco to dealer today for 20K, had him check suspension and everything is in good order.

Will add pictures from cell phone.

 

Did some camping this weekend and towed a tent trailer with another 1000-1500lb in people, dogs, gear, beer with me. Truck towed great, never a problem. The tent trailer fit nicely in the slipstream of the truck and managed around 19mpg on the freeway and going up some winding mountain passes and hills. While the truck did well, the engine is something from a car. It takes some revs to pull up hills, 4th is an absolute must on the freeway. But at no point did I not have enough power. I think people are expecting too much from this thing. For my job I drive a 6.7L Ford that weighs a minimum of 16,000. It's a great rig but costs double the Taco and it gets around 10mpg doing its thing.

 

You are getting better mileage than lots get not towing...hmmmm