Headwinds..Real World data...ugh

On Saturday I towed my new (for me)23' Komfort travel trailer 120 miles to visit our daughter and do a little shakedown cruise. Wind conditions were calm. The trailer GVWR is 5800 lbs.

I used cruise control all the way as a comparison. At 55 mph My 2008 Tacoma TRD (automatic) was able to stay in 4th (2400 rpm) on most gentle highway grades and downshifted to 3rd on the steeper ones (no mountain grades). Mileage was about 12 mpg.

Coming home there was a 20-30 mph headwind. Totally different story. The engine could not maintain 4th even on the gentle grades and stayed in 3rd most of the time. It actually downshifted to 2nd (5000rpm!!) on hills it had previously done in 3rd. Mileage fell to 9mpg.

I will definitely carry a couple of jerry cans of gas for long trips. Don't get me wrong. I love the truck and think it's a great multipupose vehicle. It just won't do everything really well.

 

That is a beefy trailer...and a STIFF wind...I'd say your Taco handled itself pretty well.
I will say- I dig having my manual for better rpm jump control...

 

Yeah, I agree the truck itself handled the conditions well. Comparing it to my friend's 06 Tundra V8, towing a similar trailer, it felt about the same, suspension wise and with minimal sway. I guess it's more of a cautionary tale for those who might think it will tow like a v8.

 

Campared to 06 tundra V8,it felt about the same. Cautionary tale for those who might think it will tow like a V8??????

vince

 

Yeah I've had a similar experience with my 26' TT. In my opinion though if you're getting into the 30mph wind area it's time to pull over or delay your trip until the wind dies down. The truck does very will with the large loads however it's still on the light side and a good gust of wind against the side of your trailer will give you a fright if you're not carefull.