How much can my truck tow? I'm confused by the manual.

Good call op.

On a side note I see some talk on this thread that mentions not using OD while towing with autos.

I think it’s a lame the 2nd gen doesn’t have a tow/haul switch or OD/off switch for towing. So my question is what are you guys doing? Leaving the truck in 4th instead of drive? I occasionally tow around a boat and never gave it much thought in this truck.

When I had my powerstroke and was towing around a camper or a 24’ enclosed sled trailer it was second nature to turn tow/haul mode on.

 

Yes if you are towing in an auto Tacoma, do not leave it in (D) which allows the trans to go into overdrive. Leave it in 4.

 

Towing in 4th vs D is really dependent on terrain, towed weight, aerodynamic drag, speeds,........

If you are pulling in D and the the transmission is hunting between gears, then you should downshift to 4.

It isn't very complicated.

 

Thanks.

Was just curious what the majority is doing. Haven’t personally experienced any hunting “yet” pulling boats or the car trailer all over the NE WA, N. ID and W Montana.

 

I tow in 4th 90% of the time. I live in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains.
We have hills, lots of hills.

The safe answer is 4th always.
I have used 5th, yes.
But @Knute explained it pretty well.
There’s more to it than hunting gears. If the torque converter is unlocking/locking excessively, this too indicates you should probably drop a gear.

 

The "lockout button" on a 5-speed automatic 2nd gen Tacoma is: "4".

 

Thanks for the additional information. While my truck doesn’t shudder or constantly up/down shift while towing, I’m not very familiar with the operation of the torque converter. I’ll read up on it for a better understanding.

 

I have a 27 foot travel trailer with a dry weight of 4150 lbs. and I’ve gone over scales at about 4850 lbs. loaded for camping. I towed this with a Chevy 2500 longbed truck. I also have a Tacoma DCLB that I would never even consider towing this trailer with. It’s not just the weight but the size of the trailer. Others have stated your side mirrors on your Tacoma will be worthless. 22 miles or not, my opinion is don’t risk it.

 

I hauled about 5000lb pounds of pavers on a trailer for my buddy, not a fun experience!
The worse part was backing up the trailer into his driveway, my poor clutch.
The highway ratio makes sense after my experiences of backing up my truck with heavy loads.

 

So: I decided to review my (2014) owner's manual to find out what Toyota has to say about towing a trailer in "D": >Nothing<. Hmmmm... Checked closer: nope. (Hey: it's 600 pages... gave it my best shot) Since the 2014 Tacoma brochure I also have contains NO specfications regarding transmission gear ratios (nor final rear axle drive ratios) I decided to check my vintage, dog-eared, comprehensive 2005 Tacoma specifications guideline sheets to confirm the auto 5-speed is indeed an overdrive transmission: It is: (at least in 2005: may have changed)
4th: 1.00. 5th: 0.72.... (as is the 5sp stick: 0.81)

I will not be towing in "D" (5) regardless what Toyota has not to say about the subject. If Volvo says/warns not to do it (Aisin transmissions since at least the mid '80's,) that's good enuf for me. YMMV.

Oh yeah: Final drive ratio: 3.727:1... I'll call them 3.73's: Not bad. It's not 4:11's, but a good compromise by Toyota: you can't have everthing... (The Pre-Runner had 4:10 final gears on the 5sp though...(2005 sheet....sweet!! Bless Toyota's heart.....)

 

Lol I wish I had seen this thread before I tried pulling my 24 foot sailboat over three passes... If I had had an automatic I'd be dead