More power...

So, just got back from a weekend of sledding. Towed our two sleds on my aluminum atv trailer. About 8 hours north. Not too, too bad on the way up. A little hilly, could maintain about 118kmh (73 mph). I know 60... But, gotta be realistic, on the 400 in Ontario going through Toronto you'll be on the shoulder doing 60. Coming home, little be of a cross-headwind. Unbearable. For reference, I've got a 19 sport. Kd max tune. I'd be cruising, wind would hit me and I'd literally be fighting with the skinny pedal to get me back to 110. I'm only towing about 2000#. I want to love this truck. I do love this truck. I tow regularly several times a month locally. My 6x14 enclosed v nose work trailer, 2 jetskis, at'vs and the sleds. Anywhere, anytime up to 80kmh. (48mph), no problem whatsoever. But, this truck sucks towing on a highway. That was painful, tiring, frustrating. Not to mention the 9-10mpg. I don't know, I see tons of posts with guys pulling big campers and wonder if it's all smoke and mirrors or they've never towed with something that is more capable.

 

I feel like if towing is your primary use of the truck, the Tacoma is probably not the best fit. It certainly can tow, but not the way you are wanting it to (with no noticeable reduction in power).

 

Well, you didn’t die so I guess it’s ok

 

Tacos definitely are not the best pick to tow on the regular. Should of got a full size with more torque. If you love the truck supercharger or v8 swap it.

 

Where are you RPMs? This little engine probably needs to be up >3000 RPM for that scenario. Your main issue might just be gear selection, ECT and S4.

It doesn’t idle under load like a large displacement diesel.

 

Wishing you the best in finding a solution that works for your situation! Think I'd move up to a full-size truck myself.

 

Often. I pull a 6x14 v nose enclosed for work. Sometimes daily, sometimes twice a month. It depends on if I'm working in shop or installing. I also tow the toys, skis, sleds, atv's periodically. It does fantastic for local towing, anything up to 45 mph. At 60-70, not so much. I thought it would have been sufficient all around. I came out of a 5.7 07 Tundra. It didn't know if there was a trailer. Pig on gas, however, the Taco is as well when towing. It's just too bad that the 15-20 times a year I may be pulling a couple of toys north that it struggles so much. Because every other aspect of this truck I love. Love it's looks, its handling, it's interior, its bad-ass stance and front end. I just honestly never loved driving a full size yaught all the time. I'm pretty Toyota loyal, but GM has a 3.0 diesel that looks very capable. In Ontario, Canada where I'm at, damn near impossible to find a Tundra. New orders are still a year wait. I really don't want to sell/trade, but, damn, those trips can be down-right miserable.

 

Cant' imagine a supercharger being worth the investment. I imagine you'd void all of your warranties. But, I guess the mpg's couldn't get any worse than they already are.

 

Always in S4 etc on when towing. But, throw in a little headwind or a 2 degree hill, and you're dead. Downshifting and roaring. It just makes the trip more work than it should be. Otherwise, this truck is just about perfect. There's pretty much no other truck out there that catches my eye like a Tacoma. Especially the front end.

 

My soul and pride did die a little.

 

Rivian?

 

Slap one of these on the truck. https://www.redbubble.com/i/sticker/Mo-powa-Babeh-by-mayasingularity/54018848.EJUG5

 

With 50 MPH head and cross winds (~80kmH) from Cheyenne, WY to Casper, WY loaded to the gills and towing a 3500# travel trailer I averaged 6 MPG ( 2.55 liters per km if I did the conversion right | 6 miles = 9.656 kilometers, 1 Gal = 3.78542 liters... 6 miles per 1 gallon = 9.656 km per 3.78542 liters or 2.55 liters per km). I have a Leitner rack with a roof-top-tent that didn't help things and had the decked drawers fully loaded. It was a struggle to maintain 70 mph/112 kmh in an 80 mph/128 zone through rolling hills.

Our engines need to rev and expect to be at 3000+ RPM if you are changing much elevation. You should seriously consider a 4.88 or 5.29 re-gear to give your taco mechanical advantage. Check out the 4.88 Megathread and the 5.29 Megathreads here on TW for people's experience. If regulators were more diesel friendly Toyota would offer a torquey, 2 or 3 something liter turbo diesel that resembles the Cummins R2.8 turbo and we wouldn't be having this discussion since those motors make 150 - 200 Hp and 350 - 400 lb ft of Torque at around 1800 - 2200 RPM. Would be PERFECT for a light pickup needing to tow within current capacities.

^^^ This 100% ^^^

Edit: 3.5L V6 is PLENTY of motor for the Tacoma but how that power gets to the ground is a problem. @Taco wannabe You have the tune. Go with the re-gear and your experience will change. A re-gear is the next serious upgrade for my Taco.

 

Have had that thought. Just hate the idea of one more vehicle to insure and maintain. The right answer is a turbo 6 or a v 8 in the Taco!

 

May consider gearing. Scares me a little. Does it void powertrain warranty? Would it really make a difference on a highway with a headwind? I just want overall capability. I'm used to my wife yelling at me, I can't listen to the truck too. LOL

 

For that price, I'll get two.

 

The Tacoma has the power, but the gearing is wrong. There is too big of a gap between 3 and 4. I looked at regearing, but the mileage is already near half ton territory.