need more power!

Any suggestions? The camper is only about 3500 lbs, but I can barely make it up slight inclines without it going into 4th. I think I can fix that with more power I was thinking supercharger, but may look at cheaper routes first. Will a CAI or tuning do anything to help?

It seems to tow best around 2500rpm, but if I go to 70mph I am close to 3K in 4th and chugging gas and around 2K in 5th and not enough rpms.

Really wish we had a tow/haul button. Also, is it bad for the converter to unlock and lock when towing? A couple spots in OD it unlocked to get the extra power and didn't need to downshift. Couple spots i was in 4 and it downshifted to 3rd

 

I wouldn't be worried about hurting the truck if it has the tow package on it. The downshifting and drop in gas mileage is going to happen in just about any truck towing a trailer. Unless you trade it for a Ram with a Cummins!

I would run it in fourth gear at 3000 rpm all day long. My 6 speed runs about 3000 in 6th at 80mph. Other than the gas mileage, I can't see that it's hurting anything. I would be more concerned about overheating the auto trans by trying to keep it in overdrive.

Supercharger would be cool though!

 

supercharge or turbo haha! but honestly its not necessary unless you still want to do your spirited driving while towing.. im curious though how much more towing capacity will the trd s/c add basing on the rated 3500 lbs by toyota.. I know people are towing over 5K lbs cautiously w/o issues.

 

Thought about it, but I love the small truck in the city. Looking to get Big truck power with small truck frame . I don't live in CA, and even if the max speed is 55 I would still drive at 70 . 55 is hard to tow since it's not a good rpm range in 4th or 5th.

 

superchargerr

 

TRD trucks are rated at 6500. It can town the 3500 fine, but I would like more power because who doesn't like more power? You figure 3500 for trailer. Dog, ME, GF, gear and truck have to weigh another 4600 lbs. You are pulling over 8000 lbs with 220 hp.

 

or get a supercharger and some mods and go from 220 to 350

 

X2

 

Cant recommend a company but ive installed a few programmers and messed around with the options. if i remember correctly there is a trans shift adjustment you can mess with that might solve your problem.

And im with you as far as the speed goes. i tow my boat every weekend and usually go 80-85.. but im in Dallas and if your not going that fast your getting run over. I do have trailer brakes though so stopping isnt a problem.. And "whippersnaper" Im not saying i know how you drive but if you are looking ahead and not at the person in front of you tail lights you can usually see when traffic is stopping way before you have to stop... might wanna put the cell phone down or something.

 

If running an automatic, what's wrong with cruising while towing in 4th as long as the torque converter is locked? It's overgeared as is for freeway cruising to me, but I live at high altitude and have a lot less power.

 

I don't know if anyone remembered the first advertisements of the 4.0 v6. They were claiming 271hp. It could easily be done with some bigger injectors, cams and some good programming.