rough running, no acceleration, chk eng lite flashes

My 2008 Tacoma with about 135,000 miles started running a bit rough - first just a hesitation for a split second and then all was fine.. now it is pretty much constant. I start the truck and take off.. runs fine, then before long at all it starts running rough and I can't accelerate. Push on the gas and nothing happens and sounds like timing is off. Sometimes if I pull over and turn off the ignition and then restart, the truck will run fine for a bit, then starts behaving as described. To make it home the other day I had to stop and turn it off and back on a couple times. Now even that doesn't seem to do much. So I can run about 20mph on the flat. I have trouble with any hill. If I keep it just almost lugging, I can go.. but stepping on the gas does nothing.

I've got a code reader ordered and coming.. I'm up in NW Alaska off the road system so things take awhile to get here. And the local mechanic uses golden tools, apparently ($$$). I've completely rebuilt a '73 jeep in the past so have some skills, but am completely uninformed on this truck's systems. Now trying to get informed. The local mechanic has some parts ordered for other things like struts, ball joints, and had been getting a code for the camshaft position control solenoid, which he is going to replace. Also getting a P2441 code for that vvt? valve stuck closed. But reading the effects of that don't sound like it would cause my problem. But not sure he has anything planned for this problem since it developed after he looked over the truck and got other parts coming.

So just thought I would throw this out there to see if it sounds familiar to anyone and what I might expect as far as repairs.. something I could do or send it to the mechanic.

Sorry for all the words but wanted to give enough info. thanks, Hunky.

[edit]: when it is out of gear, stepping on the gas does produce higher rpms, just not when in gear under load.