RPMs

I just returned from picking up a new 23 ft travel trailer. I traveled about 500 miles from Ohio to Pennsylvania on the return trip. The total weight for the tt and cargo (including us) was about 4500#. I was pleased with the way the Tacoma handled on the way home and noticed no sway issues thanks to the WDH with sway control, even when passed by big rigs.

On the way out, the Tacoma averaged 22 mpg (bed cover definitely helps to cut wind resistance and increase gas mileage). On the return home, gas mileage avgd 11mpg thanks to pulling a brick with a sail attached to it.

My speed ranged between 55 and 65 mph depending on terrain, but I tried to stay at 2500 rpms and let the speed drop when necessary to stay at 2500 rpms. I was pleasantly surprised that the Tacoma, an automatic, did a nice job pulling up some of the long grades that you encounter in West Virginia and on the PA turnpike. It seemed as though I had some power in reserve and could have punched it if necessary. I stayed in 4th gear the entire trip, did not use cruise control and only had one instance where the Tacoma wanted to switch into a higher gear.

I'm curious to know how this experience compares to what others have experienced while towing. Is 2500 rpm the sweet spot while towing or am I pushing it by staying around that range? Thanks for your insight.
Greg

 

I spent the weekend pulling a flatbed with a truck on it. Probably a little at or over the max weight, but the truck did really good pulling it all. I kept it at 2500 rpm and the speed averaged between 60 and 65. Dealing with the wind was pretty rough and it knocked me down to 55ish.

I think the truck does pretty well at 2500 rpm.

 

GKConfer, that's almost exactly how my truck pulls, and the ranges I stay within.

I've downshifted on a really steep grade and it's run up to 3k RPMs, but I don't like it being that high constantly, and after about 30 seconds - 1 minute of that I'll keep it in that gear and back off some to get it back to 2500 - 2700 RPM.

Besides the fact most trailer wheels are rated at 65MPH or slower, it's pretty good that 4th gear @ 2500 RPM = 65MPH on flats. Pretty much the perfect towing scenario.