Show us what you tow.

Pulls it better than originally thought "I have a CDL and I'm used to 45k-80k loads with larger trucks. I added helper springs & a 10k equilizer weight distribution hitch.. Driven through some rough storms with no sway issues. Very pleased, because I did not want to purchase a 1/2 ton truck that I will only tow with 5% of the time. The wheel base on my double cab with the long bed also helps, almost 21 ft...

 

Nice! My family of 3 could live in that bad boy. In fact as a very young boy I lived with my parents in a mobile home that was shorter. Ya'll should have a ton of fun and be comfy. Is this your first camper?

 

Yes this is our first.

 

Beautiful pics.

 

Love that trailer!!!

 

X2!!! Awesome!

 

A friend of mine retired to Tucson. He has made the trip between KC and Tucson, about 1250 miles one way, 4 times with this setup. He has also used it for camping trips with his bike and using the trailer as a camper. His is a 2011 4cyl 5 speed 5 lug base model (his retirement gift to himself) and he says it pulls nice. He had a 79 Toyota pickup he bought new in AZ and drove for 17 years before it finally bit the dust.



This is a pic of him with his vette project that I'll be hauling down in Oct.


Another pic of my 2012 loaded with his vette.

 

18' tilt deck with a Grizz 700, Grizz 450, and Foreman 450 loaded up

 

Hey guys need some help. I own a 1963 Chevy C10 that I need to tow to a new location about 150 miles away. I currentyl have a 13 double cab with the V6. I think the C10 weighs around 3500 pounds but i'm not really sure. I would be pulling the truck on a car trailor something like uhaul probably rents. I'm not sure what the total weight would be for that combo. My question is can my Tacoma handle this load safely or should I look into borrowing a family members full size truck? I've towed trailors and stuff before but nothing as heavy as this would be. Just want to be safe and don't want to hurt my new Tacoma.
Thanks!

 

Your truck is rated at 6500 lbs. Get a trailer with brakes and a brake controller and take your time. Towing is a blast (to me anyhow) but should not be taken lightly. Don't put the truck in drive either. Read the Tacoma Towing Bible sticky on the towing subforum and get some more information

 

I've read that sticky.

Quick question: I only tow a lawn trailer around on occasion and always drive around in D. I have read that you should tow in 4 when towing heavier loads. but wouldn't that be alot of additional wear by keeping the engine, for example, at 3.5-4k RPMS for long periods of time. Just wondering.

 

the main reason i think for towing in 4 instead of D. is D(5th gear) has kinda like an auto over drive or something like it, and it kicks in and out to much and to keep it from doing that you tow in 4.


also something i do when towing(usually a 12’x7 trailer with a rhino and sometimes and atv. i think trailer is around 1k and rhino is 1250, if i’m going down my drive way or other steep hill and need to go slow i’ll down shift it to L or 2.

 

I tow in drive even pulling 5500 lbs. I only shift down if my transmission is hunting (shifting back and forth between gears) which very rarely happens. Let the transmission, the ECU, and the Toyota engineers do their jobs. Your gas mileage will be better letting it shift into 5th too.

 

Simply not true^^^^^



The Toyota engineers recommend towing in 4 instead of D or 5. So what do you mean by letting the Toyota engineers do their job? It is documented. You can easily overheat the tranny in overdrive especially with a large trailer. I tow a 25 foot Sunline RV and would never tow in 5. Also it is hard to notice, but the constant locking and unlocking of the torque converter in 5 is no good for the tranny. That is the "hunt" that can really abuse the tranny.in the end the gas mileage won't vary that much as the tranny was slipping so much in 5 with an unlocked converter.

This 4 or D topic has been hashed out here. Search the subject for facts. Feel free to use 5, but it is not recommended. Just cause it holds 5 does not mean it is not unlocked and slipping.

 

I agree with you and all of this makes perfect sense to me. On the other hand, were keeping our tranny alive by putting it in 4 but, at the same time, letting the engine spin at 4k RPMs for hours. Wouldn't that be shortening the life of your engine and cause wear/extra heat? (Honest question)

Also, when do you decide to put it in 4? What I mean is: Do you use 4 with a light lawn trailer? With extra weight in your bed? With anything more then 1500 lbs?

 

Your radiator is there for a reason and to run at 4k RPMs you'd have to run 80 MPH which you shouldn't ever be doing if you're towing a trailer! Just put it in 4 if you are towing a trailer at all and don't worry about it.

 

The engine is not spinning at 4,000 RPM so that is not an issue. It is 2,700 RPM at 65mph. I have towed very long distances like that with no issues or heating problems. D is 2,000 to 2,300 RPM with torque converter slipping. That is a true heat issue. Yes, I use 4 anytime I hook something the truck. The tow package covers the minimal heat issues caused when running in 4 while towing heavy loads at highway speeds.

Page 170 in owners manual...


When towing a trailer, in order to maintain engine braking efficiency, do not use D.


To prevent such damage, "4" position should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.