The Tacoma Towing Bible

looking to get either a 2.7 or a 4.0 i tow about 22lbs (6x12 trailer and a 2012 Rzr S). i tow within a 50 mile radius from the house. living in wv it is not so flat. would the 2.7 be a good fit? i want to maxmize mpg since my daily driver is currently a 5.4L 13mpg f150.

 

^ IMO, depending on how often you tow, and through WV, you may want to go for the 4.0. With stock suspension and tire size, you should be able to do alot better than 13 mpg during regular driving.

 

Agreed. I've heard people complain about trying to tow with 4cyl. My 4.0 gets about 13-14mpg while towing, but I've only towed 5,000+lbs at a time (full sized ford pickups on U-Haul auto transports that weight 2k by themselves). Supposedly you can get better mileage with higher octane (I run 87) while towing, but I've never really tried it.

Everyday driving I get around 18-20 crossing a couple mountain ranges on the way to work.

 

i tow about once a week, if that. depending on how the weather is on my days off. it's about 2200 lbs loaded down full of gas and equipment. sadly, the best i get around here is 13.8 i have pussy footed it,stayed below 70 on the interstates and everything. my tires are stock and so is my suspension. these trucks just arent known for their fuel efficiency like the 5.3 silverados and what not.

 

I meant if you get a 4.0 Tacoma, and leave the suspension and tire size stock you will do better than 13 mpg.

 

with the mountains and high speed limits in WV I dont think the 4cyl would do so well towing, why cant you tow with the F150 and use the Tacoma when you aren't towing?

 

oh ok gotcha

well if you want to make one of those truck payments i'll gladly own both lol

 

I took the daily driver as meaning you were keeping the ford. I've driven the highways in WV and between the mountains and 70mph speed limit I get about 17-18 when I am there (mostly highway and no towing) fwiw. Outside of WV my mileage goes up by 2-4 mpg

 

Back when I had my 4.0 I gained about 1-2mpg once I got out of the state. We have some pretty good grades on the interstates. I live in a rural area so it's not too bad for me unless I travel

 

I read and reviewed everything here and its all very helpfull information! I have my 03 tacoma double cab TRD with the rear diff lock. Im planning on putting a trany cooler and trailer brake module in. I am looking to buy a ski boat a 92 centurion 20ft weighing in at 2800 dry no trailer. The trailer is a tandum axle with surge breaks not sure the weight. you did cover this but just wanted your thoughts. (seems like no one tows older ski boats lol). I have some pretty agressive bridgestone 17 revo A/T tires also pretty awsome traction just woundering if im going to have problems pulling the boat out of the water. Some say yes, some say no, also i have a camper shell on it if that makes a difference. Let me know thank you

 

I read and reviewed everything here and its all very helpfull information! I have my 03 tacoma double cab V6 TRD with the rear diff lock. Im planning on putting a trany cooler and trailer brake module in. I am looking to buy a ski boat a 92 centurion 20ft weighing in at 2800 dry no trailer. The trailer is a tandum axle with surge breaks not sure the weight. you did cover this but just wanted your thoughts. (seems like no one tows older ski boats lol). I have some pretty agressive bridgestone 17 revo A/T tires also pretty awsome traction just woundering if im going to have problems pulling the boat out of the water. Some say yes, some say no, also i have a camper shell on it if that makes a difference. Let me know thank you

 

In another thread someone stated the tow rating for v6 manual 6sp trans at #3500lb, could you confirm the correct #lb, I thought the auto and manual trans were both #6500lbs ???

 

You won't have any problem pulling it out. If you are 4wd and you have problem throw it in high and pull, if not, lock the rear and go.

 

Based on his screen name I would say he doesn't have 4wd....

 

I wasn't paying attention!!!! PLUS it was like 2 in the morning when I posted that...

 

sub'd

 

So I have an 09 V6 TRD Sport with the tow package. I'm getting a 7'x12' Wells Cargo to take from Colorado to Maryland. I know I need to install the brake controller, but what exactly does my truck have besides the hitch on the back, 7 pin wiring, and wiring set up for brake controller? I heard that on some trucks the gear ratio (or first gear) will be lower with the tow package. Does the Tacoma have that? Also, does it have the special transmission cooler (I have an automatic)?
Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

If there is a smaller radiator on the front on your radiator, then you have a trans cooler... if not, you NEED one for that size trailer

 

If you have the factory tow package, not just the hitch but the package, it comes with a tranny and engine oil cooler. My question is that I am nearly maxing out, towing a KEystone Hideout 23rb that weighs 4800 dry and I am about 6000 ready to go. I read the bible and the only thing I'm confused on is he advising to install an additional cooler in with the factory? Replace the cooler there with a larger trans cooler? I just got the trailer and don't want to burn out the transmission.

 

I have to read on this thread. I need to get better gas mileage and up my tow capacity.