Too low of RPM's and strange shifting

So I just bought my first truck ever. A 2006 Prerunner Access Cab Auto with only 19K on it. When I bought it everything looked good and the mechanic agreed. Well now that I have paid for the thing I have some problems that may or may not be an issue. First one is that when I put it in reverse and it’s still cold I will hear a rubbing type sound on the front right part of the truck. I have also noticed that my RPM's almost seem too low. I really have to get into it just to get to about 2300 RPM's. My cursing speed at about 65 MPH only shows a RPM of about 1200 which seems low. The truck has no power problems though so I’m not sure what the deal is. I have also noticed that I sometimes have to give it gas going downhill when I shouldn't have to. Along those lines it also seems to pick up speed when I slow down past about 22/23 MPH. Any thoughts or opinions on any of these issues would be great! Hope I didn’t buy a lemon

 

Mines an Automatic, so I can't help you with the shifting. The 1200RPM at 65 is a little low, but I don't see it being a problem. The downhill engine retard which you have to give it gas is normal. It's how Toyota built the engine. Throw it into neutral and coast down.

 

It all appears normal to me.

You should be glad for the low rpm's at 65mph - it'll save you on gas.

But if you put the shifter into 4th gear instead of D, you'll notice the rpm's be about where you're expecting them to be (2500). That 5th gear is nice for highway cruising.

The truck does and will 'engine brake' downhills in certain situations. That's also a nice feature to have (less braking).

 

I read your post yesterday and paid attention to my rpm's while driving home from work... In D (5th gear) going 60 on flat road my rpms were about 1750, so yours are low, but I wouldnt really be too concerned; and like someone said earlier, your mpg's will be good. And yes, I too have to get on the gas to get the rpms over 2500. Engine braking down hill is normal on these trucks, as somebody already said. I notice the engine downshifting almost as soon as I take my foot off the gas regardless if I'm going downhill or on the flats in town, kinda annoying, but I'll get used to it....
Hope this helps!

 

I think that what you are hearing/feeling in reverse is the anti-lock system "self-checking".Feels like a slight vibration then goes away--it IS NORMAL.
Hope this helps.