Towing a teardrop

Planning on getting a mid height teardrop (maybe Valiant or Tab 200) in the future. I know a lot of people have said to tow in 4th gear with ECT on but I would rather not deal with high RPM's on roadtrips. For a small trailer like this is S 4 still needed ? My lease is up soon so need to decide whether to keep this or maybe move up to Tundra

 

I tow in S4 and I dont notice any high rpms. Its like 2.5k or something. Tows fine. I do appreciate the brakes on the tow trailer though. Mine went out and it sure pushes without them. I was also getting 14.5mpg towing my 3600lb trailer up and down elevation. So keeping it in S4 didnt hurt the mileage too bad either.

A Tundra will tow it easier, but its overkill for a teardrop and will have sucky mpg all the time, not just towing.

 

I rented a forest river teardrop (E12SRK) and towed it from MN to Cape Cod and back last summer. It was fine in S5 as long as there wasn't a headwind. I think you can use S5, just be aware of how much the truck is shifting and go down to S4 if it's shifting back and forth between 4 and 5. The gas mileage sucked (11-12 mpg) and my wife didn't like the no bathroom in the teardrop. YMMV

 

I don't understand why you "don't want to deal with high rpm on roadtrip". It's way better on everything than lugging the engine.

 

Yes.

I tow a pop-up. Aside from the AC box and the porta-dump tank I keep on the roof rack, the trailer sits right in line with the truck's slip stream. I'll outrageously claim that it's more aero than most teardrops.

And still, S4 in hills or headwind, S5 in flats and tailwind. ECT on, cruise control off. The truck will definitely tell you what you need to be in. Not because of lugging or revving, but because it will constantly gear hunt.

That's what you really don't want. The constant shifting every few seconds is what heats your transmission, or so I've been told. So let it hang out in 4, crank the radio, and enjoy the slow lane.

 

Actually the new tundra has a lot better mpg than our taco towing or not

 

We Tow a square drop (Off Grid Exposition 2.0) that weights about 1800 dry. It probably ends up somewhere around the 2,300 to 2,600 range after loading.
We found going up steep hills and fighting the wind it was way handier to keep it in the manual mode in S4 with ECT power on.

No issues what so ever......so if your is lighter than that, I wouldn't think you'd have issues.

However,
From what I hear a new Tundra could come with its own set of issues....

 

My teardrop is 1250lbs. Add some water cans, 7 gallon road shower, front box of chairs and accessories and full cooler in the galley and we're talking another roughly 300lbs.
An off road model that we've taken quite a few places. In the upper midwest, it does just fine with S5.
For any hill or mountain stuff, S4 and ECT on.

I have to say that the Tacoma does a pretty decent job at towing this weight. Pleasantly surprised at the handling.

 

Your logic is flawed. The high rpm's are easier on your engine. Both the engine and transmission will stay cooler and last longer plus you'll get better fuel mileage.

 

A lot better???

Got any real life evidence?

Expected stats, not real data...
Tacoma vs Tundra | Compare 2022 Models MPG, Price, Towing, Cabin Space (germaintoyota.net)

 

What kind of pop up is that?

 

Flagstaff 206STSE.


Slightly modified of course.

 

Nice

 

Sheesh.

The tundra got better, but not what anyone would call "good", and not better than the Tacoma

 

13.7 mpg average over ~6k mile trip in the last 3 weeks. My trailer is approx 2700 lbs and I was carrying another 400 lb in supplies.

3100 rpm became very familiar through northern AZ and UT with the climbs and elevation. For the really steep stuff at > 7500ft I just slowed down to 40 mph rather than demand the truck run above 3500 rpm. Back east in VA and NC I've been spoiled by gently rolling hills and can typically get away with 2500 rpm and less for our 6 hour trips to the beach.

 

Yes the constant shifting will increase temps. Think stop and go vs cruising on the highway in one consistent gear, likely OD.

You can also always install a quality ATF cooler, ideally in-line with your current system that’s in the radiator. Go nuts and add a remote filter too. I did both for my 1st gen about 5 years ago, and the 21 year old auto shifts like a dream.

 

I tow this. 3500lbs dry. It's always around 13mpg, and i cruise on flats around 2300-2500 rpm @ 60mph. Bump it up to 75 and its 2800-3000. It's also an aerodynamic wall, so there's that. I wouldn't hesitate driving my truck across the country with it. It tows great.