Towing Feedback from Road Trip

I just got back from a 1300+ mile road trip (round trip mileage).

Drove from NW PA down to Tennessee to pick up a boat.

Trip down I got 21 MPG with my TRD OR 4x4 unloaded.

Trip back with a 2000# + boat was 14-16 MPG.

I did about 5 MPH over the speed limit, so a lot of miles going 75 MPH.

Although it did shift a lot going through the mountains of KY....I was pretty impressed overall.

Not a huge load, but the truck handled amazing well IMO pulling the trailer.

I was very pleased overall....good trip.

A lot of negative threads and topics (I'm as guilty of this as anyone...).....so I just wanted to pass along some positives.

For a reasonable sized load, for a mid sized pick up truck, the taco pulls great IMO.

 

Nice truck and boat...but not to be an asshole, why were you towing 75+ mph?

 

I guess the plus sign wasn't needed, most of the time I had the cruise set for 75 mph on 70 mph roads.

I find the left lane on most freeways is better road, so if you want to stay in the left lane and stay with the flow you go 75 mph.

If you go slower than that, you are in the right lane getting passed constantly.

 

dude, you were towing a boat, no need to be going that damn fast towing

 

Thanks for the feedback. Drive any speed that suits you!

 

Glad it went well. Now back on topic from the people getting butthurt about your speed, what gear were you in most of the time? ECT engaged?

 

Well so much for the effort to make a positive thread....LOL.

I wasn't really trying to make this is a thread about how fast you should go with a trailer.

I was just trying to say the Taco did a great job hauling a medium sized boat.

For all those a$$holes like myself who like to stay with the flow with traffic, your 2016 Taco will do it without a problem!

Even at 75 MPH....

Assuming you have a good trailer that tracks well!

 

butt hurt about speed? So please enlighten me on how it is safe to be towing a boat 75+ with a mid size truck? Have you worked accident scenes where people were driving too fast pulling trailers and seen the damage it can cause? If you did, you would slow your ass down too.

 

I did use ECT. I've seen others post about how the more miles they get on there truck the better it holds 6 gear.

I was really surprised that it would go into 6th and hold it on the flat and slight downhill.

When I got into windy situations and any much a hill it would shift into 5th.

So if you just bought your Taco and it won't hold 6th gear, give it a little time.

I've got nearly 6K on mine and it's been doing a to do a lot better on holding 6th gear at highway speeds the longer I've had it.

I think it's also the warmer weather, but I've cracked 20 MPG more often now too.

 

Do you feel safe being passed like your standing still?

Having people fly up on your a$$ then tailgating till they can get around you?

Everyone has to do risk / rewards for themselves and decide what the best way to drive is.

Had it been windy, or the trailer not been hauling so smooth, I wouldn't have done it.

But it tracked amazing well, and I had no issues with wind blowing me around.

When it got windy, I slowed down and made sure it was tracking well.

How fast is it safe to pull a trailer?

Would 70 mph have been safe?

There are too many factors that you need to consider and it's a subjective discussion.

I do appreciate your concern and I definitely agree there are situations where it wouldn't be safe.

 

Tailgate me all you want, piss poor planning/driving on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine. Your Risk/Rewards driving can get other people hurt/killed.

Little Video for ya on Tailgating

 

If I were towing a boat I'd expect people to be passing me

 

I am not sure how it is in other states but in CA the posted speed limit "while towing" is 55mph. Your state may be higher, I dunno.

 

Gotta say it... they are right, you are wrong. 75mph while towing isn't just risking your life, it's also risking the lives of everyone around you. You really should do a little research on this... before you kill someone.

 

I thought my speed yesterday was appropriate considering the condition of the road in the right lane, the other traffic speed, the weather conditions, trailer condition, etc.

Having said that, it's good feedback, and I agree maybe it wasn't the right decision.

Appreciate the feedback and experiences that you guys have that said it wasn't a good decision.

I'm not so stubborn to say I can't learn from others or make a mistake.

If I'm in that situation again, I'll re-consider that decision.

I only live only 12 miles from the lake, all state roads, so I'll likely never be in that situation again.

I'm grateful to have made it home safe and the Taco performed well and will leave it at that.

 

Couldn't agree more. Its funny how common sense gets ignored until someone gets killed then were all supposed to feel sorry for them. I glad your Taco pulls your new boat at ridiculously high speeds, you win.

 

I find this being open minded, and good thinking

 

Ok, he acknowledged the speed thing so for fuck sake, drop it already people. Glad it towed well, OP.

 

No

Drive any speed that is safe