Western Massachusetts Tacomas

Speaking of weather, just learned that our 2nd gen tacoma has officially been totaled by insurance, following a lightning strike that took out a Mazda 6 at the same time. Sigh. At least it was insured. I actually drove it to the shop, with lights and alarms buzzing madly. Now time to start over. Question: we loved having a standard transmission (my wife and I are weird, that way). But I'm also thinking about towing relatively minor stuff (lawn tractor on a utility trailer, maybe a light camper). Nothing like heavy equipment or big boats. Is it out of the question to tow such modest stuff with a stick shift? Would that burn out a clutch in a hurry? Be nice to your truck, one never knows how long it will be around....TIA for any advice.

 

First of all, sorry to hear about your taco. That sucks. Second of all, I have friends that tow all of the time with a standard. They actually prefer it because it is easier on the transmission. If you are not Towing nothing with a lot of weight you should be ok with the clutch.

 

Thank you! That is very encouraging. It is amazing, what one can do with a taco.

 

Its fine on the transmission. How it is on the clutch, depends on how much you slip the clutch. I have heard that the Tacoma has very high gearing for reverse, which requires alot of slipping to back things up. I have never towed with a manual Taco, just took 1 for a test drive many yrs ago.

I did tow regularly with my Ford escort and Honda Crv, both of which were 5 speeds and never had any issues with either.

 

Personally, I prefer it.
I have one auto, and one manual.
The reverse ratio in a manual Tacoma or Frontier is... sad. When backing the trailer into the yard, I'll use low range in the manual. All dirt MD grass.
The auto really shines THERE.
I have a 6x12 enclosed, single alxe... using tacoma, and 170mi each way, I got 12ish using 4th gear(auto).
But, the same truck has no issues pulling 21mpg at 70(no trailer).
That said, I wish I took the manual.
That little trip this past weekend pretty much nixed any thoughts on a camper.. for us.
It is preference.
Weak link is clutch.
It's a wear item. Replace it with better when it's toast...

 

Morning Neighbors
I don’t know how much more of this shit I can take
Water in the basement now
Looks like rain for another week in the forecast .
Think we will cancel our trip to the beach in Connecticut for the beginning of next week . Rain there also

 

ME:



New England:

 

This shit is getting old quick haha. I guess the new pup will love or hate rain based on the first week at the house and all the trips outside.

 

I can confirm this statement, the bed of my Tacoma was full of horse manure as I was backing up on wet grass and thought I had a fog machine under my front wheels, with an awful smell I can't describe.

Using 4-low would have helped.

 

The sun came out a couple hours ago and it’s hot out there man

 

Welcome to the Dr. hyde and Mr. Jekyll of our cherished New England weather.

 

Now we are having friggen torrential rain . Down pouring like a bitch

 

Down here, we got about 5.5 inches of rain in a short period of time.
Made driving quite sporty.
My crabgrass loves it.

 

Morning neighbors

 

Spent all morning yesterday pumping basement with my Honda pump . Sump shutdown in the middle of the night and I couldn’t get it going in the morning . Woke up to 6” water in the basement . Went out and purchased a new pump . So far so good . Water still pouring in the sump hole this morning with more rain in the forecast

 

Well its not in Western MA(I spent a bunch of yrs living in the Birkshires and loved there) but I bought a house today in Kingston NY.
Gonna take a bit of work but I'm excited.


Its got a huge garage out back to keep my truck in.

 

Congrats ,good luck !

 

Morning Neighbors
Still wet ,sump pump working OT

 

Kingston is an awesome place! did you end up in the stockade district by any chance?