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Will Gen 3 Tow Better than Gen 1?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by TacoDude3391, Sep 20, 2016.

  1. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:04 PM
    #1
    TacoDude3391

    TacoDude3391 [OP] Active Member

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    So I have a gen 1 manual. Unlike the new 3.5 is actually has good low-end pull but that evaporates quickly after 50-60 mph.

    The gen 3 3.5L has quite a bit more HP and torque but if you crunch the numbers, the power to weight ratio of the gen 3 isn't far off from the gen 1 because the gen 1 is so light.

    Will a gen 3 even tow my 3,000 lb pop-up any better than my 2001 I own now?
     
    ChadsPride likes this.
  2. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:06 PM
    #2
    2016_dbag

    2016_dbag Well-Known Member

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  3. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:11 PM
    #3
    fdbyrne

    fdbyrne Well-Known Member

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    I believe that the 1st gen's V6 only put out 190hp. Even with a heavier vehicle, 276hp is a big step up.

    I know horsepower isn't the only factor, but I don't know the torque numbers off the top of my head.
     
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  4. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:11 PM
    #4
    PROseur

    PROseur Well-Known Member

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    Our 16 tows very well. You "almost" can't feel it compared to our Gen1 Double cab, which runs out of breath.
     
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  5. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:15 PM
    #5
    gregt909

    gregt909 Well-Known Member

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    Has plenty of power for towing 5000lbs+. I turn on the ECT switch to keep the engine in a happier rpm range so it's not lugging the engine. I think of it as a tow/haul switch on other brands.
     
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  6. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:16 PM
    #6
    Lovci

    Lovci Well-Known Member

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    Well if you have a manual 3rd gen it's certainly no comparison. Probably isn't even with the auto.
     
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  7. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:25 PM
    #7
    TacoDude3391

    TacoDude3391 [OP] Active Member

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    From I have heard the manual will out-tow the auto because of the rear-end gearing.
     
  8. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:26 PM
    #8
    flatus

    flatus Well-Known Member

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    I tow a 4800lb boat. It does pretty well with it.
     
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  9. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:27 PM
    #9
    TexAggie

    TexAggie Well-Known Member

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  10. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:38 PM
    #10
    TacoDude3391

    TacoDude3391 [OP] Active Member

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    Funny I see people saying their truck tows 5000lbs good and some say it absolutely sucks. I live in Colorado I can imagine towing in Colorado is a whole different ball game than towing in Florida. I appreciate the responses however.
     
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  11. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:40 PM
    #11
    flatus

    flatus Well-Known Member

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    I do tow on flat terrain most of the time.
     
  12. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:42 PM
    #12
    Metalhead514

    Metalhead514 Darth Taco

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    It is absolutely different. I towed a bunch of tools recently and the loaded trailer was maybe 2,000 lbs. Flat ground, I didn't feel a thing. However, when I got to the mountain passes, I could feel her running out of air. My #1 goal for modding my 3rd gen TRD OR is adding a supercharger to help with the air at higher altitude.
     
  13. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:46 PM
    #13
    gregt909

    gregt909 Well-Known Member

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    It's a matter of perspective. Does it tow as well as an F150 with a V8 or turbo charged V6? No. But it's a midsize truck with a naturally aspired V6 that probably gets 5 mpg+ better than the F150.

    Imo: it tows well even uphill but expect to be in the 4-5K rpm range when towing some serious weight and trying to keep up with traffic.
     
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  14. Sep 20, 2016 at 1:51 PM
    #14
    TacoJonn

    TacoJonn Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't go go as far as saying 5 mpg better than the f-150. Almost every engine in the F-150 with the exception of the base 3.5 (non-turbo) will get similar MPG as the Tacoma unloaded and will probably get better MPG while towing since the EcoBoosts run at low RPM. In many cases bigger V8's get better towing MPG than smaller V6's because a V6 has to rev high and breathes less efficiently as those RPM's.
     
  15. Sep 20, 2016 at 2:01 PM
    #15
    gregt909

    gregt909 Well-Known Member

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    All I can report to is unloaded mpg. I had a 2013 F150 with an ECO Boost V6. Got 15-17 mpg mixed driving. Getting 22 same mixed driving with my Tacoma. Towing 5000lbs with the ECO was 12-13 driving across Texas (mainly flat). Can't report on the Tacoma's mpg as I haven't towed for a long distance to compare.
     
  16. Sep 20, 2016 at 2:01 PM
    #16
    Metalhead514

    Metalhead514 Darth Taco

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    Toyota needs to pull their heads out of their asses and drop that 5.7 into a Taco. If Dodge could do it, they can.
     
    gregt909[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Sep 20, 2016 at 2:05 PM
    #17
    gregt909

    gregt909 Well-Known Member

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    It would do wheelies taking off from a stop light with that setup.
     
  18. Sep 20, 2016 at 2:07 PM
    #18
    TacoJonn

    TacoJonn Well-Known Member

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  19. Sep 20, 2016 at 2:10 PM
    #19
    CanadaToy

    CanadaToy Well-Known Member

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    LOL a stock 3.4 loaded down has trouble doing grades while holding 55mph, a 2nd or 3rd gen can accelerate up those grades
     
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  20. Sep 20, 2016 at 2:28 PM
    #20
    TacoJonn

    TacoJonn Well-Known Member

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    My gen 1 tows my Casita (2500lb dry weight, see my prof image) fairly well on flat land but yeah, all bets off on any sort of grade. I wouldn't feel comfortable towing my Casita over I-70 west of Denver because of the traffic.
     

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