FINALY!!!! Someone that knows how to tow a trailer with a Tacoma , every other video I have seen , you have these people that have no business towing a trailer give their opinion on how bad the Tacoma tows , when they leave it in D and don’t use ECT. The only thing I would have done differently is left the truck in a lower gear and slowed down just a little until I finished climbing the hill , other than that good work !
You absolutely use ECT when towing and you leave the Tacoma in 4th gear , 5th & 6th gear on the Tacoma are over drive gears , when I tow my car with my Tacoma total weight is 5700# , I leave it in 4th gear , and there is no gear hunting at all even going up hills it maintains speed no problem, unless you are on a straight away Than I would select 5th gear . Truck does great running around 60-65 mph when towing and I average around 15 MPG’s . Also another note worth mentioning here is the 3.5L in the Tacoma is a high compression motor 11.6:1 to be exact so I run strictly 91 octane and I can tell the difference, the truck is just more responsive and gets better fuel economy. You can use 87 octane but it will feel like a dog !
@@peterhoma6385 I've got a 19 sport. Kd max tune. No other mods. I tow all the time. Towing a couple of sleds or atvs on an open aluminum trailer 4th gear ect on, it's fine on flat 65 mph. Any incline or a bit of headwind and it's game over. All it does is shift and scream. I love the truck, but damn it lacks any highway towing ability unless you're deaf and don't mind all the shifting.
The 3rd gen tacoma is such a pile I used ECT every day regardless whether I was towing. Went as far a pissing away money putting in 4:88’s. Shitty ass car motor with no low end balls. The 4.0 was a far better truck engine. After owing all 3 generation Tacoma the best thing I ever did was get a V8 Tundra. Anyone who thinks a Tacoma is good for towing a moderate load on the interstate already drives like a pansy at 55 with their hazards on.
We haven’t towed anything yet with our 23 TRD Off Road double cab. We have 2 mountain passes to go over when we have to go to Seattle so I always engage the ECT. We also do the same when we’re going over the Continental Divide when we go over to Montana to my wife’s family r 17K acre ranch.
Your truck is a long bed so it’s rated for 6600#. The short bed crew cab is rated for 6700#. The only Tacoma rated at 6800# is the extended cab. Subtract 300# for a 4wd. If you install an auxiliary trans cooler it’s recommended that it has a thermostat. The concern is that the transmission runs too cool. Apparently the Toyota 6sp transmission likes it a little hotter so much so that in the last 2 years of the second gen tundra they removed it. Another thing that may help it run a bit cooler is not let the the transmission hunt for gears. I usually manually shift to the next lower gear and slow down a bit. I have a 2020 TRD sport 2wd short bed and tow a Lance 1995 which is about the same weight as your mini lite. I towed it up the coast to Oregon from Southern California and then to Virginia and back. I averaged about 11mpg for the trip. It went over the Rockies with power to spare but I didn’t race it up the passes. I seldom went over 60 mph unless I had a pretty good tailwind. I change the oil every 5000 miles in spite of the dealer service Dept telling me I do have to and I will change the transmission fluid at 50,000 miles again in spite being told it’s not necessary. See the car care nut on UA-cam. He’s a certified Toyota mechanic at a dealer in Chicago. Very informative videos!
My truck is the crew cab long bed and "is" rated at 6800 Lbs. That's what the tag on the door says. Not that a couple hundred pounds either way makes much difference. As for oil changes. Might have one coming next month. 3 years old and just finally hit 14K miles. I have only pinned the transmission as a test when towing this one time and in this desert it didn't take much time to get up to an operating temp but it sure helped to have a cooler head start when hitting those grades. The next trip is the end of July when it will be hot as hell and unfortunately still uphill, I'm pretty convinced I can make it out of here ok. Haven't noticed that the transmission downshifts all that much differently in Sport mode with ECT than I would, but I have contacted my dealer and they will be doing the current factory software upgrade at my next service. We'll see if that produces any improvement. I've also consulted "Yotatuner " about possibly doing a "Valley Tune" upgrade. He's willing to work with me on a tune vs stock comparison and I may post on that later.
On a 2019 Toyota Tacoma SR5 double cab short bed I purchased a travel trailer that weighs dry weight of 4,125 lb on the door it says that I can pull 5600 very confused on the fact on the information that's online and then what's on my truck. My question is do I go by what's online or do I go by what's on my truck and if I have to for work I may have to pull my travel trailer from different states now that does not include the weight of any essential items that are personally mine that would go inside the trailer would I be okay?
@@popclutch_100 I really don’t understand why there would be a sticker on your truck that says 5600#. That’s not really consistent with the tow ratings from Toyota. Toyota doesn’t usually put a tow rating sticker on their trucks. Their tow ratings are easy to figure out from Toyota’s advertised tow ratings. The 5600# pounds is the GVWR or gross vehicle weight rating. This is the total weight of the truck, cargo and passengers. This also includes the tongue weight of a trailer as well as the hitch weight. Tongue weight is usually about 10% of the total trailer weight. This can go up or down depending on how you load your trailer. It’s more important to consider the gross vehicle weight rating of the trailer than the dry weight when considering a tow vehicle. Remember that max tow rating is based on no cargo or passengers in the tow vehicle with only a driver. This is rarely the scenario. The other important weights to consider are the tow vehicle payload and gross combined vehicle weight rating. For the Tacoma with a V6 (includes tow package) the CVWR is just under 14,000#. The payload is 900# to 1300# depending on if it’s 2wd or 4wd and whether it’s a crew cab or extended cab. Always use a weight distribution, sway control hitch. I put Timbren springs on my truck which helped a lot with towing stability.
I have a 2023 Colorado. It's rated up to 7700 LBS. I pull 6000-6500 LBS GRVW pretty often at 26 FT with no issues. These newer midsize trucks are great for getaways with smaller travel trailers. Once you unhook you can run around towns and park with ease.
It's impressive the Taco was able to tow the way it did! The huge bonus now is you get all the benefits of a midsize truck when you aren't towing. Great video!
I've owned a few tacomas and pulled travel trailers 4500 lbs or below with them all. I've never used a transmission temperature gauge. I've always ran them in S4 to prevent shifting and did real well them. I never go above 65 mph for better fuel mileage. I pull 2022 Jayco BH15 2800 lbs with a 2023 Tacoma TRD off road. Really get better gas mileage now 12 to 14 mpg.
Thanks for the video,much appreciated. I have a 23 Tacoma Off Road with the long bed. I wanted to recommend that you get the “Overland Torque Tune” for your truck. It will dramatically improve both the throttle response and also the hunting for gears. I did it about 4 months ago and honestly think the truck should have come from the factory with the tune. If you would like a referral let me know. I live in the Inland Empire and the guy I used is mobile. Anyway, thanks again.
Nice setup, I have a 21 SR quad cab 4x4. I have the same TPS monitor. I went for the Sumo springs (blue) and that was a huge improvement on the highway for stability, when not loaded they dont touch. I installed a Redarc integrated brake controller. I also use the scan gauge. MY TT weighs 3700lbs wet. The truck does the job very well. In 21 Toyota quit using an external trans cooler. I was a little concerned but after towing for a few years and reading the gauge nothing has heated up. On one trip i did pullover going up Cheaha mtn in North Alabama at an overlook for about 30 min (hit 227f with a mile to go) . I do not pin the transmission thermostat. My transmission hovers around 188 to 193 normal conditions. BTW I sure envy your Long Bed.
I towed a 2800lb trailor with my '16 2.7 from San Diego > WI. Trick with that transmission is just keep it 3rd gear and slow down to 55 or 60 on the steep grades instead of letting it kick back and forth from 4th. 4.88 gears really benefit this truck/trans also, both the 3.5 and 2.7 motors.
Thank you. Well done. I have a M1101 trailer turned into a camper. 2200 Lbs. My 2019 trd off road Tacoma pulls it well. Nice to know I can move up in size and not worry much.
Back it the day in my old 1985 Suburban when the transmission hit 185 degrees we started getting nervous. With the superior synthetic oils and gears today you can run these things pretty hot without worry. If I were towing a little more regularly in my Tacoma and saw these temps I would just change the trans fluid more frequently. Good video.
I feel a 6600 lb camper on the Tacoma is too heavy of a payload we hauled a 3500 lb camper across the country it handled it good but the fuel light at mileage was horrible
Great video Gary. Very thorough and well reasoned. I have a 2019 Sport 4x4 and tow a 4100lbs tt. It tows it like a champ, I did upgrade the trans cooler due to the hills where I live. I think the key is to keep it around 60mph and you'll be fine. I'm amazed by the full sized trucks that fly down the highway and wonder why they blow tires. Give yourself lots of space and only go as fast as the trailer tires are rated for. The only issue is the size of gas tank. Would be nice to have a 26 gallon tank.
You nailed it!!! I believe my second time watch. I tow with your exact set up. In the same region. No issues at all. I really enjoy the compact truck for exploring especially in the cities such as Palm Springs. It certainly makes parking a breeze while bigger trucks need to pass up spaces.
Pahrump to Vegas is hilly both ways, constant up & down & very curvy too! I lived in Pahrump & occasionally went to Vegas for doctor appt’s, it really sucked! 24:10
Ask your mechanic, I don't think it's good for transmission to keep downshifting over and over again. Once mine kicks down I put the transmission in the lower gear manually and leave it there until I finish the climb
I have a 2020 TRD Off Road and tow a small 154BH Jayco 3200-pound coach. I have the 6-speed manual transmission with air bags and the REDARC brake controller. It handles the trailer very well. However, when going up steep grades, it makes it up, but I can definitely feel it behind me. What's you gas milage while towing? I was getting 10MPG uphill and around 13 MPG on flat.
Great Video and information! I have a 2020 TRD Sport 4X4 up here in Canada. Tow a 4000lb Hybrid travel trailer 3 or 4 times per year 300-400 mile trips through many grades. Found my Tacoma to do the job well, mind you I think it would do better if the truck had better gear spacing in the transmission. I tow in S4 all the time. Don't have air bags but find the equalizer hitch keeps it pretty level and solid without sway behind the truck. Like you said, great for occasional towing but not a full time tow vehicle for sure. Im curious about the transmission pin? have never heard of that and also curious about what type of trans temp gauge you have and how easy are they to install. Thanks for being the best Tacoma Towing review I have seen on UA-cam!
I use a Scan Guage II. It's simple to install. Just plugs into the OBD port. I learned about it and transmission pinning on UA-cam. Just do some searches and you're bound to find the same posts.
@@xMrFuzZyKitteH Well, Yes & No. You shouldn't tow in "Drive" The 6th gear overdrive is geared too high for the truck to pull something like my trailer. A small light weight utility trailer might be fine though. I tow in "S4" which is considered Sport Mode because you can manually shift. S4 pretty much locks you out of 6th gear anyway. The "tow button" would be the ECT power button. All it actually does is raise the shift points to a bit higher RPM but that does help you get the weight up to speed a little easier. Truthfully, most vehicles I've driven with tow buttons do basically the same as the Tacoma S4 & ECT in one button. Hope this answers your question.
@@garycotton I turned on the ect power just in case I'm towing a pressure wash machine with the water tank but good thing I'm not going anywhere far just around my job thanks for the reply💪💖
I had air shocks on my last pickup, as the main purpose for that truck was for work around our property. I’ll have to get a set for my 23 Tacoma TRD Off Road, double cab, premium and technology pkgs and the 6’ bed
Nice set up, and nice logical approach to towing with these Tacomas. The 3.5 is a screamer and likes working at 4500k plus RPMs. Only suggestion would be to look into the Roadmaster Active Suspension setup. I wouldnt ditch the bags for them as you already have them set up, but they are awesome for settling out bobbing and squatting.
Hope all is well. Thinking about pulling two seadoo jet skis this summer or the seadoo boat with varying trailers weights. Hopefully it’s fine depending on which model I end up buying. 2022 Tacoma 4x4 off road 6ft bed. Informative video thanks !
Your trans would run a lot cooler if it wasn't hunting for gears the whole time. I'm not very familiar with three newer Tacos, but there should be a way to lock it into a lower gear
Great overview. Also an excellent tow vehicle/trailer combo. I agree with your overall conclusions. That truck should have no trouble towing your trailer anywhere you wish to go all day long. I see you were set up with a weight distribution hitch which I tend to think is almost essential for any travel trailer with any tow vehicle for the safest towing. As far as your fuel mileage, your numbers seem about right. Doesn't seem to matter which tow vehicle and which trailer you have, the mileage with a gasser will be between 7 and 13 mpg. Anyone that says they are outside of that range is full of it I think. Diesels obviously can do a bit better, but one needs to save a fair bit of fuel to make up for the extra $10K or so on the purchase price. Some folks seem to get all excited about all the shifting that takes place when towing, or the fact that they don't get into top gear often. Since when did they make transmissions that are not supposed to shift gears to get you in the right one for the current load. Enjoy your travels...
Due to short supply of GM vehicles I have actually considered Toyota and Nissan. After watching this video I can believe how much that tranny shifts. My GMs for the last 15 years had trannys that will not upshft when still under load.
Thanks Gary for the detailed review. I have a 2016 TRD OR 2X and am considering purchasing a 4K# trailer ( which I've towed before from So Cal to WA State ) I never saw over 210° and only for a brief minute or two. Question? - Why do you feel the need to pin the trans thermostat? The stat will run full open when the trans is hot anyway. Why not let it do its job? Curious about your thoughts on that. Thanks again.
Sorry it took so long to reply, I'm not getting comment notifications. I pinned the trans because I've noticed the thermostat doesn't open until the trans is already hot. This seem to keep me ahead of the issue and more consistently in a better temp range . The trans never seems to run too cold and doesn't take that much longer to get to normal operating range. Bear in mind, I only do this while towing. If I try any other option it will be to replace the existing factory cooler with a unit with a fan to improve AIRFLOW on those "Low Speed" uphill climbs. That's where the existing cooler suffers.
I just picked up a 2014 Ram Outdoorsman 1500 with heavy duty towing package, tow mirrors and Integrated brake controller. Didn’t have to add anything and it’ll tow 10,300 lbs. Also came with after market air bags in the rear coils. Tows my 29’ TT with ease and worry free. Good luck.
I think the transmission on the Tacos is where the downfall is, unless you get a tune for it. The manual is better for towing. Otherwise, excellent truck. It can tow, its not a Civic.
Excessive heat and foreign debris will kill an automatic transmission absolutely. Anything over 200 degrees and I would very much recommend an auxiliary cooler, along with more frequent service intervals. For this size of a camper a 1/2 ton full size would be a much better choice.
Hi. It's been 2 years since you made this video. Just wondering what you think about the Tacoma towing now. I am a handyman that tow a ~3500 lb trailer daily. Thinking of downsizing from a 97 Ford F350. Thanks.
Daily? I wouldn't downgrade. Toyota's can do it, as demonstrated in the video, but look at all the stuff you have to do to it to make it work. If I was pulling a trailer everyday I'd want a truck that was built to do that. My 17' TRD OffRoad whines pulling 1800 pounds. Can it do it? Yes. Does it like it? Not really. Just my two cents since I figure old Gary probably isn't coming back to these older videos. Cheers.
I have the 24 Tacoma with the I4 turbo. It tows my 3400 pound, v-nose, 6 foot wide, cargo trailer very well. Am super happy with it. However, the truck is a big electrical gremlin, and Toyota won't fix it. They won't install a brake controller, either. It really needs one at that weight.
@triplexinaz I can't find one that can be installed in the truck. Not even the dealership can do that, but the dealership is corrupt, so it may be that they don't want to install one. Hard to say.
Good video. Would like to know more about “ pinning “ transmission on the Tacoma. I have a 2008 tundra with tow package with a transmission cooler. My son has the same Tacoma as yours. Thanks
The ECT power button is that the button that I need to use while pulling a trailer so it helps it from the RPMs not going up too high? Also when pulling the trailer do I put it in drive or pull it into the "S" gear when pulling my trailer?
I have a 21 Tacoma TRD Pro with a lift. I just bought a travel trailer and wanting to learn as much as I can. Is this pin trick (1:43) necessary? I guess I’m not understanding the reason. I’m getting same camera system, have a brake controller and got a weight distribution hitch to help. Haven’t pulled it home yet, I pick up at the dealership Thursday!
@@mattrodriguez87 I’m in the same boat, I’m picking mine up today. I’m a little afraid since mine didn’t come with a transmission cooler even tho I’m told all TRD models have the tow package
Hey Gary! These shifts are increasing oil temp! Next time you better stick to the manual mode and pre select the lower gear. I bet result will be better. And also, I think your fuel is regular. You better switch to premium fuel type. Engine is lacking power. That 1GR 4.0 V6 loves high octane petrol!
There's a big difference between engineered in Japan/assembled in America and engineered in China/made in China. Half the Tacomas sold in the U.S. are made in Kentucky. The Japanese produce some of the most dependable cars in the world. Unlike the Chinese
That trailer is too big for your Tacoma. I know it’s within the rated tow weight for the truck … but the simple fact is they over rate all trucks .the fact that you are needing airbags and mods to keep the tranny fluid cooler.. as well as temp gauges etc et. . This is not the truck for the job . Will it do it in a pinch ? Sure , but the truck is straining.. and it’s wearing stuff out .. But simply pulling the trailer is only part of the equation. Get into any kind of emergency maneuver or stop …If an animal ran out in front of you .. some strong cross winds, or any other bad weather like heavy rain causing pooling on the roads .. et etc . You are going to put yourself in a bad situation. I’ve towed all my life. I’ve towed with everything from an old 4 cyl Toyota truck , up to now owning an f250 super duty . Let me just say .. there’s no replacement for displacement, and weight and wheelbase. Step up to a tundra or any other full-size half ton , and you won’t need all those mods ,. And your whole driving experience will be night and day different and a more relaxed experience. It’s not just pulling power .. it’s how a bigger truck handles the weight and holds the road with the trailer behind it . Your set up is known as “tail wagging the dog” Sorry, not trying to bash you . It’s a nice set up you have . But I am only speaking from experience, and from a safety standpoint .
Truck pulled it no problem, he’s pulling a trailer 2000lbs under his towing capacity. Obviously tacomas aren’t the strongest truck but it can handle what he’s towing. Transmission cooler is a plus especially he lives a hotter area. I’ve seen tacomas tow bigger trailers than this no problem
The truck was purchased before I even thought of a trailer but I've found the Tacoma easily tows this trailer. I just did the upgrades because I've never had a truck of any kind before let alone a trailer of this type .I'm really particular about caring for my vehicles and have no issue upgrading to monitor how it performs. The last vehicle I owned was an ASTRO cargo van which served me well for 23 years. I'd still have it if it still served my purpose. It just wasn't a travel type vehicle. Other than that, I only tow this trailer once or twice a year and not that far so I believe the Tacoma suits my needs just fine. Especially with the cost of fuel. But thanks for your input.
Almost all trucks that are built for towing have an engine oil cooler and transmission fluid cooler, not sure why you think that having these means the truck is in over its head. Also airbags are meant to supplement the suspension because unlike the full sized trucks that are specifically designed for towing, Toyota’s have a very soft suspension so the airbags raise the rear to allow the suspension to do its job. Combined with a weight distribution hitch (which are recommended) you have excellent control of your trailer. The Tacoma is perfectly equipped for this job, it’s biggest knock is probably the transmission and gearing. Also as far as emergency maneuvers that’s why you go slow and keep your distance, you use trailer brakes for improved stopping as well. You can make that argument for any towing set up
@@Jasper118 Thanks for the reply Jasper. I don't think my truck is in over it's head. It just wasn't originally purchased with the intent of towing. The trailer was a pure afterthought. Actually relatively speaking, my truck and trailer compare respectively in capabilities to my cousin's F150 and his 25' trailer in weight and power to weight ratio. He doesn't tow any faster or get any better mileage. So I'm happy with my rig for what little towing I do and although a 3rd aftermarket trans cooler might be nice, I'm convinced it's pretty much overkill. BTW, I did finally get the dealer to admit at my last service that they found a software update for the ECU & trans. They did that and I've noticed an immediate improvement in both shifting and throttle response. Haven't tried towing yet and it's too soon to compare gas mileage differences but I plan to test that out and post again on my upcoming Yellowstone trip. Stay Tuned.
@@garycotton awesome, that’d be a very interesting update. I am in the same boat, I purchased my 2015 TRD brand new with no thought of towing but I just bought a travel trailer very similar to yours. Now I’m curious if there are any software updates for the 2nd gen that may help with this as well. I have also been reading that you don’t want your tranny to be too cool so I’ll have to just track mine to see if additional cooling is even needed. Thanks for the excellent videos
FINALY!!!! Someone that knows how to tow a trailer with a Tacoma , every other video I have seen , you have these people that have no business towing a trailer give their opinion on how bad the Tacoma tows , when they leave it in D and don’t use ECT. The only thing I would have done differently is left the truck in a lower gear and slowed down just a little until I finished climbing the hill , other than that good work !
Why not use the ECT, and what lower gear would you use
You absolutely use ECT when towing and you leave the Tacoma in 4th gear , 5th & 6th gear on the Tacoma are over drive gears , when I tow my car with my Tacoma total weight is 5700# , I leave it in 4th gear , and there is no gear hunting at all even going up hills it maintains speed no problem, unless you are on a straight away Than I would select 5th gear . Truck does great running around 60-65 mph when towing and I average around 15 MPG’s . Also another note worth mentioning here is the 3.5L in the Tacoma is a high compression motor 11.6:1 to be exact so I run strictly 91 octane and I can tell the difference, the truck is just more responsive and gets better fuel economy. You can use 87 octane but it will feel like a dog !
@@peterhoma6385 I've got a 19 sport. Kd max tune. No other mods. I tow all the time. Towing a couple of sleds or atvs on an open aluminum trailer 4th gear ect on, it's fine on flat 65 mph. Any incline or a bit of headwind and it's game over. All it does is shift and scream. I love the truck, but damn it lacks any highway towing ability unless you're deaf and don't mind all the shifting.
The 3rd gen tacoma is such a pile I used ECT every day regardless whether I was towing. Went as far a pissing away money putting in 4:88’s. Shitty ass car motor with no low end balls. The 4.0 was a far better truck engine. After owing all 3 generation Tacoma the best thing I ever did was get a V8 Tundra. Anyone who thinks a Tacoma is good for towing a moderate load on the interstate already drives like a pansy at 55 with their hazards on.
We haven’t towed anything yet with our 23 TRD Off Road double cab.
We have 2 mountain passes to go over when we have to go to Seattle so I always engage the ECT. We also do the same when we’re going over the Continental Divide when we go over to Montana to my wife’s family r
17K acre ranch.
Your truck is a long bed so it’s rated for 6600#. The short bed crew cab is rated for 6700#. The only Tacoma rated at 6800# is the extended cab. Subtract 300# for a 4wd. If you install an auxiliary trans cooler it’s recommended that it has a thermostat. The concern is that the transmission runs too cool. Apparently the Toyota 6sp transmission likes it a little hotter so much so that in the last 2 years of the second gen tundra they removed it. Another thing that may help it run a bit cooler is not let the the transmission hunt for gears. I usually manually shift to the next lower gear and slow down a bit. I have a 2020 TRD sport 2wd short bed and tow a Lance 1995 which is about the same weight as your mini lite. I towed it up the coast to Oregon from Southern California and then to Virginia and back. I averaged about 11mpg for the trip. It went over the Rockies with power to spare but I didn’t race it up the passes. I seldom went over 60 mph unless I had a pretty good tailwind. I change the oil every 5000 miles in spite of the dealer service Dept telling me I do have to and I will change the transmission fluid at 50,000 miles again in spite being told it’s not necessary. See the car care nut on UA-cam. He’s a certified Toyota mechanic at a dealer in Chicago. Very informative videos!
My truck is the crew cab long bed and "is" rated at 6800 Lbs. That's what the tag on the door says. Not that a couple hundred pounds either way makes much difference. As for oil changes. Might have one coming next month. 3 years old and just finally hit 14K miles. I have only pinned the transmission as a test when towing this one time and in this desert it didn't take much time to get up to an operating temp but it sure helped to have a cooler head start when hitting those grades. The next trip is the end of July when it will be hot as hell and unfortunately still uphill, I'm pretty convinced I can make it out of here ok. Haven't noticed that the transmission downshifts all that much differently in Sport mode with ECT than I would, but I have contacted my dealer and they will be doing the current factory software upgrade at my next service. We'll see if that produces any improvement. I've also consulted "Yotatuner " about possibly doing a "Valley Tune" upgrade. He's willing to work with me on a tune vs stock comparison and I may post on that later.
On a 2019 Toyota Tacoma SR5 double cab short bed I purchased a travel trailer that weighs dry weight of 4,125 lb on the door it says that I can pull 5600 very confused on the fact on the information that's online and then what's on my truck. My question is do I go by what's online or do I go by what's on my truck and if I have to for work I may have to pull my travel trailer from different states now that does not include the weight of any essential items that are personally mine that would go inside the trailer would I be okay?
@@popclutch_100 I really don’t understand why there would be a sticker on your truck that says 5600#. That’s not really consistent with the tow ratings from Toyota. Toyota doesn’t usually put a tow rating sticker on their trucks. Their tow ratings are easy to figure out from Toyota’s advertised tow ratings. The 5600# pounds is the GVWR or gross vehicle weight rating. This is the total weight of the truck, cargo and passengers. This also includes the tongue weight of a trailer as well as the hitch weight. Tongue weight is usually about 10% of the total trailer weight. This can go up or down depending on how you load your trailer. It’s more important to consider the gross vehicle weight rating of the trailer than the dry weight when considering a tow vehicle. Remember that max tow rating is based on no cargo or passengers in the tow vehicle with only a driver. This is rarely the scenario. The other important weights to consider are the tow vehicle payload and gross combined vehicle weight rating. For the Tacoma with a V6 (includes tow package) the CVWR is just under 14,000#. The payload is 900# to 1300# depending on if it’s 2wd or 4wd and whether it’s a crew cab or extended cab. Always use a weight distribution, sway control hitch. I put Timbren springs on my truck which helped a lot with towing stability.
@@markreams3192 my truck is the 4 door v6 4x2 5 foot bed
Appreciate you replying sir. I officially owner a camper
I have a 2023 Colorado. It's rated up to 7700 LBS. I pull 6000-6500 LBS GRVW pretty often at 26 FT with no issues. These newer midsize trucks are great for getaways with smaller travel trailers. Once you unhook you can run around towns and park with ease.
It's impressive the Taco was able to tow the way it did! The huge bonus now is you get all the benefits of a midsize truck when you aren't towing. Great video!
I've owned a few tacomas and pulled travel trailers 4500 lbs or below with them all. I've never used a transmission temperature gauge. I've always ran them in S4 to prevent shifting and did real well them. I never go above 65 mph for better fuel mileage. I pull 2022 Jayco BH15 2800 lbs with a 2023 Tacoma TRD off road. Really get better gas mileage now 12 to 14 mpg.
Thanks for the video,much appreciated. I have a 23 Tacoma Off Road with the long bed. I wanted to recommend that you get the “Overland Torque Tune” for your truck. It will dramatically improve both the throttle response and also the hunting for gears. I did it about 4 months ago and honestly think the truck should have come from the factory with the tune. If you would like a referral let me know. I live in the Inland Empire and the guy I used is mobile. Anyway, thanks again.
Nice setup, I have a 21 SR quad cab 4x4. I have the same TPS monitor. I went for the Sumo springs (blue) and that was a huge improvement on the highway for stability, when not loaded they dont touch. I installed a Redarc integrated brake controller. I also use the scan gauge. MY TT weighs 3700lbs wet. The truck does the job very well. In 21 Toyota quit using an external trans cooler. I was a little concerned but after towing for a few years and reading the gauge nothing has heated up. On one trip i did pullover going up Cheaha mtn in North Alabama at an overlook for about 30 min (hit 227f with a mile to go) . I do not pin the transmission thermostat. My transmission hovers around 188 to 193 normal conditions. BTW I sure envy your Long Bed.
That’s some clean work you did on the suspension and the air line. 👍
I pull the same exact rv, but I have an OV tune and it pulls great and not in and out of 3rd and 4th gear. If you tow, it's a must have.
I towed a 2800lb trailor with my '16 2.7 from San Diego > WI. Trick with that transmission is just keep it 3rd gear and slow down to 55 or 60 on the steep grades instead of letting it kick back and forth from 4th. 4.88 gears really benefit this truck/trans also, both the 3.5 and 2.7 motors.
Thank you. Well done. I have a M1101 trailer turned into a camper. 2200 Lbs. My 2019 trd off road Tacoma pulls it well. Nice to know I can move up in size and not worry much.
Glad it helped
Back it the day in my old 1985 Suburban when the transmission hit 185 degrees we started getting nervous. With the superior synthetic oils and gears today you can run these things pretty hot without worry. If I were towing a little more regularly in my Tacoma and saw these temps I would just change the trans fluid more frequently. Good video.
I feel a 6600 lb camper on the Tacoma is too heavy of a payload we hauled a 3500 lb camper across the country it handled it good but the fuel light at mileage was horrible
Hauling weight and payload weight are different
Great video Gary. Very thorough and well reasoned. I have a 2019 Sport 4x4 and tow a 4100lbs tt. It tows it like a champ, I did upgrade the trans cooler due to the hills where I live. I think the key is to keep it around 60mph and you'll be fine. I'm amazed by the full sized trucks that fly down the highway and wonder why they blow tires. Give yourself lots of space and only go as fast as the trailer tires are rated for. The only issue is the size of gas tank. Would be nice to have a 26 gallon tank.
Thank you Gary for this very good video. I can easily tow 3500lbs up and down the hills with my 2021 Sienna.
This is good to know. I was nervous to tow a sub 3500lbs weight for a trailer.
You nailed it!!! I believe my second time watch. I tow with your exact set up. In the same region. No issues at all. I really enjoy the compact truck for exploring especially in the cities such as Palm Springs. It certainly makes parking a breeze while bigger trucks need to pass up spaces.
Pahrump to Vegas is hilly both ways, constant up & down & very curvy too! I lived in Pahrump & occasionally went to Vegas for doctor appt’s, it really sucked! 24:10
Ask your mechanic, I don't think it's good for transmission to keep downshifting over and over again. Once mine kicks down I put the transmission in the lower gear manually and leave it there until I finish the climb
Good looking rig there my friend 👍
“Uphill any direction to get out of town”. Same in Florida but with idiots instead of hills lol.
Very good video. I have just ordered a 2022 TRD Sport Tacoma and I found this video to be very informative. Thank You Gary Cotton.
I have a 2020 TRD Off Road and tow a small 154BH Jayco 3200-pound coach. I have the 6-speed manual transmission with air bags and the REDARC brake controller. It handles the trailer very well. However, when going up steep grades, it makes it up, but I can definitely feel it behind me. What's you gas milage while towing? I was getting 10MPG uphill and around 13 MPG on flat.
What Class/size
Hitch Did You Use For your Trd??
They can definitely do it. Do they like doing it? Not really.
Great Video and information! I have a 2020 TRD Sport 4X4 up here in Canada. Tow a 4000lb Hybrid travel trailer 3 or 4 times per year 300-400 mile trips through many grades. Found my Tacoma to do the job well, mind you I think it would do better if the truck had better gear spacing in the transmission. I tow in S4 all the time. Don't have air bags but find the equalizer hitch keeps it pretty level and solid without sway behind the truck. Like you said, great for occasional towing but not a full time tow vehicle for sure. Im curious about the transmission pin? have never heard of that and also curious about what type of trans temp gauge you have and how easy are they to install. Thanks for being the best Tacoma Towing review I have seen on UA-cam!
I use a Scan Guage II. It's simple to install. Just plugs into the OBD port. I learned about it and transmission pinning on UA-cam. Just do some searches and you're bound to find the same posts.
theirs no towing button for the tacoma right u just hook and go?
@@xMrFuzZyKitteH Well, Yes & No. You shouldn't tow in "Drive" The 6th gear overdrive is geared too high for the truck to pull something like my trailer. A small light weight utility trailer might be fine though. I tow in "S4" which is considered Sport Mode because you can manually shift. S4 pretty much locks you out of 6th gear anyway. The "tow button" would be the ECT power button. All it actually does is raise the shift points to a bit higher RPM but that does help you get the weight up to speed a little easier. Truthfully, most vehicles I've driven with tow buttons do basically the same as the Tacoma S4 & ECT in one button. Hope this answers your question.
@@garycotton I turned on the ect power just in case I'm towing a pressure wash machine with the water tank but good thing I'm not going anywhere far just around my job thanks for the reply💪💖
I had air shocks on my last pickup, as the main purpose for that truck was for work around our property.
I’ll have to get a set for my 23 Tacoma TRD Off Road, double cab, premium and technology pkgs and the 6’ bed
Nice set up, and nice logical approach to towing with these Tacomas. The 3.5 is a screamer and likes working at 4500k plus RPMs. Only suggestion would be to look into the Roadmaster Active Suspension setup. I wouldnt ditch the bags for them as you already have them set up, but they are awesome for settling out bobbing and squatting.
Hope all is well. Thinking about pulling two seadoo jet skis this summer or the seadoo boat with varying trailers weights. Hopefully it’s fine depending on which model I end up buying. 2022 Tacoma 4x4 off road 6ft bed. Informative video thanks !
Gary, I'm in palm springs, when you said it's not windy i thought the same thing you said "strange" lol.
Until a few months ago I used to visit the marine corps base weekly for construction work, I don’t miss that area at all
Im a trucker, and I know that grade is a bitch! Your tacoma handled it well! Now I know my tacoma can handle a camper. Great video good sir! 🍻
"TDR" my heart broke
Basically it'll do it, but if you're looking to do it frequently get a full sized truck.
I’ll miss the V6… shame they put an i4 in the new one. The V6 was a reliable powerhouse for what it is.
Your trans would run a lot cooler if it wasn't hunting for gears the whole time. I'm not very familiar with three newer Tacos, but there should be a way to lock it into a lower gear
Very informative sir thank you. I am about to tow and may also make a video pn it. Wish i had a scangauge.
Good luck towing safely with those little trucks
Great Job! Very informative!
Thank you for putting this together and sharing your experience.
Great overview. Also an excellent tow vehicle/trailer combo. I agree with your overall conclusions. That truck should have no trouble towing your trailer anywhere you wish to go all day long. I see you were set up with a weight distribution hitch which I tend to think is almost essential for any travel trailer with any tow vehicle for the safest towing. As far as your fuel mileage, your numbers seem about right. Doesn't seem to matter which tow vehicle and which trailer you have, the mileage with a gasser will be between 7 and 13 mpg. Anyone that says they are outside of that range is full of it I think. Diesels obviously can do a bit better, but one needs to save a fair bit of fuel to make up for the extra $10K or so on the purchase price. Some folks seem to get all excited about all the shifting that takes place when towing, or the fact that they don't get into top gear often. Since when did they make transmissions that are not supposed to shift gears to get you in the right one for the current load. Enjoy your travels...
Thank you for the very comprehensive review! It has answered my questions.
I have a “Ford Ranger” it pulls just fine, without all the”B.S.”
Trans cooler helps. Don't trust the factory one it's small.
I want to see an experiment of doing that type of towing on regular basis and see if anything fails
I would like to have seen a split screen on the tach.
I was surprised that Taco could pull that much weight. I wanted to buy a trailer but I didn't want to pull with any Detroit made truck.
Due to short supply of GM vehicles I have actually considered Toyota and Nissan. After watching this video I can believe how much that tranny shifts. My GMs for the last 15 years had trannys that will not upshft when still under load.
Good info to have! I've got a '21 in Phoenix and thinking of towing something over the summers back east
Thanks Gary for the detailed review. I have a 2016 TRD OR 2X and am considering purchasing a 4K# trailer ( which I've towed before from So Cal to WA State ) I never saw over 210° and only for a brief minute or two. Question? - Why do you feel the need to pin the trans thermostat? The stat will run full open when the trans is hot anyway. Why not let it do its job? Curious about your thoughts on that. Thanks again.
Sorry it took so long to reply, I'm not getting comment notifications. I pinned the trans because I've noticed the thermostat doesn't open until the trans is already hot. This seem to keep me ahead of the issue and more consistently in a better temp range . The trans never seems to run too cold and doesn't take that much longer to get to normal operating range. Bear in mind, I only do this while towing. If I try any other option it will be to replace the existing factory cooler with a unit with a fan to improve AIRFLOW on those "Low Speed" uphill climbs. That's where the existing cooler suffers.
excellent video i appreciate your attention to detail
Very good video. I am trying to decide Toyota or Ranger
Great video and great information!
Great video .thank you.. were you using a weight distribution tow bar? If so, what model?
I just picked up a 2014 Ram Outdoorsman 1500 with heavy duty towing package, tow mirrors and Integrated brake controller. Didn’t have to add anything and it’ll tow 10,300 lbs. Also came with after market air bags in the rear coils. Tows my 29’ TT with ease and worry free. Good luck.
I wonder what that Magnuson supercharger would do for towing with this truck.
Considerably more hp and tq, but it would stress the cooling just that much more.
Would like to know your distribution hitch set up, and more about pinning the transmission. Regards
Put it in s mode and that way you can hold a gear and your transmission will also be alot cooler
I think the transmission on the Tacos is where the downfall is, unless you get a tune for it. The manual is better for towing. Otherwise, excellent truck. It can tow, its not a Civic.
It’s the gear ratio not the tranny that let’s it down
Excessive heat and foreign debris will kill an automatic transmission absolutely. Anything over 200 degrees and I would very much recommend an auxiliary cooler, along with more frequent service intervals. For this size of a camper a 1/2 ton full size would be a much better choice.
Hi. It's been 2 years since you made this video. Just wondering what you think about the Tacoma towing now. I am a handyman that tow a ~3500 lb trailer daily. Thinking of downsizing from a 97 Ford F350. Thanks.
Daily? I wouldn't downgrade. Toyota's can do it, as demonstrated in the video, but look at all the stuff you have to do to it to make it work. If I was pulling a trailer everyday I'd want a truck that was built to do that. My 17' TRD OffRoad whines pulling 1800 pounds. Can it do it? Yes. Does it like it? Not really. Just my two cents since I figure old Gary probably isn't coming back to these older videos. Cheers.
I have the 24 Tacoma with the I4 turbo. It tows my 3400 pound, v-nose, 6 foot wide, cargo trailer very well. Am super happy with it. However, the truck is a big electrical gremlin, and Toyota won't fix it. They won't install a brake controller, either. It really needs one at that weight.
@@K9River Brake controllers are extremely simple to install on these trucks
@triplexinaz I can't find one that can be installed in the truck. Not even the dealership can do that, but the dealership is corrupt, so it may be that they don't want to install one. Hard to say.
Dang! Those MiniLites are nice!!!
8:29 no sir, you were shifting between 2nd and 3rd.
Thanks Gary, can I get the info on the transmission temperature gage?
Any advice for me: Thinking of buying a new Highlander 4x4 and towing a coachman clipper UVW 2,670 lbs. would the Highlander struggle towing that?
Good video. Would like to know more about “ pinning “ transmission on the Tacoma. I have a 2008 tundra with tow package with a transmission cooler. My son has the same Tacoma as yours. Thanks
Check out a video by Trail Pass -“ Modify your Tacoma to handle the heat - Pin the Transmission”. He shows you how to do it.
That gear shifting was hella annoying. Couldnt you manually shift or is that not an option on a 2019 ?
Great video hope Mike didn't get any calls or mad that his number showed up on your video 🙂
The ECT power button is that the button that I need to use while pulling a trailer so it helps it from the RPMs not going up too high? Also when pulling the trailer do I put it in drive or pull it into the "S" gear when pulling my trailer?
Haha Mike is getting hella prankcalls
I track must be really rare with a TDR package😊😊
What does it mean to pin the transmission and how do you do it?
Is ECT on while towing? If not, it should be on. It’ll reduce gas mileage but improve the overall ride while towing.
He had it engaged
when towing how many miles can you go on a tank of gas? I have same truck and want to get a trailer
Great video,
Loos like it did ok. Have you tried manual shifting?
Is that on a factory trans cooler?
He mentioned being stock but w/ tow package
Is your truck a 4x4? it seems to be missing the 4x4 dial next to the push start.
Hey Sr ? Did you have a transmission cooling system on your tacoma
Travel trailer weight must be 1/2 truck capacity. Tacoma work perfect towing ex.3000 - 3500
Not sure if i missed it or not. But do you have your truck tuned? Tows much better if you do
Are you towing in od?
Great job! Thanks!
What do you use for a brake controller?
Did you have ECT enabled?
Yes
Does Anyone Knows What class/Size Hitch The 2020 Trd Tacoma Takes??
It has a 2" receiver.
Do you just leave the transmission pinned or do you change it back once your done towing
I have a 21 Tacoma TRD Pro with a lift. I just bought a travel trailer and wanting to learn as much as I can. Is this pin trick (1:43) necessary? I guess I’m not understanding the reason. I’m getting same camera system, have a brake controller and got a weight distribution hitch to help. Haven’t pulled it home yet, I pick up at the dealership Thursday!
@@mattrodriguez87 I’m in the same boat, I’m picking mine up today. I’m a little afraid since mine didn’t come with a transmission cooler even tho I’m told all TRD models have the tow package
How about braking. Did you get a brake controller? does the trailer have brakes?
Yes
Thank you for this video.
Great video thanks for sharing! I gave you a sub!
Lol 231° is pretty hot
yep.. great video - thanks for the info on towing w the tacoma.
It would tow 9000 easy but It wouldn't be good for it
It’s a trd not a tdr. You keep saying it wrong ?????
Stopped in Pahrump to purchase something huh...................it's usually a "rental" by the hour. Just kidding.
Anyone try calling Mike Cotton?
Not “Real World” Tacoma Towing info: Too many modifications. I still wonder how a stock real world Tacoma off the lot can tow.
Hey Gary! These shifts are increasing oil temp! Next time you better stick to the manual mode and pre select the lower gear. I bet result will be better. And also, I think your fuel is regular. You better switch to premium fuel type. Engine is lacking power. That 1GR 4.0 V6 loves high octane petrol!
Huh? When you tested Carvin speakers, you said ‘buy American, American first’ and now you drive a Toyota? I don’t get it…..
There's a big difference between engineered in Japan/assembled in America and engineered in China/made in China. Half the Tacomas sold in the U.S. are made in Kentucky. The Japanese produce some of the most dependable cars in the world. Unlike the Chinese
@@garycotton 100% correct!
You're stressing the fuck out of that transmission. All that gear hunting is whats heating it up. Keep her in 3rd gear and let her scream.
TRD not TDR.
imagine paying this much for a 2x4
That trailer is too big for your Tacoma. I know it’s within the rated tow weight for the truck … but the simple fact is they over rate all trucks .the fact that you are needing airbags and mods to keep the tranny fluid cooler.. as well as temp gauges etc et. . This is not the truck for the job . Will it do it in a pinch ? Sure , but the truck is straining.. and it’s wearing stuff out .. But simply pulling the trailer is only part of the equation. Get into any kind of emergency maneuver or stop …If an animal ran out in front of you .. some strong cross winds, or any other bad weather like heavy rain causing pooling on the roads .. et etc . You are going to put yourself in a bad situation. I’ve towed all my life. I’ve towed with everything from an old 4 cyl Toyota truck , up to now owning an f250 super duty . Let me just say .. there’s no replacement for displacement, and weight and wheelbase. Step up to a tundra or any other full-size half ton , and you won’t need all those mods ,. And your whole driving experience will be night and day different and a more relaxed experience. It’s not just pulling power .. it’s how a bigger truck handles the weight and holds the road with the trailer behind it . Your set up is known as “tail wagging the dog”
Sorry, not trying to bash you . It’s a nice set up you have . But I am only speaking from experience, and from a safety standpoint .
Truck pulled it no problem, he’s pulling a trailer 2000lbs under his towing capacity. Obviously tacomas aren’t the strongest truck but it can handle what he’s towing. Transmission cooler is a plus especially he lives a hotter area. I’ve seen tacomas tow bigger trailers than this no problem
The truck was purchased before I even thought of a trailer but I've found the Tacoma easily tows this trailer. I just did the upgrades because I've never had a truck of any kind before let alone a trailer of this type .I'm really particular about caring for my vehicles and have no issue upgrading to monitor how it performs. The last vehicle I owned was an ASTRO cargo van which served me well for 23 years. I'd still have it if it still served my purpose. It just wasn't a travel type vehicle. Other than that, I only tow this trailer once or twice a year and not that far so I believe the Tacoma suits my needs just fine. Especially with the cost of fuel. But thanks for your input.
Almost all trucks that are built for towing have an engine oil cooler and transmission fluid cooler, not sure why you think that having these means the truck is in over its head. Also airbags are meant to supplement the suspension because unlike the full sized trucks that are specifically designed for towing, Toyota’s have a very soft suspension so the airbags raise the rear to allow the suspension to do its job. Combined with a weight distribution hitch (which are recommended) you have excellent control of your trailer. The Tacoma is perfectly equipped for this job, it’s biggest knock is probably the transmission and gearing. Also as far as emergency maneuvers that’s why you go slow and keep your distance, you use trailer brakes for improved stopping as well. You can make that argument for any towing set up
@@Jasper118 Thanks for the reply Jasper. I don't think my truck is in over it's head. It just wasn't originally purchased with the intent of towing. The trailer was a pure afterthought. Actually relatively speaking, my truck and trailer compare respectively in capabilities to my cousin's F150 and his 25' trailer in weight and power to weight ratio. He doesn't tow any faster or get any better mileage. So I'm happy with my rig for what little towing I do and although a 3rd aftermarket trans cooler might be nice, I'm convinced it's pretty much overkill. BTW, I did finally get the dealer to admit at my last service that they found a software update for the ECU & trans. They did that and I've noticed an immediate improvement in both shifting and throttle response. Haven't tried towing yet and it's too soon to compare gas mileage differences but I plan to test that out and post again on my upcoming Yellowstone trip. Stay Tuned.
@@garycotton awesome, that’d be a very interesting update. I am in the same boat, I purchased my 2015 TRD brand new with no thought of towing but I just bought a travel trailer very similar to yours. Now I’m curious if there are any software updates for the 2nd gen that may help with this as well. I have also been reading that you don’t want your tranny to be too cool so I’ll have to just track mine to see if additional cooling is even needed. Thanks for the excellent videos
A good rig, until I put my 9’ trailer, and Harley was totally 💯 useless,….