A Real World Tacoma Tow Test

This is a test of my 2019 Tacoma TRD Sport. I'm planning a long distance trip this Summer and want to know exactly what I should expect. Is my trailer too much for this mid-sized truck? Or are my concerns all in my head? Come along for the ride and see just how this truck really performs.

[peterhoma]

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 !

[markreams]

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 YouTube. He’s a certified Toyota mechanic at a dealer in Chicago. Very informative videos!

[semosurvivalist]

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.

[MrSujano]

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!

[carlos.]

That’s some clean work you did on the suspension and the air line. 👍

[mikejohnson]

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.

[diosantiago]

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.

[richwang]

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.

[marcd]

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.

[bwhit]

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.

[rndsommer]

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.

[BB-zcgq]

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.

[ourvlife]

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.

[tieoneon]

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.

[PapaWheelie]

Good looking rig there my friend 👍

“Uphill any direction to get out of town”. Same in Florida but with idiots instead of hills lol.

[thetakobars]

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.

[johnnysneed]

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.

[NQBN]

Thank you Gary for this very good video. I can easily tow 3500lbs up and down the hills with my 2021 Sienna.

[pchime]

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

[GaryB]

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