I towed a camper ... and was highly disappointed [Sport 6M]

[Bret]

I would be interested to know if you have much experience towing. If not, I would say this reaction isn't unexpected. First experiences towing anything can be a real "wake up" drive. Loading and leveling are everything, as are expectations. If you do have a lot of time towing, your experience doesn't match mine at all.

My experience towing with the 4th Gen is right between what it was like with my 2nd Gen Taco (4-cylinder) and my F-150 (6-cylinder turbo). The former was hell on wheels, so to speak. The latter was like I didn't have anything behind me. The trailer weight over all three tows was about 3K.

My 4th Gen Taco towing experience has been great. I know it's back there but it tracks well, doesn't sway or bounce, and I have enough power to accelerate, even up hills. Honestly, a 6,500# rating is pretty optimistic (marketing at work??) on this truck. But anything under 4K should be fine.

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[Drifte]

To chime in on a little towing experience. I pull about as small of a camper I can (NOBO 10.5). I have had larger campers in the past with a Tundra and I like to be able to drive normal without concerns of weight or abuse. I knew going into towing this, that weight of only 1700lbs was still going to feel like a lot more. Just wind drag, and then of course Im never towing it dry or empty.

But to your comment of the engine making a strange noise, I think I heard it as well. I was pulling into a campground with steep windy roads, 20mph and windows down. And the truck at one point sounded like a jar full of marbles. I only run 91/93 octane, and this was a 10 minute drive so nothing was being abused. I would love to hear a Toyota engineer touch on this noise. It could be something with the atkinson cycle that Im not familiar with.

(TRD OR automatic, ave mpg 24, towing mpg 16 in towhaul)

 

[Bcphoto3]

We towed a TetonX camper (3500#) from UT to TN ( and around) in May.. I could barely tell the trailer was back there.. TH squatted like crazy.. MPG around 10-12.. But my regular MPG is 15-17.. I dont have a lead foot and towed the trailer at 65MPH max on interstate roads and less on smaller roads.. Looking to upgrade Coil springs to something stiffer.. Auto trans seemed to do fine except in 4hi towing the trailer on dirt roads.. It overheated.. Dealer said that they couldnt find any record of that or problems.. I am going to request a ROB next visit..

 

[timetoeatpotatoes]

Nothing is gonna be 100% pleasant at max load.

 

[Kielly]

I would be interested to know if you have much experience towing. If not, I would say this reaction isn't unexpected. First experiences towing anything can be a real "wake up" drive. Loading and leveling are everything, as are expectations. If you do have a lot of time towing, your experience doesn't match mine at all.

My experience towing with the 4th Gen is right between what it was like with my 2nd Gen Taco (4-cylinder) and my F-150 (6-cylinder turbo). The former was hell on wheels, so to speak. The latter was like I didn't have anything behind me. The trailer weight over all three tows was about 3K.

My 4th Gen Taco towing experience has been great. I know it's back there but it tracks well, doesn't sway or bounce, and I have enough power to accelerate, even up hills. Honestly, a 6,500# rating is pretty optimistic (marketing at work??) on this truck. But anything under 4K should be fine.

My experience stops at max 1500lbs utility trailers, so realistically first time towing something of this size and weight, you're probably right.

My expectations were way higher than they should've been haha.

 

[oxi]

That is why Toyota made the Tundra, to tow with...

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