Towing/trailer question...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 911
From: Omaha
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 299
Likes: 23
From: ATL metro
I think the Tacoma will be fine, depending on which engine/trans combo you get. I have a Tacoma with the V6/Auto and two package and it is rated to tow around 6,000-6,500 if I remember correctly.
I plan on towing a Street Glide and Fat Boy this summer and am not worried about it at all.
I plan on towing a Street Glide and Fat Boy this summer and am not worried about it at all.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville, TN
Trailered my two bikes from Fairbanks, AK to Clarksville, TN behind my wifes Dodge caravan on an 8'x12' trailer. I was pulling the RV. Never had any issues with the caravan. Lots of long hills both up and down.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
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From: Central California
I tow with a Dodge Dakota, which is in the same class as the Taco. V6 automatic, I tow primarily a 2000lb drag car on a single axle open trailer. I get close to 20mpg towing, and average 19. I've probably towed close to 50,000 miles over the time I've owned the truck (bought new in '04) and the only difficulty I had was getting over the rockies. Dem hills be steep! But, I just dropped down the gearing and rode along with the big rigs till it peaked out.
Towing a couple full sized bikes would weigh even less than my rig, so I know it'll be fine. You may not be able to go over hills at 75mph, but it'll get you there anyway!
Towing a couple full sized bikes would weigh even less than my rig, so I know it'll be fine. You may not be able to go over hills at 75mph, but it'll get you there anyway!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 84
From: Southern Maine / Seacoast NH
I towed my Sportster on a little open trailer once with my Chevy Silverado. Zero issues (except for my **** poor ability to back a trailer) and less than 1 MPG hit in fuel mileage. 5.3L V8 that averages 18-19 in steady cruise.
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From: Orange County
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 892
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From: Northern NY
No body mentioned having a transmission cooler installed. If you're going to go very far or travel hilly terrain I would certainly be interested in having a transmission cooler on the vehicle, any vehicle. Some will say it isn't necessary but I feel it helps with the life of your tranny.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
Most trucks, even mid sized like the Tacoma, Dakota, with a tow package will have auxillary trans coolers already. Mine does. And these days with lock-up torque converters, not nearly as necessary as they once were. If you're smart enough to drop down a gear going up the hills instead of just jamming your foot into it, it lightens the load on the converter even more. And that is what builds the heat...converter slippage.
When going up steep hills, I can actually use less throttle to maintain speed by dropping down a gear and letting the motor spin a little. After 115,000 miles, with close to half of that towing all over the western US, I have a full service done on the truck every two years, and have never had burnt trans fluid. Conservative towing is key to that I think. If you have to get over the hills as fast as possible, then expect to pay the price.
Even so, he's talking about a total trailer weigh of only a couple thousand pounds. The truck will barely notice it back there
When going up steep hills, I can actually use less throttle to maintain speed by dropping down a gear and letting the motor spin a little. After 115,000 miles, with close to half of that towing all over the western US, I have a full service done on the truck every two years, and have never had burnt trans fluid. Conservative towing is key to that I think. If you have to get over the hills as fast as possible, then expect to pay the price.
Even so, he's talking about a total trailer weigh of only a couple thousand pounds. The truck will barely notice it back there