Increase power/torque for towing

Looking for best way of increasing power/torque for towing for my 2016 Tundra 5.7 TRD Off Road 4X4.
Towing in low altitude in tow/haul is OK, but towing in altitude is a PITA with horrible gas mileage…other pickup’s with diesel blow my doors off. Anything I can do for this? Don’t want to give up my Tundra, rather improve it.
Thanks

 

I’m no help. I’ve never raced anyone while I was towing my trailer.

 

There’s only one true answer for a significant difference which is boost. https://www.tundras.com/threads/general-supercharger-thread.85513/

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/general-supercharger-thread.85513/

 

jinx

 

You can call me ninja.

 

Long tubes and a tune.

 

Supercharger is the only real solution, you'll still get absolutely horrible mileage though.

 

Try using premium fuel a few times and see happens?

 

Thanks for all the replies…waiting for a Tundra diesel…yeah, good luck on that

 

While you will never get diesel fuel mileage, a supercharger will get you similar performance within the limits of the tundras tow rating. I think it’s easier than the diesel though as far as maintenance, DEF, emissions equipment failures, etc. so it’s all a tradeoff. I’m pretty sure my tundra could pull my 7k trailer 0-60 as fast as my pops LB7 duramax could do it not towing anything. Now granted the power outputs of HD diesels have doubled since the LB7. I’d also get 8mpg pulling it on a trip where as his would probably get 15mpg.

 

Forced induction and gearing are the only ways to actually gain improvement for towing. Tunes, exhaust, intake, not worth it. Step up gears or bolt on boost.

 

Swap those gears.

 

I have new Doug Thorley Long Tubes for sale, getting closer to installing as they sit.

 

Re-gear it. It doesn't require high octane fuel. I don't know what size tires you have now. Lowest gear available is 5.29. Downside: top speed is reduced, speedo will need re-calibration. Upside: no need for high octane fuel.

 

Top speed is reduced, but that can be fixed with a tune. Speedo doesn't get affected since the speedometer data is pulled from the hubs.

 

We tow a 25’ Grand Design travel trailer and have had great luck with the Tundra.

34” tires
5.29 gears
Tuned

I town in 5th gear on flat ground.
I drop to 4th as soon as I start climbing hills. At 60 mph, that puts me near the 3,000 rpm range. That’s where my peak torque is made after tuning.
If the hill is steeper than I can pull in 4th, I’ll drop to 3rd and hold 55 mph. Plenty of power to accelerate, but there is no point. Other than bigger passes, I’m rarely in 3rd.

Since tuning, I never use Tow/Haul.
I get
Close to 8 mpg towing.
It’s not a 1-ton diesel. It’s a light duty 1/2-ton gasser! Gotta remember that part…

 

Thanks everyone, I’ve decided to go with a Supercharger, more affordable than a diesel…AND, I really love my Tundra, can’t bear to sell it…no can do.

 

Good choice in my opinion, you will love it. Mine pulls my 32’ TT like a champ. Whatever supercharger you go with, most of us that have them would recommend making sure you have adequate fuel injectors and fuel pump as well has a custom tune. Hit the group up for more info if you need it in the general supercharger thread linked above.

 

Don't go over 65 and you'll get better mileage and have a better tow experience. Trying to keep up with the idiots towing at 80 is... well... trying to keep up with idiots. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

 

Great choice! You’ll love it!

 

It’s always a good idea to add more stress and heat during towing instead of using mechanical advantage.

 

Unless maybe you’re towing at full throttle everywhere you go with a max load trailer hooked up that’s not a concern in my experience. I’ve monitored all temps towing with and without a supercharger and have noticed no increase in temperatures. The tundra cooling system is pretty good. It just makes acceleration more effortless and maintaining speed easier on hills. If anything the transmission runs cooler because the torque converter lockup is dependent on the throttle position. It generally takes less throttle to maintain speed so the converter stays locked more often on slight inclines and cruising. I also have stock gears and 34s.

 

I only seem to notice the problem at the foot of the hill. The further up I go, the more power it seems to have. Yes, removing that heavy fuel from the tank makes a difference.

 

Adding boost adds heat and stress. There’s no way around it. Adding mechanical advantage doesn’t. Can you tow with boost? Sure. Doesn’t change the fact that it’s additional heat and stress going into the engine on top of the stress and heat of towing.

I to have stock gears and 34’s and tow and the last thing these trucks need is power. They need gears.

 

Gears and a tune…. Gears for that mechanical advantage, and the tune to make it all play nice. You can also cure those stupid TCC unlocking issues with a good tuner.

We’re headed out for a two week trip with our 25’ TT in about two hours. 34” tires, 5.29s, and HP tuned. I tow in 5th on flat ground, and bump to 4th in the hills. While more power is always fun, I have no trouble maintaining highway speeds while towing here in the hilly PNW. If I can’t maintain at least 55 up a hill, it’s typically because of the corners.

 

Meh, I respectfully disagree. It’s only added heat and stress if you pushing it harder than you should be while towing. Not saying gears won’t help because sure they will, but it’s not the same. OP wants more power for towing at elevation, and he has stock sized tires. He says it’s not enough. The only way to make up for the horsepower percentage loss from lack of atmospheric pressure at elevation is to increase the pressure and therefore power via boost. I’ve yet to see it cause a problem for anyone. Plenty of dudes on the boosted FB page with 200-300k boosted miles towing frequently with no problems.