Towing with a V6 manual transmission

Dry weight is always optimistic. Frequently doesn't include options the camper may have, and never includes the propane, batteries, or any water. 3300 dry will top 4k way faster than most people think once food, bedding, essentials, and all the other stuff goes in. As stated, in my opinion, it's a bit much for a v6 truck.

 

Likely a bit much, but flatlands short trips that most people do, is likely doable.

If it doesn’t work out you could unload it in the spring and try something smaller.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/towing-travel-trailer-with-2016-tacoma.437388/

Decided to see what the Tacoma guys are doing with their V6 engines.....

 

Is this true? I've only recently started towing with my Tundra....which kinda sucks at it.....and for me....the only reason to take a camper, is for long trips....far away. Short trips, doesn't seem worth it.

I dunno. I'm genuinely trying to figure out in my head, how to think about towing, because its such a different type of driving.

I can say it doesn't FEEL good to hear the engine wailing away at 3K RPM for six hours at 65 MPH and 7.5 MPG.....even though it works. Maybe its what the truck was made to do and its the 'normal' cruising at 80 at 2K that is the anomaly....

 

Get a temp gauge or way to monitor trans temp. On flatter areas you can use o/d. You just need to make sure it's not hunting between lockup and unlocked, as that is what toasts the TQ converter clutch.

Trans temps rising if you don't know what to feel for is a good indicator you need to drop out of o/d. Ymmv.

 

Its never in over drive. Can't hold 4th gear over about 45 miles per hour, flat, so I don't even try, I just hit the OD/off button as soon as I get out on the highway.

Good suggestion about checking trans temp....wonder if my OBDII scanner would show that? Do you know what safe temps would be? My truck does have the extra OEM trans cooler.

 

Your engine doesn’t care about 3000rpm. It loves it there. Boats run constant high rpm all the time. A majority of them are repurposed car engines, even the outboards.

 

I think it may.

I use a bluetooth dongle and the torque app on my phone for my 05. It has 2 temp sensors for the 5sp, one for the tq conv and one for the pan.

Temp wise anywhere between 160-180f is good, 180-210 is ok, 210-220 is getting warm, 230+ is starting to get dangerous.

 

This is a manual transmission thread.
Take your transmission coolers and OD buttons elsewhere

 

It has evolved beyond it's original inception.

 

Asking the v6 to do v8 things sounds like fun. Send it.

 

If you're dead set on towing a camper trailer with the 5vz, I would highly consider a Magnuson supercharger, URD 7th injector kit, meth injection kit, and URD short throw shifter. Maybe even 4.30 or 4.56 gears as I believe the 5vz manual Tundras came with 4.10 gears. And if they make an Elate heat exchanger plate for the 5vz supercharger, that would also be ideal. Talk about $$$ to make towing with the 5vz feel good...
Also better make sure that timing belt and water pump and radiator and coolant are up to snuff.

I'd just buy another truck meant for towing. Either a V8 or a diesel.

 

Truth. I was running across AZ, NM and TX over the course of 15hrs at around 3k RPMs the whole time. Truck had no issues

 

I would agree with you, but I would say the based on my experience of campers stay within a 100 mile radius for the vast majority of their trips; for this I'd say he'll likely be fine with that trailer.

If it's not fine, he can either sell the truck or the trailer and try something else.

 

Why not just tow the truck with the RV?
Or tow a smaller vehicle with the RV

 

Just different scenarios and different expectations. I've had campers for more than 10 years and never traveled more an 75 mins from home with them. I use it in two scenerios:
1) I belong to a rod & gun club that has a piece of property on a nearby lake -- about 30 mins away. We can camp there for free, but can't leave a camper there. So I tow it there and back 4 or 5 times per year.
2) My friends have a camp on a lake about 75 minutes away. We go there for the week of July 4th every year. Makes it so we don't have to crowd in the small cabin. Everyone appreciates the extra sleeping space, and refrigerator space.

I honestly have no interest in traveling with my camper -- it seems like a hassle and camp sites tend to be crowded and expensive. If I lived out west like you @Aerindel, I'd probably feel differently though. Out there you have abundant free off-grid camping on BLM land, etc.. I'd do that in a heartbeat.