Gas mileage when towing a Camper Trailer

So I pull our 5k RV Camper a couple times from Oklahoma to Utah and Colorado. I average anywhere from 8 to 11 mpg (maybe 6mpg climbing mountains) I'm also riding on 265/75R16s. Does this sound about normal for a 2006 Prerunner 2WD 4.0 double cab, Any thoughts?

 

Thats almost the weight limit isnt it?
I dont know anything about towing but seems good to me. No problems running hot or trans problems? Just curious, Im thinking about getting something to pull.

 

Sounds about right depending on what speed your running, 5k is approaching max tow capacity (6500#) for a V6 Tow Package equipped Tacoma.
The 4.0 MPG isn't great to begin with, start towing especially approaching max capacity and it downright sucks.

 

12retire; I never had a noticeable problem with the transmission overheating (no idiot light on dash to warn me) of course the truck is equipped with the towing package so therefore a tranny and oil cooler. Towing is good up to 6500lbs according to Toyota but I would not go anywhere over 5k.
I recently changed the tranny oil and filter after 150k miles,I was expecting burnt oil but it wasn't bad at all.

 

Hi op. That sounds about right - towing a trailer just shy of 4000 lbs netted me 20 liters per 100 km or 11.5 mpg. Cheers

 

Is that 5K gross weight on your trailer - loaded tanks and all? What is dry weight of your trailer?
Im also looking to get a trailer. Wife wants to get a ‘couples’ trailer. Just starting to see what is heaviest but reasonable trailer my Taco can tow.

 

Gas mpg about right. See the Towing section on forum and The Towing Bible.
Dash does have an idiot light for trans OT.

Others looking for a new trailer stay light to start around 3000 lbs if you can as when loaded it weights in up at 4500 lbs you will see. Use the truck scale to weigh your setup all loaded. Before buying also a good idea to weigh so you know the real weight as sticker often way off. Total towed weight up near 6500 lbs will eat the Tacoma rear diff and bearings after extended use - been there. Enjoy.

 

yep the towing capacity on a midsized pickup is grossly inflated to make it sound more capable.

 

In response to Chuy the trailer dry weight is 4,890lbs. Truck and trailer slightly under 9,000lbs. I usually travel dry except with food clothes, drinking water and accessories. Two people and two small dogs.

 

you need a bigger truck.

 

Sure hope you can stop.

 

This statement is dubious unless you first determine a specific definition for "towing capacity." Limits for pick ups are determined according to a set of pre-determined test standards. If a vehicle meet those standards they achieve that maximum tow rating. One common standard is SAE J2807. In order for a vehicle to be rated according to that standard, certain criteria must be met. There are acceleration, braking, handling and others. For example the vehicle must be able to tow that weight in an acceleration test. 0-30 in 12 seconds; 0-60 in 30 seconds; 40-60 in 18 seconds. It must be able to slow down the trailer from 20-0 MPH in 80 feet. It also contains a highway grade test. To save typing, " it requires that the truck be able to tow its maximum trailer weight up a specific 11.4-mile uphill stretch of road in Arizona. For this test to be run correctly, it must be at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and the air conditioning must be on its maximum setting using outside air. The truck must maintain a minimum speed of 40 mph , and it can't throw any error codes or burn any fluids during the test."

If a truck is rated according to that particular standard and it meets that standard for a particular towing weight, it has achieved that maximum towing capacity. So I would like to know........what is your definition of "towing capacity" and are you aware of any certification procedure that would accurately test for your definition?

 

All that typing diarrhea is great, but have you ever towed 5000+ pounds with a tacoma? On paper its fine but real-world experience will show its pretty sketchy at times even with the best brake controller and supporting towing mods.

Plus, there is way more to towing then accelerating and braking.

 

How fast are you driving? That weight is fine, but I suspect aerodynamics or lack thereof are what’s killing your fuel economy.

 

thank you sir, sure it can say that on the books all day long but real world experience is a different slice of pie. Perhaps put down the book and jump into a truck. my real world definition would be “able to handle the damn weight safely without half the reduction of rated gas mileage”. My ford for example, might only lose a few mpg when towing even at rated capacity.

 

I always find it interesting. Folks make statements attacking a manufacturers stated maximum towing capacity, but when challenged, they shrink away from offering what their definition is and more importantly, how a clear evaluation method could be devised to determine that rating.

 

What definition are you looking for from me then?

I am not attacking anything. Hook up a 5k plus trailer to a tacoma and tell me how it tows. You can read all the "data" you want but it still won't change the real world situation.

 

Not towed with a 2nd gen taco, but my Frontier does fine towing at the limit.

I’ve also seen a Dodge Ram pulling a light but poorly balanced trailer sway itself off the road.

Point being, limits are one thing, but the important part is using your brain.

 

You are comparing 2 different trucks. There are also a ton of variables. Example: A 5k trailer that is 12 feet is going to tow very different from a trailer that is 20 feet. Single axel? Dual axel? Yes, a tacoma will tow it. But the truck is worked very hard. Most the time you have to stay in 4th just to maintain highway speeds and not kill the trans.

 

Riiiight. That’s why you have to use your brain. Like I said. Therefore, throwing blanket statements about 5000 lbs or more being sketchy is pretty useless, right? There’s far more to the situation than the weight.