Tacoma or ?

R&B

We recently upgraded from CS to a 400, pulling with a 2016 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Sport.  Milage has dropped from about 12 - 13 MPG when pulling the CS to 9 or 10 MPG and I'm wondering if this is the experience others have had and what others are experiencing with other tow vehicles.  Right now I am considering a Honda Ridgeline and someone recommended a RAM 1500.  I appreciate any thoughts and input others would have.

Verna

I get 9 mpg to 12 mpg  on my 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4, towing a 2019 T@b 400 Boondock Lite. I did get 14 mpg with a 25 mph tail wind.....

DenisP

I have a 2013 Tundra 5.7l TRD off road towing a 400 and I generally average 11-12mpg on a trip. Currently on a long trip cross country (in Banff now) and my average is 12.3 after 5700 miles but that includes excursion trips when disconnected. This trip included many high passes through Big Horns,Yellowstone, Teton Pass, Northern Cascades and now to Glacier NP. 

Homebodyatheart

Toyota Highlander here towing a 320. I get 13-16.6 mpg depending on head or tailwinds. I’m not really a truck person at this stage but a good 6cyl  4wd works well here.

1968Healey

I have 2019 Tacoma TRD OffRoad manual transmission.  So far, in my limited 500 miles of towing I’ve gotten ~12.5 MPG.  As high as 15 and as low as 9.8 (according to the computer). 

I do live in Seattle and I’ve taken our Tab over 4 Cascade mountain passes so far, so I’m relatively happy with the MPG.

I will say the OffRoad has a much ‘squisher’ rear springs than the SR/SR5.  I think this makes it much more tail happy without the anti-sway bars.  There’s a massive difference driving it with and without the WDH/anti sway; even though my dealer told me ‘no way you need that’.

tphaggerty

Just bought a Ridgeline to replace our very old Sienna towing a 400. Get about 12 to 13 towing. Absolutely love the RL. Rides like a limo, quiet and very comfortable. Tows great. Several annoyances, but that is true of any vehicle. BTW, the trunk in the bed is Awesome!

4ncar

R&B said:

We recently upgraded from CS to a 400, pulling with a 2016 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Sport.  Milage has dropped from about 12 - 13 MPG when pulling the CS to 9 or 10 MPG and I'm wondering if this is the experience others have had and what others are experiencing with other tow vehicles.  Right now I am considering a Honda Ridgeline and someone recommended a RAM 1500.  I appreciate any thoughts and input others would have.

If you get the 1500 I highly recommend the ecodiesel; you’ll get measurably better fuel economy then with the hdmi... I had the ecodiesel in my Jeep GC, and loved it. Though I have a 320s, I got 20 mpg towing, just to give you an idea...

DanManz

2010 Tacoma 4WD with 6 cyl and automatic transmission pulling a 2019 400 BDL.  I get about 12.5 towing and nearly 20 mpg pulling nothing.  I love the truck and it seems like the mileage hit is just part of the game.

rkj__

R&B said:

We recently upgraded from CS to a 400, pulling with a 2016 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Sport.  Milage has dropped from about 12 - 13 MPG when pulling the CS to 9 or 10 MPG and I'm wondering if this is the experience others have had and what others are experiencing with other tow vehicles.  Right now I am considering a Honda Ridgeline and someone recommended a RAM 1500.  I appreciate any thoughts and input others would have.

Why are you considering a new/different vehicle?  Is it only for better fuel economy, or for other reasons?

In most scenarios, when buying and selling a vehicle, you lose a fair bit of money to taxes, dealer profits, licensing fees, etc.  That money is sometimes used just as effectively to fill the tank of your thirsty vehicle.  You also need to consider the fuel economy when not towing, when evaluating your costs.

That said, towing with a full size pickup is a dream.  With most engine choices, you will get equal, or better MPG when towing, when compared to a midsize vehicle.  Also, you get a fuel tank that is 24gal minimum, with several brands offering 30+ gal tanks as an option, which gives excellent range.  Wider bodies, and OEM towing mirrors are great for seeing around your trailer.  Integrated brake controllers are available, so you can avoid chunky aftermarket units.  Also, the interior space makes for comfortable road trips.  With a big bed, you can bring all the glamping goodies you want, like full size BBQ, patio lounge chairs, bikes, you name it!

I love my Sierra for camping trips. 

GatorEgg

I love my Tacoma.  I had three previous ones.  I ran a company with 37 of them.  We towed trailers everyday with them.  I won't own anything else.  Unless.......  I need to tow something bigger than my 320S Boondock.  Tacomas are NOT designed as primary tow vehicles, even though they might be rated for it.  Mileage will significantly fall off.  Automatic transmissions will constantly "search" for a happy gear.  And most will need a trans cooler if not factory equipped.  If I had any bigger trailer I would be pulling with a F150 Ecoboast or for a bigger trailer F2/350 Powerstroke.

DigitalSorceress

My Chevy Colorado (2016, 6 cyl  gasoline engine) gets around 12 MPG towing my 320 S Boondock Edge... when I'm not towing I can get 25 .. I'm told this is about normal. If I am nice to it I can get maybe 14 MPG towing if I keep the lead foot at bay.

R&B

I love my Tacoma too, this is my second one.  The reduced milage was tolerable when pulling the CS and would be with the 400 BDL for normal use but we are planning to travel for a solid year or more, post retirement and the thought of needing to fill up every 150 miles or so certainly makes one stop and think.  i appreciate everyones comments.

ChanW

I suppose you're right @R&B. Short range.

Through the plains, we averaged 15-17 mpg unless we had a headwind, then it was @ 13-15. I think it was the same in the mountains, but I've lost track now. 

With an 18 gallon tank, that would be a max of around 270 miles, so I probably started looking to refill at about 175 miles.

What size gas tanks & range do other folks have?

RollingBnB

R&B said:

We recently upgraded from CS to a 400, pulling with a 2016 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Sport.  Milage has dropped from about 12 - 13 MPG when pulling the CS to 9 or 10 MPG and I'm wondering if this is the experience others have had and what others are experiencing with other tow vehicles.  Right now I am considering a Honda Ridgeline and someone recommended a RAM 1500.  I appreciate any thoughts and input others would have.

We tow with a Chevy Silverado, 16-18 mpg towing, 20-22 empty. Lots of room and very comfortable ride. 26 gallon tank so we can cruise the two lane roads w/o worry.

R2DTab

I tow with a 2018 Tacoma TRD Off Road, I get 16 mpg without the trailer (dropped from 18 when I got a 3" lift).  Just drove 2,400 miles with the T@B and I was averaging 11 mpg when driving on highways.  At slower speeds on mountain roads I squeezed 14 mpg, but the taco was thirsty at 70 mph through WY and MT.

Caught a nice tailwind on I80 in WY yesterday and I was getting 13 mpg.

Spectre9

I’ve been happy with our 2014 Tacoma SR5 v6 with factory tow package.  We are traveling at avg 65mph (tires are 75mph rated) with a tab 320s Boondock and get about 10-12 mpg on average including some mountains.  

Going 55mph will have a much bigger effect on mileage than a different tow vehicle as the wind resistance is what you are generally spending gas on.

GatorEgg

At highway speeds a topper, especially a "high rise" definitely helps the mileage.  I don't have my numbers before topper, only remember the gas stop frequency difference.

rkj__

RollingBnB said:

R&B said:

We recently upgraded from CS to a 400, pulling with a 2016 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Sport.  Milage has dropped from about 12 - 13 MPG when pulling the CS to 9 or 10 MPG and I'm wondering if this is the experience others have had and what others are experiencing with other tow vehicles.  Right now I am considering a Honda Ridgeline and someone recommended a RAM 1500.  I appreciate any thoughts and input others would have.

We tow with a Chevy Silverado, 16-18 mpg towing, 20-22 empty. Lots of room and very comfortable ride. 26 gallon tank so we can cruise the two lane roads w/o worry.

I assume that 16-18 mpg is with the T@b 320 listed in your signature, correct? 

I just wanted to point out that this thread is discussing towing the T@b 400.

b407driver

2016 4Runner at 12mpg here, and although it is adequate, if I were motoring for a year I'd move to a Tundra.

Arizonayeti

2018 4Runner towing a 2020 Tab 400 I averaged 14+ heading from Phoenix to northern AZ and back this past weekend.  Rarely did over 70mph, and I had a headwind heading back down from elevation.  Some of the steep hills it was only able to hold 50mph in 3rd gear but if you floored it, 2nd gear would kick in and it would accelerate quite impressively.  It definitely has some power at 4-5k rpms. Now, I have the old bombproof 4.0 and I believe you have the new 3.5.  If you really like your Taco, I wouldn't give up on it as a tow vehicle.  Just know it's limitations and keep your speed down a bit.  No reason to be in a hurry towing.  The Ridgeline is likely comparable engine wise and is definitely more comfortable, but don't expect it to tow any better.  Just my thoughts. 

JamesC

2012 Tacoma TRD Off-road and have towed my 400 for about 600 miles since getting it in March. Really don’t care about mileage while towing, it’s going to be abysmal with just about anything. I did put on a set of Timbren bump stops and they made the suspension feel less “squishy” as someone else mentioned. Over all I’m pleased with how my set up is working. 

Sprockethead

My 2016 4Runner tows my 320 Boondock "OK". It usually gets 10 - 12 MPG at 65 to 70 MPH. It's very stable at high speed and side winds... If I hit a Headwind, or Wind Driven Rain, it works very hard to keep 60 mph, and gets as low as 8 MPG... I kinda wish I had a V8, but I really like my 4Runner, especially the Reliability!

ecyfoto

R&B said:

We recently upgraded from CS to a 400, pulling with a 2016 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Sport.  Milage has dropped from about 12 - 13 MPG when pulling the CS to 9 or 10 MPG and I'm wondering if this is the experience others have had and what others are experiencing with other tow vehicles.  Right now I am considering a Honda Ridgeline and someone recommended a RAM 1500.  I appreciate any thoughts and input others would have.

This summer I did a 2600 mile trip from Tampa to the Mountains of WV. Drove up and down 6-9 % grade roads up there and also a few hundred miles on the Blue Ridge Pkwy. The rest was mostly highway at 65 mph. My Chevy Colorado Duramax diesel towed like a dream without sway/distribution help. I averaged 16 mpg for the entire trip. 7000+ lbs tow capacity so the 400 barely fazes the truck. Take a serious look at the truck. The torque is phenomenal!

tabiphile

If you want to keep the Taco you might consider adding a supercharger to it. You can expect a significant horsepower boost. More horsepower will make towing less of an effort for the truck. That should improve gas mileage. The TRD superchargers are pricey but they they will not affect the drivetrain warranty if Toyota installs it. They are not cheap but it could save the depreciation loss you can expect if you buy a new vehicle.
That said, if you calculate the actual cost of the loss of a few MPG when you are towing and compare that to the expense of a new vehicle you might decide it's simply not worth worrying about.

4ncar

tabiphile said:

If you want to keep the Taco you might consider adding a supercharger to it. You can expect a significant horsepower boost. More horsepower will make towing less of an effort for the truck. That should improve gas mileage. The TRD superchargers are pricey but they they will not affect the drivetrain warranty if Toyota installs it. They are not cheap but it could save the depreciation loss you can expect if you buy a new vehicle.
That said, if you calculate the actual cost of the loss of a few MPG when you are towing and compare that to the expense of a new vehicle you might decide it's simply not worth worrying about.

Not for the faint of heart....4-5000.00 plus cost of install....

tybladesmith

I second @ecyfoto, and @4ncar experience. With TowHaul there is no need for any TV upgrades. 30+ MPG when not towing is a plus.

4ncar

tybladesmith said:

I second @ecyfoto, and @4ncar experience. With TowHaul there is no need for any TV upgrades. 30+ MPG when not towing is a plus.

I drove to Boston & back, 1000 mile round trip w/out the tab & got 37 average!😅. I generally get 20 average with the tab(320s outback)

ChanW

@4ncar is that Chevy diesel?

tybladesmith

ChanW, The Chevy Colorado Duramax is a 2.8 L turbo diesel, with intercooler, engine exhaust brake, 365 LB/FT of torque, 140 Amp alternator, and TowHaul mode with integrated trailer brake controller and transmission cooler. The transmission/axle ratio is well matched for towing to 65 MPH  This truck is very well engineered for towing and it even has hill descent control for the mountains. I looked hard at the TACO before choosing the Duramax and continue to be very satisfied. There is plenty of storage in the Crew Cab back seat and under the roll-back Toneau cover. I added the Echomaster Intellihaul Integrated Towing Assistance Package for side view cameras and rear of trailer wireless remote camera that are integrated with the 8" infotainment system.

@4ncar is right about the mileage.

4ncar

ChanW said:

@4ncar is that Chevy diesel?

Yes

1968Healey

Following up on our post from June, I would agree with the diesel owners - they're just better.

The Tacoma will perform adequately for towing on flat ground (aka east of the rockies; but once you get into the mountains you'll be wanting more power.  

We've used our Tacoma to tow across the Cascades 15+ times now and the Canadian Rockies twice and even though our truck is only 1 year old, we're going to trade it in for a diesel.

Between the mileage (eh), the towing experience (under powered on any long incline) and the fuel range (horrific - 150 miles between fill ups, 200 AT MOST), the Tacoma just doesn't cut it for long range adventures, especially ones that take you off grid.

Summary:
Tacoma great for flat lands near gas stations.
Diesel better.