TV: Toyo. tacoma auto vs. manual transmission

[utahskierdave]

I'm a long time lurker on this site and now I need your advice.  We own an '02 Coleman Carmel (about 2800 lbs. GVW) that we tow w/a '00 V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  We're looking to purchase an '08 Tacoma, V6 w/a tow package of course.  It's rated to pull 6500 pounds which should be plenty to pull our trailer. My question is this: is there an advantage to be had using a manual vs auto transmission? If I go manual am I asking for clutch issues down the road? Or, will there be similar durability issues w/an auto tranny?  The tow package does not offer a heavy duty clutch.  Anyone have any thoughts on my dilemma?
Thanks,  Dave.

[wavery]

I'm a long time lurker on this site and now I need your advice.  We own an '02 Coleman Carmel (about 2800 lbs. GVW) that we tow w/a '00 V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  We're looking to purchase an '08 Tacoma, V6 w/a tow package of course.  It's rated to pull 6500 pounds which should be plenty to pull our trailer. My question is this: is there an advantage to be had using a manual vs auto transmission? If I go manual am I asking for clutch issues down the road? Or, will there be similar durability issues w/an auto tranny?  The tow package does not offer a heavy duty clutch.  Anyone have any thoughts on my dilemma?
Thanks,  Dave.

It's better to go with the auto trans. You will have better torque disbursement and better reliability. In fact, I doubt that you can get a tow pkg with a std trans (however, I'm not sure with Toyota).

As you stated......be sure to get the tow pkg because it will include the appropriate trans cooler and wiring.

['tiredTeacher]

It's better to go with the auto trans. You will have better torque disbursement and better reliability. In fact, I doubt that you can get a tow pkg with a std trans (however, I'm not sure with Toyota).

As you stated......be sure to get the tow pkg because it will include the appropriate trans cooler and wiring.

I agree 100 percent. I have an auto trans '05 Tundra with a tow package. It has a V8 but is about the size of the Tacomas now that the Tundras are on steroids.

[Topflight]

Again, I can't speak about Toyota, but my F-150 manual shows that the towing capacity for the same engine and rear end combo is about double for the automatic vs the manual trans.
The gear ratio of the rear end should be checked as well.  The higher the ratio, the better towing, but there's a price.  You get lower gas mileage.

Enjoy the new ride!

[wavery]

Again, I can't speak about Toyota, but my F-150 manual shows that the towing capacity for the same engine and rear end combo is about double for the automatic vs the manual trans.
The gear ratio of the rear end should be checked as well.  The higher the ratio, the better towing, but there's a price.  You get lower gas mileage.
Enjoy the new ride!

I think that  you may have meant to say, "The LOWER the ratio, the better towing, but there's a price.  You get lower gas mileage".   Sometimes it's confusing because the higher the number, the lower the ratio. For instance....a 4.11 ratio is lower than a 3.42.

However, if the vehicle is built with a "Tow Pkg", it will have the appropriate gear ratio. Usually 3.73 (3.42 w/o tow pkg..........I think). :sombraro:

[austinado16]

Yep, automatic is the way to go.  Imagine attempting some of the subtlies of backing up, while trying to run the clutch, brakes and gas at the same time.  I think it would get hot and sweaty inside the cab pretty fast!

I don't know anything about Toyata products, so you might want to check into things like,

1)Does it have overdrive and if so, can you actaully tow in overdrive?
2)Does it have a lockup torque convertor and if so, what gears does it lock in?
3)Does it come filled with synthetic ATF or conventional, and what are the service intervals for the transmission?
4)And someone's already mentioned transmission oil cooler....biggest one you can fit is best, especially if you'll be in high temps, and/or hilly terrain.
5)Consider getting the 4 wheel drive version since you're buying new.  There's nothing like having the pull of front wheels when you need them, whether or not you ever plan on going to the snow, off-road, the beach, etc.  I've been in situations towing when I've got the driven rear wheel into some soft, and even with the limited slip rear end, I wouldn't have gotten "out" easily without some front end pull.  I use it all the time.

Enjoy your new rig!

[utahskierdave]

Thanks Everyone.  I was thinking that auto was the way to go, and, after reading your responses, I'm sold. I'm looking at the tacoma w/the off road package (4WD, rear locker, etc.) I don't know about a torque converter....Is that something I should investigate?

[austinado16]

I'm looking at the tacoma w/the off road package (4WD, rear locker, etc.) I don't know about a torque converter....Is that something I should investigate?

That should be a good rig and have plenty of value when it's time to sell.

The torque converter is the coupler between the engine and the transmission.  Think of it as the clutch.  It's a fluid filled turbine that, using transmission fluid pressure, couples the engine to the transmission.  So at idle, with very low pressure in the torque convertor, you get lots of slip, so the engine can sit and idle, but the transmission isn't really getting any force applied to it.  As you acclerate, the "grabbing" effect inside the torque convertor increases, and......you get transmission action.

Anyway, normally, the turbine in a torque convertor is always slipping a little.....hence why automatics get worse gas mileage than manuals.  But in modern automatics, a lock up torque convertor is now very common. So once you get up to steady speed in a gear, the torque convertor is mechanically locked up internally, and you get that 1:1 locked ratio with no slippage.  You get better gas mileage, less transmission fluid and tranny heat because you aren't slipping any more, and additionally, you wind up with split gear ratios.......in other words you'll have 2nd gear, and then second gear "lock up" which is about 200rpm lower than 2nd. Then 3rd and 3rd locked up, and then overdrive and overdrive locked up, and so on.

My '90 Suburban has this in 3rd and overdrive and it's part of how it's able to get such decent mileage.  It's like having a 6 speed transmission.

[MCSEDanny]

Also make sure it has the factory tow package.  The trucks come into the port and have Reese hitches installed which they call a factory tow package which is not.  On the 2004 and older you could tell by looking at the fan clutch color.  I think with tow package its green and without its orange.  There is a difference in towing limits, transmission cooler and like I said above the rating on the fan clutch which is when it kicks in.

Just look at the owners manual under towing and it will tell you how to verify if its equipped with a factory tow package.

[austinado16]

Sounds like a good time to get involved in forum of other Toyota fanatics and get the "inside" info on what's the best package of goods, and what upgrades or other things you should consider.

[aw738]

Posted by austinado16
Yep, automatic is the way to go. Imagine attempting some of the subtlies of backing up, while trying to run the clutch, brakes and gas at the same time. I think it would get hot and sweaty inside the cab pretty fast!

Anyone who has drove an manual very long would not sweat this. I wouldn't give it a second thought.

[stewartlittle]

For my daily comuter car,shaight shift all the way for MPG.

For a TV with V-6 I go with auto trans.But if it were a 4 banger I'ld go with manual.
My dad has F150 4X4 manual and hates it for pullin his boat and camper,he says auto is so much easier.But where he goes campin he sometimes needs 4X4,especially if its been raining.

[waygard33]

I have a 2007 Tacoma 4x4 with the 4.0 liter engine and tow package. As you mentioned, rated to tow 6500#.

I pull my Fleetwood E3 pretty easily. The GVWR for the trailer is 4400#. I use a Weight Distribution Hitch.

Last night, I was coming home from the coast of Oregon, pulling up some pretty steep grades on Hwy 26 and I was easily maintaining 60mph. I usually pull it in 4th gear, rather than drive. In drive, the rpm's are around 2100 at 55mph and when I step on the gas, there isn't much 'go'. In 4th, the rmps are about 2400 and when I step on the gas...I go pretty good.

I have used the 4 wheel drive at times when on really sandy/soft terrain. The truck works great and we really enjoy it. It is also my daily work truck.

Here is a pic of the truck. Good luck with yours.

[flyfisherman]

Manual drive trannys ain't what they use to be. The weak link nowadays is the clutch; they use to be made of more wear resistant material like asbestos. In fact, I can remember the days when manuals were rated higher that autos for towing.

Be as it may, I still like shifting gears. At times I kinda wish I would have gotten a manual. But then, "others",  have to drive my truck from time to time would'nt even know where to begin with a manual. Ah, yes ... those memories of yesteryear!




Fly

[utahskierdave]

austin - I went to an auto vs. manual conversation on toyotanation.com - they seemed evenly split with plenty of passionate opinions for both.  The consensus boils down to this:  pick the transmission you like the best, while this site seems to lean towards automatics for your TV.  
Waygard, your truck is way cool, it's exactly what I hope to purchase - right down to the color.  have you towed in 100+ heat? How'd it do? Do you think I can get away w/o a weight distributing hitch for my Carmel? It weighs around 2800lbs fully loaded...