Toyota Tacoma and the R-Pod

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   We're towing a 2013 178 RPOD with a 2010 Tacoma 4x4 with a V6 engine, with the factory tow package.  Normally get ~21 MPG on the highway but I'm getting about 12 MPG when towing.  Mileage is much lower but the truck pulls this RPOD with no trouble at all.  We live in the mountains and its not a problem going up or down the 6000 elevation climb.

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PB&J Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Mar 2014 Location: Southern CA Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Topic: Toyota Tacoma and the R-Pod Posted: 19 Mar 2014 at 2:40pm
	We're towing a 2013 178 RPOD with a 2010 Tacoma 4x4 with a V6 engine, with the factory tow package. Normally get ~21 MPG on the highway but I'm getting about 12 MPG when towing. Mileage is much lower but the truck pulls this RPOD with no trouble at all. We live in the mountains and its not a problem going up or down the 6000 elevation climb.
	PB & J 2013 178 RPod behind a 2010 Tacoma TRD

arkieguy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Aug 2013 Location: Hot Springs, AR Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Posted: 19 Feb 2014 at 4:06pm
	We tow our 181g with a 2009 tacoma dbl cab prerunner 4.0 shortbed 4x2 with tow package. We get 10 to 13 mpg towing through the quachita mts here in Arkansas, just got Podzilla last Sept so have not towed on highway yet. weve been very happy with the Tacoma and do agree with previous post about the backup camera, very handy.
	Gary & Cindy

John Roots Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 08 Dec 2013 Location: Great Falls, Va Online Status: Offline Posts: 28	Posted: 19 Feb 2014 at 2:54pm
	In my previous post it should read 20 mpg and 19 mpg, not mph.
	Frosty

John Roots Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 08 Dec 2013 Location: Great Falls, Va Online Status: Offline Posts: 28	Posted: 19 Feb 2014 at 2:50pm
	Just traded my 2004 Tacoma 4 cyl (rated at 3500 pds towing) for a 2014 Tacoma 6 cyl with tow pkg (rated at 6500 towing). I hauled the R Pod 171 (2200 pds) from Buffalo to Virginia in December with the 4 cyl, and took it camping in January to Pennsylvania. The 4 cyl was fine at 65 on the open road but was doggy on a long hill. It would take 4300 rpm to keep up on a long or steep hill which can be noisy. But it did the job. However, I'm looking forward to towing with the new 6 cyl. and expect it will not break a sweat given its 6500 pd towing capacity. I got 10 mpg towing the R Pod with the 4 cyl. The 4 cyl averaged about 20 mph unhooked. Interestingly, the 6 cyl is rated at 19 mph unhooked. So, although not tested yet, I think my gas mileage will be similar with the 6 cyl and it is 5" longer, 8" wider and weighs 700 pounds more than the 4 cyl. I attribute this to advances in engine technology in the past ten years. By the way, the back up camera on the new 6 cyl is awesome. It is wide angle located on the tailgate handle area and looks down on the ball. I now back right under the hitch first time. What a pleasure not to have to get out several times or have hand and voice signals from your sidekick. And the Bluetooth technology allows me to stream Pandora from my cell phone. And the truck phone is all voice activated… no pushing buttons. And finally, check out the iOttie cell phone mount for your dash. I have had it on the dash for a week and the suction has held solidly. It does a great job of holding the cell phone which is particularly useful for goodle maps navigation. I bought it after a rave review in Consumer Reports.
	Frosty

Kickstart Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Location: Ocean Shores, W Online Status: Offline Posts: 267	Posted: 18 Feb 2014 at 10:12pm
	We towed our RP 175 for a couple years with an '06 Taco 4.0 DC short bed two wheel drive. We got between 10.0 and 13.1 mpg. We towed all WA state cross state passes except Stevens and tons of trips on the Olympic Peninsula, as that's where we live. The 10.0 mpg was on a trip over the North Cascades highway. We usually keep to the speed limit while towing, so in this state we were often at 50 to 60 mph. The Taco did a great job, but my small v/8 Tundra tows better and gets better mileage. I do miss lots about the Tacoma.
	'10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL '12 Toyota Tundra '05 Sportster (half a Harley) Retired-We're on Beach Time!

Boomertype Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2014 Location: Seattle Online Status: Offline Posts: 108	Posted: 18 Feb 2014 at 8:02pm
	I curious on how many folks are using a Tacoma to their TV and what you mileage has been. Please let me know your engine size, 4x2 or 4x4, cab and bed size, towing package, and what your top towing speed usually is, also flat land or hilly terrain. Thanks, we are considering a Tacoma 4x4 Dual Cab with a long bed, largest V-6 and a towing package. .