tow vehicle question

I hope VW is able to bring the new TDI Tiguan to North America.  It's only available in Europe so far, but rated for 5500 lbs towing capacity.

I'd take that instead of some rollovers I have seen the aftermath of. The 1980's were the era of people thinking they could tow a 3,500 trailer to Cape Cod in a Chrysler K-car!  No wonder that scenario was an rhetorical plot device on CHIPS. 

Originally posted by GLBCamper So...I am towing my 177, moderately loaded with a Toyota Tacoma 4L V6 with factory tow package spec 236 HP @ 5200 rpm torque 266 ft lbs @ 4000 RPM tow rated at 6300lbs.  All of that means nothing to me. How does it sound? Plenty? Just OK?

Hey GLBCamper, I towed an RP175 for a couple years with a Taco just like yours. It was a 2006, but they had identical specs from 2005 until 2016. I towed all the foothills and passes of Washington state many times, and the Tacoma did very well.

Here's more info than you'll probably want or need. Towing mileage was between 10 and 14, with most tanks @ about 12 or so mpg--all hand figured. Always use tow/haul when towing, as that locks out 5th and keeps the tranny from searching in and out of O/D which is really hard on the tranny due to the heat generated. My ScanGauge indicated tranny temps for the Tacoma sometimes as high as 230 or so when pulling elevation or towing stop and go in town. That's about as high as you want to go, but the World Standard fluid supplied in Tacos is synthetic, so that's not unreasonably high.

Don't be afraid to tow 3500/4000 rpm or so when pulling grades, as it's better to rev a little than to lug--it's most efficient and best for your engine/tranny to tow within your torque curve when working hard. Your Tacoma will drop down to 3rd and maybe even 2nd during the hardest of climbs--rev it, but don't scream it!

Unless you have the 4th rear spring, then Tacomas are a little softly sprung for towing, so I recommend a WDH, plus a WDH gives you good peace of mind. Using a sway control only just covers up what is wrong or what you've done wrong with your set up. I've seen a Taco or two that weren't set up well doing a very unhappy dance when towing.

I'm now towing about 1000lb more than the RPod, and had replaced the Taco before that purchase. I'd have been comfortable towing our Kodiak with the Tacoma--maybe short of the Southwest or Continental Divide. I've said it before, "There's lots I miss about the Tacoma--especially parking it v/s a full sized pickup in Costco parking lots!"

Ya have very little to worry about compared to what some people try to tow Pods with.

My Highlander was a compromise when I bought it almost 4 years ago. I wanted a vehicle capable of towing a lightweight travel trailer, but also one that would get decent gas mileage for my commute, which is 40 miles each way mostly on rural roads. The thought of a diesel isn't appealing because diesel fumes literally make me sick.