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Tacoma + FWC: Automatic or Manual?

fwc transmission automatic manual fleet tacoma

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#1 joemyself

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Posted 15 May 2018 - 02:49 AM

Currently searching for a Tacoma that will eventually carry a FWC Fleet full time. Looking to get some advice from the current Tacoma + FWC owners out there. Do you have a manual or automatic transmission? Do you like it for hauling the camper, or wish you had the other? What do you think will be best for a full time camper?

 

Thanks! 


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#2 Edgewood

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Posted 15 May 2018 - 06:26 PM

My 2012 Tacoma is the first automatic I've owned and the first new vehicle that I have bought. Buying new was a no brainer as used sell for next to new price. Automatic was a easy choice as manual was more expensive and had a lower MPG. I carry a Eagle part time.

 

Lots of mountain driving and easy four wheel roads along with plenty of snow.  No rock crawling.

 

Works fine for me and I don't really miss the manual at all.


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#3 kluber

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Posted 15 May 2018 - 07:47 PM

2015 Fleet + 2017 Taco DCLB

 

Happy with the automatic.  It's got a setting to use the engine to brake on long downhills by downshifting manaully.

 

Good luck!


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It's just better out there :D 
2015 Fleet Rollover Couch
2017 Taco TRD Off Road

 


#4 Frstnflt

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Posted 15 May 2018 - 07:56 PM

Great question. I am not a toyota fanboy and have never owned one. I would not have considered one if they did not offer a manual. Automatics at this point are better at just about everything and the tow rating and MPG will be higher in this truck. I thought I was over manual when I got my last truck but was deluding myself.  There is just something wonderful about having that direct connection to the drivetrain and choosing the gear you want rather than the autotragic magic figuring it out. I bought a 2017 DCSB MT and it shifts like a dream. Both auto and manual drivers complain of the torque but the new OV tune apparently makes it to what it should have been in the first place. Some autodrivers also complain of the gear hunting but the tune apparently helps this as well. The dealer called MT, "Millennial antitheft." 

Right now it has a small lift and a Swift full camper. I do not believe the camper should affect your decision much. 


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#5 moveinon

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Posted 15 May 2018 - 10:32 PM

I ended up getting an automatic on my 2011 Tacoma.  I would have done fine with the manual, but the automatic gets a little better mileage and a lot of the kids that buy used Tacomas don't know how to drive a manual any more which makes the resale value higher for the automatic.  I understand the gearing has been set higher on some of the newer automatic Tacomas which is why you see some folks re-gearing the newer Tacoma on this forum.  My gearing works great for my year of Tacoma for the Access Cab and Fleet.  Just a comment on the new vs used comment Edgewood made - my Tacoma had less that 15,000 miles on it when I bought it and the sale price came out to over $1.00 a mile discount from new price for every mile the previous owner put on it - much better deal than new.  I did look for almost a year to find one with a lower price though, the price depreciation for Tacomas are the best in the truck market.


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#6 pghjon

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Posted 15 May 2018 - 10:57 PM

It was super hard to get a manual off road access cab in 2016, so I have an automatic. 


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#7 Sharx

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Posted 18 May 2018 - 12:07 PM

'13 Taco V6 A-Cab/Long bed and '15 Fleet.  I agree with others, having the Auto is better.  I think it is more bullet proof (after losing the manual tranny in my previous Taco with a 4 banger).  I also agree that you can practically use it like a manual since it can be shifted quite easily.  No clutch in stop and go and long mountainous drives helps as well.  Resale would probably be better as well if you so decided.

 

Bought mine with 5100 miles on it and almost  $15k less than new, so I know better.  It was actually blue-booked for $2k MORE THAN I PAID 2 years after I bought it.


Edited by Sharx, 18 May 2018 - 12:13 PM.

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#8 ntsqd

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Posted 18 May 2018 - 12:36 PM

Was just looking at '18 Tacoma factory colors and got to messing around with "building" one on Toyota's page. I could find no combo that got me a manual behind the V6, none.


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Thom

Where does that road go?

#9 Frstnflt

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Posted 18 May 2018 - 03:38 PM

Was just looking at '18 Tacoma factory colors and got to messing around with "building" one on Toyota's page. I could find no combo that got me a manual behind the V6, none.

were you trying to build a long bed? they do not offer it in long bed


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#10 RC Pilot Jim

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Posted 18 May 2018 - 05:57 PM

Buying a used truck, especially a Tacoma,  is a challenge because many of them are missing desirable full size truck features.

 

Like  the "Trailer Towing pkg" (TTP). Features a 3:73 rear axle ratio. Trucks need low end torque for towing and hauling full loads. Your Fully loaded Fleet will be close to 1,400 pounds dry plus camping gear and water. (another 300 pounds or so).

 

You will need 10 ply Load Range E tires, air bags or rear leaf springs. . Get enough to support 1,800 pounds in the bed. TTP also includes larger radiator, transmission cooler and heavy duty alternator. 

 

You don't state what part of the country your in. If near snow or the desert try to get 4 wheel drive. If anything they have a higher resale value.  if they have it with either the "TRD - Offroad", or TRD Sport " package try to find one with one of those packages.

 

Performance with the V6 and automatic. This is our first automatic Tacoma. We manually downshift it to save the brakes. especially when we are 700 pounds over gross and pulling a small 2300 pound car. We regularly pass semi's (not with the car attached) on 395 a 2-lane highway in the desert. Even with all that weight it goes like a "scalded cat" and still gets good gas mileage. to boot. Easily passing semis is a function of low geared rear axle and torque of the 4 liter V6.

 

I'm often asked why we bought the Tacoma instead of a full size truck? Answer: camping only 30 days a year it is just easier to drive the smaller vehicle around and park it in regular length parking spaces. Our Eagle is mounted full time. Weight isn't an issue because we have an improved shell model that only weighs 1,100 pounds dry.

 

Good luck with whatever your choice is.


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Jim

Retired from truck camping June 2021

Our Basic Eagle/Fleet Shell Build






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