Few general tacoma towing questions

So don't have a tacoma quite yet, although I do hope to have bought one in the next week (just sold my car on sunday) I'm looking to get the 2.7L 4Cyl with 4x4 and XtraCab

I read the towing bible. Which did answer a lot of my questions. However I just want to double check on some questions just to make sure.

80% of the time I'll be towing nothing
10% of the time I'll have one quad in the bed (approx 400 lbs)
10% of the time I'll have one quad in the bed and be pulling a trailer with another quad (approx 1500 lb trailer + 400lb quad)

So we'll round up and say at the most I'll be pulling 2400lbs. From what I've read this will be totally fine. However I am looking at lifting the truck I buy, or just buying one already lifted. Nothing huge just a 3" lift, with bigger then stock tires. How much will this affect my ability to tow?

Are there any performance mods that these trucks benefit from that would help with towing?

If it doesn't come with the towing package, how much will towing off the bumper affect it's ability to tow?

Thanks for any advice/tips!

 

IMO, towing from the bumper is never a good option. Maybe a small empty trailer or something. All you're likely to do is damage the bumper.

With a lift you are going to need a drop hitch anyway for the trailer to pull worth a darn.

 

Ok, that makes sense I didn't even think about that!

This will be my first real truck so I'm new to all of this

 

Do yourself a favor and get the factory tow package. Like stated earlier, you will most likely need a drop hitch which is easily accomplished with a receiver. Also helps with overheating, etc.

 

The truck will pull 100% of it's rated capacity no problem. The bumper will handle it no problem as well, it's a reinforced platform that the ball secures into. I would recommend a receiver hitch, so you can get a correct drawbar to level the trailer. I found I could tow 2700# in 5th most of the time. So you'll just have to use 4th with bigger tires. Don't be afraid to rev it.....I preferred my '09 4 cyl for towing, it was capable, and got much better mileage than my V6.
Good Luck

 

I have the 2.7 4x4 with the Curt class III. It easily pulls a 700 pound trailer loaded with 1500 pounds of wood. No 5th gear use, but an easy, stable run. Make sure to get your tongue weight load close. If you have to push it (trailer tongue) down, too light, move the load forward. Can't lift it, too heavy, move the load rearward. If it takes some muscle to lift, just right. This makes loading quick if someone is loading something heavy into your trailer with a forklift. Have them push it forward while you check tongue weight.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, definitely just going with a 4cyl.

Now I just gotta buy one! I can't wait

 

Good Luck! I hope you enjoy your new truck as much as I enjoy mine!