Towing a car trailor.........Taco vs GMC Yukon

Ok, here is my dilemma. I own a 2004 access cab Taco with the 2.7 motor. I love my truck but lets face it, its not towing a 3300 lb Mustang and 1800 Lb Trailor.
I currently use the Wifes 03 GMC Yukon for towing but borrowing her truck is kinda wearing on the both of us.
My question is about the newer Taco's and real life towing experiences. My trailor is equipped with electric brakes so stopping will not be an issue once the brake controller is installed in the new truck. Im more concerned with handling and overall pulling ability. The Taco I would buy would def be a quad cab 4wd, probably 09 or newer. Any input would greatly be appreciated.

 

If you love your truck and dont want to sell/trade it in on a new tacoma I would look into performance mods. A supercharger would be great for towing. Add a header and exhaust with the supergharger and it would be a mean little 2.7l. And sould tow the mustang and trailer with no problem exect for being light.

 

I'm pretty sure those 'horsepower' related modifications are not good for towing. YOu'll lose torque.... Besides all that, there's a lot more to think about then the engine. The overall package, including the transmission & axle strength.

If its not rated for doing it....then I wouldn't do it, espcially on a regular basis.

 

It sounds like you tow pretty regularly...so....

Keep the tacoma....

Ditch the Yukon and get another SUV with a V8 and larger (greater than tacoma) towing capacity.
How are the V8 4Runners rated for towing?

You're familiar with towing with a larger vehicle and know how it *feels*. Towing with a new tacoma will be different and won't feel as stable & safe as the towing experience you get with the Yukon.

 

I just posted this in a different thread but the info should help you to as I made a very similer switch...

I tow at the limits a 67 FJ40. Acceleration is obviously affected, but it doesn't matter what you drive when you more than double the wieght of your vehicle acceleration is going to slow down. But like he said, it holds it's speed pretty well in hilly areas or in the mountains. I have added supersprings, which made a huge difference as well as EBC 3GD rotors and EBC yellow stuff pads. Braking is supplemented with electric trailer brakes and a P3 controller which works great. Will it tow like a 5.7 Tundra, no. Will it tow better than most people expect out of a mid size, yes. I was coming from and 03 Tahoe Z71 with the 5.3 and the overall towing experience is better with my 07 Tacoma. Braking and stability are better and surprisingly enough the 4.0 to my 6 speed seems happier to work hard than the 5.3 to the 4 speed.

I chose the Tacoma as it is also my daily driver. A Tundra would certainly pull better, but isn't practical to me as a daily driver. When I purchased my tuck where I worked had a pretty tight parking garage, big advantage for the Tacoma. Now if this vehicle isn't going to be a daily driver or you don't mind a much larger truck, get a 5.7 Tundra for your towing needs. The Tacoma wont let you down coming from your Yukon though.

 

"YOu'll lose torque...." What?? I know the larger exhaust diamater would decrease torque. But a SUPERCHARGER!! would deff. not decrease torque. I know that the tacoma is not set up for towing heavy loads. I wish it was. But I guess that what you sacrifice with having a smaller lighter truck.

 

My situation is just about the same as yours............Thats awesome that the Tacoma feels as good or better than your 03 Z71.............I really prefer to stay with the Tacoma style p/u for a daily driver.
Thanks

 

here's some of the things ive towed with my 4.0L 6 speed. Handles it just fine as long as you dont expect to travel several hundred miles.





In the last pic, there is about 450lbs in the bed of my truck already so thats why its sitting so low.

 

i have the same as him^^^ 2007 4.0 with the man. 6-Spd and i tow a lot....it works like a champ...for what you think it can tow comfortable to what it actually can...is amazing...

go for it!! but if you go for the Auto trans make sure you get the Toyota tow package because is adds a tranny cooler and i think an oil cooler as well and an upgraded alternator..

 

My experiences towing large RV/Camper/Trailer on 70mph interstates.

Chevy 1500 350 V8: Nail biter fighting wind displacing semi's on twisty mountain interstates. Feels like your getting blown off the road at times. Power is acceptable.

Chevy 2500 diesel: All is well. Extremely stable it all times. Nice power. Decent mpg under load.

My lesion: Strong suspension is critical for towing large loads at high speed.