Towing 5,000 lb TT with TRD Pro Taco

**UPDATE: Thanks for all of the feedback everyone! An overwhelming majority of you stated that this load would likely be too much for the Tacoma to take on safely. Based on your feedback, I'm going to take a good hard look at the Tundra and make a decision from there. Thanks again, all of your feedback and real world experience is very valuable! **

Hey Folks, I know there are numerous threads questioning how well the Tacoma tows, if they should just buy a Tundra, or what have you. I'll be upfront and say that I'm fairly confident that I've read every one of these threads, and have yet to find a solid answer to this question. TFL Truck has a video of a Tacoma towing under a full load, but this was taken at high elevation.

My wife and I have owned Jeep Grand Cherokee's for quite some time and have been towing travel trailers weighing ~5,000 lbs with great results. Equipped with the 5.7L Hemi the GC is rated to tow 7,400 lbs. We've always had great luck with the vehicle, no reliability issues and the air suspension has always kept the load level. We're simply at a point where we're growing tired of the vehicle and want to try something new. I've always been interested in the Tacoma and the Tundra due to their reliable track record, styling and excellent resale value.

We both went to our local Toyota dealer and test drove a Tacoma TRD Sport and a Tundra Limited. We both liked the Tacoma more than the Tundra; however, that's not to say that the Tundras not a good truck. We're both used to smaller vehicles (i.e GC and others) and like the smaller size. If I decided to buy the Tacoma, I'd prefer to buy the TRD Pro since we tend to go to the Sand Dunes quite a bit and I simply prefer the styling.

While we didn't question the Tundras ability to tow the T/T, we did question the Tacomas. The dealer was quick to point out that the Taco is rated to tow 6,400 lbs, but I simply didn't feel that the power was there to do this. We live in Michigan (elevation ~900 ft) and tow the travel trailer every third weekend in the summer months. I had it weighed on a certified scale loaded as we would tow it and it came back at 5,080 lbs. Overall length is 24 FT.

To those of you that own a 3rd generation Tacoma, and have towed a travel trailer like the one pictured below...what can you tell me?

1. Is the engine absolutely screaming while you're going down the road at 65 MPH? The GC has an 8-speed and tends to settle in at 6th or 7th gear on road trips. Should I expect 4th in the Tacoma?
2. How long does it take to get up to speed?
3. While using the WDH, how badly does the truck sag?

Any and all information is appreciated folks! We plan to buy a truck soon and I'm having a hell of a time deciding. I don't want to buy a Tundra just because of it's excellent towing ability, when I'll only use this 7 or 8 times a year. I have to live with the vehicle the other 357 days a year and I know I'd like the Tacoma the most.



Thank you,
hazards280

 

Many many threads about this exact topic. Search function will answer all your questions. A few guys in here pulling 5k up and down steep grades around 3000rpm.

 

I know that this is a 3rd gen tread, but my 2015 towed 6129 lbs with easy, I mean real easy. I barely knew it was behind me. I can't imagine it would be much different with a 3rd gen (but I could be wrong).

 

I came out of an F-250 diesel when I got my Taco.. before I did however, we discussed long and hard about needing a tow vehicle, had a boat and 27ft TT.. decided all done with that.. After driving the Taco for a while, I would not consider it a very good vehicle for your trailer..Looks to be what? 24ft? I just don't think it is up to it in power, suspension or brakes. I would look at a half ton..

 

Thanks for the real world feedback Cnasianfire! I'm glad to hear you had great results with your 2015. It's a shame that Toyota got rid of that 4.0. My wife plans to buy a 4Runner when I go in to get the truck and we both loved the low end torque of the engine.

 

Comparing it to a hemi and a 8 speed, you'll be disappointed. Trust me I came from a ram sport to a 4Runner and also I have a 2nd Gen tacoma, both with 4.0l and they feel anemic

 

Thanks for the feedback! Clever username by the way! I'm a fan of 2018 Tundra TRD Sport that's been circulating the web too.

 

I also think that trailer is too big for the truck. Can it pull it? Yes. However it's towards the max the truck is rated at. These trucks aren't really made for towing, I don't even like how mine accelerates around town let alone could imagine how it is with 5-6k behind it. Maybe a 16-18 ft TT I would but not one that size

 

My Trans Am had the LS1, just kept the user name..vette has an LS2..

Most important thing is your families safety when choosing your new truck.

 

I tow 3k pounds regularly and it does that with ease. Your TT is a whole 'nother story though. I wouldn't do it myself. And the manual states to use S4 when towing with the auto, so yes, 4th gear would be where it would be at most of the time, hovering around 2800-2900k RPM at 65 MPH. 70 MPH is 3k RPM on the dot.

Also you would really want to do something with the rear suspension at that weight, bags or sumo springs.

 

I wouldn't tow a trailer that long with a Jeep or a Tacoma. The issue with trailers isn't just weight. It is also the weight distribution. I would be nervous towing that trailer with anything less than a half ton truck.

 

No F'ing way should you attempt to tow that trailer with a Tacoma.

My 3rd gen got tossed all over the road by my 14' camper (weighs 2,800 pounds). And on the highway the engine did nothing but SCREAM on any surface that had a slight incline!!!

And this was just on the hour drive home from the dealer, before any gear was even loaded in the camper.

Your camper weighs almost twice as much, and has double the crosswind impact.

Maybe it'll be fine on short trips (very short), but anything on the highway will be a nightmare. Quite frankly it's a hazard to everybody else on the road.

The Tacoma is an awesome machine, but towing a trailer that big is not it's forte.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback everyone! An overwhelming majority of you indicated that this load would likely be too much for the Tacoma to take on safely. Based on your feedback, I'm going to take a good hard look at the Tundra and make a decision from there. Thanks again, all of your feedback and real world experience is very valuable!

The Tacoma is one great truck, but unfortunately it appears it won't be a good fit for our lifestyle.

Also, I always like to get a feel for forums before I buy a vehicle. You guys surely are great over here!

Side Note: I'm not sure what "foundation" this forum is built on, but the navigation, text editor, and ease of picture upload is much better than others out there.

 

Good luck with whatever you get.

 

Best combination of username and avatar, literally ever.

 

My main consideration would be how far you are towing it. If not far and not steep hills a drive in 4th gear wouldn't be so bad. For not alot of money you could upgrade the rear suspension to help with the tongue weight.
If its a long trip, steep, etc, then it would probably get stressful.

 

yes and another point is if you prefer the Pro, you'll want to know about how soft the suspension is and how that affects towing as well. i have Sumospring, an aftermarket rear sway bar, and 17" E tires which all add up a firming effect that's significant.

i still wouldn't want to go very far with 2.5 tons behind me. i haven't tried it tho..

by the way OP, this motor is designed for higher revs and that's it's work zone for power output. but yeah, i can't quite get used to winding out a motor either.

 

A full size diesel would match that trailer.
maybe consider a smaller trailer if you are
sold on the tacoma.

 

Tundra, FTWMF

 

Surprised this video hasn't been shared yet: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DCkBmiZV09w

Those guys have at least tw videos showcasing the 3rd Gens towing capabilities.