Taco vs Frontier specs question...

So I am currently leasing a 2019 TRD Sport and the lease is up in March 2022. Yes I am aware of the lack of inventory across all the mid size trucks right now. I have been comparing competitors trucks to see how the Taco stacks up. I do tow a deck boat during the summer over 180 miles round trip and would like some more pulling power. This truck has pulled our boat for the last 2+ years and has done a decent job. I am not completely sold on Ford, Chevy or Jeep but wondering about the new Frontier. If the 2021 Taco has 278 hp, 265 pound feet of torque and can tow up to 6800 pounds, how does the 2022 Nissan Frontier with 310 hp, 285 pound feet of torque and can tow 6720 pounds, 80 pounds less than the Taco? I had 2 Nissan Frontiers, 2013, 2016 before this Taco, which I did like. I like the new Nissan and trying to decide to buy the Taco I have, lease another when there is better supply in March, hopefully, or move back into the Nissan camp. I need the truck to fit in a one car garage and am aware that the Ford, Jeep and Chevy are listed to tow more then both of the Jap trucks. Any info is appreciated.

 

2021 Redesigned Nissan discussion mega merged thread on a Tacoma site | Tacoma World

Some help here

 

From an engineering standpoint, available power & torque aren't the only factors mfr's consider when developing a tow rating for a vehicle. The geometry of the frame has a bit to do with it as well, and I'm guessing the Frontier's frame might be affecting the tow capacity. Another possibility may be the framing near the tow hitch isn't as strong as the Tacoma's.

Personally I'd guess the towing capacity would be higher than the Taco due to the fully boxed frame on the Nissan. Maybe the vehicle's COG is in a spot that reduces the tow capacity in some way.

 

Another big factor is brakes.

 

Ya good point. Probably the more likely scenario. Good call dude

 

I am not a big fan of drum brakes but I am sure Toyota has their reasons.

 

If you're going to tow torque and payload are the numbers you need to look at. And where the engine develops torque. Slower rpm is better.

The Tacoma and Frontier develop their torque at 4600 and 4400 rpm. Ranger has 310 or 350 pound feet depending on the source, but does it at 3200 rpm.

You can't look at specs to figure out payload, every truck is different and they only list the max possible payload for each body style. In the real world it is always less, often a lot less. But a 4X4 double cab Tacoma is going to have 1000-1200 lbs payload. Ford will have 1500-1600 lbs payload for the same configuration.

I haven't looked at Jeep, Chevy or Nissan's real world payload so I can't say.

80 lbs is close enough to call it a tie. If you're concerned about 80 lbs either way you're playing too close to the edge. It could be due to minor differences in axle ratio's. I know that Ford uses a lot of 3.55 gears in their 1/2 ton trucks, Chevy uses 3.43. On paper Ford wins, but they are close enough to not matter. I suspect it could be something similar with Toyota and Nissan.

 

Long story short just because it has the power doesn't mean it's meant to handle weight.

Otherwise you'd try and tow with I dunno a 67 mustang