Towing Acceleration

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking on here for a while and figured I'd just put an ask out you guys. I'm wondering if someone could film how their truck accelerates while trailering 2-3k lbs? I currently run a '14 F150 5.0L and tow a boat ~20 times per year. Boat/trailer/motor weighs ~2800lbs loaded with gear. 90% of the trips are less than 50 miles round trip.

I'm looking at a Taco because my full size is preventing me from fishing the backcountry pike lakes and trout streams of northern MN. Trying to understand what performance I'd be giving up.

Thanks!

Ben T

 

I'm not too sure why you are concerned with acceleration while towing...but 2800lbs loaded should be no problem with the tacoma.

Also, are you BlueT's brother?

 

Although I haven't towed yet with my 2016 3.5L Taco, my 2001 Taco (3.4L) and my 2012 (4.0L) 4Runner tow my 3,000lb ski boat just fine at 65-75mph. Would probably be a little underpowered out west with long steep grades but no problem in the east.

 

Negative Ghostrider, but learned his reputation pretty quickly lol

There's a couple Minneapolis musky lakes I fish that have pretty short on ramps to freeways. Was just wondering if it takes a quarter mile to get to 60.

Thanks!

 

Well if I were you I would make the switch. If you're serious about switching I would definitely test drive it first obviously and see how you like it. There is also an ECT button which holds the gear longer to make it feel more peppy. I'm sure it would be quite noticeable from your F150 though so be prepared lol.

 

maybe tow your boat to the dealership and ask to attach it to the test drive truck, to see how it will tow...I can't see why a good dealership wouldn't allow that if they want to make a sale

 

i will add that I towed about 2500 with mine a while back (18' car hauler carrying antique furniture for a friend), and i had no problems with acceleration (though was taking it slow), didn't even take the truck out of drive (i.e. limit the gears), did use ECT though. Also should not that it is completely flat where I live, no hills at all

 

This is exactly why I bought the new Taco instead of the F-150. The narrower width of the Taco and likely shorter length (depending on setup) will definitely come in handy heading to the backwoods ponds. Towing shouldn't be a problem either. Once you push the ECT button towing the ~3,000 pounds, the truck will be more than sufficient. I plan on towing my boat several times per year and am not worried at all. It definitely will not be quite as stable as the F-150 though. That width, length and weight advantage of the Ford pays dividends when towing.

 

I have a similar boat weight and the 16 handles it like a champ. Make sure to use the ECT button while trailering. Still get an average of 16-17 mpg while towing. I'm not disappointed but I haven't owned a full size since 08. YMMV.

 

this was another thread about towing for reference

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anyone-towed-with-3rd-gen-yet.391334/page-14#post-11742874

 

yup
OP if the '14 F150 is a v-8 then its a huge difference IMO... We have a '13 F150 and it tows good, Gas mileage isnt great when towing but with the downhill assist in tow mode and brake controller its good. I do like the smaller footprint a Toyota has on roads though...

 

Apples to dinosaurs, but I have a 3000 pound boat that I tow with an SUV about the same weight and power as a Taco and it doesn't even break a sweat pulling hills on the west coast. I won't have a chance to pull the boat again until this spring but I plan to up size my boat now.