towing trailer

You're comparing a 1st gen taco with an F150? Was it at least a 4WD? My 2nd gen 4x4 is heavier than a new F150 with the 2.7 ecoboost. A little closer comparison.

 

The Tacoma is a mid-size truck. The platform was designed for the 2.7L with the ability to upgrade to a V6 powerplant
The braking system was designed for 15in wheels with 4x4 upgrade to 6 lug 16 in wheels.
17in sport truck wheels do not have bigger braking systems

The F-150 is a full size truck.The platform was designed to support a base V8.
The ecoboost didn't always exist
Aluminum body panels did always exist
The braking system was designed for a minimum 17 in wheel.
The eco-boost makes significantly more torque than the 4.0L /3.5L your preference.

The Tacoma has not been fully updated for a few reasons.
Lack of competition (Ford ranger stopped production / gap between S-10 / Colorado /1 gen Colorado not competitive)
It would start to compete with the 4.7L Tundra.
The Tacoma platform development dates back to before 2005 production.
Have they made improvements, yes, but nothing groundbreaking.
The F150 has had several changes/ improvements/ updates since 2005 because the full-size market is more competitive with larger profit margins.

I tow around a 4200lb enclosed from time to time. The weight is not my struggle point. The torque output is my problem.
It is painful to accelerate up steep grades from a stop. I struggle to maintain speeds above 70mph (from trailer wind resistance).
This is my outlook on the differences.
Stopping is manageable with trailer brakes.

 

Be happy the Taco 4.0 and 3.5 have a tow package with a Class IV hitch and auto trans cooler. Taco needs rear suspension mods to tow, but it has a solid hitch and factory trans cooler.

The 4Runner with a 4.0 never had and doesn't to this day have a Class IV hitch and the auto trans cooler, 130A alternator. The 4Runner you have to find a 4.7l V8 to get a factory Class IV hitch, trans cooler, 130A alternator like the Taco has. I towed 3700lbs with the 2012 Tacoma 4.0, it struggled on grades, I was in 2nd gear at 5000rpm often on the steep grades. 4.7l of course does better, I rarely drop into 2nd gear.

 

Are you saying that you actually considered pairing a 5th wheel to a Tacoma? What 5th wheel on paper matches the Tacomas numbers? Also, it says in the manual never to haul a 5th wheel. This is beyond quirky IMO.

 

I believe there is someone on here that tows an Escape fifth wheel trailer.

Have you also noticed that the manual says not to make modifications to a whole lot of things yet that is pretty much what everyone does.

 

Sure people do. But towing a 5th wheel is more of a safety factor more than anything.

 

I dont remember the brand, weight was in spec for the taco though. It had a queen size bed and that was about it except the table/bed combo. I'll have to see if I have any pics. A 5th wheel is a hitch style, by itself doesn't mean anything in regard to size or weight,

Hitch wise a 5th is safer than a bumper pull, weight is better located and controlled.

 

When the ? Is what keeps the tacoma from towing like a larger truck, the only way to address the question is by comparing to a larger truck. I just personally have towed a very lightweight trailer with several different trucks. I'm not trying to determine which f150 is the best tow platform.

 

I just watched a video with the F-150 w/3.5 ecoboost vs the Nissan Titan going up the big hill. Althought the F-150 had more torque and pulled faster up the hill, the Titan felt a lot more stable and required less braking going down. The big difference is weight. The Titans 6300 lbs vs the f-150s 4900 lbs. They both had 12,000 lb towing capacity. My point is, just because you put more space between the sheet metal, doesn't make it more capable.