Let’s cut to the chase. Towing.

Why not go to the max? Toyota lawyers and insurance won't advertise a load if the truck wasn't good for it. It the max is 6500, then the safe LIMIT is 6500. Everything has an operating range, don't sell yourself short.

 

Max = Optimal operating conditions. That leaves no margin for sub optimal conditions. I think the truck can probably handle the loads they quote without tearing the vehicle up.... but doing so safely is the question. I have an airstream somewhere in my future, and I’ll be shooting for 4K lbs or less dry.

 

A buddy of mine just purchased a 17ft toy hauler to pull with his 16 Taco. He said it pulls very well.

 

I figure you can safely tow close to the limit with proper trailer brakes and hitch set up. It probably means that you won't be doing the speed limit except on straight flat highway without crosswind though. People will be passing you all the time.

I'd stay under 4000 for long trips.... preferably closer to 3000. And still have the right gear and thoughtful driving.

 

You always want to leave a buffer zone, unless you are weighing each item as you load it. Sure, the rating is going to be a safe max already, I know they wouldn't rate it at the absolute max because they know how people are. But why risk it, you have your family with you and think about others on the road.

"don't sell yourself short", just because you can take that 300 lb girl home from the bar, doesn't mean its a good idea. So, just because you can tow up to 6500 lbs, doesn't mean its a good idea either.

 

If you have towed at the max, you would know why. 6500+ behind a Tacoma will put the fear of god into you.

 

My experience:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...idiocy-journal-bs.527020/page-6#post-17893122

Truck tows fine.

 

My travel trailer is 3750 unloaded and max it’s about 5500 pounds. Always leave room to max towable weight. The Tacoma does decent towing that trailer. Have towed 10+ hours twice now and it’s been decent. You aren’t breaking any land speed records but even with a 3/4 ton truck you shouldn’t be going that fast either.

Make sure you have a good WDH and trailer brake controller.



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haven't towed with my Taco yet, but have ridden in other 3rd gens towing and across the 3 I've witnessed...

6k - short trip, low speeds, no problem, no way I'd get on the highway with that weight. even with sway bars/ brake controller the truck seems to HATE this kind of load and you sure as hell don't want to travel over 55 or 60 MAX
4k - can handle it, and isn't miserable to drive but you'll still be in 4th gear the whole time
2500 - sweet spot and is why I'll be buying an ultra-lite type camper that has a dry weight in the 2k range. can generally drive at 70mph highway speeds without RPMs racing the entire time. still won't be winning any speed trials but a lightweight camper is about all I"d want to tow very far w/o upgrading to a full-size.

But there are plenty of people who I'm sure are at or exceed the towing capacity and drive long distances so it is all up to what you are comfortable with. Based on what I've experienced, towing anything for longer distances, regularly with a dry weight of >3500 screams get a full size IMHO

 

I've done some recent towing with my 4cyl and been very happy. Did the max (3500lbs) with the bed loaded, no highways and it handled it fine, just a little slower than usual. Then did 500 miles round trip with probably 2k, was able to do 70mph on the Thruway no problem and got 16mpg to boot. My truck is also a manual.

 

I've got the same trailer, well sort of. I have the 2019 Freedom Express 204rd which I bought this fall. It's very close to the same weight but longer. I have no issues pulling it.

 

No. It really isn't. I tow right at the max every time I pull the boat. It's fine. Even on the interstate in strong wind/rain/whatever. You have to set it up properly. And make sure the load is distributed properly. And maybe not go 80mph up long hills... but it will do 60-65 all day long right at 6600lbs.

The thing is - you can buy a Chevy 2500 and do it in your sleep with 1 finger on the wheel at 30% the capacity of the vehicle so if you want it to be super easy and not think about it - don't tow at the max of anything. Buy too much truck and cruise easy. If you want to make due because you only tow 10 days a year and don't like a $65k truck that won't fit in your garage... it will be fine if you are. But do the math. Weight the tongue. Pay attention to where you put the heavy stuff. Be smart.

 

All these hurt feelings and oversize trailers. Give a few years til their taco
If it dont look right its probably not right.

 

Lots of truth here... but even a 55mph sign doesn’t mean 55mph in inclement weather. Your points about setting it up correctly are spot on, and I’m glad to hear another that thinks 6k is doable.

I’m one that believes manufacturers these days build margin into their numbers (probably not as much as they used to now that it’s a numbers competition). I wouldn’t NOT buy a 5k trailer if that’s what I really wanted. But that’s based on towing infrequently. I do tend to use my towing capacity when necessary, but it’s not that often. Pretty sure I was at or over my FJ’s limit a few times. At or below limit, that guy would cruise at 65 all day long. Took a bit of pedal to do it on hills, but it would do it.

 

biggest thing is to set it up properly and distribute the weight properly no matter if its a tacoma or a F350. and no matter what you are towing with you really shouldn't be towing at 80mph anyway...

 

here is our set up.. 3750 empty and 5500 max loaded..

have done 2 10 hour trips.. one was grand rapids to nj, the other was nj to maine and back.. truck tows it well.. up in the rpm range for sure especially on hills but it hasn't lacked power to get up those hills yet. gets 8-10 mpg towing just like my buddies chevy 2500 towing real close tot he same weight. next truck will be a full size only becaus the tacoma gets tight inside with three dogs and my daughter in the back seat.. a bigger gas tank will be nice too..

 

Not exactly apples to apples, but a quick Google search shows the Hilux rated for 7700lb. Diesel blah blah. Dont know the differences but there you go. US is notorious for underrating towing capabilities.

My Jetta was rated for 1000lb. Even though the exact same car in europe was good for 3500lb.
I once towed right near that 3500lb mark over 800 miles through mountain passes going 60-80mph. God I loved that diesel engine (just looked up my old fuelly data, I got just under 25 mpg). Also the immunity that comes from youth.

 

Even the 2tr-fe in the Hilux is rated for 5500lbs towing. And over 2000lbs payload.

 

Dont know what 2tr-fe is. All I did was a quick google search.
https://www.toyota.com.au/main/hilux
3.5 tonnes is about 7700lb.

Edit: Apparently its the engine code.

Anyway, the point was that US ratings are already less than ratings in other countries (with assumed more reaponsible drivers I guess), so adding a second safety factor is probably redundant.

Tow to your abilities (mechanical or biological, whichever is less).

 

Or maybe just ratings for less sue happy individuals.