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Cant find a way to delete. I've resolved my issue.

 

Sounds like you need a Tundra. Trust me, it has the towing capacity and power you need. The truck is big, but extremely easy to drive and easy to see all around. I don’t think you know how massive the mirrors on them are. You will see everything just fine. Power is definitely not an issue. 3 of my family members drive new tundras. My mom is 4’11” and she can drive that truck like it’s a prius.

 

I would have to agree that if you're not in love with the way a tacoma feels while towing, a larger truck is the solution. I've heard of people(okay, just one guy did this...but still) having a supercharger installed specifically for towing performance. I realize that this is the most headache of any of your available solutions, but I can certainly understand your apprehension about a bigger truck. Not so much that it's too much to "handle"; more like it's more than you want to "deal with." Just my two cents.

 

Get the Tundra

 

A couple things: how many days a year do you tow, versus using your Tacoma for something else? Do you love your Tacoma for everything else and just not towing? Are the 10-20 days of towing out of 365 each year, worth getting rid of it? If you otherwise love your Tacoma, then just deal with the towing issues as best you can.

If you're not that thrilled with the Tacoma in addition to the towing issues, or are towing half the year, then I would agree the Tundra would be a good option. And get the 5.7L, you would be disappointed in the 4.7L in my opinion, having towed with that engine in an older Sequoia.

 

I like the Tundra over the F-150, but if I was in the market for a 1/2 ton. I think the Ford might make a better tow vehicle.


There's the Tundra market, and then there's the 1/2 ton pick up market.

 

A full size is going to get horrible mileage towing too. Me and a buddy went four wheeling last weekend and used his 2017 F150 with 5.0 V8 pulling a 16' landscape trailer and a 1200lbs side by side. managed to get 12 mpg on the highway ~70mph. The difference here and same with the tundra is that you have plenty of power to get moving and keep moving.

What exactly don't you like with towing on the tacoma? I've pulled ~3300lbs with my equally equipped and yeah i could feel the weight and watched the gas needle move but other than that, it pulled fine. With that weight you're pulling, you should be easily able to keep it in 4th on the highway and maintain speeds. 3rd going up grades.

All in all, you're the one driving the truck and towing your family/friends/gear. If you feel more comfortable with upgrading to a full size, then by all means do it.

 

A lot of Tacoma owners tow TT's, and you've already experienced the down side of not having enough HP and torque when pulling yours. I moved up to a Tundra as I got a larger trailer (kept the Tacoma) for the reasons you cited. If I had to choose between having ONE vehicle, it would be the Tundra, because, if you continue to pull an RV, more is better. When I moved up to an even larger and heavier TT, I replaced the Tundra with a Super Duty PSD (kept the Tacoma). Towing an RV (comfortably) is all about power to weight ratios, which you are already familiar with.

 

Something ain't right with your truck. With 1200 lbs back there you shouldn't even know its there. You can pull that little camper with a mini-van. I own both a Tacoma and an F150 and pull the same trailers with them. With 2000 lbs or less there is no difference. Once I start pulling 3000 lbs or more the 1/2 ton is significantly better. But I'd still pull 4000-4500 with my Tacoma without much worry. I know they are rated for 6500, but I wouldn't pull some of the loads I see some on here pull with a Tacoma.

On the other hand there aren't many downsides to a 1/2 ton. Your DCLB Tacoma is only 3-4" less overall length than a crew cab 1/2 ton. My F-150 gets less than 1 mpg worse fuel mileage than my Tacoma and the prices are about the same.

 

I do not tow with mine but I can say that I have not yet seen a Tacoma towing any kind of travel trailer other than a pop up on the New York State Thruway. They are all using full sized trucks, 3/4 ton or better for the most part. A guy I know tows a fairly good sized travel trailer regularly with a Tundra. He also tows farm equipment with it. I just don't think the Tacoma has the mass to be towing heavy at highway speeds. Plus who wants to tow in 3rd gear at 4000 rpm and six miles to the gallon, for hours ? The shortened engine life isn't worth it. You are probably exceeding the GVWR at any rate with gear. I'd hate to have to make an emergency maneuver at speed in that circumstance.

It's up to you though.

 

Nothing, repeat, nothing holds its value as well as a Tacoma. That said, the Tundra is a great vehicle, you won't be disappointed. The 5.7 really flies. I've owned the 4.0 Tacoma and a Tundra. Both were great. My Land Cruiser is even better. Very well built, and tows amazingly well.

 

Maybe it’s those to big ass square wind brakes your pulling behind the truck. At speed that is mess load of wind resistance also on top of the weight.

 

I tow with my Tacoma and my wifes F150- Pulled 7000lbs with either one
I would not be to concerned with reving the 4.0 higher RPMS on a grade but if your working that hard in the flat - something seems off for the smaller trailer to be working hard.
The white box aero sucks and I found that to be the real killer on the highway mpg/power no matter which truck.

I am wondering what altitude your at but obviously a supercharger is cure all for the power which is how I roll but maybe regearing would be a solution if you like the the size of the Tacoma. I like the tacoma for camping cause I got mobility to ride the trails -Honestly the F150 is the tow king between my two trucks- I love the fuel tank size for range and the power of the ecoboost rocks. is the turn radius/size that I really dislike.

 

Im guessing you have the 4.0? And not the 2.7?

I havent had any huge complaints when towing with my tacoma. Sure the extra power would be nice but ive heard the tundra really doesnt get any better mileage than the tacoma while towing. Personally i wouldnt mind a larger truck at this point since im not offroading like i used to. I may get 1 trip a year otherwise im just hauling dirtbikes really. With that said though i dont mind doing it with the tacoma either.

This had a 2000lb car plus trailer (id imagine another 2000) while im on 35s with stock gearing. Overall did just fine and managed 10mpg (13mpg average otherwise)

 

I've got the 2.7 and tow a 1800 LBS *dry* Camper behind it on hilly highways, Sure I gotta put it in 3rd to maintain my speed going up hill @ 110 - 120 km/h ( like 65 -70 mph ) but otherwise, 4th is fine for the flats. Sure I *want* more power, but honestly its gets me to my campground without much drama.

but if your talking about going bigger, I'm guessing you've already made up your mind. why let the internet convince you otherwise?
its not like we've got a secrete sauce that makes what your feeling better.

 

Buy an F-350

 

F-150 with the 3.5 ecoboost or a Ram with the Hemi (apparently Dodge moved up in reliability slightly)

The Ford has gobs of towing power and handles pretty decent for a larger truck. Honestly our Tacos are already pretty big as is so the F150 isn't that much bigger.

 

Tundras really suck up the gas