Tacoma or tundra?

Ok so I'm currently leasing a 2019 taco loaded off-road. The past year I bought a hybrid camper dry weight 4800lbs. I'd say with people and what not I'd probably be around 5500lbs tops. The taco has done well with the few trips I've taken, longest being a five hour haul from pa to upper ny up hills and stuff. I don't go camping all the time and usually it's within 100 miles of home. My lease will be up and I've been wanting the green Tacoma pro. But now I'm wondering if I'd be better off going with a tundra instead. I love the smaller pick up but long term I'm wondering if it's worth it. The tundra tho nice looks kinda boring to me and yeah I can get the tundra pro in green but even that is way out of price range. I'm just curious if the Tacoma can handle the job as it has been or if I should upgrade. I will say driving back in the wind I could feel the poor taco fighting to stay still.

 

I would go with tundra. With the amount of money, you will put in to just get the Taco to be able to comfortably pull that weight often is not worth it in my opinion. And like you said, kinda sketchy with the light truck at crosswinds/headwinds. Once in a while, I don't see a problem with the Taco pulling. I probably need to upgrade leaf springs and gearing if I want to pull all that weight often. I had a full-size Silverado though I used to tow with often, so I am a bit biased when it comes to towing with a midsize truck.

 

Really depends on how often you see towing. If it’s a couple times a year, Tacoma. If it’s every weekend, tundra

4.88 gears or the manual trans makes a world of difference towing with the Tacoma.

 

Agreed that tundra is probably a better fit if you tow frequently, ideally you want to keep it to 80% of the vehicle's tow capacity.

 

Tundra

 

Yeah this is a few times a year at best. The wd hitch I have does well at preventing any squat as maybe I'm within an inch give or take in the back. Any other time I used it I was able to cruise at a good pace and barely felt it back there. This time for some reason maybe bc of the stronger cross winds I definitely felt it.

 

A few times a year I’d say keep the taco then. Maybe even consider renting a full size truck the few weekends a year you want to tow.

 

I might have to agree on the tundra in the end. Just wish it looked nicer :/

 

Of course the Tundra will tow much better than the Taco, but ...

None of my vehicle purchases has been completely rational and practical. A Miata when I was commuting on the highway. Now my access cab Tacoma when I have a car seat. I've chosen vehicles that met the minimum of my essential needs, but also made my purchases based on fun factor / wants.

You already know what it's like to tow with a Tacoma. So, if you want the Taco, get the Taco!

 

For towing the Tundra. For everything else the Taco. When you load that trailer up with water, full propane tanks and the million other things it will be closer to 6000lbs. than 5500. Your Taco can tow it but it won’t be fun. What you tow dictates what truck you need. I’d go with the Tundra.

 

I tow 3200 lbs dry weight RPOD with my 2013 6spd manual in mountainous BC; usually 10-12 trips a year. With OME springs and Dakars it goes pretty good. The stiffer springs really made a big improvement when towing. WDH with Sway keeps things just right. Up a long climb, momentum is key and I have had a few slow crawls after having to stop on a steep climb for traffic and construction. The 6spd manual gives better control over shifts going up, or down, a long steep grade. Overall, I'd say for me the Tacoma is best size for city life and it does what I need for camping life.
I have no plans to trade the truck but if I had to replace it I would likely go with the Tundra or maybe a Silverado (I owned a Silverado before the Tacoma). Mostly because when I bought the Tacoma I didn't haul a trailer, and now having one I can see the advantage of having a more powerful rig; mostly so that I can be less weight conscious, add a canoe without worry, or a few bikes.
A bigger truck will give a lot more confidence and capability when towing and I would just have to adjust to city life with a bigger truck. I would miss the Tacoma a lot on the everyday (especially the manual transmission), but probably less so on the long climb up the Coquihalla highway in summer traffic.
So in summary, I love the Tacoma and it does all I need for towing; but if I was faced with another purchase, I'd go bigger.
Good Luck. Let us know what you end up doing.

 

Upgrade.

 

Yeah I'm going to miss the Tacoma I've had tacomas for years but I still have my first generation taco so I'm good but I decided to get a tundra

 

Hello I too been debating on the taco or tundra. My taco is great for daily driving but when I tow the lack of power and room in cab. I had two previous tundras and loved them but decided to down size to a new taco 6 speed manual. Did not think I would be getting another trailer but we did and now getting the itch to go back into a crewmax tundra. My original plan was to wait for the next generation tundra but not sure like to wait that long.

 

At this point, I would wait. I like the current truck, but it is long in the tooth. I would wait till at least the specs of the new truck are out and then make a decision assuming you can make do for now.

I think to lose the fun-factor of the manual would be tough.

 

I decided to do the upgrade. For me it just made more sense. I loved my second generation tacos I had but idk I just couldn't fall in love with this one for some reason. I still have my original 2002 Tacoma limited truck. So I still own a taco