Buying 2020, what package should I get?

Okay, I'm finally able to buy a new Tacoma. This will be a weekend adventure truck, haul a two horse trailer from time to time, but also be a run around truck, if not a daily driver.

Budget is around 40k, but I'd rather not waste it all with dealer markups. Also, I'm pretty busy with my job so I don't have time to be constantly working on it.

So I'm asking y'all, what is your dream rig? What's worth getting done after market, what's worth having added on?

 

Test drive them and see which one you like.

 

More like what can you find now

 

Welcome to TW. Let's start with the horse trailer. What's the empty weight? How far are you towing it? I figure about 1500 pounds per horse including tack, average trailer is 2500-2800 pounds. If your plan is to occasionally pull a trailer in the neighborhood of 5500-6000 pounds, the taco can certainly do that, but I would optimize all mods towards towing. Meaning I'd keep wheel size and suspension height as stock as possible. Just add a brake controller, WDH, some floor liners, and call it good (for now at least. Until you get a better feel on how you'll use the truck)

My humble ignorant opinion.

 

You don't have to constantly work on it if you don't want to. Your Taco mods should be a hobby not a burden.

You will have to see what you want on the truck and go from there. Sidesteps? Bedlights? All weather floor mats? Tonneau cover? All of these things can be added by dealer and they will be happy to overcharge you for it. A lot of these mods don't take much more than an hour and will be cheaper than dealer add on's.

 

Maybe its just me but if I was towing anywhere close to max on a regular basis I wouldn't get a Taco. I'm not sure what a fully loaded 2 horse trailer would weigh in at.

 

Don't waste your time! Get a tundra.

 

Test drive with the trailer, don't buy a tacoma for towing.

 

I was gonna say that but it bothers me that they ditched the auxiliary trans cooler on the 2020s.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-are-you-paying-for-2020-tacomas.631873/

Sub this thread to read the latest update on what other are paying, inventory availability, etc..

 

The one u can afford

 

1997 Honda Civic in blue with some rust holes in the floor and a massive wing and no exhaust.

I'd get a SR v6 4x4 AC cab, but I'm weird.

 

No idea what a horse trailer weighs. I'd think that is pushing it for a Tacoma but what do I know. I tell you horses in my mind are big and heavy unless they are little ponies.
If the horses and trailer aren't over 6000 and it's only short trips it might work. Most Tacomas are rated to tow 6400
You said for daily driving too so that might be an SR if you don't want or care about many features. If you want things like intermittent wipers, remote keyless entry, power rear window, power drivers seat and more then SR5. Then the TRD models but not pro.
You will be getting a v6 engine for sure.

 

Not sure I'd recommend a Tacoma for a 2 horse trailer. Especially if you have to tow it quite a bit. Yes, the Taco is rated to tow around 6500 lbs, but that doesn't mean you should. TFL demonstrated issues at only 5600 in the GMC Canyon/Chevrolet Colorado with the diesel rated at 7600lbs.