Purchasing a New Tacoma--what to watch for?

Just get used to people having wildly varying opinions on tacomaworld. You can absolutely tow 3500 lbs assuming the obvious which is that your acceleration and braking will be slightly different with the added weight (no shit, right?). When loaded up and towing my boat I'm pulling about 2k extra lbs and don't even notice it unless climbing a steep bridge or something. A tacoma will pull your trailer just fine, just know (again, obviously to anyone that tows) that your fuel economy, handling, and top speed will be effected.

 

Be aware that Toyota has never had a moratorium on selling Tacomas to cry baby whiney fucks.

 

The 2500 diesel costs 11k more than a tundra.

 

Extensive test drive ....see what works best for you the sport or off road both come in a manual .I prefer the off road over the sport has a skid plate already not the best but for light off road stuff it works great . The suspension is a lot better than the sport . And u get a locking differential on the off road in case u ever need it . But remember extensive test drive . To many people buy these trucks and then bitch about it 1 week later . Shifts like crap to slow blah blah blah ... u get the idea . Best of luck .

 

Trd sport comes with a skidplate as well.

 

I haven't towed with a 3rd Gen tacoma, but towed a lot with both the 2nd Gens I had. Towed about 4500 lbs in my little trailer from Naples to Orlando, uphill the whole way, total gain in altittude, about 150 feet, so massive mountainous driving..... But for real, the little truck did well enough, out on the open road, nothing to get uptight about,the trailer would push the truck around in the corners and on braking, but that's to be expected. Leave plenty of distance in-between you and other vehicles, go slow, be patient.

 

Nice truck and camper. I can't wait to till spring to see how mine will do with my Pop up. I have an automatic though.

 

Pretty sure Rock Lobster has AT as well.

 

I do run with the AT crowd.

 

I figured, otherwise you would have told me a long time ago.

 

I totally would. Gotta admit I do miss the stick shift. Its a hard sell on whether I like it more than the push button start tho.

 

IMO if it's truly occasional around town you should be fine. The Tacoma will do it, but isn't designed with towing as a primary consideration - it lacks the added grunt and things like beefier brakes that you'd want if you were doing a ton of towing, and you need to drive with that in mind when doing so (leave more room to stop, etc.).

 

Since you are talking about hauling and towing but also doing some out door fun, I would consider a TRD off road long bed

 

Haha!

Yeah, i am the opposite. I actually prefer the key vs the push button start. I dunno, something about an actual key appeals more to me.

 

Toyota would solve a lot of problems for a lot of people if they’d just drop that damn next gen Tundra.

Tacoma’s are excellent trucks. Had mine for 14 years. But this thread is spot on - if towing and passenger room are in your top 5 this truck is not for you.

 

There are those who could safely pull a loaded trailer with a properly equipped Honda Accord then, there are those that would be scary pulling an empty 4x8 trailer with a Tacoma or any other vehicle...

 

New 2020 sr5 dc. Tow my boat every week, sometimes 2x a week.ect mode.trailer n boat less then 2000#. No issues at all. Came from the frontier v6. Bigger engine and disc all around. No difference but the mileage. Nissan got horrible mileage, towing or not. Frontier had a huge turning radius.

 

Pretty sure Tundras are close to 50K and more if optioned. Cant get all the bells and whistles, but you can get a new diesel for 50K in 4WD. But yes, if comparing base model to base model the Chevy is more $$.

 

Funny I towed about 6k yesterday up and over some long hills, flat ground. 55-65 mph and got 16mpg. Ect on in S5.

 

Nobody is saying they will not tow up to their rating. Were just saying that its not ideal and the truck will struggle with elevation change. There are much better options than a Tacoma. Now, if your a flat-earther because you live and drive at the exact same elevation all the time...........then tow on brother.