should I stay or should I go?

Hey all, I own a 2005 Taco double cab with the v6 4 ltr, and Auto and the TRD package. I love the truck, but I bought it to pull a camper that weighs in at 4K. In my mind it seems like a pretty good load for that motor, and sometimes we can feel the tranny getting pretty warm on the passengers side. Having said that, we pulled it from Wis. to Wyoming, into the Bighorns and back without any real trouble, other than keeping those RPMs pretty high. We have 170k on the truck, no rust, but I hope to do alot more camping now that I'm semi retired. Im in a position to take a look at a 2019 with the v6 sr5. The only reason I would do it would be to gain some creature comforts, like blue tooth, and backup camera and (most importantly) less towing strain. I know that they have upped the stated towing capacity to 6800, so I am thinking that will mean less strain on the motor. obviously Im gonna sink a chucnk of change into the new truck....Is it going to be worth it? Should I stay or should I go?

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Semi retired, I'd get a V8 full sized truck for towing.

The new tacos can tow 4000 but you'll notice they rev a lot higher and will still produce a lot of heat.

 

The new 3rd gen 3.5 motor isn't as good at towing as the 2nd gen 4.0 motor IMHO.

The 4.0 makes more torque down low the 3.5 makes all it's power at higher rpms.

Back up camera blue tooth and the like creature comforts can be added for a lot less than a new truck.

Personally I would stay but if you feel it's time for a newer truck then go for it.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

If towing is your number 1 concern then you’re just going to be disappointed with the 19 as you are with the 05.

If towing is your main concern, upgrade to something with a bigger motor and a transmission cooler.
IMO.

 

I’d think you’d notice more towing strain on a new Tacoma. The 3.5 doesn’t have a lot of torque and they try and make up for it with gear ratios, but towing that much I think you’d be better off with a rear gear. If you honestly want to consider another Tacoma I would recommend bringing your trailer and do some towing on the test drive. Or have them let you take a truck home for an evening and do some towing with it then. I would jump to a full sized

 

Will they let you tow on a test drive? I highly doubt that’s a possibility with all the liability the dealer would take on lol

 

Agree with the others, your current truck with automatic is better down low where you need it. I have a 2019 manual transmission trd off-road that reminds me a lot like the 15 tacoma with automatic. I would probably go with the reliable tundra if you need more, over any full size truck out there, only other truck would be the Ford F-250 with the 6.2 gas.

 

great feedback guys...the dealer that has the 2019 Taco also has an f-150 3.5 eco boost, similar dollars. I'll drive them both, and I have alot of toyota loyalty, but the drive to Wyoming and back felt like a bit of a struggle. Those RPMs and heat just made me nervous the whole time. Wish the newer motor was better, but it sounds like not. Doubt the f150 will hold the value my 2005 Toyota has. I think pulling the camper with a truck that's working hard maybe in the mountains again, with 170K on the truck? Seems like I run the risk of the dreaded phone call, "hey I'm broke down in Montana, gotta a few days you can spare?" at least that's the story I'm spinning to my wife to get her used to the idea of spending 25K+ of our retirement funds....

 

I pull a car trailer with a kubota tractor with a backhoe that weighs about 5800lbs with the 19 tacoma manual transmission. I'm in no hurry to get any place and have sumosprings, the 500lb ones. I only pull up to 4th gear and the truck does good.

 

As the old adage goes, there's no replacement for displacement, in recent years what with manufacturing tolerances getting better and cheaper and how far hiroshima-hair-dryers have come that's changed a little bit, but when it comes to outright towing you need torque and the only way to get that at low RPMs is cylinder count and raw naturally aspirated displacement. Also with a tow rig especially for a camper you're going to be a long way from home and a turbo just complicates things sure they're pretty reliable but there's always the contingency of IF.

That's why with tow rigs N/A V8s are still king.

But what about semi's they use inline 6 cyl turbos!

Yes, partially due to the design constraints of the platform, inline 6 fits more places more easily than a V engine, inline 6's are FAR more balanced and deliver torque better than a v6, their motors are also HUGE 14 liters displacement or larger and as for turbo reliability, they carry nationwide service contracts, they break down and they got a full shop on a truck coming to them anywhere within an hour.

It might be time to jump to a 2012 5.7l iForce v8 Tundra my man meet yourself in the middle.

 

That’s why you take a unit home. I worked in the auto business for almost 15 years. Dealerships for 10. You’d be surprised what people do and the dealership is willing to do to move a unit.

 

Welcome to TW! If you’re on the fence about getting a more capable rig, search this forum for ‘2005 Head gasket’.

I’m not trying to be alarmist but if your ‘05 4.0 is the original motor with original head gasket, it’s probably the worst MY to be towing. The head gasket was redesigned for the rest of the 2nd Gen run.

You’ll find folks who haven’t had any issues and others who had failures. Overheating seems to be a issue prior to failure if they do fail.

If I were in your shoes, I’d find a good deal on a new or used Tundra. I took a $9 grand bath after trading in an F-150 after a year with only 9,000 miles on it.

Good luck!

 

N/A V8’s haven’t been king in the towing world for years. If you are buying a truck to only tow a trailer or a camper, Turbo diesel is the only way to go. More low end torque. Better fuel economy. Longer engine life. The same reason all tractors are diesel lol. A V8 gas engine is great, sure, but at the end of the day if your looking for a truck to primarily tow trailers and pull loads, you’d be a fool for choosing a gas truck over a diesel.

 

I mean, I wouldn't argue against that generally as yes, true, turbo diesels are the ultimate tow rig kings of the class D world, however I don't think OP is looking for a dedicated tow rig just something a little more capable at towing than a Tacoma. Gas is easier and cheaper to buy and maintain, they're quieter and smoother too on average and you never have to worry about DEF.

Also not trying to start a fight, but both my grand pappy's had gas Ford tractors so not all tractors. My uncles (commercial crop farmers) had gas tractors too for many years before going to a diesel when they re-outfitted.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

a diesel might be overkill for someone that only needs to pull a camper that weighs 4k. Plus unless you live somewhere and can delete all the epa nannys new diesels are a mess to maintain

 

Yeah I always forget about that. Even though they’ve made it an absolute nightmare to delete them here it’s still doable