Back to towing with a Tacoma advice?

So currently I have a 2022 tundra but need to get into a cheaper and smaller tow vehicle for a little while. I currently have a trailer that is around 4k dry and possibly trading it in for a camper that is around 3k dry. So I'm back and forth between the Tacoma off-road and the Tacoma pro. Does the pro have a softer suspension? If I get the off-road I want to beef up the suspension to help a bit with payload. I've pulled this current camper with a 2021 Tacoma off road stock just fine on a 3 hour trip and honestly I don't pull it but maybe 5-6 times a year and usually within a 100 miles radius. I really love the pro but I'm thinking it might not be the best option for what I'm needing it for atm.

 

No advice from me, only what works for me. I’ve found that my OR with added Hellwig Helper springs handles full payload and a 3.5k (loaded) travel trailer just fine. Don’t know about the PRO but my OR handles it well. My towing is mostly flat land and I run a KDMax pro tune.

 

Yeah I'm thinking I'm better off building a decent suspension on the off-road instead of the pro. Bc idk buying a pro and changing out the suspension seems pointless to me.

 

I'm pretty certain the rear leaf springs are the same between the TRDPro and the TRDOR. Different shocks of course, but they have the same towing and payload capacity.

Pro is really only worth the extra cost if you want a special color, just like the overall look better, or don't want to play with much modification.

For your use case, I'd just save the price difference, get the TRDOR, and spend the saved money on making sure you purchase a high quality trailer instead of a mass-produced Indiana Special.


For reference: I tow a 5,000lb GVWR fiberglass trailer with a 2020 TRDOR double cab, short bed. With a weight distribution hitch, it does just fine. Upgrading the rear springs to Dobinson 110R helped a lot in carrying the load at the cost of quite a bit stiffer ride. With a weight distribution hitch though, the spring upgrade really isn't necessary just for towing.

 

If you need a cheaper vehicle buying the Pro makes absolutely no sense.

 

Keep your Tundra is you are going to tow anything within that range. I love my Tacoma so much I sold my Travel Trailer at 2,600lbs dry and bought an RV instead.
My Tacoma thanks me everyday.

 

@Lunercrab , can you provide more color to what you mean by cheaper? I'm happy to provide some considerations but I'd like to be certain what you mean.

 

My tundra was 70k and that was MSRP. I deliver for a living so I usually always had a truck and a car well got tired of two car payments so traded car in for tundra. Figured if I can get the suggested 17 city it would be ok. Yeah I haven't gotten over 10 mpg plus the truck is so huge makes for harder time parking. If I go down to a 45k offroad or even a 50k pro that's still 20k cheaper and my payments would go down 300 a month. So yeah until I'm in a situation where I can you know have a truck and the car again I'm figuring a Tacoma might be a little easier to maneuver around

 

Okay ya, makes sense. Thank you for the additional context. From a total cost of ownership perspective: yes the move makes sense. Less mass = less fuel, Taco is lighter with a smaller engine, less rotating mass as far as wheels and tires and less truck to stop, etc.etc. The two concerns I would have is space and power. Are you okay with losing that nice roomy full-size interior? You don't tow often but it is a dramatic difference towing with a Taco vs. a full size and you are limited if you ever want to tow a larger trailer. You are limiting what you can tow in the future - are you okay with that?

That is where my head is at. I have driven diesels, 1/2 ton gassers, Jeeps, and my Tacoma. I love the Taco and tow with it 90% of the time now that I am working remotely.

 

Are you delivering small items, or do you need the cargo space?
Do you have to deliver in all weather situations?

I had a friend that picked up & delivered medical samples & supplies. Not too big, but needed to work in all weather situations. Started with a Tacoma then replaced with a another Tacoma after several years and 600k miles (in my dreams I hope to make it to 300k). Went to an Subaru for moderately better city mileage, but still has is Tacoma for a back up.

 

There is zero reason to get a Pro. Either one you choose, you'll need to make suspension modifications to improve towing performance.

 

Huh? Please elaborate.

 

The leaf pack is what carries the weight and there is no difference between the Pro and Offroad in that regard. Stiffening up the rear suspension helps reduce sag when towing and improves handling.

 

Got it. Thanks. It took me a minute and I had to go back and re-read the original post. 100% agree although the mods aren't terribly expensive (helpers or sumos or bags) but ya there is no different in the leaf packs.

 

A much as I love my Tacoma, suspension mods will still have limited success in pulling power.