Can a 4runner tow better than a Taco?

All I see on this forum is people saying the Taco can't haul shit.

Taco is SAE J2807 rated for over 6000 pounds.

The 4Runner is rated for 5000 pounds, but has a truck engine.

Is the 4Runner actually a better tow vehicle than the Taco?
Don't see a lot of people bitching about towing on the 4Runner forums.

 

Doubt it. 4Runner weighs several hundred pounds more than a Tacoma. They end up doing the same work.

 

Like 700 lbs right? Anyhow, longer wheel base helps alot for towing. Id say Tacoma is better unless it's loaded to the gills. At equal vehicle weight they are probably similar. 3.5 will be better at higher rpms to imo.

 

Pretty much asking is a 2nd gen or 3rd gen better at towing. Am I wrong?

 

4runner lacks torque off the line compared to 2nd gen taco so i doubt 4R would tow better. I never drove a 3rd gen taco.

 

I own both.. in my experience my heavy armored 3rd gen Tacoma will out tow and gets better mileage loaded/unloaded than my stock TRD Pro 5th gen T4R. $0.02

 

No, the Tacoma will be better. Shorter wheelbase means less stable when towing.

 

You apparently didn't read those "complaint" posts. They compared it to a V8 full size.
Also the 4.0 in the 4Runner is not any better in any way. This is a click bait thread.

 

I’ve towed the same flats boat (approx 1600 lbs loaded...trailer included) with both. My 5th gen 4runner and my 2nd gen Tacoma (that I had before my 3rd gen Tacoma)hands down better towing my flats boat than the 3rd gen tacoma (rev 1 tsb) I owned for a year. Also both the 2nd gen got, and my 4runner gets better mileage when towing as well as not towing (empty) at highway speed bucking wind. I tow my boat at 65mph highway....
I do live in a flat coastal area with a lot of wind...the 3rd gen was horrible bucking any wind over 15mph and highway mpg’s would drop to 16 mpg (not towing) and 8-9 mpg (towing my boat) bucking our typical 15-25 mph wind....the 2nd gen and my T4r about 17-20 mpg not towing and 12-16 towing....yes I tow(ed) with all 3 in s-4 (+ect in 3rd gen) as per toyota states to do. Honestly mpg’s weren’t a big deal...for me, the feel of lack of torque the 3rd gen seemed to have while towing against wind plus the relentless shifting 6-5-4-5-4–5-6 while not towing against wind got old. Funny but just drove a 2018 Camry 160 miles bucking a 15-25 mph wind....same relentless shifting 6-5-6-5-6-5-6-5. Was ridiculous!

Hope the new tsb and/or OV will be a huge help with the 3rd gen....especially with windy conditions. I understand that the T4r and the Tacoma are not really “great” at towing in general.... I really liked my 3rd gen but towing and the stock tune/trans just didn’t cut it for my needs.

 

Yes. Engine is just one part of the equation. Chassis is more important when towing, IMO. Tacoma wins handily there, as well as the suspension.

 

I thought you were supposed to tow in S4? Wouldn't this stop the shifting into gears 5 and 6?

 

A big problem with towing with a 4Runner is they are just so damn ugly to begin with.

 

I always thought solid rear end > IRS when it came to towing. The body on frame design might also be more stout for overall payload and towing capacity.

 

My post stated I do tow in s4.....the constant shifting from 6-5-4-5-6 I mentioned was in my 3rd gen while NOT towing at highway speed bucking wind.

 

My 3rd gen gets noticeably better mileage towing my old 19' deep v ranger than my 2nd gen did. The 3rd gen is in a higher rpm band more often but it seems to like it.

I'm looking at a 620vs now and that might be a bit much for the taco. Although I towed my 19' all around Ontario with a 3rd gen 4runner so we shall see..

 

depends on what model 4runner you get. I know the limited is only rated to 4700 lbs. most Tacoma's with the v6 and oem tow pkg are rated at 6500 lbs.

and actually the 2nd gen Tacoma and 5th gen 4runner have the same engine. I imagine the next gen 4runner will have the same engine as the 3rd gen Tacoma, just mapped differently.

 

Glad you are are seeing 17-20mpg out of your T4R. Ours is lucky to get 15 with a tail wind running down hill. The coil rear suspension wanders all over the road with even an empty trailer on it. My two FJ cruisers felt more stable and got better mileage than our new T4R.

 

I have towed with both and I prefer the leaf sprung rear on a taco. Even with bags in the 4runner its still to much body roll when hooked up.