Realistic Towing Capacity

I love Tacoma's and am seriously considering buying the 2016. I run a small masonry business (currently with 2004 2.7L Tacoma) and would like to upgrade so that I can get a small dump trailer and haul some of the loads that don't warrant a delivery.

Now by all means I probably should just get a full size truck for a growing masonry business, but, for some reason I just don't want one (despite the higher cost). This will be my primary vehicle and I don't like the idea of driving around and parking a Silverado (I live in a dense city and don't have a driveway.)

Can the 2016 realistically tow the 6800lbs? I wouldn't do it often, nor for long distance, but I would definitely be maxing out the weight when I need to haul a 2-3 ton load now and then.

Am a crazy for wanting the Tacoma? Anyone here tried towing the max weight?

 

Most have concerns at 75% of the quoted ratings.

I'd get a full size, personally. I drove one daily for a decade, it isn't difficult. If your business is still on the growth side of things, it makes little sense to by a company vehicle that is only barely adequate today and will not be adequate tomorrow.

 

Really? No experience towing here and how ratings compare to real life. So it is not advised to tow the max rating?

 

There is a Towing subforum full of into and a "Towing Bible" thread.

This topic comes up pretty regularly.

The TL;DR version is if you aren't doing that tow on a frequent basis and/or long distance towing then you'll be fine, but "be careful on slopes."

Lot of people over truck when it comes to towing, you just really need to consider the best truck for the needs. Any truck will get you around town, but buy the truck that'll meet or exceed your needs for hauling and towing IMO.

 

Get a F150!

 

I would never tow over 5000 with a Tacoma. Even my 2500 pound trailer is surprisingly noticeable.

 

I would not tow a dump trailer with a Tacoma. You'd be better off with a half-ton pickup if that's what you want to do. Or get a Tacoma and buy an older 3/4 ton to use for towing.

 

Ok Just took a look at the towing forum and there's this thread -https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/whats-the-heaviest-your-taco-has-towed.149629/

People are towing some heavy loads

 

That thread isn't really all that relevant. Most of the big loads on there are moved 100 feet, if you read the fine print.

Aside from that, I can tow a fuckton too, if I lived in Texas and never saw a hill. I couldn't tow nearly as much living in the mountains at altitude.



Be open minded. You want a Tacoma because it's easier to maneuver. That's fine. But don't let it cloud your need for a truck that can tow safely the loads and trailers you'll be needing it for.

As others have said besides me, the Tacoma is not necessarily the truck for your job.

 

I don't understand why people think full sizes are so hard to maneuver? I've driven half and 3/4 ton trucks several times a week for the last 9 years and even had some as daily drivers for about 3 years. Never once did I find them any harder to maneuver in traffic, parking lots/garages, or any other situations than my first gen Tacomas.

 

Realistic towing capacity will be greatly different for someone in say, Florida vs someone in Colorado. I can tow my my Casita trailer in my 2002 on flat land just fine. Even can pass some people. All bets are off though, when I start climbing a grade and the oxygen gets lower. That's usually when I get a bunch of pissed-off drives piling up behind me. My Casita is around 3,000 lbs. Hoping the new Tacoma can handle that better than my 2002. Specs say it should, but real world not so sure. Waiting to get a 2016 + Casita review sometime soon.

 

I've only had 250s for daily drivers. I agree. It's all what you get used to.
The 2016 Tacos feel especially big with the new hood design. I was shocked when getting in it how much it felt like a 150.

 

I agree. There is worse visibility in the 3rd gen than the GM full sizes I drive on on a daily basis.

 

I would not depend on the Taco to tow anything heavy... the frame, the tranny, the engine, are just not designed to tow anything of substance.
Now, for lite loads and periodic needs on decent travel roads... ok.
Get a full size that has been designed in mind to tow, haul and get abused. IMO

 

If you really want a taco, get a taco, but also get a $5k beater that can tow those loads the few times you need it.

 

While you didn't "find" them any harder to maneuver, they actually were. ~47.8' vs ~40.6' turn diameter (2015 F150 5.5' bed supercrew vs 2016 DC) is a significant difference in actual maneuverability regardless of how it "feels". That is pretty much the smallest comparable double cab configuration.

Your first gen was only ~36', so basically you just felt comfortable driving the full size, which is fine, but not just as maneuverable especially in parking lots and garages.

 

As said by the guy who lives in Texas. Lets see how that full-size fares in a big city like NYC or San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, etc! I guarantee that would not be an enjoyable experience on a routine basis, which is why I got a Tacoma (along with the fact that I really have no real need for a full-size). I live in the burbs, but make trips to the city now and then, and let me tell you, driving the Tacoma is about as big of a vehicle I'd like to be driving on some of this streets here in San Francisco! To each his/her own I guess, but it's much easier to say there's not much difference in maneuvering a full size compared to a mid-size truck in a major city when you don't have to do it often.

 

Yeah it's this. I live in boston. I drive small streets, tons of traffic, lots of illegal uturns, and narrow windy parkways with head on traffic coming over the median line. Not to mention street parking every time i come home or go out at night.

But yes everyone else is right that I need a full size truck to be hauling any loads over a ton or so on a regular basis. Just trying to figure out which the best balance is.

Honestly still leaning towards the Taco. I may just get 5' x 8' utility or dump trailer. That way I can haul the occasional pallet of stone or yard of gravel (3000lbs + 1000-1500lb trailer) when I'm a little short or long on material. Taco should handle ~5000lbs around town now and then. More than that I just pay the $150 delivery for larger loads. I can probably make do with that for the next couple years until I buy a house and have space for more equipment. After that we know how well the Taco's resell if need be.

Also trying to get laid here - I can afford a top trim Taco, but a Silverado/F150 4x4 with the pussy magnet included is going to be getting up there. I mean a TRD is gonna be ~$35000 with fees, a silverado/f150 4x4 with a decent trim is gonna be more like $45000 + the larger trailer.

Or I get the full size now with the 5 x10 trailer. Then I can haul like 4 tons which would makes things easier for work and prob save a 2-3k on hauling costs, I just have a bad feeling about dealing with that truck and trailer in the city.

Or - the Colorado diesel....that can haul a decent amount more than taco.

Anyway thanks for discussing. I'm gonna test drive all my options and see from there.

 

LOL I'm glad to hear your priorities are in order! Getting laid comes first!

On a serious note it's a trade off driving narrow crowded city streets is soooo much easier with a Tacoma vs full size truck! As well as fitting one into a driveway. It's one of the main reasons I went with a Tacoma over the F150.

Now as far as price goes you can work a deal on a 15 F150 loaded for around $35000 if you play your cards right.

 

I have towed at least 5 times a year 5500 plus two passengers up to 600 mile round trip from Mass to PA. Over RT. 84 TO 81. TO Carlisle with my 2011 DC AUTO OFF ROAD AND Properly Equipped
with no issue !! Plan to do the same with my 2016