Towing with a 3rd gen

I currently have a 2019 Tacoma. As we all know they are sluggish. I’ve made mine worse by adding 35’s although I did go with an OTT tune to bring back some drivability. I don’t tow often but do have a utility trailer (Tacoma does fine with it), small pop up camper and have hauled a small dump trailer on occasion. The Tacoma definitely isn’t happy with anything behind it. I’ve been considering stepping up to a 1/2 ton. We may or may not upgrade camper sizes in the near future. I typically get 11-12 mpg all the time regardless of terrain. I love my Tacoma but it definitely isn’t much of a “truck”. Now in reality I probably don’t NEED a 1/2 ton. While it would do anything truck related far better than the Tacoma, and would get better mpg doing it, anything I would put behind it would technically be way below its capability.

I’m curious what your tow with your Tacoma? What is your setup as far as lift and wheel/tire size? I worry about longer camping trips and even more so if we upgrade camper sizes. The truck already has to run pretty hard down the highway with nothing attached.

 

35s are your problem. Especially bad if gearing is stock.

 

The first problem is your tires.

Are they required for some high frequency functional purpose?

 

Stock gearing. The truck was gutless stock. IMO it’s not much different now. Regardless the tires aren’t coming off.

 

Simply for looks

 

With a stock configuration, the Tacoma tows moderate loads just fine. But it certainly sounds like you hate your truck so my advice is to sell it and get you a Tundra.

 

Priorities I guess. Buy a half ton, or maybe even 3/4.

 

I don’t hate the truck but it is underpowered and it’s slightly annoying when trying to use it as a truck.

 

I have zero business with a 3/4 ton

 

12-16mpg.

Tows fine for me.

 

Check out the Towing Bible here on TW.

 

Be a man and admit it. The Tacoma is not the truck for you.

 

I was think About the dump trailer , those things are fat pigs usually

 

My truck is completely stock and has no issues towing my little camper. Probably #3500 loaded.

 

You can get 5x10’s that weigh 1500-2000 empty and are only capable of 7000lb gvw.

 

The Tacoma is not the truck for me 100% of the time but neither is a half ton. The Tacoma with nothing attached isn’t horrible, still underpowered and gets poor mpg but is nimble and enjoyable to drive around town on my daily commute which is when a half ton wouldn’t necessarily be any better. Add anything behind the Tacoma and that’s when it’s not for me and when a 1/2 ton would take over. Neither is “for me” 100% of the time

 

Is the Tacoma paid off? If so, use it for a commuter vehicle and buy a HD truck for towing; that is what they are really designed for.

Of course, if it is within your budget.

 

Depending on your usage you could keep taco as is and rent something for the bigger jobs. No great options for improving the taco.

 

5100 lbs. roadmaster active suspension. Larger transmission cooler. WDH. One size larger tires than stock. No lift. 10 mpg. KDMax 10.0 and Anderson engineering intake manifold spacer. Engine revs to 5000 going over the passes but it’s designed to rev.

 

I have 285/75R17 (34") tires and mine tows fine. I have 4.88 gears.
Maybe you should get gears too.