Okay, I know there are plenty of weight people in here that can tell me if this will work. I'm thinking of buying a Toyota Tacoma and here are my numbers. I'm asking that some of you that know run my numbers for me please. I want to be safe. If you could help, it would be very much appreciated. thanksMicro Lite Travel 21FBS Hitch Weight 415 lbs. UVW 4238 lbs. CCC 1561 lbs.Exterior Length 21' 7" (don't think that matters)Tow Vehicle 2017 Toyota Tacoma Curb weight (lb.) 4425Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) (lb.) 11360Payload (lb.) 1175Class-IV towing hitch receiver, 21 ATF cooler, engine oil cooler, power steering cooler, 130-amp alternator, 4- and 7-pin connector with converter, and Trailer-Sway Control (TSC)32 (V6 only)

What kind of weight will be in the Taco? Passengers, stuff in bed etc? How much weight do you plan to add to the trailer?

It should but may not behave very well in cross winds or hilly terrain.Was looking to tow our TH with the wife's Taco but decided against it. In our case we would of had to get rid of the fancy shiny weak rims, put higher rated tires on it instead of P rated truck tires, airbags for the rear and a few other things. On top of that the milage would of been abysmal. You will seriously need to be careful and pay attention to how much weight is in the truck. People, pets, cargo can all put you over the cargo capacity of thr truck.

Realistic hitch weight when loaded with LP, water, battery, and gear is likely to be in the 550-600 lb range (but could be more if the fresh water tank is up front... maybe you'll need to travel without much water in the tank). If you use a weight distribution hitch (a good idea), add another 60-90 lbs. Now you're up to 600-700 lbs. So you have to look at how much other weight you'll be adding to the Tacoma, as camp-n-family pointed out. You might run out of payload. Also check the hitch weight limit just to be safe.The other thing is, you'll be towing close to 5000 lbs with a very large (96"W x 123"H) frontal area. The V6 won't like towing it faster than 55 or maybe 60 mph because wind resistance will be huge, and climbing long grades at higher elevations will be a real chore also.

Okay, thank you all, I hoping for different answers but I pretty much knew what you were going to say. You know really those Tacoma's look like med size trucks and I liked the 19/24 mpg on the sticker. Oh well, probably keep what I have and see what happens. Thanks so much for your time

rexlion wrote:...The other thing is, you'll be towing close to 5000 lbs with a very large (96"W x 123"H) frontal area. The V6 won't like towing it faster than 55 or maybe 60 mph because wind resistance will be huge, and climbing long grades at higher elevations will be a real chore also.That was my experience towing a 4000# (90"Wx100"H?) trailer with a 2009 Taco. The mountains were not too bad, you just get in line with the big trucks and enjoy the scenery. But two days of head winds in the prairies with the 5spd tranny in 4th or even 3rd was enough for me. That V6 just didn't have enough HP to handle the wind with a big frontal area behind it.And if you're anything like us, you want to use the truck's bed, so we were over payload all the time.But if you're just going to local campgrounds, and are careful about payload, it can work.

Can a Toyota Tacoma safely tow this | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

burningman
Explorer II
Apr 29, 2017
Driving stress and fatigue aren't listed in the rating numbers.
It's a much more fatiguing drive when you're pulling something that's as much as your truck can do.
It's a much more pleasant, enjoyable cruise when you use something that handles your trailer with ease.
That's why I'd keep your F150, or if you want a new truck I'd get a 3/4 or 1-ton even though a Tacoma will get the job done.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Apr 29, 2017
^Lol. New truck fever broke. That's good.
Echo the above statements. 4-5000lbs behind the best Taco drivetrain will pull it.
Head winds, long grades and altitude will work the engine and trans at there limit all day.
Oh and your camper will feel like it gained 4000lbs compared to how the Eco boost pulls it.....when it's not stalled out.
That's a weird one hope they get it sorted out for you.
FloridaReLoaded
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017
Thanks for the replies, I have a nice F-150, altho I haven't been too happy with it lately it looks as tho that they might have at least fixed the stalling situation I was having. Thanks I was just looking last night, I had the fever for a while but shook it off this morning. :)
rexlion
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017
Ram 1500 ecodiesel in regular or quad cab can have 1400-1500 lb payload and is rated for up to 29 hwy mpg. The towing mpg will probably run 2-4 mpg better than the Taco, too. But not Toyota quality... so you might buy the max care extended warranty, then sell the truck before that coverage runs out.
carringb
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017
That would not be fun.

1) The trailer will be much heavier than the UVW before it leaves the lot
2) The Tacoma's rear springs are a big compromise. At least this is an easy upgrade
3) The Tacoma's ancient powertrain makes less torque than my Focus, and in a much narrower powerband.
MFL
Nomad II
Apr 29, 2017
Since you are looking to buy a new truck to tow this trailer, it would be best to buy one that could easily handle it. The right Tacoma may work, but your always going to feel right on the edge of not having enough truck. Getting the right tool for the job is always the safest, more comfortable tow. While a finishing hammer can drive a nail, a regular hammer would do it so much better.

Jerry
brulaz
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017
rexlion wrote:

...
The other thing is, you'll be towing close to 5000 lbs with a very large (96"W x 123"H) frontal area. The V6 won't like towing it faster than 55 or maybe 60 mph because wind resistance will be huge, and climbing long grades at higher elevations will be a real chore also.

That was my experience towing a 4000# (90"Wx100"H?) trailer with a 2009 Taco. The mountains were not too bad, you just get in line with the big trucks and enjoy the scenery. But two days of head winds in the prairies with the 5spd tranny in 4th or even 3rd was enough for me. That V6 just didn't have enough HP to handle the wind with a big frontal area behind it.

And if you're anything like us, you want to use the truck's bed, so we were over payload all the time.

But if you're just going to local campgrounds, and are careful about payload, it can work.
FloridaReLoaded
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017
Okay, thank you all, I hoping for different answers but I pretty much knew what you were going to say. You know really those Tacoma's look like med size trucks and I liked the 19/24 mpg on the sticker. Oh well, probably keep what I have and see what happens. Thanks so much for your time
rexlion
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017
Realistic hitch weight when loaded with LP, water, battery, and gear is likely to be in the 550-600 lb range (but could be more if the fresh water tank is up front... maybe you'll need to travel without much water in the tank). If you use a weight distribution hitch (a good idea), add another 60-90 lbs. Now you're up to 600-700 lbs. So you have to look at how much other weight you'll be adding to the Tacoma, as camp-n-family pointed out. You might run out of payload. Also check the hitch weight limit just to be safe.

The other thing is, you'll be towing close to 5000 lbs with a very large (96"W x 123"H) frontal area. The V6 won't like towing it faster than 55 or maybe 60 mph because wind resistance will be huge, and climbing long grades at higher elevations will be a real chore also.
1320Fastback
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017
It should but may not behave very well in cross winds or hilly terrain.

Was looking to tow our TH with the wife's Taco but decided against it. In our case we would of had to get rid of the fancy shiny weak rims, put higher rated tires on it instead of P rated truck tires, airbags for the rear and a few other things. On top of that the milage would of been abysmal.

You will seriously need to be careful and pay attention to how much weight is in the truck. People, pets, cargo can all put you over the cargo capacity of thr truck.