Tacoma as TV for ECON 16RB?

mbopp wrote:
Does the F150 have the factory brake controller? If not, it can be added or you can fit a Prodigy in its place.
And have the dealer install the fuse and relay for the trailer charge line.

I'm pretty sure that the brake controller is part of the tow package that is installed on my truck. I'll know when I pick up my F150 today.

Kim

Does the F150 have the factory brake controller? If not, it can be added or you can fit a Prodigy in its place.
And have the dealer install the fuse and relay for the trailer charge line.

I had a 2008 Ford Sport Trac with the 4.6L 3V engine in it. It was a crew cab 4WD model. I pulled a 2008 Jay Flight 19BH travel trailer. It was 3900 dry from the factory and about 5000 lbs loaded.

The truck did great pulling it but it had a tongue weight rating of 730 lbs. It was also a dual axle.

Your model is a single axle which tend to have heavy hitch weights. I would take a scale and weigh it with a battery and full propane tanks. I know you can't load a floor model but this will get you close to see if that Tacoma has enough hitch rating.

I had a 2005 Pathfinder with the 4.0L. It was 270 HP and 291 lbs of torque. Very deceiving as this was a light SUV and it wasn't very quick or powerful. The reason is that V6 had great looking peak numbers but was torque deficient down in the lower rpms.

My next truck was the 2008 Sport Trac 4.6L 3 valve V8 with 292 Hp and 300 lbs of torque. Much heavier truck also. The Sport Trac had a lot more power down in the lower rpms despite the torque ratings being nearly the same as the Pathfinder, even at the same rpms.

That's where V8s come into play. They usually have better lower end power than the V6s are better at towing.

I know those Tacomas are expensive. That being so, I think you could probably find a 1/2 ton truck for the same price. I like the F150 5.0L. You could probably find some real deals on left overs. I always buy left over vehicles. I usually get about $10,000 to $11,000 off of my Fords MSRP with my X-Plan. If you can negotiate well, you'll be able to get the same or very close to X-plan. I don't bother with the hassle since I have the X-plan.

I would say Tundra since your looking at Toyota but not impressed with it, for it's high price. I think you could get a 3/4 ton truck for Toyota wants for it's Tundra.

Good luck

Great decision. If you want to upgrade in the future you have room. Just an FYI IIRC you need 500 or 1000 miles before towing. Personally if I was only going a few miles I'd do it anyway. But it's good idea to get the miles on before towing to help the rear gears mesh properly.

I think you'll be mighty happy with that choice. I've owned Toyota's and have driven Ford trucks back to the 1950's. Ford's new trucks are as good as any other brand, at present, IMO.

Yeah, learning the different trailer systems takes some time but it's not a nuclear submarine. You will probably be shopping for all the usual trailer accessories and rubbish fairly soon. Someone was asking, yesterday, what to get and I suggested taking a trip to a Camping World store. They have a lot of the essentials there. A look through their website might help.

Good luck with your new rig!

Just an update and a thank you to all whom opined. I pulled the plug and bought a 2014 F150 today. It's got everything I wanted and was reasonably priced. It's a 4WD 5.0L V8 with an Auto Trans and Tow Package. It's got the SuperCab with those suicide doors for my dog and extra gear. Seems like it will haul my trailer nicely. I'm really looking forward to getting my trailer home and in my driveway. I have a lot to learn about travel trailers since I've never had one before. I may spend some time dry camping in my driveway and learning how everything works. Learning how to safely tow the trailer will require some help from some friends who have TTs and you folks here on the forums.

Thanks again for all the information.
Kim

ragged claws wrote:
Thanks for the replies and info folks.

westend, the Tacoma I'm looking at has a towing capacity of 6400lbs. and a tongue load rating of 640lbs. Plugging in your numbers indicates that it will work. Thanks.

johnnyrv, the tow package on the Tacoma has an included sway bar.

goducks, I was hoping to keep the truck small so my wife will be able to drive it around town. She won't drive a big truck. I'll check into the F 150 though.

FST, I'll look at the Tundra again but would like to keep the truck smaller for my wife's benefit.

Kim

Understandable. My wife hates driving my Ram 2500. Last time she drove it she wacked some other guys mirror with my mirror. 2nd time shes done that in a full size pickup. Tundras are great trucks but won't get the mpg of a Tacoma, that's the only reason I suggested the F150.

Well, I'm glad I posted my question about the Tacoma here. After everyone's input, it seems that the Tacoma may not be the best choice for me and the wife after all. Most of our camping will be in the CA Sierras. That means a lot of inclines and steep down grades. I like Toyota quality but in order to get the tow package I'll need to spend more than I was planning to. The Ford F150 is an option, but I'm not sure about Ford build quality. I've never owned a Ford product so I have no personal experience to draw on. We have a Ford dealer in our little town so I guess I'll go and pay them a visit this afternoon and see what's available. I need room for me and my wife as well as my 60lb. dog in the cab. I want 4WD and enough power to get me up the hills at a decent clip. I'll just have to make sure and pay attention to the payload, tongue load, and towing capacity numbers. Wish me luck.

Thanks,
Kim

Most anything will work for awhile, how safe it is...

I have a question on payload less the weight of the hitch and people leaves 500 lbs. Then subtract tongue weight from that and what is left? Not sure where the 500 lbs for gear in the truck is coming from.

The difference in footprint between the Tacoma and Tundra is a few inches length and width. Your wife will get used to driving it in a day or two. The difference in gas between a Tundra and a Tacoma is about a trip to a cheap restaurant once a month.

As mentioned above, if you decide you like RVing or the family gets bigger or you decide to put more miles on the rig you will regret the Tacoma, good truck though it is. It's just not made to tow.