I recently sold my 04 3.4 Tacoma for various reasons. I am back in the market for a toyota truck. My question to you all, I would like to be able to tow a family members boat roughly 5000 pounds giver or take a few pounds when you include trailer, fuel, etc. I know the new 4.0 is rated to 6500 pounds towing. It is the only thing I would plan to tow. For a while I was pretty set on buying a tundra, but with their terrible fuel mileage its almost not worth it too me if the tacoma could pull the boat. Any help or recomendations would be appreciated.

 

Towing is less about power and more about breaks. A few basics are try not to pull trailers heavier than the tow rig. This prevents the trailer from driving you under breaking. When under breaking your breaks go through a lot more abuse. So you need a system that can handle stopping it more than once. Are you going over any hills? If so you need to be able to control the brakes on the downhill run. And lastly the transmission. If it's an auto then make sure it's designed for the weight. If it's a manual then make sure it's designed for weight so you don't smoke your clutch.

As for tundra vs. Tacoma I only have experience up to 3rd gen pickups and am currently a 85 4runner guy so I can't offer any assistance in that part.
Good luck hope this helps.

 

The distance from the house to the boat ramp is roughly 2-3 miles. Very close to home. I am in south east virginia so very flat land. I towed my friends boat much further distances with my 3.4. It was lifted on 33's, always checked out of overdrive and never had a problem. Braking always was cautionary and there was never any issues. With the boat I am wanting to trailer now, it would be maybe once a week and at such a short distance, I cant imagine the truck having too much of a problem with it. Pulling out of the ramp I would be a little hesitant but I think if it were to ever become an issue, drop it in 4low and it will be fine. I am in the hunt for an automatic of course. The tundra just seems like such a waste for me at this point in my life. Though the power would be nice, If the tacoma can get the job done. I would be just as happy.

 

What are breaks or did you mean brakes??

You will never be tempted to Tow the boat 100 miles for better access ??

What will the other use of the Truck be??

Do you need a Full Size truck for other hauling??

 

Brakes. Haha I had been up for about a half hour. . Nice catch.

 

I have a 2014 Tacoma for sale. Trd off road access cab cat back exhaust and tow package it hauls weight very well and gets 21 miles to the gallon due to the 6 speed manual trans