2017 Toyota Tacoma - Towing Capabilities - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Towing and Hitching
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 09-14-2018, 01:28 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Broomfield, Colorado
Trailer: 2019 Escape 19
Posts: 8
2017 Toyota Tacoma - Towing Capabilities

Hi Everyone,



I am looking to join the Escape family but are going back and forth between the 19' and 21' size. Part of my battle is coming down to the towing capacity of my Tacoma. The published towing capacity of the 2017 Tacoma is 3,400 lbs-6,800 lbs. I know there are several factors that go into that number. I wanted to reach out to see if anyone has any real world experience towing either a 19' or 21' Escape with a Tacoma? I live in Colorado so we will be traveling on mountainous roads.



Any help or insight would be great.
cbraswell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 02:24 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
One recent E21 owner traded in their new Tacoma for another vehicle, explaining while adequate, it felt under powered. I too looked at the new Tacoma, but without the integrated brake controller I felt it was not as suitable as compared to my present Ram1500. An Escape 19 maybe better suited for the Tacoma.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 03:06 PM   #3
Site Team
 
John in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,122
I pulled my Escape 21 from Dallas to Reno to Santa Cruz with my 2008 Tacoma TRD Off Road 4.0 V6 6-speed stick shift 4x4, and it towed just fine, adequate power, etc. I had load range E tires (BFG All Terrain KO2), and airbags on the Taco so it handled the load quite nicely.

however, payload was a concern, we go to festivals and star parties where I'm carrying a truckload of gear, and when I did the numbers, the tacoma's 1200 lb payload was just too small, so I ended up with an F250 diesel which is redonk overkill

also the Tacomas gas tank was too small for long distance travel... on that trip from Texas, I got between 10 and 13 MPG, and with a 20 gallon tank, that meant I was looking for gas every 150 miles. the F250 7.3 turbodiesel gets 13+ and has a 28 gallon tank so I can go like 500+ miles per tank with plenty of reserve.
John in Santa Cruz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 03:22 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
I find as I get older, I look forward to those 3 hour interval stops.....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 04:08 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
diannelgraham's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Snohomish, Washington
Trailer: 2017 19 foot sold, 2022 21C
Posts: 649
I tow my 2017 19 foot with my 2016 TRD Sport Tacoma. I have the tow package and brake controller. The only time I question the power is going up very steep mountain passes, it wants to gear down a little more than I like. I do average around 14 to 16 miles per gallon with a fully loaded trailer, that I like.
diannelgraham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 04:44 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
Fourteen MPG is about all I get under normal towing conditions with the 21, and this spring a head wind pulled me down below 12. Loren
Loren & Cathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 05:46 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 343
I would make choosing the camper you really want the 1st priority, then figure out how to tow it. These fiberglass campers can last a long, long time if well cared for. I wouldn't want to find out I made a bad choice based upon some external factor.
__________________
No good deed goes unpunished.
thiggins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 07:15 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Mike G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Trailer: 2012 E19
Posts: 1,733
Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz View Post
.... the F250 7.3 turbodiesel gets 13+ and has a 28 gallon tank so I can go like 500+ miles per tank with plenty of reserve.
Ummm..... 500+ miles, a bit of hyperbole perhaps? 13 mpg x 28 gallons = 364 miles.
Although I'll be the first to admit, you truly can drive all day with that truck and never use a drop of gas!
Mike G is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 07:19 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz View Post
I pulled my Escape 21 from Dallas to Reno to Santa Cruz with my 2008 Tacoma TRD Off Road 4.0 V6 6-speed stick shift 4x4, and it towed just fine, adequate power, etc. I had load range E tires (BFG All Terrain KO2), and airbags on the Taco so it handled the load quite nicely.

however, payload was a concern, we go to festivals and star parties where I'm carrying a truckload of gear, and when I did the numbers, the tacoma's 1200 lb payload was just too small, so I ended up with an F250 diesel which is redonk overkill

also the Tacomas gas tank was too small for long distance travel... on that trip from Texas, I got between 10 and 13 MPG, and with a 20 gallon tank, that meant I was looking for gas every 150 miles. the F250 7.3 turbodiesel gets 13+ and has a 28 gallon tank so I can go like 500+ miles per tank with plenty of reserve.
2X on John's reasons for replacing a Tacoma when towing with a 21. I was over weight )payload) by at least 150 pounds. I loved the truck, but now tow my 21 with a 2018 Ford F 150, 3.5 EcoBoost Supercab off road. Better mileage, lower RPMs, a 36 gallon fuel tank and still have 700 pounds of payload left with all my stuff.
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 07:40 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
Like Thiggins said, it's usually best to choose the trailer, then the TV. If you haven't seen the 2 trailers go look a them then decide.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 07:54 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SE Mn, Minnesota
Trailer: 2011 Escape 15a
Posts: 134
Well, I did it a little differently. A few years ago I purchased a new 4 cyl. Toyota Tacoma, which I love. I was not about to buy another tow vehicle, so I looked for a trailer that I could safely tow with my Tacoma. I ended up with an used Escape 15, and could not be happier.
Attached Thumbnails
D673E4BD-FFE5-4753-BF7D-E2BF5AA6802D.jpeg  
Lv4toys is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 09:10 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
alanmalk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Trailer: 2015 E'21 - 'Velocity'. Tow: Toyota Tacoma V6, 4X4, manual.
Posts: 1,684
Quote:
Originally Posted by cbraswell View Post
...
I wanted to reach out to see if anyone has any real world experience towing either a 19' or 21' Escape with a Tacoma? I live in Colorado so we will be traveling on mountainous roads.

I live just down the street from you in Arvada ...


My tow is a 2014 Tacoma, off-road package (slightly stiffer suspension) and tow package. I feel that my manual transmission makes a big difference in my ability to pull the '21 over Vail, Kenosha, Monarch, Wolf Creek, Gore Passes. (Listing some of the passes I have pulled the trailer over.) But I will be the first to agree with previous comments that the Tacoma is somewhat under powered, has a limited payload (when I tow there isn't much more than empty water bottles and dirty laundry in the bed of the truck), gets fair to poor mpg (11-13 on average), and the 20 gallon tank matches my 20 cc tank, making frequent stops necessary for both the truck and me.


But 80% of the mileage that I drive is not pulling the Escape, so having a "small" off-road truck is great 80% of the time. It's a compromise that I made in advance, and really only regret when going up Floyd Hill or Mt. Vernon Canyon.


--
Alan
alanmalk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 09:39 PM   #13
Commercial Member
 
tractors1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
2015 and later Tacos have the 3.5L engine, downsized from the 4L, with different gearing. To produce the same hp requires about 500 additional RPM for holding the same speed.


No problems with my 2013 and a 21, but I'm fine with going up mountains at 40-45mph as I usually encounter a slower truck anyway.
__________________
Charlie Y

Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
tractors1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 09:43 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin View Post
Like Thiggins said, it's usually best to choose the trailer, then the TV. If you haven't seen the 2 trailers go look a them then decide.
We did choose the trailer, a 17 foot Casita and then ordered the truck. The plans for the trailer changed a little. Loren
Loren & Cathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 10:58 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Fun&Sun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Chilliwack, British Columbia
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21 (One Life...Live It)
Posts: 146
We have a 2014 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road with 4ltr and auto trans. I have sumo springs on the rear and wish I had air bags. Like others have said you are limited to what you can carry in the box, usually generator, lawn chairs, BBQ spare gas or water depending on the trip. I average 11 MPG, I run with a Scan gauge 2 to monitor trans temp. I have had no problems with long steep grades I just go slow 40 - 50 MPH.
Yes at times I wish I had a larger truck but like the ability of the truck off road or finding parking spot when unhooked.
We have towed the trailer in high winds, torrential down pours and gravel roads. To me the truck has been solid, you do know you have a trailer behind you and will feel it wiggle and move with the ruts in the road.
Hope this helps.
Suggestion if you want a boat, canoe or kayaks get a larger truck.
Fun&Sun is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2018, 11:40 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
arniesea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bremerton, Washington
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 1,141
I have a 2016 Tacoma TRD sport. As others have mentioned the smaller engine results in 500 to 700 RPM increase for the same torque compared to my prior 2014 SR5. Therefore I end up down shifting more frequently when encountering grades then with my 2014. I tow a 19 foot classic vintage 2013. The gross vehicle weight is about 1000 pounds less than the current 19 foot. If I were to upgrade to a current version 19 or 21 I would get a bigger truck. In fact I’m looking at a Tundra because I do love the realiability of Toyotas. When I’m not towing, I love the Taco around town and off road. Nimble and capable.
__________________
- Arnie & Paula & Kizzy the rat terrier
https://www.arniesea.com
- 2019 5.0 TA, 2017 Tundra Platinum.
- Bremerton, WA
arniesea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2018, 01:40 AM   #17
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19 ft
Posts: 22
We currently tow our 2017 19ft with a 2005 Tacoma. We have had no problems and really like the Tacoma. It has hauled our trailer through the BC Mountain passes but its time to replace the Tacoma (14 years and 200K). Our new tow vehicle will be a 2018 Tundra. Towing fuel economy appears to be similar, currently 17 to 18 liters per 100km, but the Tacoma's small fuel tank has us looking for a gas station every 350 km. The Tundra has a huge fuel tank. We also liked the increased safety margins, better braking and total load capacity.
RTRadio is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2018, 10:19 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Wenatchee, WA, Washington
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19'
Posts: 179
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
I find as I get older, I look forward to those 3 hour interval stops.....
Stop every three hours
or
stop for three hours?

Chuck
citabria90 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2018, 10:29 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
Quote:
Originally Posted by citabria90 View Post
Stop every three hours
or
stop for three hours?

Chuck
Why not both? Loren
Loren & Cathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2018, 12:25 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21--FOR SALE
Posts: 411
Choose your trailer, then your tug

Back in 2014 we had an Escape 19 on order and planned to tow it with our 2011 Toyota 4Runner, which had about the same power and torque as the Tacoma back then.

On a trip to Chilliwack to firm up the build list I stepped inside the newly released Escape 21 that was on the lot and instantly realized that everything we viewed as a compromise on the 19' had been resolved in the 21'. So we changed our order to the bigger trailer.

On our first trip we used the 4Runner to tow the 21' across the province on HIghway 3 and into the Rockies. The 'Runner was fine on the flats and in rolling country, but struggled on the long, steep climb up Kootenay Pass (long stretches in 3rd gear at 3500 to 4000 rpm). When we encountered a strong headwind on an 8% grade out of Browning, Montana, I realized we needed more torque to achieve the driving experience I wanted, and to prevent being "that guy" who was holding up dozens of other vehicles on steep grades.

So, we bought a 2012 Tundra with the 5.7L V-8 and it has been a champ ever since, albeit a rather thirsty one. I'm certain the 4Runner would have pulled the Escape 19' well, and so would a Tacoma, since the 19' is about 500 pounds lighter than the 21', and presents a bit less wind resistance.

So it's "horses for courses", and in my experience a 4L Toyota V-6 will work well with an Escape 19', but a V-8 is a better fit for towing an Escape 21'.
__________________
Brent and Cheryl.
Catchlight is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:27 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.