is Toyota tacoma v6 4WD enough for Escape 19

[dblagsvedt]

Hi, The towing capacity for my 2013 Tacoma is 5000 lb. BAsed on the forum , so many of you all have bigger towing vehicles. I am very reluctant to get a bigger truck. I may be on the road with the trailer no more than 3 months out of the year. Why would I need more: By the way I have a TRD Sport model. Curious.

[bookerb]

You are going to get replies of 'I like to have extra towing capacity' and other replies of 'I am content with having the capacity required for the trailer'. I have a 2011 Frontier with a similar engine to that generation of Tacoma. It tows our 2010 Escape with ease and I certainly don't feel like I need more truck.

[Mike G]

I don't think you really need more, although it's certainly nice to have more (more HP and torque, more cooling capacity).

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by dblagsvedt

Hi, The towing capacity for my 2013 Tacoma is 5000 lb. BAsed on the forum , so many of you all have bigger towing vehicles. I am very reluctant to get a bigger truck. I may be on the road with the trailer no more than 3 months out of the year. Why would I need more: By the way I have a TRD Sport model. Curious.

Hi: dblagsvedt... Is this enough truck? I bought a newer truck that's bigger, nicer, but not necessarily better. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[diannelgraham]

Originally Posted by dblagsvedt

Hi, The towing capacity for my 2013 Tacoma is 5000 lb. BAsed on the forum , so many of you all have bigger towing vehicles. I am very reluctant to get a bigger truck. I may be on the road with the trailer no more than 3 months out of the year. Why would I need more: By the way I have a TRD Sport model. Curious.

If you have the tow package on your Tacoma it should tow 6500 pounds not 5000.

[JeffreyG]

Usually the biggest challenge on the Tacoma is the cargo capacity. If you have the crew cab 4x4, it will be around 1150 lbs. That's a low number since the hitch and tongue weights both count against it.


Basically a Tacoma with two people, or more people but no cargo in the truck, will meet the cargo limit.


If you want to bring a big load of firewood, or bikes, or boats up over the truck etc. etc. then the Tacoma will go overweight.



It has about the lowest cargo capacity of all of the mid-size pickups, especially crew cab + 4x4

[Rikster]

I have a 2015 TRD Sport 4x4 V6 Tacoma with the tow package.
Last month picked up the 21' NE in Oregon, camped for a week and returned home to California. My thoughts for you to consider:

As someone else pointed out, I am questioning the 5,000 towing limit you mention. I thought it was either approx. 3500 or approx 6500 depending on the model. You might want to double check that number.

If it is 5,000 and depending on the roads/hills you plan to travel, I am not so sure about your success. The thing you want to avoid is transmission issues.

If it is 6500, it was suggested to me to beef up the transmission cooler. Even though I have the tow package, the transmission cooler Toyota puts on is quite small. I had a new larger one installed and I can already see the difference on my second trip in California. Next test will be my return trip to Oregon next month.

Another idea for you which I cannot do in California due to emission rules is to go with the K &N cold air intake. This may also help boosting things up a bit.

Like you, I am trying and hoping my Tacoma will prevent a larger truck. Prices of used trucks are going through the roof.

[tractors1]

I have a 2013 Taco 4x4 4 door with the long bed. Tow rating is 6400 lbs (has tow package) and I've got no issues pulling a 21 that weighs 4200 when on the road. 4L V6 engine.

[NEWYORKHILLBILLY]

Originally Posted by dblagsvedt

Hi, The towing capacity for my 2013 Tacoma is 5000 lb. BAsed on the forum , so many of you all have bigger towing vehicles. I am very reluctant to get a bigger truck. I may be on the road with the trailer no more than 3 months out of the year. Why would I need more: By the way I have a TRD Sport model. Curious.

My V6 2013 Tacoma with tow package has a 6500 lb towing capacity and does fine with the my loaded 19. Only time i ever seen a issue is on mountain passes. I suggest you try it and see how you feel. I would suggest sumo springs or air bags.

[dblagsvedt]

'i have the double cab with long bed so there is a little more storage than in the cargo cab.

[cpaharley2008]

Towing is like exercise tor you tow vehicle. the more you tow the more exercise. Humans need routine exercise, machines need little, more use means more possible issues...you decide which is best for you........

[Mike Lewis]

I have a 2013 Tacoma with the 4.0 L engine and tow package. I believe its towing capacity is 6500 pounds. I have towed my 21 for 50,000 miles all over the country. The only time it struggles a bit is when I'm in mountainous terrain, but for me this is temporary. I'm happy with the Tacoma for pulling my trailer.


I suggest that you get your trailer and try it out with the Tacoma before buying another tow vehicle. You may find that the Taco is good enough for your needs.

[diannelgraham]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

I have a 2013 Tacoma with the 4.0 L engine and tow package. I believe its towing capacity is 6500 pounds. I have towed my 21 for 50,000 miles all over the country. The only time it struggles a bit is when I'm in mountainous terrain, but for me this is temporary. I'm happy with the Tacoma for pulling my trailer.


I suggest that you get your trailer and try it out with the Tacoma before buying another tow vehicle. You may find that the Taco is good enough for your needs.

I currently have a 19 and have a 21C on order. I tow with a 2016 Tacoma and I also have no plans on upgrading my TV. Yes going up steep mountains can sometimes be a little slower then I like but what the heck I’m retired and don’t need to get anywhere fast.

[cpaharley2008]

Just remember you can only go uphill 50% of the time, the rest is downhill...........

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Just remember you can only go uphill 50% of the time, the rest is downhill...........

Hi: cpaharley2008... It's 100% downhill from here!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Don Flamenco]

Originally Posted by JeffreyG

Usually the biggest challenge on the Tacoma is the cargo capacity. If you have the crew cab 4x4, it will be around 1150 lbs. That's a low number since the hitch and tongue weights both count against it.

Exactly this.

My 2019 double cab, long bed, TRD Off-Road, 4x4 has a measly payload limit of 950 lbs.! Yes, my towing capacity is 6,800 lbs., but THE limiting factor is PAYLOAD.

[John in Santa Cruz]

my 2008 tacoma 4x4 access cab had a tow rating of 6500 lbs, but only 1200 lbs of payload.

fwiw, it drove just fine towing an Escape 21 classic from the houston area to the west coast by way of Reno... but the gas mileage was awful, and with the small gas tank we were fueling every 150 miles. the E21 has around 500 lbs of tongue weight, my wife, I, and the dog are probably pushing 500 lbs between us, and there was a 100 lb fiberglass shell on the truck, that doesn't leave much room for gear or luggage.

I ended up getting a bigger truck