towing a 19 with the Tacoma 3.5L V6 Engine

[NEWYORKHILLBILLY]

I am in the market for a new tow Rig. I currently have a 2011 Tacoma with the V6 4.0 engine. It seems to do well unless I am in the mountains out west. most of my towing is east of the rocky mountains. I looking for feedback towing with the newer 3.5 engine. I think they been using it since 2016 . let me know you experiences good or bad.

[Rossue]

A comment from Jon Vermylie who went from a RAV4 to a Tacoma with 3.5 for his 17B. Then moved up to a 21:

"I towed an Escape 17B for about 15,000 miles with a 2016 Tacoma (3.5L engine). Trailer at 3100 lbs & 360 tongue weight.

Switched to an Escape 21 in 2017 - 4800 lbs & 550 tongue weight. I really loved the Tacoma and tried for 9000 miles, but finally got tired of spending too much time in 3rd great at 4000 RPM & getting 10 - 11 MPG. I was also overweight on payload by 200 pounds. Switched to a 2018 Ford F 150 3.5 EcoBoost. Better mileage (12.5 - 13.5 MPG), better brakes, mirrors & a 36 gallon gas tank. While I miss the Tacoma, the F 150 is a much better tow vehicle for a 5K trailer. I'd hate to see what the Tacoma would do if you towed near capacity..."

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f45/anyo...ma-484894.html
__________________
Jon Vermilye

[John in Santa Cruz]

the 3.5 requires a lot more RPM to develop power than the old 4.0 did.

Biggest problem with a Tacoma, however, is the payload. My 08 access cab TRD 4x4 had a 1200 lb payload. wife+self+dog was 500 lbs. fiberglass shell on the truck was ~100 lbs. trailer hitch weight was $500 lbs. that leaves 100 lbs for stuff in back seat and bed... that and the gas tank size and lousy mileage when towing, dragging a E21 from Texas to the left coast, I averaged 9.6 MPG on three tanks in a row, with an 18 gallon tank meant I had to look for gas every 150 miles.

my older f250 7.3 powerstroke longbed gets better mileage (13-15) towing the same trailer while very loaded with gear.

oh, the too common 'crew cab' knocks about 200 lbs more off the payload, the 4x4 ones from the late 00's were rated for ~1000 lb payload.

[heavyD]

Originally Posted by NEWYORKHILLBILLY

I am in the market for a new tow Rig. I currently have a 2011 Tacoma with the V6 4.0 engine. It seems to do well unless I am in the mountains out west. most of my towing is east of the rocky mountains. I looking for feedback towing with the newer 3.5 engine. I think they been using it since 2016 . let me know you experiences good or bad.

We tow 21C with GMC Canyon V6. Only flatland east coast so far, but no issues and the camper tows like a dream. Even at higher that "rated" speeds.

[HABBERDABBER]

Instead of shaving it close in safety, payloads and performance, a Tundra would be a significant step up in capability.

[Mike Lewis]

Like NewYorkHillbilly I'm looking for a replacement for my Tacoma for towing. I'd like to get a Tundra, but Toyota has dropped its V8 engine in favor of a turbo V6. I'd prefer the V8.


Recently I looked for a newer used Tundra with the V8. I found a Toyota-certified 2021 Tundra with 8,000 miles on the odometer. The list price was $58,000! Yikes!

[Rossue]

Yep, inflation sucks. The Transit van I bought last year is now $5K more.

I bet that new V6 Tundra will be awesome! ...and get better mileage.

[Doug2000]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

Like NewYorkHillbilly I'm looking for a replacement for my Tacoma for towing. I'd like to get a Tundra, but Toyota has dropped its V8 engine in favor of a turbo V6. I'd prefer the V8.


Recently I looked for a newer used Tundra with the V8. I found a Toyota-certified 2021 Tundra with 8,000 miles on the odometer. The list price was $58,000! Yikes!

I have the 2017 Tundra 5.7L. It does very good towing but at 11 MPG hand calculated, I'm not very happy. San Diego and Key West are very far away.

I have been watching the reviews of the new Tundra and aside from the price, I really think they are the best truck to tow the Escape. If you watch some of the Youtube videos by TFL The Fast Lane Truck, you may agree.

https://youtu.be/I4g4t94wgvM

[Doug2000]

Originally Posted by NEWYORKHILLBILLY

I am in the market for a new tow Rig. I currently have a 2011 Tacoma with the V6 4.0 engine. It seems to do well unless I am in the mountains out west. most of my towing is east of the rocky mountains. I looking for feedback towing with the newer 3.5 engine. I think they been using it since 2016 . let me know you experiences good or bad.

I had a 2008 Tacoma 4.0L and a 2017 4Ruuner 4.0L. That was an awesome motor. I only sold the Tacoma as I needed a bigger back seat, and then I sold the 4Runner because I needed a truck bed. I have driven the newer Tacoma and don't consider it a good towing motor. Friends says it spends too much time in third and forth when hitched. Even in the rolling hills it's down shifting without a trailer. Both motors have similar power, but the 3.5L makes the power 1000rpm higher in the power band.

I suggest the new Tundra 3.5 V6 TT or the Ford 2.7L EcoBoost. Both will do better on the hill climbs than a V6.

[cpaharley2008]

My Dodge Ram 5.7 hemi gets 12 mpg, towing or not....... maybe that is why I only have 40,000 miles on it?

[KenS]

I have a 2018 Tacoma with the 3.5. Before that I had a FJ with the 4.0. I pull a Scamp 16 delux which is 2550 dry. We pack heavy so about 3300. The Tacoma does much better towing with the extra gear. I get between 14 and 18 mpg the FJ never saw that. The FJ was so much cooler. I pick up our new 19 Escape next week in Indy so we will see.

[Vermilye]

I can't add much to Rossue's quote of my experience other than I was happy with the Tacoma pulling the 17, and was able to manage the payload. A 19 might be OK, but not a 21 set up for my 8 month trips.

[Selkirk]

I'm very happy with my second generation 2014 Access Cab Tacoma. It has more than lived up to Toyota's reputation for reliability and I hope to keep it as a tow vehicle for a few more years. That is the primary reason why I plan to go with a 19 instead of a 21.

As others have mentioned, my biggest pet peeve is with Toyota's limited payload capacity. I already know that I will need to be very mindful of additional cargo/passenger weight once I start towing the 19.

Both the Colorado and Ranger appear offer significantly more payload when compared to a similarly-equipped Tacoma. As an example, here are the rough payload figures for current gen/mid-level trim 4wd extended cab/6' box models with the most powerful available gas engine:

Tacoma: 1200lbs
Ranger: 1700lbs
Colorado: 1500lbs

I don't understand why Toyota hasn't made an attempt to be more competitive. Even a couple hundred lbs of extra capacity would make a world of difference,

[Fender]

I wonder if the composite bed on the Tacoma affects payload?

[Selkirk]

Originally Posted by Fender

I wonder if the composite bed on the Tacoma affects payload?

I suspect not. The new Tundra now uses a composite bed of similar design with payload capacities in the 1800-1900lb range. My guess is that the Tacoma is limited by a combination of rear suspension, axles, and/or frame.

[NEWYORKHILLBILLY]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

Like NewYorkHillbilly I'm looking for a replacement for my Tacoma for towing. I'd like to get a Tundra, but Toyota has dropped its V8 engine in favor of a turbo V6. I'd prefer the V8.


Recently I looked for a newer used Tundra with the V8. I found a Toyota-certified 2021 Tundra with 8,000 miles on the odometer. The list price was $58,000! Yikes!

Yes I haveing a hard time with the new prices witch seem to be the new norm.

Originally Posted by Doug2000

I had a 2008 Tacoma 4.0L and a 2017 4Ruuner 4.0L. That was an awesome motor. I only sold the Tacoma as I needed a bigger back seat, and then I sold the 4Runner because I needed a truck bed. I have driven the newer Tacoma and don't consider it a good towing motor. Friends says it spends too much time in third and forth when hitched. Even in the rolling hills it's down shifting without a trailer. Both motors have similar power, but the 3.5L makes the power 1000rpm higher in the power band.

I suggest the new Tundra 3.5 V6 TT or the Ford 2.7L EcoBoost. Both will do better on the hill climbs than a V6.

I did drive a 2.7 eco boost today. I liked the truck of course the tacoma is much cheaper and its a sellers market. I really like the mid size truck better,But for towing on long trips i can see why the f150 is liked so much. maybe i should look at tundra Lots of new stuff on that truck. I don't like being the first year test person.

Originally Posted by KenS

I have a 2018 Tacoma with the 3.5. Before that I had a FJ with the 4.0. I pull a Scamp 16 delux which is 2550 dry. We pack heavy so about 3300. The Tacoma does much better towing with the extra gear. I get between 14 and 18 mpg the FJ never saw that. The FJ was so much cooler. I pick up our new 19 Escape next week in Indy so we will see.

wish they still made The FJ.

Originally Posted by Vermilye

I can't add much to Rossue's quote of my experience other than I was happy with the Tacoma pulling the 17, and was able to manage the payload. A 19 might be OK, but not a 21 set up for my 8 month trips.

Jon I see you traded off after 9,000 miles . was that 9,000 towing or 9000 on the truck. I also read somewhere that the newer trucks did not search as much for gears. not sure if there's any truth to that. I drove a 2021 today with the 3.5 ,But with out hooking up the escape cant tell much.

[Doug2000]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

My Dodge Ram 5.7 hemi gets 12 mpg, towing or not....... maybe that is why I only have 40,000 miles on it?

Lol, my 2017 Tundra only has 36k km on it, I only drive it for fun.

[DGLP]

[QUOTE=NEWYORKHILLBILLY;418678]Yes I haveing a hard time with the new prices witch seem to be the new norm.

I did drive a 2.7 eco boost today. I liked the truck of course the tacoma is much cheaper and its a sellers market. I really like the mid size truck better,But for towing on long trips i can see why the f150 is liked so much. maybe i should look at tundra Lots of new stuff on that truck. I don't like being the first year test person.

Ah, the prices. I have "built" a Ford 150 online and have looked at local dealers' inventories. Apart from the numerous trim levels one must choose from, there are a multitude of options and "packages" offered. Some single options require a choice of a "package": choose option A and package B or C are mandatory, for a mere 2 or 3 thousand dollars more.
List price for an 2022 XLT, 4 x 4 crew cab with a 3.5 liter Ecoboost: $67,905.
The "options" for this particular unit are fewer than what would be offered as standard on an SUV of an equivalent trim level. Gouging might be an appropriate descriptor here and in other cases:

Available Options
4 Wheel Drive
AM/FM Stereo
MP3 Sound System
Communications-Onboard Hands Free
Telephone-Hands-Free Wireless Connection
Remote Keyless Entry
Tilt Wheel
Traction Control
Brakes-ABS-4 Wheel
4 Wheel Disc Brakes
Tire-Pressure Monitoring System
Security System
Engine Immobilizer/Vehicle Anti-Theft System
Steering Wheel Stereo Controls
Intermittent Wipers
Wipers-Variable Speed Intermittent
Headlights-Auto-Off
Child Safety Locks
Seat-Rear Pass-Through
Mirrors-Pwr Driver
Mirrors-Vanity-Passenger
Air Bag - Driver
Air Bag - Passenger
Air Bags - Head
Air Bag - Side
Air Bag-Side-Head only-Rear
Air Conditioning
Daytime Running Lights
Tow Hooks-Front
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Door Locks

[DGLP]

This might be worth considering, if you're hoping to minimize price gouging:

https://markups.org

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2022/04...ealer-markups/

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by NEWYORKHILLBILLY

...wish they still made The FJ...

I bought my 2011 FJ new and drove it until 2020 when I sold it to my son (who still has it) and bought my 2020 4R. The FJ was hands down my favorite vehicle of all time that I have owned. I also wish they were still sold new in North America.