Towing a 5.0

[Toddna]

Hi My husband and I are looking to purchase a 5.0 and we are wondering if anyone has experience towing one with a Toyota Tacoma, (5 foot box).
Thanks for any information you can provide
Nancy

[Selkirk]

I've heard of second/third generation Tacoma's with the 6' box being used a tow vehicle for the older/smaller/lighter single axle versions of the 5.0....but not the newest tandem axle models.

I believe Double Cab Tacoma's with the 5' box have a maximum payload capacity no greater than about 1000lbs. The pin weight of an empty 5.0 T/A alone is 650lbs. That's doesn't leave much payload capacity remaining for the driver/passenger, let alone any additional cargo weight in tow vehicle or trailer. The Tacoma's maximum gross rear axle weight rating may also be a limiting factor.

Additionally, I also believe the 5.0 is designed for trucks with a minimum 5.5' bed length...but that can be verified in the detailed 5.0 towing guide available on ETI's website.

[Ooshkaboo]

Originally Posted by Toddna

Hi My husband and I are looking to purchase a 5.0 and we are wondering if anyone has experience towing one with a Toyota Tacoma, (5 foot box).
Thanks for any information you can provide
Nancy

I own a 2013 6 cylinder Tacoma and a 2021 Tundra.
I used the Tacoma for transporting a Scamp fifth wheel for an A to B trip. The Scamp was considerably lighter than the Escape as it was not loaded for camping, the Tacoma was struggling.
The Tundra easily handles my 5.0…

[emers382]

Check out this thread...
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...0ta-20104.html

[Toddna]

Hi,
Thank you for the responses on Towing a 5.0 with a Tacoma, we have not actually bought the truck nor the trailer yet, just at the retirement stage and exploring our options. We really like the 5.0. Yesterday we test drove an F150 Hybrid, this one had a 6.5 foot bed but they also have one with a 5.5 foot bed and I was wondering if there were any thoughts on those options.

[Jeremy Kessenich]

The Powerboost has some + and -, the - will be a reduced payload capacity. You can find the payload capacity listed on a sticker on the drivers door column with information about tire pressure. Everything you add to the truck reduces the payload including a hitch and occupants. We sold our last truck which had plenty of tow capacity but only had a payload of 1,273 lbs before subtracting the hitch, gear, and occupants. Not enough IMO. It's difficult to find a direct answer on what is the min payload to have because lots of variables go into what is the min payload. The type of hitch you use (they can vary a LOT in weight), are you a packrat or travel light, are you a solo camper or family of 4 and a dog, ... My current truck is about 1,700 lbs from the factory so by the time I take off the hitch and tonneau cover that I added after delivery I'm about 1,450 lbs. Two of us traveling with a smaller dog, some gear I could easily see us at 1,000 lbs. before hitching. The dry pin weight of the trailer is 650 lbs or there abouts, depending on options you select on the trailer. Some folks have reported loaded pin weights over 1,000 lbs. Most think between 700-800 lbs is reasonable to assume. So, the Powerboost is a nice feature, we didn't buy one because I wanted a 4x4 which subtracts from the payload and additional weight of the Powerboost batteries put my comfort zone below what the payload was. YMMV. Good luck in your search.

[WillyB]

As an example our 2016 F150 XLT, FX4 package, 4-Door, 5.5 Bed, 4 x 4 with the 3.5 Ecoboost motor has 1802 lbs of cargo capacity.

This works perfect for us as the tongue weight of our 21C is roughly 400 lbs, together my wife & I are well under 300 lbs so with a full tank of gas (36 Gallons) we still have plenty of room for our gear in the bed.

The 6.5 foot bed increases the cargo capacity a bit and would be better for the 5.0.

The 3.5 EB might not have the cool “rumble” of a big V8 but it certainly yanks our 21C up high elevation steeps grades without an ounce of complaint. Low RPM torque is why we went with the 3.5 EB.

[Tosh]

My trailer is a 21NE, my truck is a Powerboost Lariat FX4 w/Max Tow, 5.5' bed.


My payload sticker reports 1440lbs, which is just fine w/the 500 ~ 550 lbs tongue weight. Perhaps not enough for a 5.0TA.


I've read posts from other owners suggesting that an XLT, 2WD, w/o Max Tow could have a payload sticker around 1650lbs.


FWIW the payload rating assumes a full tank of gas, which in a Powerboost is approx 31 gal (no option for a 36 gallon tank)



I'll add that it's hard to beat 400HP and >500 ft/lbs torque, along with 7kW of juice in the back.....

[kavm]

Originally Posted by Toddna

Hi,
Thank you for the responses on Towing a 5.0 with a Tacoma, we have not actually bought the truck nor the trailer yet, just at the retirement stage and exploring our options. We really like the 5.0. Yesterday we test drove an F150 Hybrid, this one had a 6.5 foot bed but they also have one with a 5.5 foot bed and I was wondering if there were any thoughts on those options.

We tow our 5.0 with a 2021 F150 Powerboost (Hybrid) 6.5' and are quite happy with the experience. We custom ordered our truck and had the towing capacity in mind. We have 1350 lbs payload capacity and perhaps 25 lbs more as I destroyed the softcover (whose weight was counted in the payload number) and we haven't replaced it. In any case, we have not come close to being close to that payload - as there is just the two of us in the truck, nothing besides the hitch in the back. There are others who carry a lot more and might find it challenging. The 7.2kW generator, while not often used, has come in handy several times.

Hope that helps!

[Toddna]

Thanks, Much appreciated

[Brian B-P]

If this is about future planning, the next Tacoma would be relevant (presumably appearing as a 2024 model). It will be based on the same platform as the latest Tundra, with similar features, but of course few actual parts will be the same. Even the new Tacoma is unlikely to be sized suitably for an Escape 5.0TA; the more suitable Toyota would likely be the Tundra, despite the cost and the annoyance of driving an excessively large vehicle when not towing.

In size and powertrain (engine and transmission), a current Tundra and an EcoBoost F-150 are so similar that they're essentially Toyota and Ford versions of the same truck. Both are available with similar hybrid systems. The Tacoma will likely have a similar turbocharged engine and hybrid option, but probably a 2.5 L 4-cylinder instead of the Tundra's 3.5 L 6-cylinder.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Toddna

Thanks, Much appreciated

Hi: Toddna... Just got back from Ottawa/Orleans with our 5.0TA. We have towed with a Nissan Frontier and now a Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. The Fronty had a cargo cap. of 1100#'s and the Ram has a cargo cap. of 893#'s. The 4L V6 Fronty reached its max. 281' #'s of torque at 4600 rpm's and the 3L V6 Ram Ecodiesel gets to 420' #'s at 2,000 rpm. The Fronty rode like a truck... the Ram rides like a limo. It's where you spend a lot of time on any trip!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Toddna]

Thanks for this we actually test drove the F150 hybrid last week, as well as the Tundra Hybrid, I think I prefer the F150 as it is a little smaller.
Nancy

[Toddna]

Originally Posted by kavm

We tow our 5.0 with a 2021 F150 Powerboost (Hybrid) 6.5' and are quite happy with the experience. We custom ordered our truck and had the towing capacity in mind. We have 1350 lbs payload capacity and perhaps 25 lbs more as I destroyed the softcover (whose weight was counted in the payload number) and we haven't replaced it. In any case, we have not come close to being close to that payload - as there is just the two of us in the truck, nothing besides the hitch in the back. There are others who carry a lot more and might find it challenging. The 7.2kW generator, while not often used, has come in handy several times.

Hope that helps!

Thanks, we have decided to go with the F150 Powerboost Hybrid and the “standard Tow package NOT the “max tow package” I believe that the payload is 2000 pounds so I presume that should be sufficient.
Nancy

[Tosh]

It's not likely that your payload rating will actually be 2000 lbs. Some of the Powerboost configurations yield payload values below 1200 lbs. I've read of payload stickers from XLT owners that were in the 1800 lb range.

you can learn more about the Powerboost at the gen14 F150 forum:
https://www.f150gen14.com/

[Runmini]

Just a suggestion - the standard Tow Package - I don’t believe that it includes the Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, which the dealer can add, and I would check that they will add before you take possession. The Max Tow Package includes the Brake Controller and the larger gas tank, which is particularly helpful in stretching the distance between gas stops.

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by Runmini

Just a suggestion - the standard Tow Package - I don’t believe that it includes the Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, which the dealer can add, and I would check that they will add before you take possession. The Max Tow Package includes the Brake Controller and the larger gas tank, which is particularly helpful in stretching the distance between gas stops.

I bought a 2016 F150 Lariat 3 years ago .low mileage used truck. I have the standard tow package..but it had the brake controller and 36 gallon tank installed. I'm not sure if it was a result of trim package or add on option.

[Tosh]

The Powerboost only has a 31 gal tank - no option for a 36 gal (because of the battery pack and supporting hardware).


When not towing I have about a 675 mile range; with the trailer connected it's about 425 (on average)



Also with Max Tow you get larger rear brakes than the regular tow package. I believe Max Tow is overkill for any Escape trailer, but when I ordered my truck I didn't know I would be pulling an Escape.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by sofmerc

I bought a 2016 F150 Lariat 3 years ago .low mileage used truck. I have the standard tow package..but it had the brake controller and 36 gallon tank installed. I'm not sure if it was a result of trim package or add on option.

Just FYI for Gen 14 (2021 and later model years)

• Brake controller is available as a stand-alone option on any trim but requires the basic Class IV hitch as a minimum
• 36-gallon tank is available as a stand-alone option on any trim but requires at least 145" wheelbase (SuperCab with 6.5' box; SuperCrew with 5.5' box) and as mentioned is not available with the PowerBoost hybrid drivetrain

I'm not certain but it was likely the same for the previous generation like yours.

[Toddna]

Hi

Thanks everyone for all of the comments. The package we ordered does come with the break controller, we have not ordered our 5.0 as yet but are planning to do so soon.

Nancy