Towing with a Tacoma

[TM2TC]

Has anyone towed an Escape 5.0 with a Toyota Tacoma? We have a double cab, 4 WD Tacoma with tow package which says we can pull 6,500 pounds but are concerned about our bed length. The bed is 5'1" inside. We have been pulling a Scamp fifth wheel with no problems pulling it over high mountains and through high winds, or making almost 90 degree turns. But the Escape is heavier than the Scamp. We are looking for a newer RV and love the Escape, although we have also loved the Scamp. Thank you for any insights you might have.

[Garry George]

Not sure if you are familiar with the excellent search tools on the forum (top right on homepage). I did a quick search and came up with several relevant posts. Give this a try:

Google this: tacoma 5.0 double cab site:escapeforum.org

Garry

[AllanEdie]

This may not be helpful to your question, but we towed an E21 for several years with what appears to be an identical Tacoma. It did the job, but not well in hilly country. We would occasionally get trapped in second gear for long climbs if anything slowed us down to where third gear torque was too low. Also, we found the transmission temperature would get uncomfortably high on long climbs, so I put in a far larger after market cooler which kept a lid on that issue.

FWIW, we moved to an f150 with the 2.7, and love it. The difference in towing performance is way beyond expectations. We could have stuck with the Tacoma, but it would not have lasted for the rest of my towing career, so since at least one more truck would be needed, we went with the Ford. We would not go back. Also, the F150 gets better mileage than the Tacoma did. Ours was the 4 liter v6.

[iamunique127]

We had a Tacoma when we decided to order a 5.0TA. I was told that due to the composite box in the Tacoma a fifth wheel hitch could not be installed. I don't know if that's the case with your particular truck. At that time someone here was towing a 5.0TA with a Nissan Frontier and that is why I considered it.

We switched to a Tundra before we picked up the trailer and couldn't be happier although the next Tundra will be a double cab with higher payload capacity. Tundras have composite boxes now too but ppl are adding fifth wheel hitches so who knows what might have changed.

Besides the motors ability definitely check your vehicles payload and towing capacities. The 5.0TA pin weight of about 700 lbs. quickly cuts into your payload.

[Ian and Sue]

Originally Posted by TM2TC

Has anyone towed an Escape 5.0 with a Toyota Tacoma? We have a double cab, 4 WD Tacoma with tow package which says we can pull 6,500 pounds but are concerned about our bed length. The bed is 5'1" inside. We have been pulling a Scamp fifth wheel with no problems pulling it over high mountains and through high winds, or making almost 90 degree turns. But the Escape is heavier than the Scamp. We are looking for a newer RV and love the Escape, although we have also loved the Scamp. Thank you for any insights you might have.

As an avid Toyota fan having owned both Tacos and Tundra I would not recommend using a Taco to tow a 5.0 TA. You will get the same mileage towing with a Tundra and the truck will work a lot less. You would also be pushing the limits all the time with a Taco. Could you do it...yes...would it be safe and good for the truck....no. BTW I also owned a 5er Scamp...you will love the 5.0 TA upgrades but get a Tundra to do it.

[SageRpod]

Originally Posted by TM2TC

Has anyone towed an Escape 5.0 with a Toyota Tacoma? We have a double cab, 4 WD Tacoma with tow package which says we can pull 6,500 pounds but are concerned about our bed length. The bed is 5'1" inside. We have been pulling a Scamp fifth wheel with no problems pulling it over high mountains and through high winds, or making almost 90 degree turns. But the Escape is heavier than the Scamp. We are looking for a newer RV and love the Escape, although we have also loved the Scamp. Thank you for any insights you might have.

Don't do it. Your days on the road will be long and tiring. You won't sleep at night. Your friends will leave you. The dog and cat won't like you anymore. Get a full size 1/2 ton pickup. Then your biggest problem will be avoiding unicorns crossing the highway and being blinded by glittering rainbows.