Plannerman
Wandering Explorer
Well said!
2nd Gen Tacoma - Frequent Towing an Issue?
- Thread starter aCab
- Start date
Well said!
98roamer
Explorer
They never said that they expect to tow something without feeling it back there or that they need a one ton to tow a popup, but if that's what you need for your show then go ahead a spin it. What was brought out was his experience about what to expect may be different than what the OP was use to with his current 3/4 ton Diesel. The OP has a lot of experience with towing so I have no doubt that he could tow it just fine. Will he enjoy it and want to do it a lot, I think maybe one of the beneficial outcomes of this thread, but it's really up to him to figure that out.
We american's could take a lesson from the rest of the world and stop driving around giant trucks for the status of it. The world would be safer no doubt.
The person is a world traveler
See a Taco can tow:
We american's could take a lesson from the rest of the world and stop driving around giant trucks for the status of it. The world would be safer no doubt.
The person is a world traveler
See a Taco can tow:
Thanks for the info - this is what I was looking for. As far as mileage goes, I'm not to worried about it. You have a good point about the drive being more relaxed, but at 285k miles on it, I'm never that relaxed - any noise has me spooked. Usually we go to Gingerman, Grattan, Mid-Ohio, Road America, Putnam and a few others. I usually don't bring a lot. My S2000 weighs more than my miatas do. Currently building a 10ae into a PTE car this winter.
More details on the SM?
Ive realized that I only tow 25-30 days out of the year - what about the other 325-330 days of the year? Am I supposed to just suck it up and drive my behemoth tow rig every where? I would if I could as I love the truck. It's never let me down. But 16qt synthetic oil changes every 5k miles (6 times a year if I drive the truck 30k miles) get pretty pricey. That combined with the cost of repairing a diesel truck are just crazy. It does tow like a dream though.
I know the Tacoma won't tow nearly as well as the F250. What I really want to know is if it's going to tear the truck up. I know how to properly take care of a vehicle, will monitor trans temps real time while towing just as in my F250 - but mechanical parts can only stand up to so much.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Here's a crazy thought: Buy the Tacoma for your all-around vehicle and the 5 - 6 times a year you need to tow, rent a full size truck.
It is likely that the difference in cost between a Taco and a full size will pay for the rental every 2 - 3 months, and best of all, it saves wear-and-tear on the Taco.
It is likely that the difference in cost between a Taco and a full size will pay for the rental every 2 - 3 months, and best of all, it saves wear-and-tear on the Taco.
98roamer
Explorer
Mechanical, IMHO if properly maintain it you will do fine. The aftermarket support for the taco is large enough that if you find a weak area, there will be an upgrade IE: larger aftermarket tranny cooler. You know what stresses that towing puts on a truck so you'll also know what areas to pay attention to. The truck will do it and it will do it for a long time properly maintained. IMHO At 300k miles on the 7.3 you might be coming up on some big maintenance bills if you haven't replaced them already.
As much as I love the 7.3 if you don't need it, don't use it; due to $$ to maintain it as a DD even though many do it. My Dad's 7.3 is never used to its potential and he should sell it but he won't but he also got tired of it as a DD so he went and bought a DD. I drove daily it for a month and I will take my 4runner anyday of the week. If I didn't have my dad's truck available I would simply set up the popup trailer properly to resolve my uneasiness with towing it, which I still might do if I towed more.
Towing with any vehicle takes it's toll. The higher the relative load, the worse it will be, obviously. I'm quite sure that even towing a 2500 pound trailer continually, as I do, will shorten the life of the truck. As far as any particular Achille's heel, I think the rear axle will probably prove to be the weakest link. It only has an 8" ring which is pretty small for the 4.0. The little Ford Ranger by comparison has an 8.5 I believe. Under load these little axles generate a lot of heat. When you hear about people dropping from 16 MPG to 10 pulling a load, you've got to figure that engine is working hard too. Mine averages about 13 towing. I regeared to 4.56 too, which did help.
There is no set answer. There are just compromises, and only you can decide what you need. If you do get a Tacoma, I think you have enough information to understand what you have signed on for. Your towing MPG will be poor. You will not be passing anyone. You will most likely not be keeping pace with traffic on hills. The truck will have a shortened life, although it may still out live a domestic. If you love the truck otherwise, and accept the limitations happily, then you are good to go.
I've towed 10's of thousands of miles with mine. Most of that in the western states. All kinds of conditions. That is with the truck fairly loaded and the 2500lb trailer. It has done well enough, but there is no way in hell I would expect more from it. If I had it all to do again, I would buy a Tundra. The more you tow the more little things start to bug you. Things like pulling up a grade doing 45 and coming up behind a truck doing 25. Then you hit a passing lane and have no ability to get around in the distance allowed. You go on mile after mile at 25. If I just towed once in a while I'd just chill and turn the radio up, but it really wears on you when you have miles to go and the day is getting long. A lot of it is personality too. Some people could drive all day at 25 and be happy as clams. I know a few,.....never passed anyone in their entire driving career. Only you can answer where you fall.
Clutch
<---Pass
Ford F150 eco-boost will get the same (if not slightly better) fuel mileage as a Tacoma, and will tow much better. I would suggest hauling your trailer setup to the dealer, and test drive both and see what you feel most comfortable with. I know what I would pick, and it wouldn't be a Tacoma. F150 or a Tundra, would be mine.
It isn't that the Tacoma won't tow that weight, it will..but it won't be very safe, that weight take a toll on equipment. Good rule of thumb is to tow at half capacity, for safety, wear and tear on equipment.
Question: What do these pictures of these vehicles all have in common?
Safer!? that is the last thing I think, when I look at those pictures.
It isn't that the Tacoma won't tow that weight, it will..but it won't be very safe, that weight take a toll on equipment. Good rule of thumb is to tow at half capacity, for safety, wear and tear on equipment.
Question: What do these pictures of these vehicles all have in common?
Safer!? that is the last thing I think, when I look at those pictures.
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Thanks for the help guys, I surely have a lot to think about. The 7.3 is starting to get worn and it's prime time to sell here in Chicago is now - right before winter. Its overkill for what I do, but for some reason I love the truck. I think I would love a Tacoma the same, but some very valid points were made that I should think about before jumping into a tacoma.
Mrknowitall
Adventurer
In that case, I'd go for a Gen1 Tundra in a second. I'll PM about the SM.
98roamer
Explorer
Said in a spirit of Sarcasm
Having a heavier tow vehicle, relative to the trailer weight, also helps with things like side winds. Winds can be exhausting when the rig is fighting you.
