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  1. #1
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    Towing with Toyota Tacoma

    I am driving a 2012 Tundra right now and although I like it I am thinking of downsizing to a Tacoma with a 3.5L V6. I don't have a big boat, with the whole package probably less than 2,500 lbs. Does anyone tow with a Tacoma and how do you like it?

  2. Member
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    Aug 2012
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    #2
    My Ridgeline pulled my 2700 pound boat real well. I just missed the room and went back to a Tundra. I don't like the 3.5 as much as the old 4.0, but it'll your load and not break a sweat. Ive drove several; Tacos, owned one the year they came out and an 8100 before that. There was an S-10 in there somewhere as well. Every time I've tried the smaller truck I don't make it a couple years and Im back to a full size. Thats just me. If you are not 100% set on the Taco, and you aren't going to drag 5000 pounds around all the time go look at an AWD Ridgeline before you buy. They are WAY WAY more comfortable than the Taco.

    I pulled a 18' glass boat with the early Taco, and a 17' glass boat with the 8100, both the old 4 bangers with a 5 speed. No problems pulling.

  3. Member
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    #3
    No problem pulling but stopping/braking ability is lacking if towing much. Ive had 2 Tacomas and never understood why Toyota didn't put disk brakes on the rear axle. The 4 Runners have disk brakes on all four wheels and it makes a big difference in stopping ability when someone does something stupid in front of you. I ended up going back to a full size truck as it is more comfortable, better on gas and tows/stops better. Your $$$ so do what you want
    Phillip "Wade" Norris
    2015 Ranger Z520C
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  4. Member
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    Jun 2005
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    #4
    I have a 2010 Tundra with 5.7L V8 and a 2015 Tacoma with the 4.0L V6. I have a Stratos 285 ProXL boat. With the Tundra I don't even know it is behind me. I did a brake job on the Taco and replaced the front disks with Power Stop rotors and ceramic pads and it made a huge difference in stopping power when I tow the boat.

  5. Member
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    #5
    I don't have a Tacoma but I pull my Ranger R83 with a 2016 Volkswagen Touareg with a 3.6L V6. It's rated to pull 7,716 lbs. and does fine pulling my boat. My brother does have a Tacoma and he pulls a Mastercraft 205 Pro Ski Boat and it seems to do fine. Your rig is probably much lighter than mine or my brothers so I don't think you'll have a problem pulling with it.

  6. Member
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    #6
    Not a Tacoma but I tow with a Dodge Durango v6 that’s rated for 6200lbs and have zero issues towing my boat that’s well over 3000lbs. A Tacoma is more than capable of towing 2500lbs and I’d be comfortable towing 19’ glass boats with it. Honestly the way most talk on here you’d swear they were towing a 20’ boat with a Prius (which I’ve seen done). If you’re having an issue stopping an 18’ boat with a Tacoma then I think it’s a driver issue not a Truck issue. You will have no issues with a Tacoma or any Mid-large suv.
    1995 Ranger 481v
    1995 Johnson Fast Strike 175hp

  7. Member
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    Jul 2020
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    Trinity, NC
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    #7
    I have a 2017 Tacoma TRD off road and I pull my brothers Ranger z119 just fine with it, would a full size truck pull better, sure, but I've not had any problems and we've used some pretty steep ramps with no problem. My brother has commented how well it pulls his boat. As far as gas mileage, I get around 13 mpg pulling, I have a buddy with a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 and he gets 12-13 pulling his Nitro Z-18.
    Forgot to add, no issues braking for me.

  8. Member
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    #8
    I towed my 20ft cobra with a 2018 Tacoma. It done the job, but I upgraded to a Silverado this year. It pulled it fine, but did not like the hills here going to a couple of the lakes. Yes it done ok, but I hated the high rpm's needed to get up some of the hills.
    '99 Cobra 201D
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  9. Member Bill Reynolds's Avatar
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    #9
    I recently switched from a 2008 Ford F-150 Lariat Limited to a 2020 Tacoma. It pulls the boat shown in my sig OK but you know it is there and I gave up some comfort.
    Full Disclosure: I retired to my lake home 7 years ago and my boat spends most of it’s time in the boat stall. If I were towing the boat as much as I was previously, I probably would have kept the F150.
    That being said, the little truck is fun to drive and parks much easier than the F150.

    I try to drive as if my 16 year old Grandson is following me
    Speak as if he is listening and act as if he is watching

  10. Member
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    Oct 2017
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    #10
    I pull the boat listed below in my sig with a 2015 Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4 with 4.0 engine I would guess the total rig boat motor and trailer weigh 3500-4000 lbs ready to fish.
    The truck pulls the boat pretty well but long uphill pulls will cause the tranny to shift out of overdrive.


    Mpg towing is 14+.

    Stopping is not a problem because my trailer has disc brakes.
    2020 Triton 18 TRX
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  11. Member
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    Aug 2018
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    Pine Bluff, AR
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    #11
    I pull a Tracker 175 with a '19 Taco. No problem at all.

  12. Member electritek's Avatar
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    Nov 2012
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    #12
    I pulled my express X 19 with my Taco all over, Express had trailer brakes. Upgraded to a 20' Bass Cat and Taco pulled it ok, stopped it OK. Upgraded tow rig to F 150 and felt much more comfortable with control.


    2020 Ranger 521L Tour, 300 Mercury, 112 Minn Kota Ultrex
    3 12" Helix Units, Mega Si, Mega Di, Mega 360, Garmin 8412 W LiveScope mounted on Rite Hite Turret.

  13. Member CigarBasser's Avatar
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    #13
    Absolutely no problems.. Have pulled the boat in my sig with an 06 TRD Off Road and an 09 TRD Sport. I have not had one issue with either. Trailer does have brakes.
    2001 Ranger 518DVX Comanche / Mercury 200 Opti (OT306368)

  14. Member
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    Aug 2016
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    Mount Dora FL
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    #14
    It will pull it just fine. Used to drag my Triton around with a lowered 2007 X-runner... stopped good too. Full size trucks are so much better though
    2002 Tr-19 200 ox66

  15. Member 06 SB's Avatar
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    Feb 2012
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    West Point Lake, GA
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    #15
    2500 pounds is nothing for a Tacoma even if it had the 4cyl motor. I towed a Basscat Cougar with one for a couple years. I never felt underpowered or under-braked.

    USN Retired
    2020 Basscat Caracal
    2020 Mercury 225 ProXS 4s



  16. Member
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    Feb 2017
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    Hawesville, Kentucky
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    #16
    I pull my 1999 Skeeter 202 with a 2013 Tacoma no problem. I do pull in 4th instead of drive so the transmission doesn't change all the time.