Towing advice on a 2008 Toyota Tacoma

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
A

Anonymous

Guest
Does anyone tow with a late model Toyota Tacoma. I have a 2008 Tacoma, V6, 4WD, with tow package (6500lb tow capacity). I know I will not max out the tow capacity but is around 4000-4500lbs too much? I would be towing about two hours to the bay area as far as fishing the salt. my truck is about paid off and do not want to get a bigger tow vehicle. I will get a trailer that at least has disc brakes. Any info is much appreciated.
 
nickyn99":kuetwmog said:
Does anyone tow with a late model Toyota Tacoma. I have a 2008 Tacoma, V6, 4WD, with tow package (6500lb tow capacity). I know I will not max out the tow capacity but is around 4000-4500lbs too much? I would be towing about two hours to the bay area as far as fishing the salt. my truck is about paid off and do not want to get a bigger tow vehicle. I will get a trailer that at least has disc brakes. Any info is much appreciated.
Click to expand...

If it's rated for 6500, towing 4000-4500 shouldn't be a problem. We towed my previous 22 with an Isuzu Trooper that was rated for around 5000. No issues.
 
I towed our 22 with a '96 T100, which I suspect is not much more than a glorified Tacoma. When pulling over the Oregon coast range, it did not feel like there was enough power. I also worried about its ability to stop the boat at higher speeds. I loved that T100, but it would not be my first choice for pulling a CD 22.
 
Having enough power to tow is one thing, but having enough braking power and steering control is another, and even more important than the former.

Also, using an automatic transmission to tow a large load dramatically reduces it's life expectancy. I can't quote the figure we discussed the last time around on one of these towing adequacy threads, but the reduction in transmission life was dramatic! If I were selecting a towing vehicle for such a task, I'd go for a six speed manual transmission, period. The universal recommendations for automatic transmissions is to stay out of overdrive with heavier towing loads, even on flat ground.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I towed my 22 with a 2007 Tacoma, same setup as you. I towed it back and forth from Sacramento to our vacation home in Washington several times. Due to issues with the Tacoma drive train that the dealer could never figure out I moved up to a Titan. I really like towing with this.
 
Thanks all - I do have the manual 6-speed. What was happening with your drive train as far as why you had to take it to the dealer. I am gussing you had the manual 6-speed?
 
I had the 4 speed auto, binding in the power train started at 30,000 miles dealers said normal, yea right. Engine exhaust leak, again normal, windshield air leak, could not test drive over 65 to find it, all these had service bullitin on it. This is one that also had the rapid accileration on it. Had to mash the brake pedal to the floor at a stop sign, when I took my foot off the brake it took off without ever touching the gas, dealer oh thats normal. I got fed up with Toyota after that.
 
Don and Brenda":1a4ld73j said:
I had the 4 speed auto, binding in the power train started at 30,000 miles dealers said normal, yea right. Engine exhaust leak, again normal, windshield air leak, could not test drive over 65 to find it, all these had service bullitin on it. This is one that also had the rapid accileration on it. Had to mash the brake pedal to the floor at a stop sign, when I took my foot off the brake it took off without ever touching the gas, dealer oh thats normal. I got fed up with Toyota after that.
Click to expand...

Shoot I don't blame ya. Been lucky so far with my truck. Just about 35,000 on it now with no problems.
 
The Tundra with the tow package is what I have. They have some of the largest disc brakes in the industry (13.6" rear and 13.9" front discs). With the 6 speed automatic, a transmission cooler and the tow-haul mode (changes the shift points), I think it's a great truck for the 25. For the Tomcat, I had to add air springs to handle the tongue weight but a weight distributing hitch would also help.
 
Hi nickyn99,

I can only speak of my experience towing a 2004, 22 foot, loaded C-dory Cruiser, twin Honda 40's, with a 2005 Toyota, 4 door, equipped with 4 wheel drive and an automatic transmission. The Tacoma proved to be a very capable tow vehicle. I estimate that I put close to 40,000 tow miles on the truck, up a and down some pretty good grades and never experienced a problem. Stopping was never an issue, acceleration, fuel economy, and handling were outstanding. All things considered, it served me very well.

Regards,
 
Toyota make a "factory dealer installed" turbo for this truck. Some of the youtube videos showings its performance are very impressive. Some say the factory underrates it output and that it really produces 340hp or so. Don't seem to be blowing up either. Just in case you felt you needed a "little" more power.

The other surprising thing is the factor warranty is not voided. I would guess the 4.0 liter engine transmission and drive train must be quite strong if they can stand up to that much added power.

Ron
 
I looked at the Toyota Tacoma pick-ups a while back, and the engines over the last decade seem to run from about a 2.4 liter in-line four to a 4.0 liter V-6 with up to 325 hp or so. That's quite a range!

The automatic and manual transmissions went from 4 speed automatics to 5 and 6 speed manuals.

All Toyota Tacomas are apparently not created equal!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
We had a 1985 tacoma with a 2.4 four cylinder that had a 5000 lb tow rating I think it was a little over optimistic on toyota's part but we did tow about 4000lb with no problems .

We towed our cd cruiser (3800) lb with a Mazda mpv with a 3 litre 155hp tow rating of 4500lb then upped it to a honda pilot 4whl drive 4500lb tow rating ,again no problems I think a tacoma would be a great tow vehicle almost bought one myself .Towing 4000-4500lb should not be a problem .We tow a cc-23 venture 5100lb no gas or water lightly loaded with a toyota sequoia tow rating 6500lb no problems at all
 
I will not tow any more than 10,000 lbs with my 2004, 6 cyl Tacoma.

Ha ha ha! Seriously - my Tacoma in low range 4WD will tow anything BUT I'm talking about moving up/down a ramp and short distances that involve 10 mph. For any real tows I rent an F250 Diesel. My Tacoma easily pulls my Tomcat/AL trailer up and down the ramp in low range 4WD and it's very handy for such things as Hurricane's. (I left Napoleon on the trailer at the yacht club overnight to weather the storm - no damage).

I would not blink at towing 4500 lbs with my Tacoma. Mine too is paid for and the cost for maintaining/insuring a vehicle to tow 10,000 lbs twice a year makes no sense.
 
"Having enough power to tow is one thing, but having enough braking power and steering control is another, and even more important than the former. "
What Joe Said

Makes a difference, towing, get it rolling yes. steering OK, can you stop it? it has to do with the weight of the tow rig, and with my '09 Tacoma it was scarry, so I took it in for an oil change and came home with a Tundra, (My wife liked the sound of the Tundra,---It sounds GOOD, and I liked the added weight and power.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Click to expand...
 
We have towed our 22 all over the state with a Tacoma extra cab 4WD with tow package with no issue what so ever. Our 22 rides on a tandem trailer with disk brakes all around. A few above expressed concern about stopping. I would share this concern but for the four disk brakes we have working for us.
On our way up I-5 we had the joy of having a van pull right in front of us and then stop sharply and short, almost as though he wanted to be hit. We locked up all 4 trailer wheels, the truck has anti-lock. We stopped straight and in less distance than I thought possible ( with a foot to spare). Truck weight was not an issue and the trailer did not push the truck.

So, the answer I would offer is that towing a 22 with that truck is sound in all conditions, if you tow a tandem trailer with breaks all around.
 
Back
Top