Toyota Tacoma for a tow vehicle?

[Craig LaForce]

THinking about getting a Tacoma with 4WD, tow package and stability control.
Anyone use this as a tow vehicle and if so, any comments how it does?

Thanks

[Frank C]

Search on Tacoma, Craig. My experience is quoted below, but many good comments in those half-dozen threads on the Search page.

My son's Tacoma had a totally inadequate rear suspension, by a country mile. Keep in mind that this related to a model 2000 Tacoma ... they might have improved since then. At least you have a previous weak spot for careful study.

My son had a Toyota Tacoma V-6 with factory towing option. It also had the factory-installed supercharger, so horsepower was never in question. However, in spite of the factory towing option, the truck was simply inadequate to handle the tongue weight (~280#) of my Mac trailer. He endured a 1,200-mile, white-knuckle round-trip to Lake Mead, where every passing rig induced scary tail-wagging. The tongue weight clearly held the pickup "nose high," probably leaving too little weight on the front tires. He was doing the research on installing air-lift springs for the rear when he decided to sell it.

I'm not Toyo-bashing, since they build great equipment ... but the Japanese are relatively recent entrants into the "real truck" biz. I confirm this failure of the Tacoma (4 years ago). Rich seemed to have a similar problem with the more recent (and much larger) Tundra model. Perhaps Japan is still in-progress on how to fully compete, across the service envelope, with USA trucks?

That's not to say that I'd simply reject a Toyota ... just that I'd suggest challenging the Toyota dealer to a real-life Mac towing test, before signing on the dotted line. I think if the truck handles the tongue weight, it should be fine at towing, so could be as quick as hitchin'em up in the back lot.

[Craig LaForce]

Thanks for the info. I will have to check that out.

[Dell Anne]

I traded my 02 Tacoma for a Chevy Suburban. The Tacoma is a great truck but worked awfully hard on the highway pulling my M. Hills were a killer. Never had a problem at the ramp other than the comments from other people wondering if "that little ol truck could pull that big ol boat" We love the Suburban power and room to spare.
Good Luck, have fun....._/)~

[Craig LaForce]

I finally bought my new tow vehicle.
New GMC Sierra 4.8 lliter 4WD with crew cab.
Engine seems to be kinda weak, but it hasn't broken in yet.
Rides like a dream and looks really sharp Red with lots of chrome.
Excellent 4K$ rebate.
THanks for the advise about the Tacoma.

By the way, they lent me a GMC Canyon for 2 days while my truck was being delivered from another dealership. Really liked the truck. Lots of pep, still felt like a big truck, but is one size smaller than the Sierra. I think it has a 4000 lb tow capacity, so might be another good alternative for a tow vehicle. The engine was smaller, but had better power I think than the V-8 in my new truck. No rebate on that one though.

[Frank C]

Hmmm - good choice!

2003 GMC Sierra Xtnded-cab
(5.3 L - 4x4, with Denali wheels, Westin bars, SnugTop;
80" Quadrasteer axle requires cab & clearance lights)