Can a 3rd Gen Toyota Tacoma TOW?!

[@peterhoma6385]

I’ve towed with my 2021 Tacoma TRD ORDC 4X4 . I had my 4dr sedan on a flat bed trailer combined weight was around 5600-5700# it pulled it just fine even up some small grades , I did use the ECT and left it in sport mode, I never up shifted to 5th gear , driving speeds were no more than 65-68mph , and I do have 1.5 inch lift with 265/75r16 wheels on the truck and it did great . You are absolutely right the Tacoma is like a Swiss Army knife , I love mine it’s a great truck .

[@MuscleAmerican]

Yep totally agree. They are great trucks!

[@maxracingteam23]

Good to hear, I have a 2022 Tacoma that should be here December 29th!

[@gavinhopkins9948]

Why is it bad to tow in 5th or 6th ?

[@soreviloify]

@@gavinhopkins9948 owners manual says you can use up to 5th gear just not 6th

[@glock316]

How many miles did you tow it ? I need to tow 1400 miles one way

[@confidentlocal8600]

I tow regularly with my manual TRD Sport 4x4, at least once a month. Mostly it's light towing under 2000 pounds, such as hauling yard waste, but at one point I pulled a 16 foot trailer with rental equipment (3,500 pounds total) and then transported logs on the same trailer. The shorter rear end gearing in the manual version helps get the load moving, and I enjoy the extra control and lack of transmission cooling worries. The tradeoff is you have to be careful with the clutch. So far so good! 👍

[@nevbones4599]

Tow a 5K trailer with my 2gen. Long trips at times occasionally. I've towed from OKA to Colorado twice and to Utah once.

[@270eman]

I pulled one of those 12ft UHAUL box trailers packed full. Probably 3500lbs. Pulled along really well. I have the longer wheelbase DBL Cab LB. Maybe that smooths it out a little.

[@LTZ_Z71]

If you did a 4.88 regear, you would appreciate your truck so much more. Especially with the larger tires and the occasional towing.

[@tbok75]

I did all my homework before buying our 2021 coachmen clipper 17fq. My rig is an 06 prerunner with 256k miles. Our usual camp spot requires a 6% uphill climb for a good hour going over Donner summit. I'm always concerned about whether my old beast is going to break down but it hasn't. Camper weighs 3300 dry and we don't fill the water tank FULL. I keep thinking about a tundra or even a 3rd gen tacoma but I can't justify the upgrade when my truck has been bulletproof my 8 years owning it. I run an ultraguage to monitor the transmission temp and it DOES get up there and i have stopped to let her cool off a bit. Great video.

[@MuscleAmerican]

Yeah it’s hard to justify the cost of a new truck when your old one gets the job done.

[@tbok75]

@MuscleAmerican I got my rig in 2015, knowing the 3rd gen was coming and when I saw it I wasn't happy.. they've grown on me more now but the 4th gen looks way better. I know tech has advanced greatly but I'm still skeptical on towing with a turbo 4 banger.

[@MuscleAmerican]

@@tbok75 yeah 4th gen is the best looking gen in my opinion. It will be interesting to see if the reliability is still there with the turbo 4cyl. I hope to get one soon for the channel.

[@firstnamebrent]

I just took a shot for every time you said “Um” and now I’m hammered at 8:49 AM. Kidding, thanks for the review👍🏻

[@MuscleAmerican]

Ha ha unscripted for sure

[@kennak476]

I have a 21 Tacoma SR5 AC 4x4, pulled a Rpod 20’ camper, dry weight 2950, fully loaded with water and gear about 3500#, it would have to downshift into 2 gear up the slightest incline, revving at 4200 rpm at 65 mph. The 3.5 doesn’t have the torque to pull in 3rd gear, also gas mileage was only about 10-11 mpg. The older 4L got poor gas mileage but had the torque for hauling.

[@FranklinHicks-qs4gs]

The nose of that truck is pointed towards the stars!! Ya need a weight distribution hitch my man

[@maxracingteam23]

I bet if you had a weight distribution hitch it would be great at towing that little camper.

[@MuscleAmerican]

Yeah I need to get one. I’ve heard that from a few people.

[@ericalangley7007]

We have one on our 2nd gen TRD Tacoma and we tow easily 4000 lbs

[@IPGAuto]

Yes, according to Toyota it can tow 6500lbs. It's a truck, not a mini van. I'd recommend a tune if you have the dimwitted automatic.

[@MuscleAmerican]

Yeah I got the KDMAX tune after this video

[@g157fasdf9]

the rating for tacoma towing limit is around 6500lbs

[@paleface8]

I pull a 5x10 dump with a Tacoma sport and I haul max weight a lot and probably a little over 7k sometimes ! I pull that off road as well with no problem ! I would go 1/2 ton if I lived in hilly or mountainous terrain for fuel economy but I maybe go 20 miles from my home and back !

[@MuscleAmerican]

Nice! Do you have a tune on your truck?

[@johnathanbeicher536]

Now this is what I’m talking about👍🏼

[@jorgeferman6882]

Really so you think I can pull a 12x8 dump truck loaded?

[@neilcarter77]

Thanks for going over the specs of the tacoma…

[@allenvoss7977]

Thank you

[@DesertMoon]

Thank you.

[@sonysoyboysaremadeoftears.7404]

After towing a 5500 pound trailer with a friends 3rd gen I was rather dissappointed when I just got a second gen and it somehow tows better.

[@MuscleAmerican]

Yeah after I got the KDMAX tune it has towed a lot better.

[@reeffisherman]

Did you have a weight distribution hitch? If not try one. Made a huge difference for my travel trailer towing experience.

[@MuscleAmerican]

Nope I have not. I’ll have to get one!

[@jeremyallen3448]

A weight distribution hitch is ALWAYS a must when towing a camper. Video is irrelevant if your not properly showing a correct hook up.

[@ericsweat9917]

4300 would be your gross weight, not the 3700, which will be your net weight. The Taco with the v6 is rated at class III at 5000 lbs tow rate you were 700 lbs max. Also the Taco is a 1/2 pickup.

[@humz403]

So much wrong with this. No, the 3700 is the max fully loaded weight for this trailer, the dry weight is under 3000 lbs. Next, the Taco is rated above 6000 lbs with a WDH. It's also NOT a 1/2 ton pickup.

[@14albumsuperbia88]

I wan on a road trip in northern Arkansas and saw a 3rd gen Tacoma just like mine hauling a huge tri-toon boat. Probably 25+ feet and it looked like it was doing fine

[@FranklinHicks-qs4gs]

It wasnt

[@rjvizaka..dprrob1972]

13mpg isn''t too bad! Is the tacoma still holding up? Any transmission problems or stuff like that?

[@MuscleAmerican]

Running like a champ! Zero issues!

[@rjvizaka..dprrob1972]

​@@MuscleAmerican Sweet! Did ya add any accessories like transmission gauge, coolers, etc?

[@bryantitus6634]

I tow a 23'8 KZ Escape 191 with my Tacoma, albeit occasionally. It weighs DRY what your gross is. My only real complaint is the excessive tongue weight. I am above what I'm supposed to have for tongue weight with the water tank filled and do run a weight distribution setup to counter that. I agree, if we traveled long distances with it, or even towed semi-regularly that I'd be much better set with a half ton. That being said if you set it up properly, and drive as if you are towing and stay within yourself it is totally adequate. Yes, it gear hunts, but I typically run it is S4 on most stretches and slap up to 5th on longer stretches of flat or slight downhill. I only use ECT when I am in very hilly sections because it will allow the transmission to drop an additional gear for more compression braking. Otherwise I pretty much stay under 60 when towing, but never actually have towed on the interstate with it so that was totally acceptable. I got around 11 mpg towing with it if I didn't use cruise and 9-10 if I used cruise. Without using cruise, it gear hunts FAR LESS. Unless you are driving down a damn airplane runway type of flat ground, it will gear hunt like dumb if you use the cruise. I'm about to tow my camper about 225 miles next week with stock sized LT tires and I'm pretty intrigued to see if I can tell a difference over the oversized p-metric ATs I towed with before. AND I'm dumping my current '18 double cab long bed for a '21 double cab 5' bed. Interested to see how the shorter wheelbase/drivetrain and slightly lighter truck handles the camper.

[@candycain9901]

Curious how it go. And question your towing a camper that weighs 6,500 pounds ? Is that correct . I have a 2014 TRD Sport and getting ready to buy a travel trailer with 4,000 pound dry weight . Do you think my tacoma could handle this weight plus im in West Virginia so alot of hills .

[@bryantitus6634]

@@candycain9901 my camper dry is about 3700. I'm likely pushing 5,000 with full water tanks and with stuff in the camper. It handles it okay. I wouldn't want to tow a camper that weighs max towing capacity on the regular. Especially on very hilly terrain. It does have the power to maintain speed but it's gonna scream on hills. So long as you have a dual axle with less tongue weight (I run WAY more tongue weight than I should be) it will handle the weight surprisingly well.

[@alive4082]

A good transmisson cooler and it's good to go

[@humz403]

The gross weight of this trailer is the 3800 lbs. The dry weight is like 2900 lbs.

[@travistaylor2728]

6ft bed tows better. My mom has a 5ft bed and I have a 6ft. I notice when towing my 3000lbs boat that it sways around more behind her truck.

[@MuscleAmerican]

Makes sense, longer wheelbase gives it better stability.

[@g157fasdf9]

you need more tongue load to keep it stable

[@georgeaugusto2024]

Come on I tow that camper size already with my Honda accord.

[@randyletourneau3430]

I have a 2021 TRD Off-road and looking to tow something very similar to the one on this video. Max weight on the trailer is 4200 lbs. what concerns me is that I have just under 1000 lb payload in the truck and the tongue weight is almost 500 lb. That leaves 500 for me, passengers, and gear in the bed. What was the tongue weight of your trailer and what size payload do you have? It looked like you eeee alone with nothing in your bed, is that typical for you?

[@skeeterbait5333]

Hard to follow when you stated the trailer’s gross” weight then when fully loaded with cargo it’s even higher??!! It would be clearer if your Specs state Total Dry Weight, GVWR, & hitch weight.

[@RxTx88]

Rad video brother! What size tires do you have?

[@MuscleAmerican]

265/75/16 BF GOODRICH K02

[@useryggfdcc]

@@MuscleAmerican Nearly 32 inch tires, I love them.

[@GKWunder]

Good to know the Tacoma can tow, did you notice the truck bed squat more when it’s under load?

[@MuscleAmerican]

Yeah there was definitely squatting. I would estimate 2-3 inches. I also had 3 other people in the truck plus gear. But it handled it like a champ.

[@firstnamebrent]

What are you thinking of pulling?

[@1234ahhh1]

@Manitou correct.. Hellwig helper springs coupled with sumosprings are fantastic! Get alignment on BOTH truck and trailer! Tandem axle campers are also easier to tow with a Tacoma(install sumosprings on camper) makes a world of difference WDH is a must! Brake controller is also a must! Rear sway bar! If you take the time to set up the Tacoma PROPERLY, it will tow with ease.

[@Honda1280]

Do any body here towing with 2002 Toyota Tacoma v6 ? Because I bought a TT 3500 lbs dry and look like engine barely Pull the TT

[@FranklinHicks-qs4gs]

English ?

[@angelgaytan1684]

What is your tire size? I have a 1” lift on a 22 Tacoma sport 4x4 and plan to tow this similar Jayco but I have 285/70/17 set up. Thank you

[@MuscleAmerican]

They are 265/75/16 BF Goodrich KO2s

[@smookee408]

Im looking at a trailer around 4k lbs just like the one you’re towing. I have a 3rd gen and it has a Magnuson supercharger. Do you think it will do better and like it more?

[@MuscleAmerican]

Oh yeah with the supercharger you will be fine! How do you like it by the way?

[@smookee408]

@@MuscleAmerican oh I love it. Mpg sucks here in Cali. Fully loaded I get 12.5 freeway but that’s because of Cali gas. Recently went on a camping trip to Oregon first tank of out of state gas went up to 14.5. Second tank which fully flushed Cali gas it went to 17mpg .

[@westcoastplinkin6559]

The Tacoma will tow 95% of the junk that people need to tow. It's hilarious seeing a Ram 2500 towing some 6,000 lb trailer with about three trash cans full of yard waste LOL.

[@MuscleAmerican]

Very true!

[@rickjohnson7930]

Why are you not using a weight distribution hitch?

[@MuscleAmerican]

Didn’t have one at the time but it does make a huge difference

[@patdennis3751]

Sure it can tow, but totally sucks at it. I drove my 21 offroad from Michigan to NC and it about wore out the transmission gear hunting. I'd hate to try it with even just a motorcycle trailer.

[@MuscleAmerican]

Look into getting a tune for your truck. I have a video on the KDMAX vs OTT. It will help with throttle response and gear hunting.

[@patdennis3751]

@@MuscleAmerican maybe after the power train warranty expires. Toyota will definitely void the warranty for tunes

[@tonyceron8672]

What gear do I need use to tow with the tacoma 4x2. Anyone knows. This is my first Tacoma I ever had. Thanks

[@MuscleAmerican]

You don’t need to stay in a certain gear. Just use the ECT button when you tow.

[@tonyceron8672]

@@MuscleAmerican Thanks

[@candycain9901]

@@MuscleAmerican I have a 2014 tacoma TRD sport and i dont have a ECT button should i be concerned? Cause im getting ready to buy a 4,000 pound TT !

[@MuscleAmerican]

@@candycain9901 do you have a V6? If you do then you can tow up to 6,500 lbs. If you have a 4 cylinder I think towing capacity is around 2,000. So if you don’t have a ECT button that’s ok. All it does is change the transmission shift points to stay in gear longer to make it easier to tow.

[@candycain9901]

@@MuscleAmerican Yes Sir its the 4.0 V6 , and thanks so much for the info i wasn't sure about the ECT button do you think i would need to get a transmission gauge so i can monitor the temp of my trans while towing it . When is the tramission temp at a dangerous level ? Around 220 ?

[@DeezNuts-qu5xn]

Get it tuned.

[@MuscleAmerican]

Yeah I got the KDMAX tune after this video

[@chriscisneros3757]

I’m looking to purchase a travel trailer. The one I’m looking at is under 4700 lbs. I have a 3 inch lift, 33” tires, king shocks and an OV tune. Do you think it would hold up well?

[@MuscleAmerican]

Yeah I think you’ll be fine. However, I think you should look at getting the KDMAX tune or OTT tune. It made a huge difference for me. The OV tune didn’t do enough in my opinion.

[@FranklinHicks-qs4gs]

Noooooo

[@johnathanbeicher536]

It will be fine.

[@paullowry4256]

My 2018 OR could barley haul its self couldn't image towing anything.

[@ibetrollintheybehatin6857]

Manual or auto? My 19 trd or 6spd man doesn't have any bottom end. Like none.

[@robk4400]

Did you use a brake controller?

[@MuscleAmerican]

No I didn’t. I need to get one.

[@dangkhang9479]

If possible get tundra. Tacoma just ain’t enough. Very under power and can’t control trailer well. Tundra makes a world of difference.

[@MuscleAmerican]

I just got the 4th Gen Tacoma and it tows so much better than the 3rd Gen.

[@jhillestad]

What did you E brake with ? ECT mode on ? S mode on ?

[@MuscleAmerican]

ECT mode!

[@xHeLLz]

@@MuscleAmerican so etc mode in D?

[@MuscleAmerican]

@@xHeLLz yes that’s correct!

[@johnvest466]

Your insurance is voided if your towing more than the specifications of your vehicle, REGARDLESS of aftermarket upgrades! Know before you go.

[@MuscleAmerican]

Towing capacity is 6,800 lbs. I was well below the maximum.

[@slocavky]

Any suspension mods done?

[@MuscleAmerican]

Nope, stock suspension

[@Londonsim]

What do you think you're getting for gas mileage?

[@MuscleAmerican]

With the trailer it was 12-14

[@FranklinHicks-qs4gs]

Did you not watch the video

[@judemock2699]

What gear you towing in?

[@MuscleAmerican]

Mostly 4th

[@47coast]

How do you think it would do without the tune?

[@MuscleAmerican]

I’ve towed before I got the tune. You definitely need the ECT button on or it will constantly been shifting even more than usual. The KDMAX tune is amazing, I highly recommend it.

[@47coast]

Thanks for the info. I just worry about my warranty getting canceled

[@MuscleAmerican]

@@47coast there is no way the dealership would know. And if your worried about it you could just have them change it back to the stock tune before you take it in.

[@bennyb6071]

@@MuscleAmerican kdmax give you better bottom end?

[@MuscleAmerican]

@@bennyb6071 yeah definitely, I highly recommend it.

[@johnathanbeicher536]

That’s a test???? That a half it’s rated capability 🤦🏼‍♂️ Of course it can tow that.

[@estevan2740]

I thought tacomas can tow 6400lbs ?? It should be able to tow that trailer like nothing

[@ChuckNorris-ju5fn]

Tow with that little toy truck and your suspension will be trashed pretty quick

[@rcwhore6548]

This was a terrible soccer mom review for that truck. There's no information of what the capacity of towing is for that truck. You didn't say anything about the trailer having breaks or not? You didn't say if the ECT button was on. He didn't say any data that could have helped in your review. So go back to your little room and learn. Learn read, do you homework and then make the next video?

[@kauigirl808]

Thank you.