How much can a 2020 Tacoma tow?

[happy frog]

Just got a 2020 Tacoma SR5 (6700lb towing capacity)

We have a 16' Bambi and have no problem hauling it, but we want to go bigger. I'm thinking 25' is the cap, but it might even be less than that?

[uraljohn]

A 25' Airstream is way more than a Tacoma can handle. For a 25' you need at least a properly equipped 1/2 ton pickup or one of the more competent SUV's.

We have a 2019 FC 25' RBT and previously owned a 2017 23D so I am familiar with what it takes to tow those Airstreams.

Are there folks out there that tow larger Airstreams with vehicles that are not rated to tow them? Yes. They all call CanAm Airstream in Ontario, Canada. Andy Thompson is the "Towing God" there. Give him a call.

[pickupjason]

Originally Posted by happy frog

Just got a 2020 Tacoma SR5 (6700lb towing capacity)



We have a 16' Bambi and have no problem hauling it, but we want to go bigger. I'm thinking 25' is the cap, but it might even be less than that?

We tow a 25’ international with Tundra and it’s at limited in terms of payload. It performs well for us and we enjoy our monthly weekend trips since we got the combo early 2019.

I personally won’t go anything beyond 22’ on a Tacoma, based on my experience when towing a rental 22’ sport with a V6 Frontier.

[Dennis C]

I think the challenge is the cargo and passenger capacity of the Tacoma. Our GMC 1500 has a cargo and passenger capacity of just under 1,500 lbs. It seems like plenty, but it really isn't as much as you might think. If you assume the hitch weight is around 600 lbs. (it will be closer to 900 or more for a loaded 25 footer), add in passengers and gear, then add the weight of your WDH, tonneau cover, etc., you will easily approach 1,500 lbs. What is the combined cargo and passenger weight rating for the Tacoma? I'd start there.

[SuzyHomemakr]

Having once been in a "tail wagging the dog" experience with an over-loaded trailer and a Jeep Cherokee, I can tell you it's not something I want to repeat! I doubt that you'll find a single person on this Forum that has sad, "I have too large of a tow vehicle, what a mistake!"

What you get away with, and what's optimum, are two very different things!

[JeffofCT]

We have a 2011 22' Sport FB. Sports as you are aware are lighter. We pull with a 2017 Nissan Frontier. At 4,500 GVW, it's at 82% of the vehicle tow capacity. I would not go heavier.

[TravisH]

I concur with the tail wagging the dog scenario!

I had a 2013 Tacoma pulling a Sport 22FB and found it unnerving in windy conditions.

I think there is an optimal weight of TV to weight of AS ratio and the Tacoma not heavy enough. Wheel base plays a role too as the Tacoma not designed to tow.

It can sure enough haul it though which is the problem. We figure if we can get up to 80mph (I did it once just to see on a wide open fwy with no traffic for miles) we're gold but you really want the TV to have control of the side to side as well.

I upgraded to a Tundra and a FC 25' and it's MUCH more stable!

[smmckean]

Are you talking flat land towing or going to the hills/mountains. The tail wagging the dog is a good visual...I have been RVing for 40 years. One thing I always keep in mind when shopping for a tow vehicle. There is no substitute for POWER; people on the road in there cars are not aware that you are pulling a loaded camp trailer, they do not drive friendly to help you pass and get back in your lane. I have pulled 25 -34 footers; 25' camper offers more room - go for it (if Momma is not happy, nobody is happy - if she is comfortable, then you can go again) I would suggest a 3/4 ton (F250 or GMC 2500) for power and strength if you ever find yourself in a bind. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and don't have it.

[GammaDog]

I’ve owned two Tacos and a Tundra... my replacement Tundra arrives in 10 days. We have 35,000 miles on the 25’ AS... all behind the Tundra. I towed cargo trailers with my Tacos.

IMO: The Tundra barely meets spec with the 25’ AS hitched and just my wife and me traveling. It is at the limit on GVWR due to relatively low payload limits, and nearly at limit on tongue weight (It would be over limit w/o a weight distribution hitch, although some people confidently state that the tongue weight limit can only be measured without weight distribution engaged). It has plenty of room left on GTWR, GCWR, axle weight limits and tire weight limits. The Tundra’s 5.7L V8 strains to move the AS at altitude (think, “the Ike” on I-70 west of Denver). So... my answer to your question is “no”. But that’s for me and the way I travel.

[AFTER TAXES]

Originally Posted by happy frog

Just got a 2020 Tacoma SR5 (6700lb towing capacity)

We have a 16' Bambi and have no problem hauling it, but we want to go bigger. I'm thinking 25' is the cap, but it might even be less than that?

19'-20 ft. is the top.......be safe

[greenflag]

I have towed a 25 foot with a 1/2 ton truck. I frequently found myself over payload capacity. Tail wagging the dog. I had blown rear shocks, U joint failure, and trans repair.
Forget rated towing capacity. They are usually overly optimistic.
Payload, payload!
Never push the limits of your tow vehicle. You will not be happy with the result.

[Pimms]

I loved our 2017 Tacoma but was very disappointed when towing our 23FB home from the dealer's lot, especially after being assured it would be fine. Traded to a Tundra and it seems like a perfect match.

Are they still equipping the Tacoma with drum brakes in the rear? (Something else to consider.) I also couldn't see around the camper at all, even with the clip-on mirror extensions. Changing lanes was terrifying.

[JMatson1111]

Regarding Andy at CanAm, he says that you do not need a pickup truck to tow a 25’ AS and a Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 with factory tow package and proper WD setup works just fine, as long as you reinforce the hitch receiver.
Also, he mentioned that even if you use a half ton pickup, every brand except Ford should also have their hitch receiver reinforced.

[dnsapp]

I have a 25 FC FB that I tow with an F-150 super crew with the 3.5 EB engine with a 4:10 rear. Have the total tow. It handles it fine. But, the 25 FB has all the storage in the front for the most part and the tongue weight is around 1,100 lbs when gas bottles and batteries are loaded plus all the other gear. That would most likely eliminate your Tacoma. You have found your towing weight but you need to find your Gross combination weight and your payload limit. It all works together. Also, check what all components of your hitch assembly are. Very important. I’ve seen people have a 7,000 pound hitch, a 6,000 insert, a 5,000 ball and undersized pin or chains worn thin from dragging the pavement. Your hitch is as good as the weakest link. I have contacted Toyota as well as Nissan about their trucks towing capacity’s. They were adamant with me that they do not design their trucks for towing. They both said that their truck are more designed for off road, light duty and sport use. They said their frames are not designed for heavy towing and not geared for towing. Hope this helps.

[Jack West]

I have an '06 Tacoma v6,4wd, manual 6 speed transmission. I have towed my 2013 23FB flying cloud over 50,000 miles with that truck. Western US, in the mountains, on the flats, and in the Arizona deserts. I have encountered several passes that meant downshifting to second due tothe grade, but that was rare. Equalizer weight distribution system. I am very careful to balance the load and dont haul much water. I wouldn't consider towing a 25' AS based on my past experiences towing the 23'.

That in my opinion is the max for that pickup. Prior to the 23FB we towed a 2001 19' Bambi and that was definitely an easier to tow setup.

[Trowbridge]

Many good comments before me. But a really important thing to consider before towing a 20+ foot Airstream with a Tacoma is not just the towing capacity...but the respective weight and leverage of the two vehicles. A 25' Airstream is beyond the Tacoma's ability to tow on level ground, will take the truck way too long to stop, and (most-importantly) will swing the light truck around if it starts to fishtail coming down a hill at speed, has a blow out, the truck has a blow out, etc. Don't do it.

[rmkrum]

I agree, to a point. I tow a 2007 International CCD 22 footer (6900 gross) with a 2012 crew cab short bed 4x4 Tacoma. The rig was handing as scary as you commented before I put a ProPride hitch system on it. Sway was particularly bad on downhill runs. The ProPride made the Airstream follow like an obedient puppy.

Now it behaves solidly in high winds, does not react to passing big rigs, and handles panic stops, hard swerving, long downhill runs, etc perfectly IF the WD is dialed in correctly. I would not try towing anything longer or heavier without going to a Tundra.

The only place the Tacoma is marginal is on long uphill runs. It would be a lot easier with more horsepower, of course.

[Helper]

Another thing to factor in when considering the appropriate size TV for the trailer you want to purchase is altitude, elevation. Pulling a 5,000 pound trailer at sea level is totally different than pulling the same size trailer in the Rocky Mountains.

[hairyclive]

Originally Posted by happy frog

Just got a 2020 Tacoma SR5 (6700lb towing capacity)

We have a 16' Bambi and have no problem hauling it, but we want to go bigger. I'm thinking 25' is the cap, but it might even be less than that?

If you need to know this for any vehicle there is a good resource at

https://trailers.com/tow-capacity/

They cover most vehicles. Some of the sites like autocatalog and similar also have the info on line.

Maybe a resources page could be added to the home forum with links to manuals, sites like the ones I mentioned, obsolete parts sources, etc.

[Dennis C]

Originally Posted by Helper

Another thing to factor in when considering the appropriate size TV for the trailer you want to purchase is altitude, elevation. Pulling a 5,000 pound trailer at sea level is totally different than pulling the same size trailer in the Rocky Mountains.

Excellent point. A normally aspirated engine loses approximately 4% of the total horsepower per 1,000 feet of elevation. My house is close to 8,000 feet, so I lose nearly 32% of my engine power at this elevation. That makes my 385 HP truck a 262 HP truck. That's a big difference.

Forced induction in the form of turbocharging or supercharging makes a huge difference at altitude. Electric motors are not impacted by altitude, so that will likely be one of the selling points when the Tesla truck launches in the future.