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Tundra V6 tows less than TACOMA?

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by specter208, Apr 4, 2021.

  1. Apr 4, 2021 at 3:34 PM
    #1
    specter208

    specter208 [OP] New Member

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    why is it that the 1st gen Tundra 4.0 V6 is only rated for about 5000lbs towing where as the 2nd Gen Tacoma with the same engine is good for a max of 6500lbs depending on configuration.
     
  2. Apr 4, 2021 at 4:41 PM
    #2
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    Just a guess... Are the front brakes better on the Tacoma? I honestly don't know.
    And does the tundras weigh more than the Tacoma?
     
  3. Apr 4, 2021 at 4:50 PM
    #3
    Squatting Pigeon

    Squatting Pigeon Squattingpigeon.com Staff Member

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    I’ve never looked, but guessing the Tacoma weighs less? :monocle:
     
  4. Apr 4, 2021 at 4:58 PM
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    Ghostly.-

    Ghostly.- Tragic.

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    Tacoma has better power-weight ratio. Its a smaller truck, and if I remember correctly they have a plastic bed instead of metal. There's a lot of weight savings in that alone.
     
  5. Apr 4, 2021 at 5:51 PM
    #5
    assassin10000

    assassin10000 New Member

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    As others said above, vehicle weight.

    Tundra weighs more, which equals less available for towing.
     
  6. Apr 4, 2021 at 6:31 PM
    #6
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    2nd gen tacoma and 1st gen tundra are very close to the same size (albeit all the tacomas were shorter except the long bed double cabs) and weigh less.. makes sense really.
     
  7. Apr 4, 2021 at 7:00 PM
    #7
    landphil

    landphil Fish are food, not friends!

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    I wouldn’t want to tow that much with either. I had an ‘06 Tacoma V6 6spd manual, and I once towed somewhere around 3500-4000 lbs. It was over a mountain pass, and I got there (and back empty), but it wasn’t anything close to relaxing.

    I guess I didn’t learn from the time I towed a 3000lb single axle travel trailer about 1800 km.
     
  8. Apr 4, 2021 at 7:30 PM
    #8
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    I don’t dare tow more than 4000 with the 01 Tacoma. Power wise it doesn’t seem unhappy. But damn that trucks just too small to tow a lot. Sod far the tundras been stellar. But it’s a v8
     
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  9. Apr 5, 2021 at 6:35 AM
    #9
    specter208

    specter208 [OP] New Member

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    I don’t know for sure. I was under the assumption that 1st gen Tundra had a heavier duty setup. Mine is also a regular cab and only weighs about 3800lbs. Tacoma weighs about the same if not heavier
     
  10. Apr 5, 2021 at 7:10 AM
    #10
    KarmaKannon

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    What gear ratios do each vehicle have? That's another good question. I would assume the transmission has the same ratios as a v6 taco, but I honestly couldn't say. The axle ratios could also be the same.
     
  11. Apr 5, 2021 at 7:47 AM
    #11
    Darkness

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    You're all wrong! The Taco is the little guy, you all know a little guy needs to flex when he can, he has so much to prove so he's running around saying he can tow more than he can. Think of Danny DeVito on Twins or even Get Shorty.

    Tundra isn't a big guy, but isn't a little guy either, he doesn't have a thing to prove so he's coming with some modest numbers.
     
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  12. Apr 5, 2021 at 8:23 AM
    #12
    specter208

    specter208 [OP] New Member

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    Tundra with 6 speed manual is geared lower than Tacoma with same trans. Tundra with 6MT is equipped with a 4.08 rear end and 29.5inch tires. V6 Tacos have a 3.73 with 30.5 inch tires.
     
  13. Apr 5, 2021 at 11:53 AM
    #13
    HBTundra

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    I usually try to not tow over 75%-80% of the trucks rated towing capacity. (for any distance)
    Seems to work out pretty good for the most part. Never had a problem.
     
  14. Apr 5, 2021 at 12:55 PM
    #14
    KNABORES

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    The Tacoma is only rated for 3500# unless, the tow package is installed. The tow package comes with coolers for everything from oil, to trans to steering, heavier duty hitch, 7 pin, and "trailer sway control" is also listed. With the tow package, it can tow up to 6500# (6800# for 2WD!!). Perhaps the Tundra was not offered with such a package? Also the weight of the vehicle is likely another factor. The Lightest version of the V6 Tundra could pull 5300# instead. although there's only about 5-600# difference in curb weight between the Tundy and the Taco.
     
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  15. Apr 7, 2021 at 8:05 PM
    #15
    empty_lord

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    1st gen tacoma had smaller brakes than a tundra. the 2nd gen tacoma has the same size brakes
     
  16. Apr 7, 2021 at 8:06 PM
    #16
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    1st gen tundra tow package was trans cooler, beefier alt, 7 pin with plug and play connector for trailer brake controllers and the 2nd trans cooler installed infront of the radiator. capacity on the V8 tow package was 7200. i do not know of a v6 tow package, but it bet it exists (So technically the chassis can handle 7200 lbs)
     
    des2mtn, specter208[OP] and jimf909 like this.
  17. Apr 7, 2021 at 8:13 PM
    #17
    KNABORES

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    Tacoma weighs around 7-800# less than a comparable Tundra as it turns out. Regular cab 2005 Tundras start around 3940# and go up from there depending on equipment. Tacomas from 2005 start around 3140#. Explains some of the disparity in tow ratings.
     

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