Realistic Comfortable Towing Capacity for 2017 or newer Tundra

Hi all, I'm a first time poster here though I've posted a few times and lurked for a long time on the Tacoma forums.

I have a 2017 Tacoma TRD Sport that I absolutely love, but I'm at a point where I need a boost in Towing Capacity. We recently purchased a travel trailer that we'll be living in maybe 3 days a week for about half the year (just built a house that we're turning into a vacation rental in Bend OR, staying in the camper as much as possible so we can rent out our home as much as possible, but that's a different story). The TT weighs in at about 6500 lbs when full of water, add our belongings/gear and we're probably pushing 7000 - 7500 lbs. The Tacoma wasn't made to pull it though it does okay for short distances at low speeds, but I cringe the entire time.

If I'm getting a new truck my first choice is the Tundra just based on how much I love the Tacoma and just from being a life-long Toyota customer. I'd probably be looking at a 2017-2019 Tundra, lightly used--definitely with the 38-gallon gas tank and 4wd.

My question is this: If I'm traveling a couple hours every weekend through the mountains and on the highway, is the Tundra still going to leave me wishing I had a little more power? Will it feel strained going 65 - 70 mph while towing?

I've never owned anything larger than a Tacoma and am not super familiar with other manufacturers and what's available outside of a little light research. I know when it comes to towing it's hard to beat diesel, but I'm also not sure that's entirely necessary for the load I'll be towing. While a little higher towing capacity would always be nice, I don't expect to need to tow anything heavier than the TT I described above (definitely don't need to make a purchasing decision based on anything heavier than that).

Any thoughts, experiences, or recommendations are greatly appreciated. I planned on driving my Taco into the ground and don't really want to take on a new truck payment, but since I don't really have a choice at this point I want to make sure I won't regret the decision I make.

All the best,

Greg

 

There are several good towing-related posts in this thread:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/ford-better-than-tundra.67875/page-3

I think you will find that a Tundra is plenty of truck to pull your trailer, with room to spare. A Weight Distributing Hitch is strongly recommended.

Welcome to the forum!

 

I was in a very similar position your in a few years ago. Had a 20’ TT that I pulled with a Tacoma. Then the wife wanted something bigger so we bought a 26’ TT. And I decided they Tacoma was to small to safely and comfortably tow that size TT. So we bought a Tundra and haven’t looked back or missed the Tacoma at all.
I may not be quite as heavy as you are but I’m probably 6.5k lb loaded and the Tundra is perfect. It tows or 26’ TT with no problems and handles the weight just fine. It will run 65-70 towing this trailer all day but the 5.7 is a thirsty motor running at those speeds lol

 

Welcome from NY.

You will not regret buying a Tundra.

 

Like others said, get a WDH and tow in S5. Keep in mind the 2019s don’t have a trans cooler anymore. Some have reported higher temps but haven’t read that any transmissions have broken yet. 2018 and previous have them.

 

Thanks all I really appreciate all the replies!

This helps a ton. Yeah my expectations for gas mileage are pretty low, but I'm definitely looking forward to having a 38-gallon gas tank after towing that thing around in the Tacoma. Once minute I've got half a tank and 15 minutes later I'm looking for gas stations. I typically wouldn't be towing at those speeds but would hate to cough up the dough for a larger truck only to realize it still comes up short--if do a cross-country trip at some point It'd be painful to keep it under 60 on certain stretches.

 

I just bought a used rv. It’s a 25’ and gcvw is 6000lb. That’s about as high as I can go and keep below the trucks payload rating. 2018 Crewmax Limited.

 

If you buy a 17/18 (which i did because trans cooler) just know the brake controller is crap and should be upgraded.

I hauled my 2006 F150, and its GVW is 6,950 to 7,200 lbs. I had no issues whatsoever, other than with the aforementioned brake controller. I in no way felt like it was a struggle, or a problem at 65/70 mph.

Ive towed trailers 1000s of miles, and so far I really like the Tundra for that ability.

 

Do yourself a favor and buy a WDH, I have one for my camper (towing around 6k lbs, no issues).
Just towed about 7500lbs of tractor and trailer last weekend 140 miles down to MA and the truck barely felt it. I also had a Tacoma (2015 TRD Sport with "tow package"), it was gutless and absolute shit for towing anything over 3k lbs. No regerts.
As for the gas mileage people whine about constantly on here, it's a truck. My 3 year old work Chevy just had $4k in repairs because the starter/alternator went and fried the ECU and half the wiring harness.. but it gets 19mpg.

 

I might in the minority but if I was towing an ~8K trailer every weekend I would get a 3/4 ton gasser. You can never have too much truck and they will tow that trailer like a dream

 

I would do the same. 7.5k or more needs more payload, power, and stability.

 

I wouldn't pull a travel trailer that weighs more than 5000 to 5500 lbs dry weight .

 

You exceed payload long before you max out tow capacity. It’s all about the tongue weight .