While you own a Toyota Tacoma for its off-road and overlanding capabilities, there are times when you want to tow something like your boat, trailer, or even your friend’s truck. The good news is the mid-size Tacoma truck is built to tow. So, whether you use your truck for fun or work, it can get your gear to your destination.
What is the Toyota Tacoma Towing Capacity?
The 2023 model has the same towing range as the 2022 models; it can tow between 3,500 and 6,800 pounds. It might be too soon to tell if the towing capacity will change in the 2024 model, but Toyota may follow the Tundra and be redesigned for 2024. We have to wait to see whether there will be powertrain upgrades, but the Tundra’s turbo-4 with hybrid options may be in Tacoma’s future. It is speculated that the 2024 model will be built on a body-on-frame platform that includes an advanced coil-spring rear suspension.
What can a Toyota Tacoma tow?
The Tacoma can tow trailers with less than a 4,500 GTW rating with the standard 2.5 DOHC I-4 motor. The 2.8 turbo-diesel can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
You can comfortably tow small camper trailers like the teardrop or pop-up campers. While some campers weigh over 5,000 pounds, the smaller campers are well within Tacoma’s ability.
The same goes for boats and other haulers.
How Much Can a Toyota Tacoma Tow at Each Trim Level?
Through the years, the Toyota Tacoma has evolved from the basic truck of its inception in 1995 to today’s advanced high-tech iteration that includes three powertrain options and six trim levels.
Here is a look at the towing capacity broken down by year and engine configuration:
Toyota Tacoma Model Years 1995-2001
The first generation Toyota Tacoma held the compact pickup classification and replaced the Toyota pickup, also known as the Hilux, in the North American market. Since Toyota targeted the North American market, the Tacoma focused on ride quality over payload capacity to cater to a customer that mainly used their trucks as personal vehicles rather than the Japanese market’s traditional commercial or off-road use.
Engine Type: 2.4 L 2RZ-FE 14
- Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds
- Gross Combined weight rating: 6,700 pounds 2WD
- Horsepower: 142 @ 5,000 RPM
- Torque: 159.9 @ 4,000 RPM
Engine Type: 3.4 L 5VZ-FE V6
- Towing capacity: 5,000 pounds
- Gross Combined weight rating: 8,300 pounds (2WD)
- Gross Combined weight rating: 9,000 pounds (4WD)
- Horsepower: 190 @ 4,800 RPM
- Torque: 219.6 @ 3,600 RPM
Engine Type: 2.7 L 3RZ-FE 14
- Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds
- Gross Combined weight rating: 7,400 pounds (4WD)
- Horsepower: 150 @ 4,800 RPM
- Torque: 159.9 @ 4,000 RPM
2009 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
Toyota Tacoma Model Years 2002-2004
The 2002-2004 models were toward the end of the first generation. By 2000, Toyota had already begun to work on the second-generation Tacoma that would appear in 2005.
Engine Type: 2.4 L 2RZ-FE 14
- Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds
- Gross Combined weight rating: 6,700 pounds 2WD
- Horsepower: 142 @ 5,000 RPM
- Torque: 159.9 @ 4,000 RPM
Engine Type: 3.4 L 5VZ-FE V6
- Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds w/o tow package
- Towing capacity: 6,000 pounds w/ tow package
- Gross Combined weight rating: 6,800 pounds 2WD – no Prerunner model
- Gross Combined weight rating: 7,500 pounds 4WD and Prerunner w/o tow package
- Gross Combined weight rating: 10,000 pounds 4wd and Prerunner w/ tow package
- Horsepower: 190 @ 4,800 RPM
- Torque: 219.6 @ 3,600 RPM
Engine Type: 2.7 L 3RZ-FE 14
- Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds
- Gross Combined weight rating: 7,400 pounds 4WD and Prerunner
- Horsepower: 150 @ 4,800 RPM
- Torque: 159.9 @ 4,000 RPM
Toyota Tacoma Model Years 2005–2015
2011 toyota Tacoma Access Cab
The second-generation Tacoma was a bigger and more powerful truck, and Toyota offered 18 cab, transmission, engine, and bed size combinations. A minor update to the 2006 models made some optional equipment standard, and the 2007 models offered two more interior color schemes.
A minor facelift was done to the 2009 models that revised the grilles on some of the models, and there were taillight and headlight changes done to the TRD trim packages. Toyota removed the mechanical limited-slip differential and added more safety equipment and color packages.
2012 had a refreshed look and upgraded infotainment tech packages.
There were three cab configurations, four transmission options, and two bed sizes.
Engine Type: 2.7 L 2TR-FE 14
- Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds
- Gross Combined weight rating: 7,500 pounds 2WD – no Prerunner model
- Gross Combined weight rating: 8,000 pounds 4WD and Prerunner
- Horsepower: 149 @ 4,800 RPM to 161 @5,200 RPM
- Torque: 177.9 @ 3,800 RPM to 1851.3 @ 3,900 RPM
Engine Type: 4.0 L 1GR-FE V6
- Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds w/o tow package
- Towing capacity: 6,500 pounds w/ tow package
- Gross Combined weight rating: 8,100 pounds 4WD and Prerunner w/o tow package
- Gross Combined weight rating: 11,100 pounds 4WD and Prerunner w/ tow package
- Horsepower: 236 @ 5,200 RPMs to 290 @ 5,600 RPM
- Torque: 270 @ 4,000 RPMs to 277.8 @ 4,400 RPM
2017 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
Toyota Tacoma Model Years 2016–2020
The third-generation Tacoma had a new exterior profile with a more prominent grille and projector headlamps. Toyota upgraded the interior with more luxurious soft-touch materials and high-tech options.
In 2020, there was a facelift that added new technology to the interior and the addition of a manual transmission option.
Engine Type: 2.7 L 2TR-FE 14
- Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds
- Gross Combined weight rating: 7,810 pounds 2WD
- Gross Combined weight rating: 8,020 pounds 4WD
- Horsepower: 149 @ 4,800 RPM to 161 @5,200 RPM
- Torque: 177.9 @ 3,800 RPM to 1851.3 @ 3,900 RPM
Engine Type: 3.5 L 2GR-FKS V6
- Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds w/o tow package
- Towing capacity: 6,800 pounds 2WD Access Cab SR5 w/ tow package
- Towing capacity: 6,500 pounds 4WD Access Cab w/tow package
- Towing capacity: 6,700 pounds 2WD Double Cab TRD Off-Road w/tow package
- Towing capacity: 6,400 pounds 4WD Double Cab TRD Pro w/tow package
- Gross Combined weight rating: 7,890 pounds 2WD w/o tow package
- Gross Combined weight rating: 11,310 pounds 2WD w/ tow package
- Gross Combined weight rating: 8,150 pounds 4WD w/o tow package
- Gross Combined weight rating: 11,360 pounds 4WD w/tow package
- Horsepower: 278 @ 6,000 RPM
- Torque: 265 @ 4,600 RPM
2011 toyota Tacoma Access Cab
Toyota Tacoma Model Years 2021-
The 2021 to present year models are all part of the third generation and are available in several trim levels and powertrain combinations that include the following:
SR
| Engine | Transmission | 2WD/4WD | Body Style | Bed Size | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cylinder | 6-speed AT | 2WD | Access Cab | 6-ft bed | 3,500 pounds |
| 4-cylinder | 6-speed AT | 2WD | Double Cab | 5-ft bed | 3,500 pounds |
| 4-cylinder | 6-speed AT | 4WD | Access Cab | 6-ft bed | 3,500 pounds |
| V6 | 6-speed AT | 2WD | Access Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,800 pounds |
| V6 | 6-speed AT | 4WD | Access Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,500 pounds |
| V6 | 6-speed AT | 4WD | Double Cab | 5-ft bed | 6,400 pounds |
SR5
| Engine | Transmission | 2WD/4WD | Body Style | Bed Size | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 4-cyl. | AT | 2WD | Access Cab | 6-ft bed | 3,500 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl. | AT | 2WD | Double Cab | 5-ft bed | 3,500 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl. | AT | 4WD | Access Cab | 6-ft bed | 3,500 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 2WD | Access Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,800 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 2WD | Double Cab | 5-ft bed | 6,700 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 2WD | Double Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,600 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 4WD | Access Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,500 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 4WD | Double Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,400 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 4WD | Double Cab | 5-ft bed | 6,400 |
2017 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
TRD Sport
| Engine | Transmission | 2WD/4WD | Body Style | Bed Size | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 2WD | Access Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,800 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 2WD | Double Cab | 5-ft bed | 6,700 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 2WD | Double Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,600 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 4WD | Access Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,500 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 4WD | Double Cab | 5-ft bed | 6,400 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 4WD | Double Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,400 |
TRD Off Road
| Engine | Transmission | 2WD/4WD | Body Style | Bed Size | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 2WD | Double Cab | 5-ft bed | 6,700 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 4WD | Double Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,400 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 4WD | Access Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,500 |
2017 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
Limited
| Engine | Transmission | 2WD/4WD | Body Style | Bed Size | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 2WD | Double Cab | 5-ft bed | 6,600 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 4WD | Double Cab | 6-ft bed | 6,400 |
Trail Edition
| Engine | Transmission | 2WD/4WD | Body Style | Bed Size | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 4WD | Double Cab | 5-ft bed | 6,400 |
TRD Pro
| Engine | Transmission | 2WD/4WD | Body Style | Bed Size | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L V6 | MT | 4WD | Double Cab | 5-ft bed | 6,400 |
| 3.5L V6 | AT | 4WD | Double Cab | 5-ft bed | 6,400 |
Tips for Safe Towing and Trailering on Your Toyota Tacoma
#1 Stay within the Limits
Before you consider towing with your Toyota Tacoma, know the towing limits for your model. If you do not stay within the recommended limits, you risk doing damage to your truck. Check the owner’s manual to read Toyota’s weight distribution and hitch suggestions. Keep in mind that if you have modified your Tacoma, those modifications can significantly impact your towing capacity.
The dangers involved with exceeding the towing ability include the inability to brake due to excess weight, the inability to handle the truck, and suspension damage.
It’s also important to consider the weight of your passengers when deciding to tow so you don’t exceed the gross vehicle weight rating.
#2 Pack Practically
Towing is safer when you pack your trailer without exceeding its weight capacity and keep the bulk of your weight towards the front of the trailer. Evenly distribute your weight from side to side so your cargo doesn’t shift. If you need to, secure the load to keep it steady.
#3 Check the Tires Regularly
Never tow with bad tires on your trailer or your Tacoma. Truck and trailer tires should be the correct pressure or you risk handling issues due to under or over-inflated tires that cause tire roll and use more fuel. Your Tacoma recommended tire pressure information is located on the doorjamb on the driver’s side.
Keep in mind the speed ratings on the trailer and truck.
#4 Inspect Your Lights
Before you tow anything, ensure your brake lights and turn signals work on your Tacoma and the trailer.
#5 Check Your Brakes
The brakes are critical when towing, so before you load up the trailer, check the brakes on your Tacoma and the trailer if you’re using a large trailer. The smaller trailers don’t always have a brake system, so your brakes must do all the stopping.
Be sure to attach any emergency breakaway cables to your truck, which will stop your trailer should it disconnect while you’re towing.
Can you flat tow a Toyota Tacoma?
No. You cannot flat tow a Toyota Tacoma regardless of the transmission or year and model, and it is against Toyota’s recommendations. You could seriously damage your truck’s transmission because no transmission fluid is pumped if the truck is towed. Other reasons include the following:
- The driveshaft would need to be disconnected, and the Tacoma isn’t designed to have the driveshaft freely spinning;
- The center differential and the transaxle are also not made to spin freely;
- No manufacturer support should something go wrong.
The Toyota Tacoma was always made to tow. Still, the weights and engine specs have changed from generation to generation, so know your model’s limits before considering towing.
