The Toyota Tacoma is a popular mid-size truck known for its reliability and versatility. Many owners, including myself, appreciate its capability for both daily driving and occasional towing. For years, my 2006 Tacoma served me well, handling everyday tasks and towing a travel trailer several times a year. While it wasn’t designed to be a heavy-duty tow vehicle, it performed admirably, leading me to consider the capabilities of similar models like the 2013 Toyota Tacoma.
My experience was with a 2006 Tacoma Double Cab 4×4 Short Bed, equipped with an automatic V6 engine and the factory tow package. Paired with this was a Keystone Passport 2650BH travel trailer, measuring 26 feet in length. Unloaded, the trailer weighed approximately 4,960 lbs, and when loaded for trips, it typically fell between 5,600 and 5,800 lbs. To manage this load, I utilized an Equal-I-zer Brand 4-point weight distribution hitch with integrated sway control, along with a Prodigy P2 brake controller.
Even with a trailer of this size, the Tacoma maintained a sense of stability and control. There was no unsettling sway or excessive bouncing. For optimal towing performance, I typically drove in 4th gear, maintaining around 60 mph at 2,500 rpm. On steeper inclines, downshifting to 3rd gear increased the rpm to approximately 3,500, providing the necessary power to climb.
Fuel economy, as expected, took a hit during towing. I observed fuel consumption between 10.5 and 12 mpg, varying based on terrain and road conditions. While not ideal for frequent, long-distance towing of a large trailer, the Tacoma proved to be a capable partner for my needs at the time. Its manageable size for daily driving outweighed the occasional fuel consumption penalty when towing.
It’s worth noting that my Passport trailer featured a spread-axle design, positioning the front axle 10 inches further forward compared to many other trailers. This design contributes to better weight distribution and enhanced sway control, potentially aiding the Tacoma’s towing performance.
While there were moments when additional power would have been appreciated, the Tacoma generally handled the load effectively. Interestingly, I occasionally encountered and even overtook full-size pickups struggling to tow smaller trailers on inclines, highlighting the Tacoma’s respectable engine performance.
As retirement approached and the prospect of more frequent and longer towing trips became a reality, I made the decision to upgrade to a full-size truck – a 2013 RAM 1500 4×4 with a 5.7-liter Hemi engine. This upgrade provided a significant increase in towing capacity and payload, effortlessly handling the same trailer with approximately 800 lbs of additional cargo.
However, if retirement and increased towing weren’t factors, I likely would have continued towing with the Tacoma. It’s a testament to the 2013 Toyota Tacoma and similar models that they can confidently manage towing tasks beyond what might be expected of a mid-size truck. For those who prioritize everyday drivability and require towing capabilities for weekend adventures, a 2013 Toyota Tacoma remains a strong and reliable choice.
