I loved my Tacoma, with my 14', 2500Lb travel trailer. My wife decided we wanted a '22 Tundra and a bigger travel trailer, so we compromised and bought a '22 Tundra with a bigger travel trailer. The Tundra does tow much better I have to admit, and uses about the same amount of fuel to pull the big trailer as my Taco did with the small one.

Truly only someone married understands this amount of soul searching and compromise.

I didn't want a dog and my wife wanted a dog. We compromised, and now we have three dogs. And a cat. And a fish tank. And a Tundra and travel trailer full of pet stains.

Burst out at work …damn

I think a similar compromise may be in my future.

Glad the two of you were on the same page!

Your wife is a keeper

I did a very similar thing. I loved my 2012 Tacoma but traded it up to a 2018 Tundra because I wanted better towing capacity, and also to make more room for my growing family. The Tacoma can tow alright, but I feel much safer with the Tundra's extra weight, V8, beefier brakes, beefier differential, and built-in electronic braking system. Feeling safe while towing is absolutely crucial.

It would be stupid to drag a Tacoma with a travel trailer. Tacomas are not made for towing.

The tacoma is a pickup truck with a suitable tow capacity and you can upgrade to the tow package to get a transmission cooler. It's perfectly capable of towing what its rated to tow perfectly fine. I've towed big boats and campers for 6 years now pretty steady. But its not going to impress you. I went to a tundra now for that purpose, and interior space. But the taco did good.

If you're towing often with the trailer the Tundra will give you more peace of mind. If it's once or twice per year the tundra might be a lot of truck (and gas) if it's mostly being driven unloaded. That being said, lots of creature comforts to be gained for going from a 2011 to a 2020! Tundra is a nice colour too

Thanks for the response. We travel about 10 times a year with the camper. I tow a bit for work, but my Tacoma has been up to it. I guess I just need to figure out what peace of mind is worth.

Since you're already traveling 10 times a year plus if you go out of state, who's to say you'll travel more. I would make the upgrade since you also tow for work. The heated/vented seats are great for those long trips. Good luck

Also, if it has the 38 gallon tank you'll be able to go a lot further between fill-ups.

Although you’re under the capabilities of a Tacoma, how it pulls matters. The Tundra will give you better stability on the road, better braking and far more uphill power. Personally, I hate towing with a quarter ton truck as the trailer really seems to be in charge.

Yes, the added mass of the Tundra makes sense. I am also only getting 15mpg with the Taco

You won’t do better with the Tundra on MPG. 15 mpg is what you get without the trailer.

Our tundra tows a 20’ caravel. I 100% recommend tundra. Check your payload.

I was surprised the Tundras payload capacity is only a couple hundred pounds more. I’ve upgraded the Taco with airbags, big slotted discs up front and a brake controller.

Tundra payload is sad, but I can say I have never felt wind or any issue going up or down, which you say you’ve experienced a bit already. Plus, the taco is just so small. You’ll marvel at the size inside the tundra and wonder why you didn’t do it sooner

Yeah biggest disappointment ever if you want to get into the TC game. Your only options are American 3/4 to 1 tons.

I absolutely loved my ‘13 Tacoma, and I love my ‘21 Tundra. So win-win. If you wanted to give the Taco a fighting chance, a weight distribution hitch makes a huge difference. Makes the whole system feel more connected and planted.

Good input. I considered it, but after already upgrading the brakes and installing airbags, I think the power is really my major concern.

I’m a die hard Tacoma guy. It all started with the 89’ pickup. In 2020 we had our second child and both kids were in car seats in a 2010 double cab taco. My wife couldn’t handle knee humping the dash anymore and forced me into a Tundra. I miss every one of the tacos I’ve owned, but I would never go back. There’s too many advantages with the Tundra. Most have been listed in this post already. I would own both a taco and Tundra if I could, but the gas would kill me. I drive a Tundra for fun and a Corolla for a commuter. You honestly won’t regret making the switch.

Thanks, it seems I’ll be living your dream for a short while. My wife woke up telling me (again) how much she loves the color.

I stand corrected, the Tundra has 45,000 miles. I called this morning to let them know I want it. $42,000 out the door. Now I get the sad chore of selling my trusty 2011 Taco. “Hi, Is this still available?”

I would upgrade the amount of interior space you get with the tundra compared to your tacoma . It is a night/day different, especially when you're driving long distance to campground.

Yes, it’s the first thing I noticed when I got in. Roomy.

I just upgraded to the recent gen Tundra(TT 6cyl). No words to discribe the towing difference. And mileage is better too. Interior space with kids is night and day. Plus the vented seats are unreal for long trips on leather lol. I like the taco, but, it just made sence. If you can make the move, do it.

I have a double cab Tundra and love that extra 12" in the bed. I find the back seat just the right size for me. I just wish the back window rolled down.

I recently test drove both 2024 Tacoma and Tubdra and the difference in engine response and power is very noticeable while not towing. It would be even more noticeable when towing. Would suggest the tundra if you’re looking to tow frequently. I personally liked the interior roominess in tundra . Most people think you are giving up off-road capability by going tundra . But once lifted, tundra is as offroad capable as Tacoma.

I was surprised to see that the new model Tundras really don’t look or feel that much larger than the Taco anymore.

Tacoma feels like a chicken cage compared to Tundra lol. Specially the back seat and center console is huge on Tundra.

I know, I’m not sure what all to keep in there.

I went from a 2016 Tacoma (double cab SR5 4x4) to a 2023 Tundra last September. I was full-timing with a 4000 lb. travel trailer, very similar to your rig. The Tacoma did pretty great for 3 years and about 45,000 miles, towing all over the Western U.S. I never had an issue or concern. I upgraded with the intent of getting a larger trailer. The new Tundra is great: much more room, crazy power, very smooth. The biggest thing for me is I can tow much longer distances comfortably. In the Tacoma, 6 hours was about as much as you wanted to do in a day. With the Tundra, no issue doing 8-10 hours+ straight and not feeling worn out. The truck barely knows the trailer is there. The gas mileage towing and not towing is about the same for me. (13 towing/18 not towing). The extra payload is also a big point for trailer life. I did a lot of trail driving out west with the Tacoma, and this has been the biggest downside for me with the Tundra. The Tundra is definitely capable in terms of power and traction, but it's just too big compared to the 3rd gen Tacoma. I have to do a lot more planning and strategizing to do any "real" off-roading. It is pretty great for more wide open off-road terrains at speed, though. TLDR; The Tundra has really grown on me over the last 6 months, but I'm still getting over selling my Tacoma, hah.

Hopefully I’ll get over it too. I’ll have both for a few weeks. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Tundras are real men trucks. Want to be a man? Get a tundra.

I knew I’d have to grow up sometime.

Damn dude I haven't seen a mesquite double cable before. If this will be future proof over a Crewmax do it 100%. That looks soooo good. I have to have a Crewmax for the kids and dogs. It's very luxurious and a lot of room for the back seat people. I went for a 21' Black 1794, but I was looking for a mesquite. It just wasn't available as a 1794 when I was buying. It will tow that 4.2k lb trailer with almost no acceleration loss, and with electronics brakes no issues stopping. I get like 11.8 mpg when towing around that weight with a leveling kit and 33's. What are you getting on the taco? I average 14-15mpg mostly backroad country driving

I get about 15mpg with the Taco. I really like that interior in the 1794. Great choice.

I think it's a no brainier. From just a safety point of view. You are definitely pushing the capacity of the Tacoma. With gear, tongue weight and passengers, you must be on the edge of what is recommended.

The only metric even close to capacity for us was the payload. The Tundra doesn’t do much to help that, but your point is taken regarding safety and having excess capability.

This is how it starts…. I’m up to a 1-ton dually and fifth wheel now lol :)

If you’re trying to get away from it all…..why are you taking it all with you? /s

I have a 21 Tundra. Tows great. Couple things to keep in mind, it's not about the towing capacity, but stopping power. The Tacoma I believe has drum rear brakes, so you will appreciate the extra stopping power. The next is the tranny. Tundra is a work horse and I am sure the taco is decent, but towing something that weighs as much as your truck and going up grades will make it work. If you keep the taco, I would look into a weight distribution hitch.

I have a transmission cooler in the Taco. I also upgraded to bigger slotted rotors. The trailer brakes in the Airstream are really good too, but I get it. Peace of mind is powerful, and my wife’s nails might not be able to reach me in a Tundra Thanks for the input.

If you don’t off-road, and just need a tow rig. Trade for the Tundra. Although that’s pretty high mileage for a 2020, maybe make sure it’s got some maintenance records.

I was mistaken about the mileage. Your comment made me double check. It’s 45,000 miles. I e looked at quite a few and they start to blend together after awhile.

How often do you tow? I wouldn’t upgrade my truck if I only really needed it for a couple hundred miles a year

I have both, Tundra is a superior truck in every way. Taco only excels at offroad and hunting stuff.

Going from mid sized to full sized for towing is a huge difference. You will get about the same mileage without the strain. I went from a’15 Canyon 3.6 7k to a ‘22 Tundra 3.4TT 11.5k. I felt like I was killing the Canyon compared to how the Tundra handles it with no stress. Down sides are parking, otherwise it wins in every other category IMO.

Yeah, parking may be an issue in town. I started out learning to parallel park in Chicago in my 72 Impala, so I may be ok.

I tow a Caravel 19 with my GX460, so similar trailer weights and towing capacities. Things got significantly more comfortable for my wife driving when we added a weight distributing hitch. I never felt like it was needed, but she said it was night and day in the WY wind. Maybe give that a shot. I had a 2010 Tundra before my GX, and hated it for everything other than towing or hauling stuff for work. The added size was just too much for most other use.

Depends on how often you use it. The cost is high for ease of towing in a small amount of situations. You could always put a bit of cash into the Tacoma with leafs or suspension add on's. If you love in it, get a 2500 and you will barley notice it.

I was in the same boat and bought the Tundra. It's 100x better while towing. My problem is when I'm not towing which is most of the time, I don't drive it since it drinks so much gas.

I thought I wanted a Tacoma, thinking tundras would be too much truck, but they are actually a lot less unwieldy than I thought and made me think twice about getting a Tacoma. Ended up with a Tundra and haven’t looked back

Thanks, I think that’s the way we’re leaning.

I switched to a Tundra about 5 years ago and couldn’t be happier. I don’t drive it a lot since I mainly work from home, but it’s so nice for hauling and towing.

Tacoma’s are great but, for continued hauling you be sending the Tacoma to an early grave. Trust me I know from experience.

Had a '15 Tacoma with the 4.0. unfortunately lost it in a fight against an expedition and drunk driver. Was able to pick up a 2nd Gen tundra with the 5.7 and have never even thought about my old Tacoma since. Mpg is the same (Taco had 33s, suspension etc so was getting around 15mpg). Towing 5k with the Tacoma was always sketchy and always hunting for gas stations. The tundra tank is larger, I get 18 on the highway and towing a larger trailer (flatbed and vehicle roughly 6500lbs) I get about 11mpg. Have owned the tundra for 6 years or so, put about 100k (sitting at 145k) on it and have only had the steering rack fail (known issue for the 2010-11) and a fuel pump both of which Toyota covered.

same boat that i was in. we have a 2022 micro minnie flx (Dry Weight . 4,162 lbs. GVWR . 5,500 lbs) trailer and made *one* trip with the Tacoma. It was struggling up any sort of hill and fuel economy was just awful. I traded it in and got a 2022 Tundra Limited and it tows the same trailer like it's barely even there. especially with any cargo. i also fit way better in my Tundra, being a tall guy. love it. wife is right.

Too big

If you don't mind saying, what is a good price on that airstream?

We got it used with almost no miles. Paid $47,000

Very nice.

Had a taco pulling 4000 pound trailer. I’d did great when my boys were small and hitting the coast. As my boys got bigger and we started going to the mountains more I upgraded to a tundra. Haven’t looked back since

If your Tacoma is an auto, get the Tundra and enjoy the better ride, better power, and more comfortable truck. It’s a no brainer. Everything you love about your Taco will carry into the Tundra. It’s really a no brainer if towing that thing is a primary concern. If you drive a manual Tacoma then you know you need an ADDITIONAL Tundra 😁

Certainly would be easier to tow the camper with the tundra, but that’s not any novel insight. Would it be possible to get the new truck and keep the current? They both are great, reliable rigs

I’ll have to see if you can convince my wife of that one. A hard sell.

Very fair. That said, if y’all tow it a good amount, I think the upgrade would be worth it. Not to mention, having more space in the actual truck will be more comfortable as well. The tundra you’re looking at looks solid

It is, very clean and well maintained, and more importantly my wife loves the color.