Towing capacity of Toyota Tacoma

Don't know actual poundage - but my 02 Tacoma Prerunner V6, TRD, etc. can pull out 5x8 trailer with XR650, XR400 & WR400F without incident.

It has also pulled our trailer with all overnight gear & both XR's; WR400 & CR500 in the bed of truck.

my boss pulled his 2 place enclosed snowmobile trailer with his tacoma all the time with no problem.

I have a 98 Prerunner V6 and it can pull up to about 4200lbs. without straining too bad. I have pulled a 7x18 enclosed trailer that weighed in at 4980lbs. which is right at the limit that the owners manual says (5000) and it pulled it, but taking off from a start was really slow. Of course, I was taking it pretty easy taking off to avoid too much heat build up in the transmission. I have an automatic (all Prerunners are) with a stacked plate tranny cooler, along with headers and Flowmaster exhaust. The big thing to save the longevity of your truck is to install a cooler and you may need something in the rear suspension to avoid the sagging so common with Tacomas. Other than that, it is a great small pickup capable of way more than other trucks its size. Trust me, I had a Ranger before getting my Toyota.

What are you looking to tow? That engine and chassis is rated to tow 5000# but you will experience significant rear-end sag towing just about anything. I have towed 6x12 (pretty heavily loaded) but you have to be patient and careful in the stopping distances. You will need to get help for the sagging problem though - i towed a ski boat before beefing up rear suspension and that was scary.

I don't have any problems towing 5x10 enclosed with 2 bikes/gear. It seems the wind resistance from towing a 5x6 flat wall at highway speeds is the most significant aspect - much easier to tow a streamlined boat at these speeds.

I installed leaf springs - actually helper springs that just ride there most of the time - simpler than airbag system.

As for header/exhaust horsepower - not as much as the TRD supercharger - nice but pricey!!!