2022 Toyota Tacoma Towing Capacity

When you’re looking to buy a truck, its towing capacity is one of the most important specifications to consider. This factor is a rating that indicates approximately how much weight a vehicle can safely and effectively pull. Whether you plan to haul loads for work or pull equipment for recreation, the midsize Toyota Tacoma is consistently one of the best options on the market in terms of towing capacity. See how it measures up against the competition. Not the right year? Check out the 2024 Tacoma’s towing capabilities.

What’s the Towing Capacity of the Toyota Tacoma?

The towing capacity of the 2022 Toyota Tacoma ranges from 3,500 to 6,800 pounds. To understand the factors that contribute to a Tacoma’s specific capacity, look at its exact configuration. The truck’s bed size, cab variation, drivetrain option, and powertrain option all contribute to the amount of weight it can pull.

For example, the lower-level SR and SR5 trims come standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that’s capable of generating 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, but both are upgradeable to the 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. It’s also available in either an access cab or a double cab, with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, and with a 5-foot or 6-foot bed. To get a sense of how these various options affect the towing capacity, let’s look at the different configurations for the base SR trim:

• 4×2 access cab with the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and 6-foot bed: 3,500 pounds.
• 4×2 access cab with the 3.5-liter V-6 engine and 6-foot bed: 6,800 pounds.
• 4×2 double cab with the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and 5-foot bed: 3,500 pounds.
• 4×4 access cab with the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and 6-foot bed: 3,500 pounds.
• 4×4 access cab with the 3.5-liter V-6 engine and 6-foot bed: 6,500 pounds.
• 4×4 double cab with the 3.5-liter V-6 engine and 5-foot bed: 6,400 pounds.

Keep in mind that the maximum towing capacities shown above are for Tacomas equipped with Toyotas tow prep package, which consists of a transmission cooler, engine oil cooler, heavy-duty battery, and a 130-amp alternator as well as a class IV receiver hitch, a 4/7-pin connector, and trailer-sway control.

How Does the Toyota Tacoma Compare Against Competitors?

As a midsize pickup truck, the Tacoma competes in a segment that includes the Chevrolet Colorado, Honda Ridgeline, Hyundai Santa Cruz, and Nissan Frontier. Like the Tacoma, most of these models have a towing capacity that varies depending on their particular configuration. Only one has the potential to outperform the Toyota Tacoma with regard to towing capacity, though only slightly and under specific circumstances. The others feature maximum capacities that are well under the Tacoma’s potential.

The Chevy Colorado, which is virtually identical to the Tacoma in terms of exterior dimensions, has three powertrain options. This is the factor that seems to have the most impact on the Colorado’s towing capacity. The 2.5-liter DOHC I-4 engine is the base option and is capable of towing 3,500 pounds, the same as the Tacoma’s standard engine. The 2.8-liter Turbo-Diesel engine can tow more, at 5,000 pounds. It’s with the 3.6-liter V-6 with the trailering package that you get 7,000 pounds of towing capacity, though it’s only 3,500 without the package.

Compared to the Honda Ridgeline, the Tacoma has a greater range and maximum. The 2022 Ridgeline’s towing capacity is 5,000 pounds across all of its trim levels, each of which comes standard with a V-6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Each model also has a class III trailer hitch and seven-pin connector integrated into the vehicle. The 5,000 lb capacity is consistent, within excellent midsize range, and suitable for recreational haulers, but it may not be able to meet heavy-duty work requirements.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz’s maximum towing capacity is also 5,000 pounds, though it has a minimum capacity of 3,500 pounds. The Santa Cruz has two powertrain options: an inline four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque and a turbo engine that generates 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The former gets you 3,500 pounds of towing capacity for both all-wheel and front-wheel drive. For the latter, it’s 3,500 for front-wheel drive and 5,000 for all-wheel drive. These numbers apply only if you have trailer brakes installed. Otherwise, the maximum capacity is 1,650 pounds.

As for the 2022 Nissan Frontier, there’s a narrow range of towing capacities, but each falls short of the Tacoma’s maximum. Available in four trim levels, as well as with two cab variations and two drivetrain options, the Frontier gets 6,260 pounds of towing capacity on the low end and 6,720 pounds on the high end. The specific breakdown is as follows:

• King Cab S: 6,720 pounds (two-wheel drive), 6,510 pounds (four-wheel drive).
• King Cab SV: 6,670 pounds (two-wheel drive), 6,470 pounds (four-wheel drive).
• Crew Cab S: 6,570 pounds (two-wheel drive), 6,370 pounds (four-wheel drive).
• Crew Cab SV: 6,530 pounds (two-wheel drive), 6,330 pounds (four-wheel drive).
• Crew Cab Long-Bed SV: 6,460 pounds (two-wheel drive), 6,260 pounds (four-wheel drive).
• Crew Cab PRO-X: 6,470 pounds.
• Crew Cab PRO-4X: 6,270 pounds.

As you can see, the 2022 Toyota Tacoma is a powerful midsize truck that can certainly meet most hauling needs. If you have any questions about the towing capacity of the Toyota Tacoma or are interested in getting some hands-on experience with one in our new or used inventory, drop us a line at 513-874-8797. If you’d rather communicate in writing, feel free to fill out and submit a message form through our contact page, and a specialist will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

You’re also welcome to visit us at our Toyota dealership at your convenience. Find us at 5676 Dixie Highway in Fairfield. Our sales department is open seven days a week — 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Let us show you how one of our Tacomas can meet your automotive needs.