Long recognized for its reliability and no-nonsense capability, the Toyota Tacoma mid-size pickup truck can be configured in many ways. From the most affordable rear-wheel-drive (RWD) SR Access Cab truck with its eager four-cylinder engine to the off-road-ready TRD Pro Crew Cab with its standard four-wheel drive (4WD) and V6 engine, there’s a 2021 Toyota Tacoma for most anyone.
For buyers interested in towing, the Tacoma boasts a maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds. That betters the Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Frontier, but the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado beat them all by hundreds of pounds. In each case, tow ratings depend on cab and bed style, powertrain, drivetrain, and additional equipment. That can get confusing, so we’ve arranged all of the 2021 Tacoma’s towing specs in a simple format below.
What is the Towing Capacity of a 2021 Toyota Tacoma?
- Which Toyota Tacoma Can Tow the Most?
- How Much Can a Rear-Wheel-Drive Toyota Tacoma Max Tow?
- How Much Can a Four-Wheel-Drive Toyota Tacoma Max Tow?
- Toyota Tacoma Max Towing Capacity by Body Style
- What is the Max Towing Capacity for the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro?
- Does the Toyota Tacoma Have Any Special Towing Features?
Which Toyota Tacoma Can Tow the Most?
Toyota offers the 2021 Tacoma with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V6. Models equipped with the V6 also come standard with a Class IV tow hitch and connections for 4-pin or 7-pin trailer wiring.
To get the Tacoma’s maximum 6,800-lb towing capacity, you’ll need a RWD Access Cab fitted with the V6. No additional options, such as a Towing Package, are required.
How Much Can a Rear-Wheel-Drive Toyota Tacoma Max Tow?
Tacomas equipped with the four-cylinder engine lack the standard tow hitch and wiring, but with those items added, the truck will tow up to 3,500 pounds. The V6 bumps that up to 6,800 pounds.
- 2.7L I4: Up to 3,500 pounds
- 3.5L V6: Up to 6,800 pounds
How Much Can a Four-Wheel-Drive Toyota Tacoma Max Tow?
Regardless of drivetrain, four-cylinder Tacomas can tow up to 3,500 pounds. For V6 models, adding 4WD drops the maximum tow rating from 6,800 to 6,500 pounds.
- 2.7L I4: Up to 3,500 pounds
- 3.5L V6: Up to 6,500 pounds
Toyota Tacoma Max Towing Capacity by Body Style
Double Cab:
- 2.7L I4: 3,500 pounds
- 3.5L V6: 6,700 pounds (RWD short bed) | 6,600 pounds (RWD long bed) | 6,400 pounds (4WD)
Access Cab:
- 2.7L I4: 3,500 pounds
- 3.5L V6: 6,800 pounds (RWD) | 6,500 pounds (4WD)
What is the Max Towing Capacity for the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro?
Blending upscale amenities like heated leather seats and a JBL premium sound system with off-road suspension, hill-descent control, and a slightly raised body height, the TRD Pro lets you venture far off of the beaten path in comfort. Toyota offers the truck in a 4WD Crew Cab Short Bed configuration with the V6, but buyers can opt for a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. With or without a clutch pedal, the TRD Pro has a maximum tow rating of 6,400 pounds.
Does the Toyota Tacoma Have Any Special Towing Features?
Aside from the tow hitch and wiring that comes standard with the V6 engine, the Tacoma offers just a couple of standard features that may aid towing:
Trailer Sway Control: Prevents the trailer from weaving side to side while towing.
Hill Start Assist Control: This feature temporarily prevents the truck from rolling backward when releasing the brakes on an incline. Requires the automatic transmission.
