Which truck is better suited to tow a 5,600 lbs box (horse) trailer down the highway? Is is the Toyota Tacoma V6 4×4 or the Toyota Tundra V8 4×4? Towing heavy trailers is not the focus of the Tacoma, but the Tundra could even tow the Space Shuttle. Nonetheless, what happens when you need to move a trailer from point A to point B? Should you choose a midsize or fullsize truck to do the job?
We ran both trucks on the same highway loop with the cruise set to 70 MPH. We used the same refueling station and method. The result was somewhat surprising. Most of us expected the Tundra to return a better MPG, but it did not.
2016 Toyota Tundra | 2016 Toyota Tacoma | ||
Model | CrewCab TRD Pro 4×4 | DoubleCab TRD Off-Road 4×4 | |
Engine | 5.7-liter V8 | 3.5-liter V6 | |
Transmission | 6-speed Auto | 6-speed Auto | |
Power (hp / lb-ft) | 381 / 401 | 278 / 265 | |
Axle Ratio | 4.30 | 3.91 | |
EPA mpg | 13/18/15 | 18/23/20 | |
Trailer lbs | 5,760 lbs * | 5,600 lbs | |
GCWR lbs | 12,140 lbs | 10,740 lbs | |
Result MPG | 8.15 | 8.4 |
- Trailer weight was increased approximately 160 lbs to compensate for not having technical editor Brian in the Tundra.