Owner guide · Peoria Toyota · Peoria, IL
Toyota Tacoma Towing Capacity
The 2026 Tacoma is rated to tow anywhere from 3,500 lb. to 6,500 lb., and the grade, engine, transmission and bed decide where yours lands. Here is the rating for each configuration, the towing equipment by grade, and the limits the owner's manual says to check. Figures are from toyota.com's 2026 Tacoma specifications and the 2026 Tacoma Owner's Manual, both read November 3, 2026. Whether it is a camper, a boat for the Illinois River or a utility trailer, start with the right configuration.
What is the 2026 Toyota Tacoma towing capacity?
Up to 6,500 lb. Toyota.com lists 6,500 lb. for the SR5 and TRD PreRunner with the 6-ft. bed on the 131.9-in. wheelbase; 6,400 lb. or 6,300 lb. for most other gas configurations; 6,000 lb. for the i-FORCE MAX hybrid grades (5,950 lb. for the long-bed Trailhunter); and 3,500 lb. for the SR with the 8-speed automatic.
2026 Tacoma towing capacity by configuration
| Grade | Towing | Engine | Drive | Transmission | Bed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR | 3,500 lb. | i-FORCE | RWD or 4WD | 8-speed auto | 5-ft. or 6-ft. |
| SR | 6,400 lb. | i-FORCE | 4WD | 6-speed manual | 5-ft. |
| SR5 | 6,500 lb. | i-FORCE | RWD or 4WD | 8-speed auto | 6-ft., 131.9-in. wheelbase |
| SR5 | 6,400 lb. | i-FORCE | RWD or 4WD | 8-speed auto | 5-ft., or 6-ft. with 145.1-in. wheelbase |
| TRD PreRunner | 6,500 lb. | i-FORCE | RWD | 8-speed auto | 6-ft., 131.9-in. wheelbase |
| TRD Sport | 6,400 lb. | i-FORCE | RWD or 4WD | 8-speed auto or 6-speed manual | 5-ft. or 6-ft. |
| TRD Off-Road | 6,400 lb. | i-FORCE | 4WD | 6-speed manual | 5-ft. |
| TRD Off-Road | 6,400 lb. | i-FORCE | 4WD | 8-speed auto | 6-ft., 145.1-in. wheelbase |
| TRD Off-Road | 6,300 lb. | i-FORCE | 4WD | 8-speed auto | 5-ft. |
| Limited | 6,300 lb. | i-FORCE | 4WD | 8-speed auto | 5-ft. |
| TRD Sport i-FORCE MAX | 6,000 lb. | i-FORCE MAX | 4WD | 8-speed auto | 5-ft. |
| TRD Off-Road i-FORCE MAX | 6,000 lb. | i-FORCE MAX | 4WD | 8-speed auto | 5-ft. |
| Limited i-FORCE MAX | 6,000 lb. | i-FORCE MAX | Full-time 4WD | 8-speed auto | 5-ft. |
| TRD Pro | 6,000 lb. | i-FORCE MAX | 4WD | 8-speed auto | 5-ft. |
| Trailhunter | 6,000 lb. | i-FORCE MAX | 4WD | 8-speed auto | 5-ft. |
| Trailhunter | 5,950 lb. | i-FORCE MAX | 4WD | 8-speed auto | 6-ft., 145.1-in. wheelbase |
From toyota.com's 2026 Tacoma specifications page (weights and capacities, mechanical and performance, dimensions), read November 3, 2026. Toyota.com lists each configuration separately; rows are grouped here where the rating is the same. i-FORCE is the 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine; i-FORCE MAX is the 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 hybrid powertrain. RWD is rear-wheel drive; 4WD is 4WDemand part-time four-wheel drive with a 2-speed transfer case. Toyota.com had no 2027 Tacoma specifications page when we checked on November 3, 2026.
What the owner's manual lists
| Cab | Bed | Trailer weight rating | Grades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xtra Cab | Long | 6,500 lb. | SR5, TRD PreRunner |
| Xtra Cab | Long | 3,500 lb. | SR |
| Double Cab | Short | 6,400 lb. | SR, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road (model code TZNA45L-PRFSZA) |
| Double Cab | Short | 6,300 lb. | SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited (model code TZNA45L-PRZSZA) |
| Double Cab | Short | 6,400 lb. | SR5, TRD Sport (model code TZNA40L-PRZSZA) |
| Double Cab | Short | 3,500 lb. | SR (model codes TZNA41L-PRZSTA, TZNA46L-PRZSTA) |
| Double Cab | Long | 6,400 lb. | SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road (TZNA40L-PRZSZA: SR5 and all other grades) |
From Toyota's 2026 Tacoma Owner's Manual (OM04051U), pages 200-202, read November 3, 2026. This manual covers the gas Tacoma, not the i-FORCE MAX hybrid. The model code is on the Certification Label on your truck. One difference to know: for the Double Cab short-bed SR5 and TRD Sport with model code TZNA45L-PRZSZA, the manual lists 6,300 lb., while toyota.com lists 6,400 lb. for the SR5 and TRD Sport with four-wheel drive, the automatic and the 5-ft. bed. Go by the manual and the labels on your own truck.
i-FORCE or i-FORCE MAX: does the hybrid tow more?
Not on the 2026 Tacoma. Toyota.com lists the i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbo at 278 hp and 317 lb.-ft. of torque with the 8-speed automatic on most grades, 270 hp and 310 lb.-ft. with the 6-speed manual, and 228 hp and 243 lb.-ft. on the automatic SR. The gas configurations other than the automatic SR are rated from 6,300 lb. to 6,500 lb.
The i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain is listed at 326 hp and 465 lb.-ft. (323 hp on the Trailhunter). Every i-FORCE MAX configuration uses the 8-speed automatic and four-wheel drive, and is rated at 6,000 lb., or 5,950 lb. for the Trailhunter with the 6-ft. bed.
If you plan to tow, bring the trailer's loaded weight when you shop at Peoria Toyota and we will show you the Tacoma configurations rated for it.
Towing equipment on the 2026 Tacoma
Hitch receiver and wiring
A Class-IV towing hitch receiver and wiring harness with 7-pin/4-pin connector is listed as standard on every configuration.
Trailer Backup Guide and trailer camera
Bundled with the hitch as standard on the Limited, Limited i-FORCE MAX, TRD Pro and Trailhunter. Available as part of an option package on the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road (gas and i-FORCE MAX); not available on the SR, SR5 or TRD PreRunner.
Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
Standard on the Limited, Limited i-FORCE MAX, TRD Pro and Trailhunter. Available as part of an option package on the SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road; not available on the SR.
Payload
Toyota.com lists maximum payload from 1,230 lb. to 1,705 lb. depending on configuration. Tongue weight and anything in the bed count against it.
Equipment availability from toyota.com's 2026 Tacoma specifications page, read November 3, 2026. Equipment can change during the model year.
Towing capacity is not the only limit
The owner's manual says the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight must all be within the limits. Passengers, cargo and optional equipment in the truck reduce how much trailer you can pull without going over the gross combination and gross vehicle weight ratings.
Other points from the manual: trailer service brakes are required over the 1000-lb. unbraked trailer weight rating; a sway control device is required over 2000 lb.; a weight distributing hitch is required over 5000 lb.; a trailer with two or more axles is recommended over 3000 lb.; and for conventional towing the tongue weight should be 9% to 11% of the gross trailer weight.
Toyota.com lists Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings from 5,605 lb. to 6,835 lb. and base curb weights from 4,145 lb. to 5,410 lb., depending on configuration.
Peoria Toyota hours
| Department | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sales | Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun closed |
| Service | Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m.-12 p.m.; Sun closed |
From Peoria Toyota's website, November 3, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Toyota Tacoma towing FAQ
How much can a 2026 Toyota Tacoma tow?
Up to 6,500 lb. Toyota.com lists 6,500 lb. for the SR5 and TRD PreRunner with the 6-ft. bed on the 131.9-in. wheelbase. Most other gas configurations are listed at 6,400 lb. or 6,300 lb., the i-FORCE MAX hybrid grades at 6,000 lb. (5,950 lb. for the long-bed Trailhunter), and the SR with the automatic transmission at 3,500 lb.
Why does the Tacoma SR tow only 3,500 lb.?
Toyota.com lists the SR with the 8-speed automatic at 3,500 lb., with a 228-hp version of the i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbo engine and 243 lb.-ft. of torque. The SR with the 6-speed manual and four-wheel drive is listed at 6,400 lb., with 270 hp and 310 lb.-ft.
Does the i-FORCE MAX hybrid Tacoma tow more?
No. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain makes more power, 326 hp and 465 lb.-ft. (323 hp on the Trailhunter), but toyota.com lists the i-FORCE MAX TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, TRD Pro and short-bed Trailhunter at 6,000 lb. and the long-bed Trailhunter at 5,950 lb. The highest rating, 6,500 lb., is on gas SR5 and TRD PreRunner configurations.
Does every 2026 Tacoma come with a hitch?
Yes. Toyota.com lists a Class-IV towing hitch receiver and wiring harness with 7-pin/4-pin connector as standard on every configuration. On the Limited, Limited i-FORCE MAX, TRD Pro and Trailhunter it comes bundled with the Trailer Backup Guide and the Trailer Blind Spot Monitor trailer camera.
Which Tacoma grades have a built-in trailer brake controller?
The Integrated Trailer Brake Controller is listed as standard on the Limited, Limited i-FORCE MAX, TRD Pro and Trailhunter, available as part of an option package on the SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road (gas and i-FORCE MAX), and not available on the SR.
Do I need a weight-distributing hitch?
The owner's manual says a sway control device with sufficient capacity is required when the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb., and a weight distributing hitch with sufficient capacity is required over 5000 lb. Trailer service brakes are required above the 1000-lb. unbraked trailer weight rating.
Planning to tow with a Tacoma?
Visit Peoria Toyota at 7401 N Allen Rd in Peoria to compare Tacoma configurations, or book a brake and tire check before a towing trip.
Sources
Towing capacities, payload, weights, powertrains and equipment availability are from toyota.com's 2026 Tacoma specifications page; trailer weight ratings by cab and the towing limits are from the 2026 Tacoma Owner's Manual, both read November 3, 2026. Your owner's manual and the labels on your truck are the final word. Address and hours are from Peoria Toyota's own website. Image is illustrative.
- 2026 Toyota Tacoma specifications: maximum towing weight, payload, GVWR, curb weight, powertrain, transmission, drivetrain, bed, wheelbase, hitch, Trailer Backup Guide and Integrated Trailer Brake Controller by configuration, Toyota, read November 3, 2026
- 2026 Tacoma Owner's Manual (OM04051U), pages 198-203: trailer weight ratings by cab, bed and grade, and towing limits, Toyota, read November 3, 2026
- Address and hours, Peoria Toyota, November 3, 2026
