First generation
2003 Toyota Tacoma towing capacity
Max towing, 20035,000 lb
The 2003 Toyota Tacoma tows up to 5,000 lb (Base Double Cab 3.4L V6 4-speed ECT automatic 4x4 with the Tow Package, per the 2003 Toyota Tacoma specifications).
The lowest rating is 3,500 lb, for the Base XtraCab 2.7L 4-cylinder 5-speed manual 4x4.
2003 Toyota Tacoma specifications (toyota.com)- Configurations
- 17
- Payload
- 1,375–2,005 lb
- GCWR
- 6,700–7,400 lb
- Tongue
- 350 lb
01 / Ratings
Every 2003 Tacoma configuration
2003 Toyota Tacoma
| Configuration | Max towing lb | Max tongue lb | GCWR lb | Max payload lb | GVWR lb | Axle ratio | Tow check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 4-cylinder | |||||||
| BaseXtraCab · 4x4 · 5-speed manual | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,630 | 5,100 | 3.91 | Check load → |
| BaseXtraCab · 4x4 · 4-speed ECT automatic | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,600 | 5,100 | 4.10 | Check load → |
| PreRunnerXtraCab · 4x2 · 4-speed ECT automatic | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,830 | 5,100 | 4.10 | Check load → |
| PreRunnerDouble Cab · 4x2 · 4-speed ECT automatic | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,670 | 5,100 | 3.91 | Check load → |
| BaseRegular Cab · 4x4 · 5-speed manual | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,810 | 5,100 | 3.91 | Check load → |
| BaseRegular Cab · 4x4 · 4-speed ECT automatic | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,780 | 5,100 | 4.10 | Check load → |
| PreRunnerRegular Cab · 4x2 · 4-speed ECT automatic | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 2,005 | 5,100 | 3.91 | Check load → |
| PreRunnerRegular Cab · 4x2 · 4-speed ECT automaticwith Locking rear differential | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 2,005 | 5,100 | 4.30 | Check load → |
| 2.4L 4-cylinder | |||||||
| BaseXtraCab · 4x2 · 5-speed manual | 3,500 | 350 | 6,700 | 1,550 | 4,500 | 3.58 | Check load → |
| BaseXtraCab · 4x2 · 4-speed ECT automatic | 3,500 | 350 | 6,700 | 1,530 | 4,500 | 3.73 | Check load → |
| BaseRegular Cab · 4x2 · 5-speed manual | 3,500 | 350 | 6,700 | 1,500 | 4,250 | 3.58 | Check load → |
| BaseRegular Cab · 4x2 · 4-speed ECT automatic | 3,500 | 350 | 6,700 | 1,480 | 4,250 | 3.73 | Check load → |
| 3.4L V6 | |||||||
| BaseXtraCab · 4x4 · 5-speed manual | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,585 | 5,100 | 3.91 | Check load → |
| BaseXtraCab · 4x4 · 5-speed manualwith Locking rear differential | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,585 | 5,100 | 4.10 | Check load → |
| BaseXtraCab · 4x4 · 4-speed ECT automatic | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,560 | 5,100 | 3.91 | Check load → |
| BaseXtraCab · 4x4 · 4-speed ECT automaticwith Locking rear differential | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,560 | 5,100 | 4.10 | Check load → |
| PreRunnerXtraCab · 4x2 · 4-speed ECT automatic | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,745 | 5,100 | 3.91 | Check load → |
| PreRunnerXtraCab · 4x2 · 4-speed ECT automaticwith Locking rear differential | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,745 | 5,100 | 4.10 | Check load → |
| S-RunnerXtraCab · 4x2 · 5-speed manual | 3,500 | 350 | 6,800 | 1,375 | 4,500 | 3.15 | Check load → |
| BaseDouble Cab · 4x4 · 4-speed ECT automatic | 3,500 | 350 | not in our data | 1,395 | 5,100 | 3.91 | Check load → |
| BaseDouble Cab · 4x4 · 4-speed ECT automaticwith Locking rear differential | 3,500 | 350 | not in our data | 1,395 | 5,100 | 4.10 | Check load → |
| Base MostDouble Cab · 4x4 · 4-speed ECT automaticwith Tow Package | 5,000 | 350 | not in our data | 1,395 | 5,100 | 3.91 | Check load → |
| PreRunnerDouble Cab · 4x2 · 4-speed ECT automatic | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,625 | 5,100 | 3.91 | Check load → |
| PreRunnerDouble Cab · 4x2 · 4-speed ECT automaticwith Locking rear differential | 3,500 | 350 | 7,400 | 1,625 | 5,100 | 4.10 | Check load → |
02 / Why
Which one tows the most, and why
What moves the rating
MakerTows the most: 5,000 lb
Base Double Cab 3.4L V6 4-speed ECT automatic 4x4 with the Tow Package. Without it the same configuration is rated 3,500 lb.
Package
Tow Package
+1,500 lb
Same configuration otherwise · one pair in the table
Best rating by engine
- 3.4L V65,000 lb
- 2.7L 4-cylinder3,500 lb
- 2.4L 4-cylinder3,500 lb
The line is the highest rating on this page. Each bar is that engine’s best configuration.
03 / By year
Tacoma towing by model year
04 / Next
Check it against your load
05 / FAQ
Questions people ask
Which 2003 Tacoma configuration tows the most?
The Base Double Cab 3.4L V6 4-speed ECT automatic 4x4 with the Tow Package, at 5,000 lb.
Which package unlocks the 2003 Tacoma’s 5,000 lb rating?
The Tow Package: Toyota rates the Base Double Cab 3.4L V6 4-speed ECT automatic 4x4 at 5,000 lb so equipped. Without it the same configuration is rated 3,500 lb.
What is the max tongue weight of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma?
350 lb for every configuration that publishes it. Tongue weight is the trailer’s downward push on the hitch; it counts against payload.
What is the GCWR of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma?
6,700–7,400 lb by configuration; the most is 7,400 lb, for the Base XtraCab 2.7L 4-cylinder 5-speed manual 4x4. GCWR is the most the loaded vehicle and its loaded trailer may weigh together.
Has the Toyota Tacoma’s towing capacity changed by year?
Highest rating by model year: 2026, 6,500 lb; 2024–2025, 6,500 lb; 2023, 6,800 lb; 2021–2022, 6,800 lb; 2019–2020, 6,800 lb; 2018, 6,800 lb; 2017, 6,800 lb; 2016, 6,800 lb; 2015, 6,500 lb; 2014, 6,500 lb; 2012–2013, 6,500 lb; 2011, 6,500 lb; 2008, up to 6,499 lb; 2006, up to 6,499 lb; 2005, up to 6,499 lb; 2004, 5,000 lb; 2003, 5,000 lb; 2002, 6,000 lb; 2001, 5,000 lb; 2000, 5,000 lb; 1999, 5,000 lb; 1997, 5,000 lb.
Does the engine change the 2003 Tacoma’s towing capacity?
Yes. Best rating by engine: 3.4L V6, 5,000 lb; 2.7L 4-cylinder, 3,500 lb; 2.4L 4-cylinder, 3,500 lb.