2025 SR5 towing capacity and MPG

Can it really haul 12,000 lb ? It really get 17/22 MPG (just driving not towing)? That's what my Tacoma is getting and this is more truck. It's a black SR5 with iForce V6 and has towing package. I test drove one today and will occasionally (2-4 times a year) haul an 8,000 lb RV. I found a chart online but you guys own them so you'd know better. I love my Tacoma it just isn't enough truck for that. Also they doing 0.9% APR so might as well get one.

 

Can’t speak for the inferior non hybrid, but I get 21 MPG in the summer with 90% highway 80mph driving. Winter is more like 17.5 because the engine doesn’t shut off as much.

 

On my previous 22 SR5 Premium with the tow package, I towed a loaded 7500lb enclosed trailer and about 800 lbs in my bed from Jacksonville, FL to Las Vegas, NV.

The trip was about 2,400 miles. I averaged 9-12 MPG with a lot of changes in elevation. I wasn’t easy on the gas though. I was getting paid for gas/mileage so it was a spirited driving experience.

I was passing cars uphill with ease. Didn’t feel like I was towing anything. The drive was comfortable and never felt like the truck was lacking power. The rear auto leveling was a big part of that experience I’m sure.

 

I highligthed my limited TRD OR. You should find yours.

 

I found the EPA mileage estimates to be right on the money with my '23 non-hybrid.

As for towing, I think 12.000 pounds is a stretch. But it should pull your 8000# RV with no problem.

 

Yes, and Yes.

 

Hybrid Tundra stats. I average 10mpg towing a 7k travel trailer & have towed over 20k miles.
I have “E” rated tires that are heavy & avg 16mpg in a normal mix of driving.
Crazy power/torque compared to the 2nd generation. Not fatigued after a day of towing.

 

If you do a lot of start and stop driving where you live your city numbers will be lower 14-15. Driving under 70 on highway I get 19-20 and terrain is flat where I live. Higher speeds and it drops to 17-18 on highway. Talking with other owners these are real life numbers. Some say they get better and depending on how and where you drive every day you may get better. Stopping and starting a 6000lbs truck uses more gas. Great truck for towing. I have rear load leveling suspension on my Limited which I highly recommend. Tows 5000lb boat so well I at times forget its back there.

 

I get 22 if it’s purely highway and not going above 70-75 in my non hybrid. Around town it really depends on how short the trip is and how much starting and stopping. Mid to upper teens.

 

That number is a marketing gimmick. The rule of thumb, as others have pointed out, is to stick within 80% of a truck’s max tow rating.

But Toyota makes even doing that difficult with their ultra-conservative payload numbers.

Most Tundras aren’t rated close to 12,000 lb. Most of them are crew cab short beds with 4wd, and the added features of the upper trim levels cause them to suffer even more reduced capacity.

Say your truck is rated for 10k. You should stick to 8k or less. And even that, at 15% tongue weight, is going to max you out on payload if you:

• Drive a 1794 or Platinum
• Mod your truck at all (topper, big heavy tires, bed rack, toolbox, etc)
• Have more people in the cab than just yourself.

15% tongue weight is 1200 lb on an 8k trailer. Your truck has less than 1500 lb payload. Oh, it’ll pull it all day long. It’ll just be over payload. The 2nd gens, even with a naturally aspirated v8, had no problem with 8k. (Whatever you do, don’t look at the Tundra towing groups on Facebook…you’ll see lots of proud posts of 12 year old Tundras pulling 10k+ 5th wheels…there’s even a guy with a gooseneck who hauls 17k lb loads of hay bales with his 2nd gen lol).

All that to say, there is very little margin if you care to stick within all numbers, even if you’re at 80% of max tow rating. Ford and GM make “half tons” that have over 2k lb of payload—even crew cab short beds with 4x4. Just be aware that Toyota remains committed to the lowest payload numbers in the segment.