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Now days most truck automatics are sturdier than the manuals, so if you don't haul more than the truck can handle, then you should be fine. Though I don't put much stock in the tow ratings for the small trucks and V6s. I've watched those ratings climb and climb for the last 20 years as manufacturers try to meet mileage standards by downsizing engines. Wonder why they went up?
I find it hard to believe a truck towing a 20' trailer 3000 lbs under its 6500lbs limit would be an issue. What do you base this on?
All the trailers I have seen have electric brakes and the truck would have the controller for them.
Experience........I owned 3 trucks that were similar to your Tacoma (Mazda B2300 which were essentially Ford Rangers). After 100K miles cumulative miles I decided I had enough. They towed 2000-2500 lb trailers and front brakes would eat calipers and under hard stops the trailer would push the truck around. Granted the bed was empty at all times but I switched to full size trucks and all of my little truck issues were gone.
My advice:
Find the truck you want, don't buy it but rather hook it up to your travel trailer then go for a ride down the highway. I suspect within 5 miles you will never want to hook a Tacoma up to anything.
3500 lbs is a pretty small trailer. The Tacoma should handle it fine.
Fuel economy is not an issue when hauling. Yes, the 6 cyl only gets 18 mpg on the highway, but towing means driving in the slow lane.
Braking will be fine with trailer brakes, which are required by law anyway. There is a new fangled invention called a load leveler hitch that distributes the tow weight evenly between front and rear wheels. 6-ply tires are recommended.
The video you posted of the trailer tip was just crosswind. It had nothing to do with the tow rig. The driver should not have been on the road in a high wind, but that is the only mistake he made.
While I agree with most of what you said........keep in mind if that trailer blew over a 3500 dually then what do you think would happen with a tacoma?
i have pulled a lot of trailers with a range of vehicles and i have some advice for your specific questions.
don't use a 6 cylinder or a mid size vehicle as a tow vehicle. been there, done that and i didn't like it. now, if you are going to tow once in the spring and once in the fall, on flat ground without any headwinds, mid size and 6 banger would be fine.
I towed a 12ft popup camper with a Ranger extended cab with a 3.0 V6. I did that once. It won't happen again. The small tow vehicle is the issue. The Ranger pulled it fine. Stopping even with surge brakes on the trailer, fuel mileage right at 8, and an 18 wheeler can just about have you going where you came from, rough ride even with 300lbs in the bed, no thanks. My life is worth more than any puny truck pulling a trailer. If you're pulling anything over 1500lbs, get a real truck with heft to handle the trailer. While you might like the Tacoma, a fullsize F150 will get the same or better fuel mileage with no trailer and far better fuel mileage towing. If looking at new, the new 2.7 EcoBoost has been a winner so far and it comes tow ready for that size trailer. It can be equipped to tow a lot more with the tow package.
I have started to look at the 1st gen Tundra...05 and 06...
Nice they compete well with other domestic 1/2 tons for towing and were built with tow/hauling in mind from the factory just be careful since they tend to hold resale well and if you can find a 2007-up 2nd Tundra gen it is that much better esp the 2010 models with the upgraded 4.7 I force V-8 that puts out 310Hp and alot more low end torque and get better fuel economy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US2mY-YbkKI
only a 1MPG city and the same fuel economy on the FWY when comparing the 4.0L V6 and 4.7L V-8 so the 4.7 V-8 is a great choice for the Tundra IMO plis with thew tow haul pkg the 2nd gen Tundra comes come with integrated trailer sway control and factory 4 pin and 7 pin connector options as well as larger 4 wheel Heavy duty disc brakes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Boc787fQgRA
The tundra is over built compared to other 1/2 tons the springs are stiffer, upgraded suspension, upgraded brakes, bigger and stronger transmission, etc. 390hp for the 5.7L Hemi Ram vs 381HP for the optional 5.7 I-force V-8 engine in Tundra and has a Tow rating of slightly over 10,000Lbs
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