TRUCKS

Is the Toyota Tacoma a Good Pickup Truck for Landscapers?

One of the most important tools in a landscaper’s cache is a pickup truck. , weed eaters, shovels, shovels, coolers, and crew members are no good if you can’t move them. Many landscapers work with what they have, but there will be a time when that transmission breaks for the last time. Then, they’d be looking for a new factor, wondering if something like the popular Tacoma would be worth its salt.

The Toyota Tacoma is a modern mid-size pickup truck

2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro | Toyota

It looks like an impressive mid-size truck for the job. It has the tried-and-true off-road credentials, in-hose, and famous Toyota reliability. For example, the automaker has turned around, despite ongoing supply chain issues.

Tacos have been pumping for three decades, but the current model has the most towing capacity. When properly equipped—TRD Sport Access cab with six-foot box and automatic transmission—it can tow 6,800 pounds. All-wheel-drive versions have a maximum towing capacity of just 6,500 pounds. Maximum payload capacity for the bed is 1,685 pounds, but that’s only on rear-wheel drive models with the 2.7-liter four-cylinder. All-wheel-drive capable Tacomas weigh under a few hundred pounds. Also, maximum tongue weight drops from 640 in the 3.5-liter V6 model to just 350 pounds in the four-cylinder model.

However, the 6,800-pound towing capacity is adequate for towing smaller eight-foot utility trailers with a single 48-inch deck mower. By adding all their lawn trimmers, weekend warriors will be able to carry all their gear for cutting, trimming, and blowing. But what about the functions of the thalamus?

A cubic yard of mulch—three feet long by three feet wide and three feet long of dyed brown—usually weighs about 500 pounds. A smaller eight-foot trailer can easily absorb six yards. But this is also dry weight. Wet mulch weighs a lot more, and setting up a small trailer with less tongue weight isn’t going to cut it. It’d be tough moving all the weight with only 265 lb-ft of torque, too. Furthermore, suburban homes often require more than six yards, and that’s when the towing capacity of midsize trucks reaches its limits.

Taco interior work truck

Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Tacoma interior | Toyota

One of the interior’s high points is the interior’s expediency. It’s been a complaint of taco enthusiasts for years, but the fabric seats and heavy-duty plastic materials work well, as the fescue hangs from Sun up to Sun down. Upholstery cleaning is as easy as cranking a backpack inflator for 30 seconds and getting a seat clean enough to eat.

However, due to its position in the midsize truck segment, it has a narrower cabin than that of a full-size truck. This wouldn’t be a problem for thinner landscaping, but it can be an uncomfortable road runner for big boys and girls.

Do you really have to get over that sweet exterior?

Toyota Tacoma
2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro | Toyota
Related

One of the reasons the Toyota Tacoma is a perpetually expensive truck is this. The aforementioned TRD Sport is about $40K, but Tacomas often go for $50K.

If owners are even remotely concerned about resale value, tearing up the exterior can be dreary. Unfortunately, rocks thrown from mowers, winches with tight spaces, and stray crew members can affect value significantly. Additionally, larger yards that need larger equipment that can help pay for an expensive taco may not be available to the part-time solo mower.

Is the Toyota Tacoma Really a Good Landscaping Pickup Truck?

Realistically, landscapers need a truck that they aren’t afraid of getting a little dirty or damaged. Although, if the part-time landscaper only works on the weekends, the Tacomas they drive to the office during the week will be fine.

On the other hand, a full-time landscaper probably won’t get much use out of a Toyota Tacoma. For lawn mower kits that pull 18-foot three Z rolls, a full size is necessary. Landscape veterans would do well to save a taco for their significant others driver for Applebee’s Saturday night.

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