What pickup would you get if you were in my shoes???

Drove my neighbor's Vette this summer. One fast piece of shit.

 

In your situation go for a full size. Sierra/Silverado or Tundra would be my choices.

 

but still a piece of shit. lol

 

It's one of those cars that can cost you an arm or a leg to buy and own......and you still buy it. No one in America makes a car like a Vette...excluding Teslar.

 

✌Yep I'm a newb to the online bible of the machine I've admired since the early late 70s/early 80s. I've had new Tacomas in the past and have NEVER been disappointed in any way. That is why ,after a 3-4 yr plan, a lot of lurking and a whole lot of life in general. I was able to trade off my 10' SR5 Tundra for my 16' AC OR V6/Auto Tacoma. I couldn't be happier with my decision. I bought it sight unseen and no test drive. While I don't have many miles on it (300+) I've done enough foolin around w it to give my opinion. First off, this truck will work for you. The ECT will get you off the line and assist in the last 1/4 of the mountains in the thin air. Your not hauling much weight. This thing has some ass! The construction is top notch as usual and I don't think your limited tow schedule would have any effects on longevity. Would a smaller V8 Tundra pull it easier? Yep, but the Tacoma is more user friendly and a better investment in the long run imho. My new truck still has the "bound up" feel like a new pair of Ropers but I'm sure it'll wear in just fine. Toyota doesn't build crap as you know. Go with your gut.

 

I have a 2005 with 42000 miles. 4x2 though

 

Just give it a couple of months until FLT or some one tests the truck towing. For now, I wouldn't worry. It WILL be better then your present truck. I have towed that weight and more with mu 2nd gen and it was good...not excellent. This new truck should do fine.....but hold off till you get a sample of people as reference who tow.

 

If only towing 3000 lbs on occasion an f150 is overkill. Taco is rated for 6500, that's less than 1/2 even with steep grades. F150 is 10500, that is less than 1/3rd. My 2005 access cab is rated at 6300 and I've towed a 5000lb pontoon up steep grades with no problems

 

'Murica

Or spend $35k hating your daily driver feeling gutless and then expecting it to be better with 3000 lbs in its ass.

 

I bought a 2016 access cab a few weeks ago to replace my 2004 prerunner but seriously considered the F-150 eco-boost. If I had more room in my garage at home and did not have to park in an indoor garage at work I might have F-150. If I were going to pull a trailer like yours it would have tilted me further toward the F-150.

I drove the Colorado and it was nice, but I just did not feel like it would go the distance like my 2004 prerunner did.

 

I just traded my '02 Chevy Silverado CC/SB Duramax (I loved that truck) in for my Tacoma. I towed a small military trailer (2000Lbs) full of camping gear to the Grand Canyon. I cruised at 70-75 all the way. Believe me, I noticed a difference in the power, but like you, I don't tow very often. I notice the difference driving around town too, it's so much nicer in the smaller Tacoma. I'd get the Tacoma if I were you.

 

Except he said the test drive was disappointing due to the lack of power.

 

Yes, but he's only towing 10 times a year. It's rated to pull twice what he's pulling.

 

Yeah my test drive was very short and I didn't really get to open it up. I will have to test one again.

 

Another vote for the 3rd gen.
Anything but the 2nd gen really, life is short-get something new.

 

The Corvette is the ONLY Chevrolet I would ever consider buying. Not a production piece in the least.

 

Get the truck for what you'll be using it the most for...if you're only towing 10 times a year, just deal with that when the time comes, instead of suffering day in and day out. I change my answer, get a Tacoma.

I am in kind of the same boat as you, only really need a fullsize a couple times of the year...98% of the time, a Tacoma is more than enough. I am trying to talk myself into a fullsize...but really don't need it when it comes on down to it.

 

10 times a year is once a month almost. That's a lot of use.

Have you ever driven around a full-size for a while? They really are not THAT big. I feel they are taller more so than beastly. My crew cab 6.5 foot bed can be a bit irritating as far as length here and there but I'm used to it.

I've decided I need a fullsize and a Tacoma will be a future second vehicle. They are a fun toy but do not function for what I need.

What full size are you considering? Ford was going to be willing to loan me a truck for a couple days to test it out. I wanted to try out that ecoboost for a true comparison on my daily drive. So you may be able to do that.

A fullsize will not only handle your trailer better, the larger wheel base will give better stability, and you'll get better mpgs.

I bought my truck because I do 1200 mile road trips to my family's farm once a month. I carry a lot of stuff back and fourth in the bed. An SUV like a 4runner or bigger would be required and the cost and mpgs are thr same. Plus I don't want to destroy the inside of the vehicle. I frequently have 3-4 people in the truck. I need decent back seat room. I also hail trailers of varying weight a few times a year. Couple weeks ago I hauled a 9,000lb trailer of building materials for a buddy.

The Taco makes a better toy and daily driver but it's way too small, way too expensive, and has too shitty of mileage for me to give up the beast.

You can get a base XL for cheaper than a Taco. Cheap enough to spend a couple thousand on a lift, paint matched bumpers, and heated leather seats and still be ahead (oh and a better stereo).
I say give full size an honest consideration and maybe borrow one for a day. See how you like it. Especially if you coukd do with an access cab. It has more room than the DC Taco!

Full size aren't for everyone but I feel like for many people they wob't go back after a full size. They spoil you.

 

Great set-up Tacojonn,

I got my TRD 2 weeks ago and did a trip of pulling a 2500 pds trailer. I honestly haven't seen not much difference in the pulling capacity on small hills landscape compare to a 2014 Tacoma we have in the family. Yes, the auto transmission shifts a lot but it is now a six speed versus a 5 speeds or even 4 speeds.

Beside towing, my new 2016 is definitely a much more enjoyable ride than the 2014 and keep me smiling while riding. I must say that Toyota did a good job at renewing the Tacoma. Fuel is better and all functions just got better (GPS NAV, defrost, dual zone heating, garage door opener, etc the list goes on).

For your answer, my dealer sold 6 Tacoma out of 7 seven in 9 days and probably half of those were sold to second gen. owners who switch to the 2016 model. Now they are sold out and the waiting list begin.

They are going to be a lot of 2nd gen. Tacoma on the market over the next year and some with very low mileage. That would be an interesting alternative option for replacing your aging Tacoma.

 

A 2 nd and 3 gen Tacoma are nearly the same size as full size trucks used to be. I would tow and have anything up to 5000 lbs with regularity you discribed with them. After that, consider a bigger truck. Equally of concern is how much of a load you carry in the truck as well. If you want to load it down while twing, even 3k, it's worth considering bigger....other wise, Tacos work.