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

Here you...I have an access cab now for that exact reason.....

 

I'd sell the Casita to a SoCal member, and buy a new Tacoma

 

Ah, that Ike Gauntlet is I70 over Eisenhower, didn't know that. You'll be fine with the 3.5L Taco or a Gen2 4.0L.

I've hauled a 3700lb loaded travel trailer (Kodiak 166E) from Denver to Utah/Vegas several times over Eisenhower and Vail passes with the bed loaded with tools, gear in the 2012 4.0L.

Had a hard time holding 50mph on the steepest ascents, had to drop into 2nd gear at times with the 4.0 near redline, but it wasn't for long. Mostly I was in 3rd gear at about 3000-3500 rpm climbing the passes and had enough acceleration to get around the 18-wheelers ducking in and out of the passing lane without holding up traffic behind me much.

Save yourself a bunch of money and get a used Gen2 Taco 4.0 instead of the 2016 3.5. Doesn't seem like the 3.5 has a lot of advantages over the 4.0.

 

I cannot get a smaller truck because of the 12-13 times a year I travel and need the full size. Once a month is often enough to seriously regret buying too small of a vehicle.

 

I traded an older 2nd gen ACLB for a 2015 DCLB. It's about a foot longer than the AC. I considered a F150 but it's longer than the toyota DCLB and wouldn't fit in the garage. I'm 6'6 and use the truck for camping (with a topper). I really miss the shorter size of the access cab and really like the full back seats of the double cab. I guess you cant have both.

 

When they tested the Colorado while towing I believe it got something like 13mpg or something like that. Which is NOT good for a diesel and typically defeats the purpose of having a diesel for towing. True most diesels dont sacrifice their MPG while towing, but this small one in the Colorado seems to only perform well when not under load like that. Since we love comparing things to cars, it is more like a TDi car motor thrown in a truck, it has the torque but is lacking in the diesel towing category when it comes to efficiency.

 

Now OP let me add my two cents in here:

First off, this isnt my first taco, I am on my second now. I also drive small, fast cars and motorcycles, so Im not expecting this thing to be blazing fast.

That being said, I took the exhaust and intake off my 2014 for the first time in as long as I can remember and put it back to stock. Didnt drive my truck as I was planning to trade it in and wanted to maximize value. On the hour and a half drive to the dealership I was enjoying my 2nd gen for the last time. Feeling it out, just driving and enjoying the ride. I never paid too much attention to wind noise as the intake and exhaust were pleasant and I usually had music on, but I could hear it this time. I actually for the firt time noticed the driveline vibration more than before. I drove "spirited" for a bit, lots of acceleration, seeing how it reacted etc etc.

Picked up the new truck: 2016 Double Cab Long Bed TRD Sport 4x4 with the tech package. Initial impression, man this thing is QUIET, super quiet. At speed on the highway the wind noise was almost non existent. Only a slight bit could be heard from the mirror. After seeing everyone whining on here about the power and the truck being slow, I dont quite understand what they were driving. Admittedly Im that guy that is not afraid to run it hard because EVERYTHING I have seen for modern motors points you need to break them in hard; unless of course they are forced induction. Around town this thing is responsive, just as responsive as my 2nd gen was. Once you get up into highway speeds and NOT in ECT mode, yes you do have to give it more pedal to get that responsiveness that the 4.0 had. However, its also much easier to baby the throttle if you are trying to maximize MPGs. I used cruise control and it actually seems to hold speed better than my 2nd gen. Less drop off on the bigger hills before the throttle kicks in. Turn ECT mode on and this thing is way more responsive than the 4.0 ever was. Passing speed is there, highway on ramp speed is there (even with ECT off for both), you want to do some more spirited driving? Turn ECT on. You want to maximize fuel economy? Leave it off. The new Sport feels tighter and better in turns and road handling than my 2nd gen. My 2014 was great and I was able to drive it less like a truck because it handled so well, but this feels even more grounded. The size difference is definitely noticeable, although minimal. The transmission shifting is butter smooth, so smooth you barely notice it. Massive improvement over the 2nd gen. I know others said the S mode only lets you go up to 4 or 5, but mine goes all the way to 6. Unless it will only up shift to 4 or 5 and you can downshift from 6. Not sure about that yet. There's plenty of people hating on the new truck, most of them are currenty 2nd gen owners. Personally I wasnt thrilled about upgrading a pretty much already new truck, but was able to get back most of what I paid for it, so it worked out. A short test drive will leave you with mixed feelings, it certainly did for me. But after being behind the wheel of a 2nd gen for a decent amount of time and switching to the 3rd gen a few hours later, the differences jump out at you and become way more obvious. Its less about nit picking and more about realizing all the improvements that were made. The 2016 makes the 2015 look and feel like a much older vehicle, especially inside. But when you really start to compare them, the age really shows. You'll be happy with either 2nd or 3rd gen no doubt, but the 3rd gen is definitely a much better truck.

 

Yeah, but for the OP...don't really think he needs a fullsize. 2nd gen should be able to yank his trailer around ok, a lot better than what his 1st gen will do. That or a 2nd gen Tundra. Probably needs to re-test drive the 3rd gen too.

I dunno, I would just deal with going slow 10X's a year, nothing wrong with slowing down and enjoying the view.

Or do like my neighbor, has a 1 Ton for pulling his 5th Wheel, and a Taco for running around. For the price of a new truck...you can buy a really nice used secondary tow vehicle. Sounds like he doesn't want anything else other than a Toyota, a Tundra would be more than enough for pulling his camper. I see plenty under $15K on the used market, beats spending $30K++ on a new truck.

 

Thanks guys. I guess me gen 1 just felt stressed with the 3,000 lb trailer on it. As such I don't really pull my camper that far away from home. Maybe 150 miles from me max. I would love to pull it to Moab which goes over I70 or another distant location. I'm gonna hold off another year and see what the competition brings to the market but the Tacoma is my #1 choice so far. I love the size of the Tacoma for daily driving. Towing half the capacity shouldn't be a problem but tow capacities are just that, capacities. The truck still may drive like shit with 3,000 lbs on the back.

 

Only thing though, vehicles act totally different when loaded down. Even 1st gens can feel sporty while empty...toss some weight in the back or tow a trailer, it becomes a different vehicle.

Wonder if the dealer would let you do a test drive with your trailer, only real way to know for sure if it will work for you or not...I highly doubt it, but wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

True story, I was only comparing the two of them. Unless you can get a 2nd gen for a steal, 3rd gen is definitely worth it

 

Preach it!!

 

Funny thing is I also had a bad test drive initially lol well not bad, but i didnt get that warm fuzzy. Driving home from the dealer I knew I made the right choice tho

 

I would love to do a test drive with a trailer. Has anyone here ever rented a pickup from a rental company to get a good idea on it? I would definitely throw down $200 if it meant I get some real world test miles. Not just a 2 mile loop where I have to baby the throttle.

 

The lack of bottom end on the 3rd gen, would have be concerned when it was loaded. Guys are complaining about it unloaded, so....really need to see some tests with it ladened.

Too bad Toyota won't toss a diesel in the Taco, seems like the best of both world's. Great fuel economy and plenty of torque for when you need it...wouldn't be cheap though! Colorado seems to be the ticket, not sure if I would want one out of warranty though.

All about compromise, ya know?

 

I have, they generally don't come with hitches though...they really don't want you towing with them. Some might though, gotta check your rental company in your area. None of them rent Toyotas in my area...only 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton from the big the 3. But it would give you an idea...if a fullsize would work for you or not.

Uhaul might have trucks with hitches.

http://www.uhaul.com/Trucks/Pickup-Rental/BP/

Toyota does rent vehicles...but only in select locations. Highly doubt they are renting out the '16 Tacomas...but you never know.

http://www.toyota.com/rental/

 

Exactly the same experience for me. Hesitated a lot between gens, figured out the 3rd is better, but it did not show in the first impression. Drive it a couple weeks and you love it.

 

Going right from driving my 2nd gen to 3rd gen made me realize how much they updated and how dated some of the 2nd gen was

 

Now I know what that "lip" is for. It is to hug pedestrians.

 

I will give the Taco another test. I want to test the manual (even though it is not available in the configuration I want) and the auto one more time. Next time I will open up the throttle more.