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Am I insane for trying to keep my Tacoma?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by woodshampoo, Jul 11, 2020.

  1. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:09 AM
    #1
    woodshampoo

    woodshampoo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have an 18 OR DCSB with just over 50K now. I take a decent amount of camping trips with a small popup. Well kids are 11 and 9, one over 5ft and one just under. The back seat is getting tight (especially with small colors, books, etc.). It has gotten to the point of not taking are dogs on some trips.

    On top of that we are looking at moving up in campers to a popup with slide or maybe even a HW.

    I feel like I have two options.

    1. Move into a full size. Have had my eye on the RAM with Crew Cab and Hemi. Massive back row and towing capacity for future.

    2. Upgrade my capacity by getting a softopper, rack, and brake controller.

    Honestly I've thought about everything from the cybertruck, to the new tundra (hybrid) or domestic.

    I need tires so thats another factor in this for the short term.

    Anyway just looking for some input for anyone who has had similar difficulties.
     
    Sheepnick1 likes this.
  2. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:14 AM
    #2
    Flowie

    Flowie Well-Known Member

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    You should probably upsize. If you haul kids around for sports and activities etc, plus want to tow more weight and carry more cargo...all imdicators are saying you have outgrown the Tacoma. Dont worry...thatll change in a few years when they graduate HS and you are ready to downsize...and they will still be making Tacomas...you can get another one then.
    Or just have two trucks.....
     
    dubktrd and huskyhog0317 like this.
  3. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:18 AM
    #3
    Skydvrr

    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    I'd get the hybrid tundra. I'm not even close to being in your position and I'm seriously considering it.
     
    Flowie likes this.
  4. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:22 AM
    #4
    Hobbs

    Hobbs Anti-Lander from way back…

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    Yep…
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    Rock Bangen', Desert Tamin', Gold Findin' Machine!
    If you're not taking the dogs camping, you're doing it wrong.
     
    TomTwo, Justwandering, BSFord and 8 others like this.
  5. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:25 AM
    #5
    averagejp

    averagejp Well-Known Member

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    Don't take advice from me. I am an idiot. :). I had a 2005 Access Cab. Loved it. But my kid is a monster and we had a dog so the access cab was just getting too tight. Especially with my wife wanting another dog. Two adults, one kid and two dogs in a Access Cab would have been murder on longer trips. So, I upgraded to a Double Cab. I was in heaven. Not only were the electronics upgraded (OMG, Apple CarPlay) but there was plenty of room. Now with a second dog on the way it is snug. We are totally fine but it is starting to feel cramped. And, as you know, kids have to bring more crap with them on a trip that one can imagine -- books, coloring books, toys, electronics. I put a bed cover and am carrying things in rugged boxes so that helps a lot. But what was once more room than I can imagine is starting to feel cramped.

    We will probably stay with it but I have been looking at the Tundra TRD Pro enough to the point that I want to sit it one to see how it feels.

    You are not alone in this thinking ... and I am keeping a keen eye out for the next generation Tundra as well ...
     
  6. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:29 AM
    #6
    mike2810

    mike2810 Well-Known Member

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    Looks like you have outgrown the Tacoma. For me family needs comes first.

    I have not driven the new Rams. If I was going back to a full size the Ram would be one I would look at. I had a 09 Ram 1500 4x4 hemi till 2016. Only issue I had with it is the rear diff had to be rebuilt at 50k. At that time the 09's carried a lifetime powertrain warranty.
     
  7. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:38 AM
    #7
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    Cyber truck FTW
     
    Shellshock likes this.
  8. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:38 AM
    #8
    Sheepnick1

    Sheepnick1 TacoJerry.com

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    Yeah I'd vote that you stay in the toyota world and grab their fullsize truck!
     
    jetfishn and EZTacoma like this.
  9. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:39 AM
    #9
    Kevin Jones

    Kevin Jones Well-Known Member

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    I'm glad I'm not facing your dilemma as Tacomas are great trucks, however being a mid-size truck they just don't fit everyone's needs.
    Seems you are getting to that point where upgrading to a full-size truck only makes sense.
     
  10. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:42 AM
    #10
    DavesTaco68

    DavesTaco68 Well-Known Member

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    - ICON UCAs, BP51/Kings, SCS wheels, 285 KO2s, Leer 100XR canopy. Greenlane aluminum winch bumper, Smittybilt X20 winch.
    Is your truck paid for?
     
  11. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:45 AM
    #11
    CDNTacoma2019

    CDNTacoma2019 Well-Known Member

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    Just make sure if you get a RAM you get the longer warranty....it will pay for itself, coming from somebody who previously had a Chrysler and Jeep. The real reason I went Toyota was cause I got tired of sitting in the dealerships waiting for things to get fixed. Ever watch Scotty Kilmer? He sums it up by saying their stuff looks good but doesnt hold up. He is right!
     
    EZTacoma and Shellshock like this.
  12. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:46 AM
    #12
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    got to love these threads when the OP starts by asking for suggestions on what truck he should spend his money on, anyone else have this same dilemma?
     
  13. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:51 AM
    #13
    woodshampoo

    woodshampoo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No what I asked if anyone was also able to stretch out the tacoma timeline with things such as the softopper and rack. Or is that a futile effort. Yes my money, but looking for others experience. I tend to research pros and cons prior to a big decision and others life experiences are absolutely included.

    That being said yes I hate not taking the dogs with. We already leave bikes back on some trips.

    Yeah owe around 18 or so.

    Dont trust the hybrid will be available anytime soon to be honest.
     
    GSDLVR123 likes this.
  14. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:54 AM
    #14
    Marshall R

    Marshall R Well-Known Member

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    BTDT. I'm 62 with 5 grandkids. I didn't even try to buy a Tacoma until 2007 when my youngest graduated HS. I drove a full size crew cab before that. My son was 5'4 140 lbs in 7th grade. Three years later in 10th grade he was 6'4" 240 lbs. Not even my DC Tacoma would have come close to working with him and his older sister in the truck.

    By 2016 I'd outgrown the Tacoma, but it was 9 years old with 180,000 miles on it and worth more for me to keep than trade. At the time I had the choice of trading the Tacoma for a new 1/2 ton, or just keeping it and buying a two year old 2014 truck. It was the same money out of pocket either way and I decided to keep the Tacoma and bought a 2014 F150 crew cab. I really looked hard at used Tundra's, but couldn't find anything that met my criteria.

    In your shoes I think you'll be better off trading up to a bigger truck.
     
  15. Jul 11, 2020 at 6:55 AM
    #15
    Shellshock

    Shellshock King Shit of Turd Island

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    @uploadadventure uses his in a similar fashion. You can definitely make it work
     
  16. Jul 11, 2020 at 7:00 AM
    #16
    AntMan408

    AntMan408 Well-Known Member

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    4runner: King Shocks Front/Rear SPC UCA’s SPC rear control arms Icon Rear Springs 52700 Icon Panhard Bar SCS 10’s RCI Skids and Sliders CBI Baja Bumper w/Diode dynamic lightbar RCI Roof Rack Tacoma: King Shocks Front/Rear Camburg UCA’s Deaver Expedition Stage 1 Leaf Pack SCS Gen 5 RCI Skids RCI Sliders BAMF Hybrid Bumper RCI Roof Rack
    similarly in your position, I ended up getting rid of the Tacoma. The interior wasn’t big enough for my needs and I viewed a cap or soft topper as a expensive bandaid that would just allow me to keep the vehicle functional for a year or so. I don’t need to haul anything crazy or need a bed more than 2 or 3 times a year. So I ended up getting a 4runner.

    My advice to you is don’t waste the money on the Tacoma when your needs surpass the ability Of the Tacoma.

    I’d also stay away from dodge and get a f150. Just my two cents.
     
    GSDLVR123 likes this.
  17. Jul 11, 2020 at 7:08 AM
    #17
    EZTacoma

    EZTacoma Well-Known Member

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    If I were in your shoes I would get a used F150 or Tundra that's paid off, roomy and can tow more
     
  18. Jul 11, 2020 at 7:25 AM
    #18
    GSDLVR123

    GSDLVR123 Well-Known Member

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    Asking for advice - gathering intelligence - is always a good thing. I can empathize with your situation. It seems to me you know what you need, but really like the Tacoma...I understand. My kids are older - 17, 18 and 19...one away at college and 2 headed off next year. Our family needs were probably similar a few years ago. My wife was/is a stay at home mom, and she's had quite a few AWD high top conversion vans. She likes them for the spaciousness, especially on trips. When our kids were younger, like yours, we had the conversion vans and suburbans (we own a horse farm so we need 4WD). We also take our dogs with us everywhere...and space was/is NEEDED. If you are going to have a truck for a family vehicle - the Tacoma can definitely suffice, but if you can truly afford it, everyone will be much more comfortable in a (much) larger vehicle. Good luck and enjoy the family.
     
  19. Jul 11, 2020 at 7:46 AM
    #19
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    one good thing in your favor is you can get an almost 0% financing on a loan at the moment and the Tacoma holds value like no other vehicle for resale, nobody can make up your mind for you on what to buy they are just opinions from unknown individuals who really don't have skin in the game when it comes to your life decisions and finances.
     
  20. Jul 11, 2020 at 8:22 AM
    #20
    uploadadventure

    uploadadventure It’s all @ColoradoTJ’s fault

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    It’s we have a family of 6. We usually bring 5 out at a time with us. I pull a pop up camper with mine and it works really well.
    1CF2EFDF-F720-44C9-8772-2C532736BFBC.jpg BD64E933-02BB-4C0D-B72E-1B5F469BC41A.jpg
     

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