Tacoma XtraCab vs F150 Super Cab

If your selected F150 fit in my garage I would buy one over the Tacoma.
Not so much a Ranger, which will fit in my garage.

 

Garage isn’t too much of a concern, will be on the road for months at a time. Downsizing from a Class C RV, that thing has never been in a garage other than to fix it. They are great once you get to the campsite, but miserable everywhere else. Trying to go super simple now.

Not sure if I am too crazy about the F150 after driving it. Tundra might be on the table now.

 

In all seriousness, check out a Ridgeline too. Your mountain bike / back seat made me think of this, they have some nifty storage features. (And good gas mileage / range).

Going to echo the other poster as well: do you really need a pickup truck for what you're trying to do?

If you don't need a truck, and also don't think a crossover will cut it, the 4Runner is another option, and even the base 4Runner (SR5) is nicer-equipped than the lower level Tacomas. Just need to hurry up while they're still available.

 

I was looking at the same scenario including camper but wanted the FX4 package from Ford or the OR package from Toyota. In the end an XLT+FX4 optioned to the equivalent OR+Premium made the Ford a couple grand more and the Toyota had ventilated seat which I really liked. Could have went either way but the deciding factor was driving them both: the Tacoma handled so much better especially on gravel/dirt roads and cornering. Missing the 6.5" box for sure, but I'm making that up with a camper bed area that goes farther over the roof - Tacoma delivery has been great, no quality issues since pick up, will see how camper goes.

 

Did look at the Ridgeline, don’t think they are burly enough running Forest Service roads, that and no 6’ bed since I am going to do a sleeping platform under a topper.

Had a 4Runner years ago, cargo area is a smidge too tight compared to a truck, plus you can get different height toppers.

 

That was the other thing I was looking at the Ford doesn’t have heated or ventilated seat options until the upper trims iirc starts at the King Ranch, (trying to figure out all the trims and what they come with or without is a pain).

Now that I have been comparison shopping, started out with believing I only need a base trim, and seeing all the goodies of what is available on upper trims has me reconsidering what to get. Plus having my wife in my ear telling me “you’re retiring, why don’t you get something nice and treat yourself”

Test drove a Tundra SR5 with the convenience package comes with heated Softex seats, do like those over the cloth. That was a $53K truck, could get the Tacoma OR with the premium package for about the same, plus get ventilated seats. Can’t get those in the Tundra until the Limited trim, which pushes the cost to around $60K.

What camper did you get, started looking at those wedge camper things too. Thinking it would be a bit nicer to be able to stand up in it rather than doing a plain topper. This is really starting to snowball…funny how that works.

 

Waiting on you to post your new Tundra 1794 or Capstone edition in a few weeks!

 

Right!?

Friend of mine recently traded in his 3G Taco for a Tundra 1794, nice features, but too gaudy for me. The Limited with the TRD OR package is nice though. Locker, heated/vented seats, 32 gal tank, 14” touch screen. Do like interior over the F150.

https://www.edmarktoyota.com/inventory/new-2024-toyota-tundra-limited-4x4-crewmax-5tfwa5ec8rx031878/

 

Appears to me individuals that responded don't own a 24 (from what I read on their bios), one is a Ranger enthusiasts. You're going to get all types of opinions. Set your site on yours needs. If its a full size truck you need, buy it, or a midsize. The flavors are abundant. As for the F bomb, you may know my opinion...

 

I... I... I feel called out... or something.

For the record I've owner more Tacomas than Rangers. Does that make me a traitor then? Who knows.

 

True, do like reading other opinions though, makes me look at things that otherwise I wouldn’t have thought of. Joined the Tacoma4G forum too, thinking they would all own 4Gs, posted a simple question and didn’t get very many responses, here the knowledge seems to be vaster, plus a lot more opinions whether they are helpful or not.

The battle of the needs vs wants constantly wages war in my head. Have done everything from backpacking tent camping to RVs, looking for the happy middle ground. The XC Taco would probably be perfectly fine, though my wife is now suggesting a Sprinter (here we go! Ha!)

Yeah Ford’s quality has been questionable for decades, the Class C we had was an E-Series, that thing was a pile that needed constant attention, super happy we sold it.

 

Boy do I have the vehicle for your wife!

 

I'm thinking about going with a Super Duty STX regular cab or super cab with an 8' bed, V8 don't need the diesel, but would prefer the torque of the diesel. Still would not mind a XC Tacoma, saw a 24 F-150 responder yesterday with the black steel wheels, thinking a RC short bed on the steelies might look cool.

 

Ha! There it is!

LOL! We went from a basic Tacoma XC, 1/2 Tons, Sprinters, now to 1 Tons!

Originally bought a Class C as the retirement travel rig, it was used with only 30K on, got a great deal on it. Last trip the trans went out, was $9000 to fix it. Sold it soon after and then reevaluated things. Thinking ok going super basic. Then my wife said do you really want to travel for months camping in a coffin? Nah, you’re probably right, she is always right ya know? Sprinter kinda makes a lot of sense, able to stand up in it, can haul the mountain bikes on the inside out of sight and road filth.

 

Nooo, not calling you out, it was just a coincident that you were the only one with a Ford bio... I was just making reference.

 

Between the 2, F150. What’s wrong with your 3rd gen? Why not keep it?

 

Did like the Ford, just a few nit picky things, mainly how the interior was laid out. Have some nit picky things with the Tacoma too, no more ac doors, only 18 gallon tank, it gets up in price to get the large 14” touch screen, would be nice to have for running the gps. Pushing $50K or over, and still stuck with the 18 gallon tank. At least with the Tundra there is a 32 option.

Nothing wrong the 3rd Gen, my niece needs a new vehicle, (she always wanted a Tacoma) was going to give it to her and I get a brandy new truck since primarily it will be used for travel, want something with almost no miles on it.

Thought the Class C RV was “it” until I barely made it home with the trans going bad. Only 30K on that thing too, so no more used vehicles for me. That and those things fall apart just looking at them. Only had it a year and something always needed tending to. Took a couple camping trips in the 3rd Gen and went back to basics, which got me thinking ya know this could work very well, a lot less to fuss with. The RV you tend to bring too much stuff, with just the pickup only bring what you need. Reminded me of my younger years when things were simpler. Plan is be on the road for 2-3 months, back home a bit, then repeat. Thinking roughing it for a week or two, then hit a motel or airbnb when I need a real bed and long shower.

 

Yeah, of course it seems the ones I like are expensive. The AT Atlas would be the closest to perfect but I want something wider for more sleeping space and hanging farther over the roof so that the "stand up" bed is maximized to make the best use of the 5' box - put another way 5' of bed over the roof and 4' of stand up space in the box. Still shopping. One other thing I like about the Taco vs F150 is parking - still able to get into most spots with enough door space and not overhanging on the front or back - really the current Taco is the same size the an older F150 - they are all getting too big but appreciate Toyota maintaining the length and width of the previous generation.

 

I hear you. If you’re going to go for a 4th gen Tacoma, I’d 100% say to go for at least an SR5 double cab; you’ll get back some of those creature comforts, more space in the backseat, and not the detuned motor that the SR has.

The 4th gens have been off to a rough start IMO, so I’m not even sure I’d go with one over the F150 at this point. If I were you, I’d look for a certified pre-owned 3rd gen Tacoma, which will have a great warranty attached to it. Best of luck in your search!

 

Those are cool! Started researching fricken pop up campers now too, looking at Topo, GFC, Super Pacific and Hiatus. Like the Hiatus the best (but the most expensive of course!) liking the hard walls. Plan on doing most of my travel in the PNW, Canada and Alaska, then down into Baja during the winter.

Trucks are getting huge, was checking on the Tundras, shocked how big the grill is standing in front of it. Seeing my 3rd Gen beside one in person, thinking yeah that thing is quite a bit bigger.

4th Gen feels roughly the same size as a 1st Gen Tundra, which I do remember the magazines saying it was a 7/8ths of a full-size, haven’t sat down and compared actual measurements, but it sure feels that way. Do think that was about the perfect size pickup, reminds me of how fullsizes used to be in the 70s and 80s.