Tacomas in the oil patch?

Hey tw, going to be starting a new job up in the oil patch as a sub contractor. Job requirment is a 4x4 vehicle that is reliable and can hold my tools/materials.

I was thinking about useing my tacoma up there... any thoughts?

Why do all the oil guys drive chevs or dodges?


Might save up for a bit and get a chev or tundra.

 

You probably see a lot of full size P/U's because of their extra room. No reason a Tacoma could not be there.)

 

The biggest problem is getting stuck on service roads and fuel range.

You'll be fine as long as you have good tires, if you still have the stock tires, consider upgrading to a meatier tire with a severe snow service rating.

Tacoma's are scoffed at north of Edmonton, see how it goes.

 

Leaves may need to be upgraded, depending on what you mean by "tools".

 

Mine is used for work in Northern Colorado in the Oil and Gas industry and I love it. I had a 2015 Ram 2500 single cab 4x4 and it was unbearable on the oilfield roads even with 5100s. The Tacoma with 5100s in front and 5160s in the rear is great on the exact same roads. The major factor I see in your choice is your intended load on a daily basis. If you’ll be loaded down with tools and materials, you will more than likely need to upgrade your leaf springs sooner rather than later. My .02...

 

Unless you have a specific job description where you know otherwise, pretty much all oilfield equipment and job boxes are sized for a full-size pickup bed. It would be pretty annoying to not be able to fit your knack box, burning rig, or cage of rigging in your bed.

Pipeliners for example drive a minimum of a 3/4 ton pickup.

Get a '88-'00 K2500 with a gas motor. They don't die and they're real good bang for your buck. Diesels don't provide you any return on investment unless you're a hotshot guy or something. When you know what you need down the road, circle back and look at a newer truck.

 

Reason why it's mostly domestics is because a lot of small remote towns up North have a Chev or Chrysler/Ram dealer and that's it. Simply convenience factor for the fleet owners. And yes, range. I would prefer to have the 144L tank on board like the Tundra has vs the 80L tank in the Tacoma for remote travel.

 

cause service roads on the patch are brutal. when I was up in firebag we had f150 fleet trucks and they all got beat to shit by the end of the year. if you like and respect your truck don't take to up north.

 

Tools will mostly be pipe wrenches and standard stuff for plumbing. As well as all my drills etc.

I have the ome medium kit with extra leaf in the rear and duratrac tires. Worst case i use it for 6 monthsish while they pay me truck fee/allowance and then use that to get a full sized down the road to krep my taco from getting beat.


Thx for all the replies.

 

The Bitumen that they put down and mix with the gravel for the roads is brutal to remove ( hot pressure washer only) I supplied material for the Husky Sunrise project and the road in was about 24KM. In twelve months of 3 trips a week our GMC 5500 Sidekick delivery truck went through 3 windshields, 11 Headlights, tires and suspension parts and regular hot steam washes. It was brutal on it. I would just lease something you don't care about and save your Taco!

 

I'd go Tundra for the bigger tank and larger payload capacity.