Is a Tacoma overkill for what I want do to?

I have a 2016 kia sorento 2.4L 4 cylinder. Last year I started towing my motorcycles and bikes up to arkansas with a aluminium trailer.

Im worried about this car doing this year after year. The trailer weighs I would say 1200 pounds max loaded IF that. A few months ago it started leaking oil out the timing chain cover no clue if that was realated or not to the towing.

I am looking at trading it for a 2018 tacoma TRD 6 cylinder but the cost is just crazy on these trucks. Can I justify getting it for what I am doing or is there a better option for my needs?

Open to ideas or if this is the way to go so be it!

Thanks for opinions, thats why Im here!

Edit: One main issue on this is the rear squat, I put air bags in the spring which helped but really has very little clearance in the wheel well even unloaded. Teh suspension is made of cheese.

 

Welcome to TW

 

I'd keep the kia or find a different suv. Trucks are a compromise and they're expensive.

If you're worried about the towing, rent a truck from Enterprise.

 

Did you fix the oil leak?
If so maybe install a transmission cooler and you’d be good to go with the kia?

Not sure what the towing capacity on those is... just a thought. It sounds like you dont need a taco

 

From my research, I thought no car renter allows towing with their pickup trucks, am I wrong?

 

Yes the powertrain is under warranty, Im still researching if it may have been caused by towing or if they just do that anyways. Good idea about the cooler, Im going to ask if I can get on installed, if they say yet Ill do it myself.

 

https://www.enterprisetrucks.com/tr...iseWebsite-_-help.support-_-towingfaq-_-en_US

 

Oh wow, that must be recent. Good to know, and definately cheaper than buying a truck lol.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

With the weight you mentioned, I suppose a 4 cylinder Tacoma would be an option and save you a few bucks in the process..not a bad thing.

I don't have a trailer but I've moved about 1200 pounds in the bed of mine a couple of times a year plus my lawn tractor many times. 4 cylinder 2 wheel drive

 

One thing I forget to mention is the fam goes with me, so I need the full cap. Not sure if they make the full cab in a 4 cylinder.

I suppose over the kia, I would gain perceived dependability in this case?

Honestly, Im looking at tacomas in my area, they go for 30+K for a 2018, go to a lower trim or go all the way to a 2012, I have maybe $4000, and IMO that is not worth it to get a newer truck with way less miles.

HOwever my kia is paid for so there is that! Thanks for the idea.

 

IF you care about MPG, two things to keep in mind..........

1) The Tacoma won't do as well as the KIA in everyday driving. Towing may be close to the same. Not sure. But I'm guessing towing is minimal annual mileage compared to other use.

2) The cost of gas will blossom again over the next few years. Gas sippers will become popular again with rising prices, lots of folks with trucks (who don't really need a truck) will be wishing they could dump theirs.

 

1) Wow, you and I think very similar. You are spot on with the MPG. Unloaded the kia does really good, but once loaded it does worse than my buddes Chevy silverado pulling that exact load. Level and flat they are the same, but once I hit those Arkansas kills the kias efficiency goes down much quicker. However overall Im not too concerned with MPG. Both my kia and whatever I replace with are travel cars only, so only used 4-5 times a year.

2) Another excellent point. While I do agree we could see $5 gas and I took that into consideration, I didnt think about the influx of used trucks available like during the Obama era. Very good point.

Thanks so much, this is an excellent thing to consider. Lets say #2 happens, a 2018 with 30k miles is currently 32k in my area (trd offroad trim), can you speculate how much the price might drop?

 

No. And the drop won't be fast, as folks will be hopeful of a change again, etc etc.

Where you will find the early deals is on an individual purchase. Someone over their head and behind on payments. One who likely should not have bought it to begin with.

For your limited use purposes (and a bit less concern on fuel use) a lower mileage, slightly less popular vehicle might be a more reasonable fit. Like a 3-4 yo F150. Even an older Tundra would make a nice travel ride, no tow issues.

 

So one thing I know from motorcycles, someone in over thier head on payments owes more than its worth and getting the title from the bank is impossible.
Also, I have research the F150, and the prices are the same in my area as a Tacoma.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Double cab I'm pretty sure only comes with the V6, access cab could be either.

I guess too factor in the current repair with the Kia and what that will cost..

 

What is the Kia's tow rating? I think your fine and I think the oil leak is just normal thing.

 

Honestly I wouldn't buy a truck for that, if you were doing this ever month then it could be worth it, you may be able to purchase aftermarket heavy duty springs for the rear that will help with the squating, I know I've seen them installed on explorers before.
Its completely normal for a full sized truck to get better mpg compaired to a midsized suv towing across hills. Your engine is having to work harder so it burns more fuel then normal where as the full size truck barely registers hauling a trailer so its only a slight increase.
Timing cover leak 99% sure unrelated to towing, extra trans cooler is not a bad idea for towing, unlikely a dealer will install it though.

 

Welcome to The Forum!