4Runner, Tundra, or Taco??

The back seat in the Tacoma double cab is rather cramped. Don’t buy any type of Tacoma for leg room in the back seat.

Think long and hard before you trade in a 4Runner with a ton of equity on a Tacoma with these prices.

 

I have owned my 15 tundra since it was new. I had big plans to buy a camp trailer etc and to this day I still haven’t bought one. Just can’t seem to justify buying one. I’m now at 120k miles (zero issues) but starting to think it’s time for a change. I daily drive it and get 14 mpg. I’m alone in it 99% of the time because if we go anywhere as a family we take our Highlander.
At the end of the day that tundra has been nothing but great to me and I can’t complain other than fuel costs. But like Jwestie said it’s overkill for most, myself included. Im currently debating picking up a Tacoma and getting rid of the tundra or just keep the tundra and get a civic or something to do majority of my daily driving. Biggest issues is I don’t necessarily want to have 3 vehicles….

 

Don't get a 3rd vehicle, fuel cost is nothing compared to added payment, insurance of a 3rd car.
I bought a Corolla thinking I would use it for daily commute and gas saver. But the math doesn't work out and also having 3 vehicles in rotation means I have to prematurely change engine oil and tires based on time, not miles.

So I got rid of it and just keep Tacoma and 4Runner now, works great, I don't have to choose what to drive for gas saving because they are equally horrible

 

I agree with you and that’s where I’m at I don’t want a third as it actually ends up costing more. I am considering trading the tundra off for a Tacoma. I know gas savings isn’t much but the taco does do a little better than my truck that’s for sure. Plus it would work out well for me to hand the Tacoma off to my son in about 9 years.

 

Looks like you need a full sized truck like a tundra

 

OP I'm late to the game here but no one has been questioning the 5000 pound camper. Thats huge, and you could easily choose a lighter weight camper that would be suited to the Tacoma. We are looking at pop-ups that weigh less than 2k pounds. That also gets the tongue weight way down so my truck stays nimble.

You can probably tow a pop-up with your 4Runner.

And what about pulling the ATV on a utility trailer?

 

The issue with smaller RVs was that the ones light enough to be towed by a 4Runner or Taco had tiny bathrooms, or no bathroom, and my girlfriend at the time insisted on a full-function bathroom. While she was 5'2 and had plenty of room, I am 6'2" and found the bathrooms unusable.

Going with a bigger vehicle to tow a bigger camper means losing off-road ability, and that is the whole point of having a 4x4 vehicle, for me at least.

I just want a small camper that can sleep two, has room to cook and eat in, and will keep me warm and dry in below-freezing temps. Looking into building my own, now. And yes, the 4Runner can tow a smaller camper, but then how do I get my ATV to camp?

 

Look at the Forest River Rockwood HW296. It’s a 29 foot pop up, weighs 3700lbs dry, EASILY towable by a Tacoma (no wind resistance) twin axel, so less tounge weight, and a full function bathroom. Also has heated mattresses.

 

Tacoma if you do overland with a lot of equipment that could justify the bed.
Tundra if you do actual Truck Stuff (use it for work).
4Runner if you haul the kids around to soccer practice and go wheeling on the weekend.

 

I went from a 2013 TE 4Runner to a 2022 SR Tacoma. The 4Runner is the shortest and easiest to drive of the three. It’s also much more comfortable than the Tacoma.

 

He's keeping the 4runner (smart!) so I vote shop little toy hauler trailers. That way he can camp out with a roof/kitchen/toilet and have his quad.

 

Taco is basically the same as the 4Runner but you have more stuff to put in the truck.

 

I had a tacoma, now have tundra and 4runner.
Can confirm tundra is freaking huge in comparison. Also, on flat ground, tundra on 34" tires has about same ground clearance as 4Runner on 33s. Width of tundra definately a concern on some trails.

I second the suggestion of looking at small toy hauler camper trailers but might be tough finding good size sleeping space for you plus easy access for you. Also second the suggestion of not wrestling a heavy atv into a truck bed.

 

Moto Tech could build anything you want…probably want to go with a Tundra though.

https://www.mototechtrailers.com/home

 

This guy builds some amazing campers!

https://tinyhouseblog.com/travel-trailers/endgamecampers/







I would love to know what he is asking for his builds, as they are just about perfect for my needs.

 

I have seen one of his little campers in person here in Arizona, it was pretty cool.