Buy new truck or upgrade?

Hey all, I’m currently dealing with some suspension/drivetrain issues and a leaking transmission and am so overwhelmed with this shit, can’t keep working on the truck all the time. So basically I need a setup that works good for camping and dirt biking. As it stands if I have my camper shell and hitch mounted hauler on there with the heavier bike (DR650), I’m as much as 800 lbs (about 400 hitch and 400 in bed). It doesn’t ride too great when unloaded and loaded is ok but I think maybe having the bike in the bed would be better for secure hauling and ride quality (no topper weight, less gear weight, no hitch hauler weight, weight not hanging off the back). Then I wonder how to keep the camping gear always in the truck and easy to access and how to put the additional gear (e.g. plastic bin of climbing equipment) for a specific trip in a place where it won’t get stolen. Maybe a double cab and an open bed is the answer there? Or maybe a cargo van? I’m currently thinking a third gen double cab long or short bed, automatic TRD maybe 2WD is the ticket. With a roll up locking cover and swing out tailgate extender. Anyone have experience with this setup? Mostly I’m concerned about downsides of not having a camper shell, ride quality (CA highways), and cost (my current truck is somewhat cheap to keep running. Although it won’t be if I keep having to pay $900+ every time my transmission leaks again... ).

Sorry about the rambling, I just want to avoid expensive mistakes. So far I’ve put a lot into my truck for what I’ve gotten out of it.

 

Paragraphs man, use them.

Get a used second gen- reliable as they come and very capable for what you need. If you don't need 4x4 like you say, then you can get one super cheap too.

 

if you dont need a 4wd. you should just get a 2wd sprinter

@SeekingZero likes the motos and trucks but uses a sprinter

 

Hey thanks for making me feel even better. I’m writing on a phone and in a hurry.

Why a 2nd gen over third? Cost?

My only concern with a Sprinter is its ability to get to some places like up fire roads to trailheads and whatnot. I’ve seen some unlikely cars pretty far along some fire roads but I’d be nervous to be driving it myself.

 

I would go with a used 2nd gen because you can likely get a decent one for half the price of a third gen and it will be just as capable and reliable. If you have to finances available and you want to purchase new that's your call obviously. I wouldn't get a sprinter man- that thing is not capable when it comes to getting you through trails and fireroads. A tacoma with a bed cap will be just as good.

 

You should totally get this one

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/pittsburg-2017-tacoma-trd-off-road/6795570929.html

 

Totally this one... https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/fresno-2018-tacoma-trd-pro-6-speed/6793125719.html

I do like that setup although don’t really want to pay for someone else’s previous expensive taste in audio...

 

Which audio? LOL that's my rig

 

Haha yours is the one in SF yeah? I’m talking about the 50k one in Sacramento CL.

 

OOOOH lol yeah I am the one in the SF Bay Area

 

Scotty says get rid of a car which has transmission issues, maybe unless you are a crack shot transmission tech.

 

There are thousands of good second gens out there, the double cab long bed would fit your bill well. You can store quite a bit of gear inside the back or keep the hitch hauler and find one with a shell. I would look into airbags or sumo springs if you will be hauling that much weight in the bed/on the hitch.

 

Well it’s a rebuilt transmission with a warranty. The $900 is just the labor. If I don’t have a total lemon maybe fixing the transmission will be the golden ticket... or maybe just fix it and sell it. The double cab would be nice.

Anyone know if a truck drives a lot better when the bike is in the bed vs on a hitch hauler? I imagine since the difference between unloaded and loaded would be less it’d be easier to tune right.

 

or maybe this one....

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/concord-2016-toyota-tacoma-double-cab-4/6803463319.html

 

Your truck is 19 years old, time for a new one .. If you can afford a new truck and it’s in your budget buy one. When buying a used vehicle , even a taco you can still run into plenty of problems. Buying used is always something of a crap shoot. So get a new one exactly like you want it and hopefully it’ll last another 19 years.