Downsizing... Need some feedback

My first real post on TW...

So, I have been contemplating trading in my current truck for a Tacoma due to some family/financial issues that have come up and I need some thoughts from you guys. I have a 2012 Ram 2500 Mega Cab with a few go-fast goodies that I'd be trading but am worried about the drastic downsize to the Tacoma.

I only pull heavy a few times a year and use the truck as my daily driver/commuter. However, with 2 kids in carseats, 2 dogs, and a TON of luggage my family hauls around on trips, the space in the Mega Cab is awesome. For 90% of what I need a truck for (commuting, hunting, running errands,mountain back road cruises, etc) the Tacoma fits me well. However, I'm worried about the 10-15% of the time that I need/use the diesel that I'd miss my Ram too much.

I'm averaging 19-21 mpg with my truck and from what I've read, the Tacomas do not get much better, if any, mpg's. Also, I know Tacomas hold their value very well, but the price for these trucks has me considering a full-size instead. I know I could always add a bed topper to make up for cargo space I'd lose in the Mega Cab, but I'm undecided.

I'm wondering if any of you have gone from a HD diesel truck to a Tacoma and how the transition has gone. Any regrets? Pros/Cons? Anything else I should consider? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

You'll probably want to start with the double cab long bed. Family should all fit fine, but dogs and luggage will have to go in bed. I would also suggest looking at buying new if you can afford it. We always have a running thread of what people are paying for new Tacos so you can get an idea of what it will cost you with different options.

 

The ONLY time you'll regret it, is when you tow.

You won't have to park in the North 40 anymore as well.

 

Only time I regret it is when I need to tow something ... And that's the only fault I can think of. storage room should never be a issue in a truck you have a bed wrap things up in trash bags if you need to I carry 4 adults and do dogs one 55 lbs other 70 lbs weekly with no issues given the 2 in the back are on the short side.. I'm 6'3 and would not be so good in the back (I have a 4 door short bed 2.7) get a v6 only thing I wish I would have done different

 

Take your family on a test drive in the Tacoma then decide. Its better to look and take your time than regret your decision.

 

Aldo why not consider a 4runner? Way more room for storage and family.. Stillnfaults with towing though

 

I love tacomas but a mega cab cummins is a pretty sweet ride. I say keep the cummins. You will more than likely get better mpgs with the cummins and it will do everything you could ever ask from a truck. Only thing I hate is that chrysler electronics do not age well and electical gremlins on those trucks can be a real pain. Ive had both and for durability it is all tacoma as they are bulletproof. If you want to tow heavy still you will be kicking yourself in the rear everytime you hook the tacoma. Its a hard descision because the tacoma is deffinetely the more reliable vehicle

 

sounds like the tacoma is not a truck for you with those minor exceptions in mind. Giving that a thought, you should test drive the car or even rent one for a period from a toyo dealer to see if it has a place with the family. The local dealer here rents and it helped us on a decision with a hybrid.

 

Check out renting a larger truck for those heavy towing jobs.
You will enjoy the smaller size of the Tacoma for every day driving.
I'd be pretty tempted to keep the Cummins though if it were me.

 

Sounds like you are better off "downsizing" financially to a used DC Tundra. It will have the room and towing capacity that will fit your needs. I like the 2007-2013 body styles. Not a fan of the redesign 2014s.

 

Good point! The Tundra doesn't hold its value like the Taco does. You could get into a used one easier.

 

What is it that you pull heavy a couple times a year? I use my DC Tacoma for my landscaping trailer. I'm not sure if it compares to what you pull, but it pulls it fine. It's a 6X12 with 2 commercial mowers....equipment, etc....The only thing is sag....which will be corrected with Dakars on MONDAY...with my OME 3" lift.

With regards to family trips, we went to Hilton Head in my previous DC Tacoma I had a couple years ago. Had everything we needed in the bed of the truck, covered with an Extang cover...Family of 4. A kindergartner and a newborn baby...to the beach for a week. No dogs, though...

 

they honestly don't look a ton different to me, still don't prefer their styling either way.

^this. You could get into a used 2009 4Runner with the V8 (last year for it) and at least have some towing back. Now if you're used to towing with the diesel and tow a heavy trailer (5th wheel?) then you will definitely notice the difference and possibly not want to switch.


Also as someone else pointed out somewhere on this forum even if you switch you may not financially benefit with the loss of value in the Ram and seeing the same/slightly better highway mpgs. That's why I bought a motorcycle, I get 40-50 mpg

Or hell, buy a used beater as a DD for a couple grand (Corolla/Camry anyone?) and save the dough

 

Might want to check out the Nissan Frontier. It was redesigned last year and is a big improvement over previous models. Also, big improvement over Tacomas. May not fit what you need, but it is comparable in size.

 

Wow! Wasn't expecting this many replies...Thanks for the help/ideas.

I use my truck now on our family ranch so I pull everything from 16 ft bumper pull trailers to covered stock trailers with cattle to 26' flatbeds for hauling hay. Last trip I made this past fall for hay, I pulled onto the scales at just over 33,000 lbs! So my heavy towing is pretty heavy lol. However, there are other trucks in my family (Dad and Brother both have Ram 2500) to pick up the slack should I get rid of the Ram.

I've considered an SUV, but I like having the bed of a truck to throw in dirty/smelly items I wouldn't want inside with me if I had and SUV. I love to hunt and loading a bull elk into the bed of a truck is so much more practical lol.

My wife and I did go to a dealer this past weekend and sat in a Tacoma with the seats adjusted where I'd need them and the carseats in the back. There was enough room, just nothing like the Mega Cab, obviously. I was happy with the amount of room in a DC Tacoma, I'd just have to adjust to the change. Like I said, for 80-90% of the time it's just me in the truck, so space isn;t an issue for most of the time. I'm also thinking that if I got a Tacoma I'd also get a bed topper to be able to secure luggage in the bed instead of in the cab where it goes now in my Ram.

My biggest reservations about trading would be the loss of space and power of a Tacoma vs Ram without the gain of mpg's or much lower of a payment . If the Tacomas would get even 25 mpg it's be easier to decide. Even going to a used Tacoma, prices are not too far off from a new truck, depending on how much older I guess.

 

With everything you've said, it doesn't really sound like getting the Tacoma would be quite as practical as you want it to be. There will be those moments where you can't tow what you'll need to tow with the smaller truck, and then you're relying on someone else and their availability with their vehicle.

Can you look into refinancing your truck?

With the similarity in what you're getting fuel mileage-wise, you wouldn't be saving much money; and, like you said, the monthly payments don't seem like they'd be much smaller than what you're already paying.

Just my .02

 

Buying another truck rarely makes financial issues any better.

 

Went from a Duramax to a Tacoma. I would do it again in a heartbeat though. Every now and then I miss the duramax but 95% of the time I am happy with the tacoma.

Some Cons I have experienced
I do miss having a remote starter and leather like my duramax (could be fixed).
I also have had a kid since trading and I do wish the rear seat was a little deeper. With the rear facing car seat it really is up against the back of the front seats. Would be nice to have a little more room but then again I am comparing a mid size truck to a 3/4 ton.

 

why not used tundra? more room, tow, and cheaper. only a few mpg away from taco.

 

^This is good advice^

I can't understand the financial incentive to go from your truck to a Tacoma. Sure, you'll get some money out of it, but it's not worth the hassle. If you are really short on cash, better to go the Dave Ramsey route and get into something that's older and dependable - but it won't be as good as what you already have. A used Tundra might be the right fit for you.