Ride quality, Which model Tacoma is best?

Hey all there may be a thread about this already but i am having a hard time finding it so i apologize in advance if there is. Anyone out there drive their Tacoma's on real bad unmaintained roads, 100% of the time and every day. I am thinking of switching over to Tacoma from a 3/4 ton duramax for a work vehicle in the oil fields in New Mexico. The truck is just getting beat up and its bad enough to where going slow doesn't help. Dealing with unmaintained roads for the most part daily and just getting tired of high maintenance costs and frankly getting my ass kicked driving. Im gonna give up towing capabilities i have now but a better ride would be worth the sacrifice and i have another 3/4 ton to use to tow. Mainly just hoping to get some advice on ride quality on these Tacomas. Currently leaning toward a basic SR5 crew cab 4WD unless there is a case to go with a more costly model, it is a work truck after all. In fact i have heard from some sources stating that the TRD's can actually be stiffer due to them being designed for higher speeds in which case that wouldn't be favorable for me. I have got a lot of good reviews from friends but I'm hoping to hear from some people who have to drive them frequently in bad conditions to get some feedback on if its worth making the switch. Also curious to how well they take the constant abuse. Appreciate any advice you all could give me. BTW the trucked isn't loaded down with any weight just some light tools, its for transportation between sites!

 

the PRO rides best.. but cost the most

 

Welcome to TW

 

Sounds like you are looking for an SUV; something with balloon tires and softly sprung.

 

Double cab long bed, you can always upgrade the suspension to your own needs.

 

I would probably recommend a SR5 DCSB 4x4 and spend some money on quality suspension and tires.

 

Welcome!

 

I wouldn’t even recommend a Tacoma. There is a reason you don’t see them on oil fields or construction sites.

 

What's the reason?

 

Good ole SR5 if you can find one, if you beat those shocks stupid, just get new ones. You shouldn't if not overloaded..

 

Had a sr for 3 years and it is STIFF.
Sr sr5 and limited have same shocks.
Now I have trd off road and it is softer
Trd sport is also stiff
Trd pro wasn’t an option for me so don’t know.

 

This. SR5 with $1500 in mods would handle the rough stuff the best.

 

I just bought a TRD 4X4 Off Road. My research prior to purchase revealed that the Bilstein shocks that come with the OR offer the softest ride. This is presumably done to best handle off road potholes and other obstacles at fairly high speeds. The much more expensive Pro has greater suspension travel, but due to higher price, I didn't bother to research differences in ride quality since there was no way I was going to spend an extra 10 grand++ for a Pro.

For the OP, I would suggest researching something like a Kelderman Air Ride Suspension for his current truck rather than buying something new. https://kelderman.com/shop/ I have Kelderman air bags on my '91 Dodge Cummins pickup with a 6" bag beside each front shock and in the rear a single 10" bag on a dual hinged assembly where the spare tire used to go. It turned an empty truck ride that resembled a buckboard into a floaty boaty cruiser and it acts as a load leveler with my 3,000 lb camper on board.

 

Yes, what's the reason?
By the way, no oil fields in my area, however I see Tacomas on construction sites all the time.

 

Every construction site I’ve ever been on had guys driving Tacoma’s. They aren’t the “work” truck but they are used heavily by construction workers.

 

I’ve seen plenty of them

 

Make sure you don’t like the Tacoma. It has a Transactional purpose. It is no longer personal. Will it hold up better? I don’t know. These roads beat everything up, vibration dust.

I used mine for a few months and decided to take a company f150 because I could not see my own vehicle as a depreciable capital expense,

For a vehicle you know you are going to eventually destroy I recommend the f150
Here are some facts. I use my Tacoma to get back and forth to the Basin now but use the full size f150 to get around the field.

An f150 4x4 with the 2.7 eco boost can be had for similar pricing.
Cab space becomes important in the oilfield hauling paperwork ppe, supplies and a few tools. The F150 wins there. The extended cab f150 has much more space and utility in the cab than the double cab Tacoma.

Lease road drivability
Many lease roads have 20 or 25 mph speed limits. The Ford can set cruise at those speeds. The Tacoma will not set until 29 mph.
Ford has Apple CarPlay and displays your well nav application maps on the display. The Tacoma does not.

Windshield repair in the basin will have a large supply for the Ford.

Although the Taco a is better on technical off-road use, the F150 StX I use at work rides better on caliche lease roads. Probably the wheelbase.

The seat size and position in the f150 for getting in and out at multiple sites a day is superior. Your back will appreciate it.

The thing I don’t like is the f150 I have doesn’t have the Toyota safety sense for self pacing cruise control.

 

My only Tacoma ride experience is from driving my TRDOR. I found the ride surprisingly comfortable last time I took the truck on a trail. Didn’t even bother airing down.

If it stops raining, I plan to take it back on the trail this afternoon. I’ll double check on the ride, but the first time I thought it was pretty good.

 

You need an OR. Get those nice Bilsteins and Kevlar tires.

 

The Pro and OR will have the better comfort off road, the SR and Sport will handle better on road but are stiffer.