Trade in already??

F150 Eco-boost is probably the best if buying that size and american. Otherwise I'd go Tundra.

 

That's the new F250 with Tremor package.

 

Go Tundy.

 

Why not regear to 4.88 or 5.29? It's gonna cost a couple grand but its cheaper than what you lose on the truck. Then upgrade to a fullsize when the kids and TT get bigger...

 

that bad boy is packing a 7.3

 

369 ft/lbs. You don't drive hp, you drive tq. I drove a zr2 and liked the way it drove. I didn't think it was worth the extra money and have questions about longevity, but it was a nice truck.

 

I beg to differ. My 7.3 is really slow...500 ft/lbs isn't enough to overcome its 235 hp. Same with the It'll hold the speed you want great once you get there no matter what is hanging off the back...which is typical of diesels, slow revving, heavy rotating assembly motors. Same experience in the 3.2 Ford that has 185/350 ratings.

 

You need a full size truck as is... between the shit in your bed and family in the truck you're probably at or close to the payload limit for the Taco before factoring in the trailer.

And it's ironic that we're making fun of frame failures... Tacomas have never had an issue with that.

 

Torque is what you want in a truck. Our hp is too high compared to tq as it is. Who wants to rev to 6k for power? Hp and tq are always equal at 5252 rpm. Higher hp engines make power higher in the torque band, which is not useful in a truck. You want to be able to move with stuff in the bed or slowly up a steep obstacle or with a trailer and hp doesn't do that, tq does.

 

I hope my post is helpful to the OP and is intended at my opinion based on my experiences. I have towed a lot. My 19 trdor is new and I just did a trip in the mountains locally this past weekend. I love my Toyota and it is just right for what I wanted. I also have a ford Transit van with the base V-6, no turbos and similar power specifications to the TRD. The mid roof, LWB Transit weighs more than the Tacoma yet towing my present enclosed trailer (6x10, V nose aluminum with three dirt bikes) the van tows smoother and returns better fuel economy. My most recent prior tow vehicles were F-350 crew-cab duallys which we towed a 12,000 lb boat on trailer. I don’t miss those diesel mammoths. I’m done with diesels, they cost a fortune up front and are not the panacea with regards to maintenance. I’m also sick of taking 7000+ lbs of sheet metal with me every time I drive it to homeless despot...

If I were making a choice now to buy a vehicle to put a couple of kids in and tow a trailer like yours (knowing it won’t get smaller as time marches on) I would likely buy a Ford F-150 4 door, short bed 4x4 with the standard, non turbo V6. I prefer the Tacoma because it is a little smaller and has a really nice fit and finish as well as resale value (I’ll likely keep it for 20 years...) . I think the Tacoma has plenty of power for towing a 2500lb trailer but it just feels like it works too hard and the fuel economy takes a big dump. If just for towing, I’d prefer a 2wd truck.

I bought my Tacoma as a 4wd toy that will be practical and I love it so far but wish it were a little smaller. The Transit belongs to our business and we also have a sedan to drive. Had I bought the Tacoma as a primary tow vehicle, I would be disappointed with its performance. I know I’m not comparing apples to apples since the Ford Transit isn’t a 4wd. I didn’t shop for the Ford F-150 that I mentioned but I am guessing the buy in cost would be similar to the Tacoma. I doubt you will have any issues towing with your present Tacoma.

 

That zr2 picture looks like a Tacoma wannabe OP. I would check with other Chevy forums as I haven't heard good things about the zr2 regarding transmission and electrical problems. You don't want to jump from bad to WORSE. My vote would be for a Tundra if anything.

 

Full-size!

 

Get a Tundra

 

I have a 2012 Tundra with the 5.7 I've owned since new. I tow a 14' enclosed 7000GVW trailer, a 12,000 GVW tilt trailer, and a 22' boat. I absolutely love my Tundra. I didn't buy it because it was the best looking thing on the market. I didn't get it because of the great fuel mileage (which is actually terrible!). I got it because it's dependable, holds a decent resale value. And best of all, it has over 380 HP! What's not to like?

As they say. It's better to have it and not need it, than it is to need it and not have it!

 

Yeah but the addiction is strong with this one. 2K turns to 5K which turns to 11K...

 

Off topic, that 7.3 is legendary. Keep it forever, because it will run forever.

 

That’s because the guy went bajaing off-road with the trailer attached...

 

Great responses. Thank you. I will digging more into the 1/2 ton possibility and maybe wait to drive one of the 1/2 ton diesels. Just nice to have drive a mid size through town and in the bush.

 

Just get either a Tundra or 3.5 Ecoboost.

Looks like you'll need a full size with the family.

 

Tundra V8 crew