Toyota Tacoma - Your Thoughts?

[sbussell]

I currently have a 2012 Tacoma and have had other before. I have towed 3000lb boats with the 4cyl 5spd 4x4 without problems other than down shifting on hills. I did look at the F150 ecoboost and it is a nice truck, but expect to pay 6-8K more depending on options. The 2012 Tacoma is a v6, auto, 4x4 and best mileage so far is 23.5 mpg and I expect to get better as the summer temps and gas arrive. I have a JD2320 with loader that I will be towing(occasionally) once I find a trailer. With the 6500 lb towing capacity, I don't expect any problems.

 

[clemsonfor]

I love Toyota, but i think that you may be a bit under trucked if you decide to haul much of anything with it. I have a YM2000 yanmar. I also have a 7000lb tandem lightweight type carhauler. It weighs maybe 1400/bs. the tractor weighs around 2000lbs. When i add a bushhog disk harrow, weights, maybe the boxblade its all my old k10 chevrolet can do to pull it around. Now this is an old truck and the new Taco's are pretty big compared to the older ones but i think a full size truck is a better buy esp for the money and not much difference in mileage. Look at a new z71 chevrolet your probly talking the same money and not much difference in mpg in the long run as well as a bigger cab. All these vehicles will run to 300k with maintence so that really should not be a consideration.

 

[clemsonfor]

First, let me say I own one, so my thoughts come from actual experience...

If you buy the factory tow package, you will certainly have no problems towing a BX (and implements). I have hauled 4000lb with it with no problems.

If you want an auto trans, you will be paired with the 6 cyl, which is a great engine but not like the 4 cyl on gas.

Something else to consider- and you don't mention your parents age, but the step up in is quite substantial. If they are using it as a daily driver, you will want some decent side steps that drop down a bit.

The 4x4 version does have a stiff suspension, especially if you get the TRD package- but nowhere near what the first generation Toyota trucks had.

Mine tows and plows and handles every other dirty chore I ask of it. Best of all, the truck and plow back in to my standard garage in winter, so I can melt everything down- no full size would fit.

The kid that wrote this is like 16!! I hope his parents arent that broke down yet that they cant step into a 4wd toyota tacoma! Its not like its a z71 with 16" of lift rolling on 44's! There not that hight at all?

His parents are probly in their mid 40s at the most!!

 

[CHDinCT]

Guess I'll throw my two cents in as well. My last truck was a '99 Tacoma 4X4 3.5 ltr V6 with the TRD package. Nice truck but it rode hard and always had a vibration at highway speeds. Other than that it was real dependable. I always had Toyotas before that - two Celica's and a Camry. The Tacoma succumbed in 2010 to the frame rust issue and Toyota bought it back from me. Did some towing with it hauling weights up to maybe 2,500 lbs and you definately knew when you had a load back there. I know the new ones are 4 liters so they may tow a little better.

I was pretty set on getting another one but became disenchanted with them when the dealer gave me a new Tacoma as a loaner for two weeks until I got my buyout check. While the newer ones look bigger on the outside, I didn't feel there was really any more room inside, plus the interior just looked cheap to me. Decided for a little more money to go full size. Only 1-2 mpg lower on average and a whole lot more payload and towing capability. After looking hard at 1/2 tons I bough a F-150 XLT with the 5.4 V8. The interior is much nicer than the Taco, rides better and so far has been just as dependable - not one even small issue in two years so far (knock wood).

So, like others have recommended, I'd suggest at least looking at the full size trucks to see how they compare price wise, fuel efficiency wise, and comfort wise. Might be surprised after comparing.

Now, as for trailers, I have a 14' to tow my BX25 and it just fits. Bought it when I had a BX1860 (no backhoe) so it was more than enough for that. If I were going new now, I'd get a 16 footer for sure.

 

[RandyBell]

I currently drive a 2001 tacoma V6 5spd 61 miles one way to work. I have 207000+ on it and haven't had a problem with it, just figured up the other night the plugs have been in it at least 100000. We haul firewood on it so it gets set on the snubbers quite a bit. They are hard working trucks, but remember, just because you can break out a load with it can you stop it? You have to be careful how much you pull with it, because a heavy trailer will push the truck. Mine is an extended cab 4wd trd? Another thing to think of if you get into a traier that happens to sway you don't have enough weight to hold it down.
Great trucks but they do have their limits, and they will let you know when you exceed them. Good Luck

 

[Ron JD670]

Stopped by my neighbors on the way home tonight. We have the same T100 4x4 king cab with V6. I checked the truck wt and it is around 6000. My neighbor does a lot of hauling and I asked him his thought about hauling a trailer with 3000# tractor. His feeling was not unless it was an emergency. He mention bringing a load of wood home on a trailer tried to stop on the level highway to turn into our drive. Ended up 30 feet past the drive. Make sure you have the stopping ability.

Good luck

 

[JimRB]

I went from one axle of brakes on my equipment trailer to 2 braked axles. Now the trailer can stop itself with no noticable increase in truck braking. I believe every trailer should have enough brakes to stop itself. If not, your risk of jack-knifing is increased, never mind not being able to stop in time. Both of my trailers do not run full gain on the brake controller when loaded up.

I used to have a Toyota 1 ton. It said it right on the fenders. 22RE, 5 speed manual, bigger radiator, bigger springs, bigger rear end, bigger brakes, I think it had a 4.30 rear end instead of a 3.90. It would haul 1 ton nicely. It would also pull 5,000 pounds ok. Not so good as it got over 200,000 miles. I did not have to climb up into it like I do with my Dodge 2500. Better mileage than the Dodge but the Dodge sure does pull with over 4 times the torque of the Toyota. I miss the Toyota.

 

[SeymourBota]

The kid that wrote this is like 16!! I hope his parents arent that broke down yet that they cant step into a 4wd toyota tacoma! Its not like its a z71 with 16" of lift rolling on 44's! There not that hight at all?

His parents are probly in their mid 40s at the most!!

16? I wish!!!!!

I have the Toyota side steps and my 80 year old mother has difficulty getting in for the weekly trip to the transfer station.

Unlike a sedan or even a unibody SUV, this thing is built for a little extra ground clearance. With the stock tires, it's a greater step up than a stock Chevy full size.

 

[clemsonfor]

16? I wish!!!!!

I have the Toyota side steps and my 80 year old mother has difficulty getting in for the weekly trip to the transfer station.

Unlike a sedan or even a unibody SUV, this thing is built for a little extra ground clearance. With the stock tires, it's a greater step up than a stock Chevy full size.

I was talking about the original poster being 16 not you!

 

[Rod in Forfar]

To replace a '95 Bronco and a '93 Camry?

Why try to do everything with one vehicle? Get the shortest Tacoma they can find, 4 cyl., 4WD. It will be pretty cheap with a standard, and the short one's the only one which looks right in a showroom. It's also a great truck. Keep one of the other two for the 5% of the time they need to haul passengers.

My 2002 Tacoma hauls up to its rated 3500 pounds well and often, but that's enough.