Compact pickup choices

chemistski · Mar 28, 2006

Unsure of where to post this question, Okay, need your help. I am looking for a compact pickup truck. 6cylinder, extended cab (not the huge crew/club/quad) 4X4. Possible I will be towing a JD 2305 with FEL attached locally only, So I do not think I need some F350. List is as follows: Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma. I realize that the Chevy/GMC Canyon/Colorado is also in that size, but I once owned a Chevy S-10 Blazer (nice truck when I repeat when it ran) so that brand is off my list. Also since Mazda, Mitsubishi, Isuzu just sell rebadged editions of the Ranger/Dakota/Colorado, they are off the list as well. So any thoughts between the 4 listed? Obviously, I will test drive them all to see if any stand out. What do you guys and gals drive. Like I said earlier, do not need or want a full size. Thanks

Builder · Mar 28, 2006

How much total weight will you be towing including your trailer? You might find some of the compacts can't tow much.

Some compacts do better with towing than others. I would think a Dakota would be the beefiest of them all since it's considered a "midsize" pickup. That would be my choice if I needed a bigger compact.

I've owned a Ford Ranger and my FinL currently owns one. Although the design is a little long in the tooth, they are a nice little pickup and surprisingly durable. I'm sure others will say nothing beats Toyota, but I have no ownership experience with them other than that my friends' all rusted prematurely.

Slacker · Mar 28, 2006

Towing with a compact pickup is like bushhogging with a lawn tractor...it can be done, but only very carefully. I've owned a few Tacoma's and I was happy with them...until I needed to tow anything heavy. Then I was unhappy. Of your choices listed I'd go with the Taco. Excellent resale value and a solid proven truck. I've heard that the full size Toyota will be available in diesel...that should be quite a machine.

L_Nicholson · Mar 28, 2006

I owned a 2000 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab and loved it. it had a towing capacity of 5k and pulled things like a champ. I just recently sold it since I now work out of my home and don't have a need for it. I own a 2005 Dodge Durango with tow package and Hemi so there is no surprise there that it can pull the barn down and haul all the kids.

The crew cab works well if you have older kids out of car seats. It is very cramped with car seats in the back. If you consider the Nissan Crew cab get the long bed... you will be glad you did.

Bird · Mar 28, 2006

I, too, think the Dodge Dakota is the largest of the ones you've listed, and can be had with a bigger engine for towing. I don't know anything about engine choices in the Nissan and Toyota, but the Ranger has a choice of a 4 cylinder or either of two 6 cylinder engines. I think the majority of them I've seen on the dealers' lots have the 3 liter 6 cyinder, but I have an '01 model with the 4 liter engine. It just might be the roughest riding vehicle I've owned, presumably because of the stiff suspension, and it's only averaged 18.83 miles per gallon since I've had it, but the seats are comfortable and I'm very happy with the performance; handling, load capacity, etc. Of course mine is just a 2-WD, extended cab, and the only trailer I've pulled is my little 4' x 8' so you'd never even feel it back there.

jbrumberg · Mar 28, 2006

Chemistski:
I have a 2000 Extended Cab Toyota V6 4X4 and tow a 1100# sailboat with no difficulty on the interstate system. I can even pass other vehicles uphill. My trailer probably weighs ~ 500#'s and probably another 300#'s in gear, camping equipment, cooler, etc.. Boat trailers are relatively flimsy compared to what one needs to transport a tractor with attachments. I checked the specs on a JD 2305 it weighs ~1100#'s, add another 250#'s for the FEL, add the additional estimated weight of a trailer (~1000#'s), and another attachment (500#'s) and you still fall within the operational parameters of 5000#'s gross trailer weight as stated in the Toyota owners' manual. You should also factor in the fuel efficency of your truck; I get 21 mpg driving 2WD highway w/o towing. Jay

KentT · Mar 28, 2006

The V8 Dakota will tow up to 6750 lbs, with the correct configuration, for a GCWR of 11700 lbs.

You can't have it both ways, though. It will not get as good of mileage as some of its competitors.

automech · Mar 28, 2006

I agree, the Toyota is the best overall quality, and will tow a moderate load. You will have to step up to a larger engine and frame to pull a full load.

graybeard451 · Mar 28, 2006

<<Okay, need your help. I am looking for a compact pickup truck. 6cylinder, extended cab (not the huge crew/club/quad) 4X4. Possible I will be towing a JD 2305 with FEL attached locally only, So I do not think I need some F350. List is as follows: Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma. >>
I have a Tacoma extended cab 4X4 with the V-6 and automatic. I get 17 to 19.5 mpg without towing. I tow a 1600# double axle trailer with brakes and a BX 23 with loader and backhoe, maybe 3000# . It does work, but I wouldn't want to tow anything bigger. Without brakes on the trailer it would be unsafe. I've driven the 4 cylinder Ranger, that just doesn't have the grunt, the 3L isn't much better but the big 4L is a rocket ship but the down side is gas mileage. I think my next truck would be the 4-door Honda pick-up. It rides better, about the same gas mileage, and I don't need the big pick-up bed. I've never tried the others on your list, sorry.

HGM · Mar 28, 2006

Personally I think they are all too small... But, you know that and you will only be hauling short distances..... So, I'll have to vote for the Dodge because of its size.. Overall with very limited towing of this size load, the Ranger wont let you down and I think you'd like it better.. Dont even bother with anything smaller than the 4.0L though.. The others just arent an option.. I'd recomend driving them both.. As for the imports, well, they just dont fit my taste and have a cheaper feel to them..