Help us choose... Tacoma vs. Tundra

[bigfoot]

Some more great stuff to read and think about -- thanks! :ylsmoke:

I think we are leaning towards the Tacoma more and more, unless auto insurance coverage is ridiculously expensive. It will be a better fit around an urban area, better MPG, and hold its resale value.

 

[fifthcircle]

I would like to change my entire post above....after seeing THIS THREAD.

Get a CrewMax Tundra. NICE!
:drool:

 

[farrdg]

BIGFOOT,

I have a 2008 DC Short bed TRD Off Road edition. This is my Daily Driver and GSD transporter, he's big, 113 lbs, 21 months old, and it fits him fine. It replaced a F250 Diesel and We love the size. Perfect in the city and even better on the trails. I have a Leer shell on it and it works perfect for camping, hunting, and GSD training and transport. I made a set of expanded metal mesh covers for the inside of the sliding windows to cover the screen window openings so that he could not poke his head through it or tear it up. These also make the shell more secure. I made a template of the window out of paper that covered the screen half. I made it 1/2' bigger all around so that it matched up with the window mounting screw points. I used a plasma cutter to cut them out of expanded metal mesh screen (diamond shaped openings) and had them sprayed with Line X to keep them from being sharp on the edges and to keep them from rusting. I screwed them in place using longer sheet metal screws with fender washers at various points around the window by removing the origional screws, about every other one where there was an opening in the mesh. The covers are mounted solid, the windows do not leak, are easily opened while providing good protection and ventilation for the GSD and items inside of the bed during shopping or camping trips. I have the suspension and truck set up for overland journeys to include towing an off-road pop-up tent trailer. I really love it and it has not failed me yet. You GSD will be quite comfortable. Good luck with your adventures.
:coffeedrink:

 

[bigfoot]

farrdg,

That sounds like a nice setup! I will have to remember the mesh window covers; that is a great idea. Especially the Line-X, too. Keeps people hands out and dog snouts in. Good to hear a full-grown GSD fits okay in the short bed Tacoma.

(A little OT... but if you're 32 miles from nowhere, we were 55 miles from nowhere in GP and miss it! Drove by Erickson plenty... always fun to watch them swoop down over the highway.)

 

[farrdg]

BigFoot,

Let me know if you need some pictures they work good and Gunner is always happy back there. I love GP, great town :wings:. I could easily live there. I really like flying for Erickson and consider myself quite lucky. Flying the crane always brings a big smile to my face. Post some picks when you get the new truck and don't forget Wheelers in GP for all of the extras that you will need to feed the addiction of Over-landing.

 

[Esmi]

We considered the Tacoma vs. Tundra also. We ended up with a 09 double cab TRD 4x4 with auto and v-6 and later also bought a 2010 regular cab 4x4 with 4 cyl. and 5 spd. Tacoma.
the Tundra in our area was at least 10k more, the Tundra will not fit in our garage, the Tundra's fuel mileage was not as good as the Tacoma's were the main reasons for selecting the Tacomas. We also felt the Tacomas had higher resale value, especially the 4 door.

Yeah. What he says.

We bought our Taco TRD Offroad (4x4, double cab, short box) new for $26,xxx by the time they topped up the blinker fluid and charged the tax. My dear friend bought an 08 Tundra, similarly equipped, USED, for ±$35,000.

About fuel economy:
He is a greenie with a light foot at gets 14 mpg on his best day. We are nonthinkers and always get better than 16, and sometimes better than 18mpg if we are attentive and going far.

About the short bed:
I agree with all who say that the Taco short bed is ridiculous. Three labradors and a recycling bin more than fills it up.

About comfort:
Works for us going long or short. I am 6'4", she is 5'1" (yes we look funny standing next to each other), and the seats are comfortable for either of us for long trips. There is not a great deal of room in the back for two full-sizeish kids. I have not travelled in a Tundra, so I cannot compare.

General thought on Tundras:
I almost bought a used one last year, but opted to save the money and buy a similar F-150 (much lower price, and I thought better gas mileage). That was a mistake, I am not digging the Ford. But that's off the topic. I am digging the Tacoma, and think it does a wonderful job for us.

 

[zidaro]

I PAID $30163 +tax/license for my '10 Tundra Crewmax TRD 4x4, tow, xm, b/u camera, etc... not a platinum, but had some extras that are nice.
Also got 0%/5yrs free maintenance contract. Nothing wrong with Tacos, i love them- but price difference over a finance contract is minimal

 

[bigfoot]

BigFoot, Let me know if you need some pictures they work good and Gunner is always happy back there. I love GP, great town :wings:. I could easily live there. I really like flying for Erickson and consider myself quite lucky. Flying the crane always brings a big smile to my face. Post some picks when you get the new truck and don't forget Wheelers in GP for all of the extras that you will need to feed the addiction of Over-landing.

Thanks! Loved it in GP, except the economy recently forced us north to the PDX area. It was great being able to be in the middle of nowhere within 15 mins.