Tundra or Tacoma - future camper hauler???

[Camp JP]

Great thread and very helpful. I had to go out of town unexpectedly and was checking out the Tacomas and Tundras on the road. I was leaning towards the Tacoma as a better daily driver when I got a text from my wife that said with the special financing and rebates, the Tundras are very close in net price...so back to square 1. My wife and daughter really like the Tundra - especially the ton of space in the back seat. My current 99 Ram has the backwards clamshell doors in back and a tight back seat, which is a hassle.

Anyone else have a camper on a Toyota?

 

[Ryanmb21]

I'm not sure where you go this from but it isn't correct. Fuel companies definitely spend a lot on marketing but octane levels are regulated.

Most "performance" modern engines will advance the ignition timing with higher octane fuel which means more power. It will take a few tanks for the ECU to learn the new timing curve but you will get more power. Higher octane means more resistance to pre-ignition (knock) so you can push the engine more (more boost pressure/CFM, timing, compression, whatever gets you there) without burning it up. That being said your 1991 Honda Civic won't see anything with premium gas but any modern engine with a decent ECU and some type of progressive valve timing will.

Yup. True modern toys

 

[carbon60]

Yup. True modern toys

Anyone have a reference to this information? I can't find anything saying this is so.

Thanks,

A.

 

[Ryanmb21]

I did some testing when my 4runner was new, I noticed that my MPG gains outweighed the additional cost of the premium fuel. I can get 20MPG on the highway, lifted with "32 tires and bumper. Additionally, some of the most knowledgeable 4runner guys I know run 91, that was good enough for me.

Additionally, here is some discussion (not sure any of it counts as "reference":

Look at post #1 links:

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2607

Other discussion:

http://www.lcool.org/technical/prado_high_octane_fuel.html

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13431

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=957

 

[bjowett]

The Tacoma is a great truck, but IME, the 4.0L leaves a bit to be desired when loaded up. The 1UR V8 4.6L would've been a great optional engine for it.

The Tundra is fantastic platform.

 

[surlydiesel]

I daily drive an 01 2.7 4 cylinder with a 5spd. At work I drive a 2007 quad cab short bed 4.0 with the auto. I have to be so careful when I hit the gas to not spin the tires on any surface. I mean, gingerly hit the gas or it takes off. So to me, it's a rocket ship coming from a small motor and even loaded down, as loaded as shortbed can get, it still freaking goes. So, I haven't towed with a 4.0 but just running around, it feels like a sports car to me.

But to revisit the original question. Still Tundra for me.

-jorge

 

[carbon60]

On an old, unmaintained forestry road, how much bigger will a Tundra feel? And are the domestic full-size trucks the same size?

 

[brianjwilson]

It's not quite the same, but my 06 f150 felt huge on trails in the northwest after having several ranger based vehicles.
The bigger rigs are taller and have less clearance. Look at dimensions of campers too. Compare a hawk to an eagle or fleet.

I thought about a tundra with 2" lift, 285s and a hawk camper. Then a tacoma with a 2" lift, 285s and a fleet camper. The tundra/hawk is nearly 1' taller, 6" wider, longer overhangs, etc.

At this point I'm personally considering a supercharged tacoma as a next rig with a fleet camper. Much smaller footprint where it counts, and I believe it can be modified fairly easily to handle the load. I would do must if not all of the same things to a full sized rig anyway. A four door half ton with camper is goin to e overweight as well. Since both will be overweight I'd rather have the lighter overall rig for what I do.

I've learned to carry a lot less junk these days anyway. It is more important to me to have the flexibility to get into tight spots. I don't anticipate pulling a heavy trailer with a camper and stuff anyway. 1 kid will be fine in the back seat.