Need help deciding, Why a Tacoma over a full size truck?

phsycle

phsycle

Adventurer
KWJohnston said:
*On the used market, F150 crew 4x4 is cheaper than a similar condition Tacoma doublecab 4x4 by several thousand dollars.
Click to expand...

Hm. Maybe area dependent, but around here, same vintage and trim is either on par with Tacoma pricing. Surprising since there are so many out there. ie, I’m shopping for a 12-14 F150 Supercrew 5.0 with FX4 pkg (XLT trim) with around 30-50k miles. Can’t find a clean example for under $27k.

Hope the F150 works for you. If not, Taco is a good choice for midsize. Although after having sat in a Gladiator, I’d be inclined to go that direction for a few reasons, if I were shopping for a midsize.
 
D

Deleted member 9101

Guest
KWJohnston said:
As the OP, I feel like I should jump back in. I thought the thread was winding down, so I thanked everyone for there input and moved on. Guess I shouldn't have wandered off! Based on the input gathered here, and my own observations, here are my thoughts:

*The Tacoma is a better dedicated trail vehicle in tight spots over technical terrain. F150's are significantly bigger.

*A Tacoma has a higher floor, better ground clearance, approach, departure, and breakover angles. The F150 is inferior here as well.

*For mechanical reliability over the long term, the Tacoma has an excellent reputation. F150's have had some trouble over the years with certain engines.

*The lighter weight of a Tacoma could benefit flotation in Sand or Mud. An F150, being heavier might get sunk easier.

On the other Hand......

*An F150 has amazing payload, probably more that I need. A Tacoma could potentially become overloaded without some thought.

*The F150's useable bed area is larger in length, width, and height. A Tacoma will run out of useable room sooner.

*An F150 has a larger interior for "dry storage", securing valuables such as a hunting rifle, and occasionally my Daughter's enormous car seat. The Tacoma is inferior here as well.

*On the used market, F150 crew 4x4 is cheaper than a similar condition Tacoma doublecab 4x4 by several thousand dollars.

I had to make a checklist and see which one gets the most votes. It was very close because I wanted it all. My priorities favor the better gear hauling abilities, and cheaper price of the F150. My motivation for Overlanding is to reach Hunting and Fishing destinations. Sometimes the best spots are the most out of the way places. If I ever feel like the F150 is limiting my ability to reach the most remote inaccessible areas, I my swap to a Tacoma.

Best
Click to expand...

The F150 also rides better and gets better fuel economy... Plus... It will make you smile everytime you lay into the throttle (unless you get the NA V6).
 
Y

yfarm

Observer
Local dealer carries Toyota, Ford and Jeep Ram. Walking through lot the other day, Base Taco 3.5 33k, Taco TRD off-road 43k, Gladiator sport max tow 46k, Gladiator Rubi 59k the price spread is remarkable. Guess the same thing happens with full-size.
Currently own ‘13 JKUR, ‘11 Raptor and ‘15 Taco TRD off-road, favorite daily drive vehicle is the taco.
 
Last edited:
Mickey Bitsko

Mickey Bitsko

Adventurer
Toyota owners are a different lot, it seems they will defend their choice come hell or high water.
Interesting to see different threads on different sites, be it expo or wtw etc. People will be over the moon looking at trucks to carry their "small " +/- 1k lb cab over camper , then, beef up the frame, extra leaf spring or two, air bags, all the while being grossly over gvw.
We are all guilty of our overloaded overlanding or choose to latest buzz word vehicle.
Sure a 1ton truck can carry 1 ton ,so, let's see if we can carry 1 1/2 tons.. lol
Never ends.
 
DaveInDenver

DaveInDenver

Middle Income Semi-Redneck
Mickey Bitsko said:
Toyota owners are a different lot, it seems they will defend their choice come hell or high water.
Interesting to see different threads on different sites, be it expo or wtw etc. People will be over the moon looking at trucks to carry their "small " +/- 1k lb cab over camper , then, beef up the frame, extra leaf spring or two, air bags, all the while being grossly over gvw.
We are all guilty of our overloaded overlanding or choose to latest buzz word vehicle.
Sure a 1ton truck can carry 1 ton ,so, let's see if we can carry 1 1/2 tons.. lol
Never ends.
Click to expand...
Tacomas get overloaded just as much as Rangers and S10 and the Pickup/Hilux used to and still do. I don't understand why people buy a small truck and then complain about it being small, but that's why the Tacoma has grown to almost as big as a 1/2 ton full size once was and the 1/2 ton full size trucks are huge. No one 20 years ago in their right mind would even have considered a 5,500 lbs tandem axle 27' trailer but now it's expected a small truck be able to do that and the OEMs have to consider because people try. Ridiculous.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1332031819.014924.jpg
 
Todd780

Todd780

OverCamper
DaveInDenver said:
Tacomas get overloaded just as much as Rangers and S10 and the Pickup/Hilux used to and still do. I don't understand why people buy a small truck and then complain about it being small, but that's why the Tacoma has grown to almost as big as a 1/2 ton full size once was and the 1/2 ton full size trucks are huge. No one 20 years ago in their right mind would even have considered a 5,500 lbs tandem axle 27' trailer but now it's expected a small truck be able to do that and the OEMs have to consider because people try. Ridiculous.

View attachment 569811
Click to expand...
No way I'd pull that trailer with any midsize. If that trailer is 5,500 lbs, that truck is over it's payload and tow rating. (I'm guessing payload around 1,100 - 1,200 and tow rating at 6,400 lbs?)

Our holiday trailer is 23' hitch to bumper & 3,900 lbs empty. I was on the fence about even trying to tow it with a midsize....
 
DaveInDenver

DaveInDenver

Middle Income Semi-Redneck
Todd n Natalie said:
No way I'd pull that trailer with any midsize. If that trailer is 5,500 lbs, that truck is over it's payload and tow rating. (I'm guessing payload around 1,100 - 1,200 and tow rating at 6,400 lbs?)

Our holiday trailer is 23' hitch to bumper & 3,900 lbs empty. I was on the fence about even trying to tow it with a midsize....
Click to expand...
Even assuming it could even sneak under the combined rating and within the towing rating a mild cross wind has got to be a tail wagging the dog situation.
 
shade

shade

Well-known member
Mickey Bitsko said:
Toyota owners are a different lot, it seems they will defend their choice come hell or high water.
Interesting to see different threads on different sites, be it expo or wtw etc. People will be over the moon looking at trucks to carry their "small " +/- 1k lb cab over camper , then, beef up the frame, extra leaf spring or two, air bags, all the while being grossly over gvw.
We are all guilty of our overloaded overlanding or choose to latest buzz word vehicle.
Sure a 1ton truck can carry 1 ton ,so, let's see if we can carry 1 1/2 tons.. lol
Never ends.
Click to expand...
Actually, I recall many Tacoma owners in this thread offering the OP reasons to select a full size truck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
188,360
Messages
2,903,716
Members
230,227
Latest member
banshee01

Members online

Total: 1,539 (members: 41, guests: 1,498)
Top