Ram 2500 vs Tacoma Crew Cab.....on a fence
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BCHauler
Adventurer
I too would vote for the Ram. I have only ever heard good things about the Tacoma, but their very limited payload and towing capabilities does seem to come up regularly. The new diesel 1/2 ton Ram is a very intriguing option as I see it.
I too work in the construction industry and one other bonus to the Taco is size. As in it is smaller. Most of our no sites are houses and parking is always a problem. Trying to fit 1/2 dozen or more guys diesel trucks in a jobsite is always a headache. Especially if you are in an urban area like I am. The newer full size heavy duty trucks are like aircraft carriers on wheels. Huge and loooong.
I too work in the construction industry and one other bonus to the Taco is size. As in it is smaller. Most of our no sites are houses and parking is always a problem. Trying to fit 1/2 dozen or more guys diesel trucks in a jobsite is always a headache. Especially if you are in an urban area like I am. The newer full size heavy duty trucks are like aircraft carriers on wheels. Huge and loooong.
MR. ED
Observer
Funny, I'm on the other side of the fence. After years of construction I'm switching career paths. I have a 2001 CTD long bed I'm thinking about trading in for a Tacoma/Frontier. Great truck. 235,000 trouble free miles-more or less. A few Thermostats, heater core and a rebuilt tranny.
I can stuff 4,plus gear, in comfortably. 5 is pushing the comfort zone! Haul sheets of ply, lumber, full loads of fire wood, tow most anything, etc. and it's been where full size rigs maybe shouldn't go-Maze, Elephant hill, Ouray. Alllthough I don't NEED it anymore, it's hard to think about getting rid of it. A smaller truck would be more nimble off road and maybe cheaper for me as a DD, but...
For a guy in the Building Arts with 2 kids, I say full size all the way. I love my big truck. It's getting where I'm worried about the expensive pumps going out, windows not working, etc. Originally I was going to try to get at least 500,000 miles out of it. But I'm having second thoughts.
Either way You'll be happy-at least for a while. Good luck.
It's heavy and likes to get stuck!
I can stuff 4,plus gear, in comfortably. 5 is pushing the comfort zone! Haul sheets of ply, lumber, full loads of fire wood, tow most anything, etc. and it's been where full size rigs maybe shouldn't go-Maze, Elephant hill, Ouray. Alllthough I don't NEED it anymore, it's hard to think about getting rid of it. A smaller truck would be more nimble off road and maybe cheaper for me as a DD, but...
For a guy in the Building Arts with 2 kids, I say full size all the way. I love my big truck. It's getting where I'm worried about the expensive pumps going out, windows not working, etc. Originally I was going to try to get at least 500,000 miles out of it. But I'm having second thoughts.
Either way You'll be happy-at least for a while. Good luck.
It's heavy and likes to get stuck!
surlydiesel
Adventurer
Having owned both and currently a Tacoma owner, I am always finding myself needing a full sized truck. I can't move tractors around anymore, I can't pull a dump trailer, I have to be careful with the amount of wood I load up, the brakes are great when it's empty...but I get 22mpg around town in the summer time and I've only changed the oil and done one set of brakes in 111XXX miles. I've overloaded it, worked it hard, pulled tree stumps, all sorts of silly things and it keeps going strong. I change my mind almost weekly about getting a full sized oil burner again but I get in the little truck and I'm happy enough. All that said, if I was in construction or pulling trailers often, I would have a full sized!!!!
Best,
Jorge
Best,
Jorge
bob91yj
Resident **************
Any emissions that you take off of a diesel you better hand on to. The Republik of California started smog testing diesels a couple of years ago...missing emissions equipment is an immediate fail. California's law rounded up all the trucks back to '97 to impose this new test on! There are no operational standards for the test, just a visual...for now.
Probably coming soon to a state near you!
I vote for the 3/4 ton, if you're already driving a 1500HD, you have a feel for the limits the body size presents.
Probably coming soon to a state near you!
I vote for the 3/4 ton, if you're already driving a 1500HD, you have a feel for the limits the body size presents.
Clutch
<---Pass
I would shoot for a Ram Mega Cab, if I had kids, and needed a "do-it-all" truck.
you could toss down a mattress and that could be their "tent" on camping trips for years and years
bigwapitijohnny
Adventurer
Another choice in the Toyota line...
I had the same struggle between the Tacoma and a Tundra. I know that the Tundra platform is somewhat limited. That being said, I chose it over the Taco due to more room and power. It does share many parts from the 200 series land cruiser, and there is a fair amount of after market support. Just throwing it out there...I have a Tundra with the 5.7L iForce V8. It is lifted 3", 33s, contractor grade topper, cabinets, OBA, auxillary battery, tools. I averaged 14.6 mpg on the highway with ethanol blended gas. I'll take those mpgs anyday...
I don't mean to muddy the waters of your decision, however, I have to suggest the Tundra if one of your possible vehicle choices is a Taco...
Regards,
BWJ
I had the same struggle between the Tacoma and a Tundra. I know that the Tundra platform is somewhat limited. That being said, I chose it over the Taco due to more room and power. It does share many parts from the 200 series land cruiser, and there is a fair amount of after market support. Just throwing it out there...I have a Tundra with the 5.7L iForce V8. It is lifted 3", 33s, contractor grade topper, cabinets, OBA, auxillary battery, tools. I averaged 14.6 mpg on the highway with ethanol blended gas. I'll take those mpgs anyday...
I don't mean to muddy the waters of your decision, however, I have to suggest the Tundra if one of your possible vehicle choices is a Taco...
Regards,
BWJ
my1stcummins
Adventurer
That's a sweet Tundra!
truck mechanic
Adventurer
I bought a small truck about a year ago, thinking I should buy something the was better on gas, and better off road. Well that last 6 months, it was just too small. I am now back in a full size super cab, oil burner. different brands, but it was about comfort and being able to get the job done. So I would go full size.
Just my .02
Paul
Just my .02
Paul
If you buy a Ram I would seriously consider a MegaCab. I looked long and hard at the MegaCabs before I finally decided on a DuraMax. In the end I wanted a full length bed. Both me and my buddy like my Duramax crew cab more than his non-MegaCab crew cab Cummins. The back seat in my Duramax feels more roomy than the regular crew cab Ram.
The Allison transmission was also a major deciding factor. I prefer the straight six diesel to a V8 diesel but both are great engines and I feel the Allison transmissions are much better than the Dodge trannies.
In the end you can't go wrong with a Cummins or a Duramax! I can't imagine having to go back to a gasser after owning a diesel. Tacoma's are great rigs but there is really no comparison to a full size truck.
The Allison transmission was also a major deciding factor. I prefer the straight six diesel to a V8 diesel but both are great engines and I feel the Allison transmissions are much better than the Dodge trannies.
In the end you can't go wrong with a Cummins or a Duramax! I can't imagine having to go back to a gasser after owning a diesel. Tacoma's are great rigs but there is really no comparison to a full size truck.
87GMCJimmy
Adventurer
I'd vote for the Dodge. I have a Power Wagon and the interior space is great!!! I had a brand new 2013 Tacoma extended cab for one month and traded it in on a brand new 2012 Power Wagon. (I have had the Power Wagon since January now) The only thing that I don't like better in the Power Wagon vs the Tacoma is the mpg, the Taco was a V-6, six speed manual vs the Power Wagon is a V-8, six speed auto- I got 16mpg with the Taco, 11mpg with the Power Wagon now. I very seriously thought about a Cummins but ended up going with the Power Wagon instead. Hemi or Cummins though, I would pick a Ram 2500 over a Tacoma. (I did!!!) The weight carrying and trailer hauling capabilities are MUCH higher with the 2500! For me, the Tacoma's capabilities were too low.
TRACTION
Adventurer
I'll vote for the 2500. Why? I have one and though I like the idea of a slightly smaller truck for some situations the reality is for the majority of situations a full sized short bed will be more useful if you consider all the typical uses for a truck. I average about 18 mpg (50/50 in town/highway miles) as well.
Be wary of the the recommendation to strip the emissions from a new 6.7 if you live in an area that tests emissions. It won't be long before more states adopt CA-like testing so it's a risky proposition regardless. That's why I bought the year I did so I wouldn't have to mess with that.
Be wary of the the recommendation to strip the emissions from a new 6.7 if you live in an area that tests emissions. It won't be long before more states adopt CA-like testing so it's a risky proposition regardless. That's why I bought the year I did so I wouldn't have to mess with that.
Buliwyf
Viking with a Hammer
A taco is going to get shredded hauling a 5k trailer to construction sites. Those ain't exactly got 8' beds either. And half ton trucks can't really haul much in the bed before your overloaded. When I worked out of little trucks, I was allays coming up short for space and dragging my rear bumper around. Work trucks need to be real trucks, not grocery getters. It also seems like the little trucks cost as much as fullsizes these days anyway.
Get a fullsize. Dodge or Ford. Do you really need a diesel? Deosn't sound like it at all. Weight or insane hwy miles =diesel.
Get a fullsize. Dodge or Ford. Do you really need a diesel? Deosn't sound like it at all. Weight or insane hwy miles =diesel.
Wyocrawler
Observer
I vote Ram, I'm on my 3rd one. I would say look into gas I've had both, a 1994 1500, 1999 2500 ctd and the current 2011 power wagon. I loved my ctd but the cost owning a desel has gone way up and the new cummins is not the motor it once was. I had a 2011 3500 cc long bed ram for work ( company truck ) 100 gal slip tank and a tool box in the bed averaged 11 city and 16 hwy. Pretty much the same numbers as the power wagon. That and the power wagon's other goodies are what pushed me to go back to gas. As far as towing, for what your doing the hemi will suit you fine. Oh and having had a short and long bed cc in the driveway at the same time the short is a bit better to get around with.
Just my oppinions. Only worth bout $0.02. Good luck
Just my oppinions. Only worth bout $0.02. Good luck