This is certainly going to be a very controversial question, but I would like to have feed back from as many people as I can. I have a 172 R Pod and I have a 2000 Toyota Tacoma extended cab with a 2.7 4 cyl engine with a 5 speed tranny. So far, my truck has handled the pod very well with just me and my wife. Sure, up in the mountains, I have to use some of the lower gears, but that is what they are there for. In looking ahead, we will probably get somewhat of a larger TT, but not much bigger. Probably a bigger pod or something not much bigger any way. Don't care a thing in the world about one of the larger TT or 5th wheels. I want something that is not too large for where I might want to go. And, main reason for another tow vehicle is a prolific family situation. With that being said, I have 2 grandsons, one pregnant daughter with a single bundle of joy that is due in May. AND, another daughter that will be having 2 bundles of joy in July, yep, twins. That will leave us with 5 grandchildren. I know we will be taking some of them camping with us, however, not all 5 at one time. So, with that being said, I am beginning to look for a larger tow vehicle. I am looking at the following: Ford F150 Lariat Super Cab with 5.4 engine; Silverado 1500 with Crew Cab and 5.7 engine; and Toyota Crew Max with 5.7 engine. For those of you that have had experience with any of these vehicles, or, all of these vehicles, please chime in and help me make, for what would be for you, the best choice from info that I have given. I am leaning toward the Toyota Crew Max. Also, I am not going to buy a new one. I never buy new vehicles. Everyone has their own opinion, but I just can't see paying the prices that they ask for new vehicles. Probably be looking at somewhere between 2006-2012 year model. Shoot me your feedback please, the more the merrier……….

dslc6487 wrote:This is certainly going to be a very controversial question, but I would like to have feed back from as many people as I can. I have a 172 R Pod and I have a 2000 Toyota Tacoma extended cab with a 2.7 4 cyl engine with a 5 speed tranny. So far, my truck has handled the pod very well with just me and my wife. Sure, up in the mountains, I have to use some of the lower gears, but that is what they are there for. In looking ahead, we will probably get somewhat of a larger TT, but not much bigger. Probably a bigger pod or something not much bigger any way. Don't care a thing in the world about one of the larger TT or 5th wheels. I want something that is not too large for where I might want to go. And, main reason for another tow vehicle is a prolific family situation. With that being said, I have 2 grandsons, one pregnant daughter with a single bundle of joy that is due in May. AND, another daughter that will be having 2 bundles of joy in July, yep, twins. That will leave us with 5 grandchildren. I know we will be taking some of them camping with us, however, not all 5 at one time. So, with that being said, I am beginning to look for a larger tow vehicle. I am looking at the following: Ford F150 Lariat Super Cab with 5.4 engine; Silverado 1500 with Crew Cab and 5.7 engine; and Toyota Crew Max with 5.7 engine. For those of you that have had experience with any of these vehicles, or, all of these vehicles, please chime in and help me make, for what would be for you, the best choice from info that I have given. I am leaning toward the Toyota Crew Max. Also, I am not going to buy a new one. I never buy new vehicles. Everyone has their own opinion, but I just can't see paying the prices that they ask for new vehicles. Probably be looking at somewhere between 2006-2012 year model. Shoot me your feedback please, the more the merrier……….If your looking at a Chevy truck with a 5.7 then it has to be at least a 98 model truck and that getting up in age.Out of your choices the Toyota 5.7 is a very strong engine, but loves the gas. Perhaps the fuel mileage in not so critical right now with low fuel prices. A buddy I fish with has a '11 Toy 5.7 and it's been a really good truck for him.Good luck...

Your could go with a newer Tacoma 2005 + , they have a 4.3 engine and far more towing capacity than yours. Otherwise go for a Tundra 5.7. Can't beat Toyota for reliability and resale.

My sister has a Expedition for sale that has a 10,000 pound towing package, 5.4L engine and seating for 8. That way you could take all the grandkids and some of their parents to do the cleaning! To bad you live more than 2,000 miles away. .. I think that any of the proposed trucks will work great with a 500 - 750 pound hitch weight and say 800 pounds of passengers. The 5+ liter engines will not need to slow below about 50 on the steepest of hills. One thing about the super cabs, the kids will tend to grow taller, and will complain about being the only one in the back seat. . . .You might be looking at much larger trailers with a slide out once you have the ability to safely tow something in the 27' range. My buddy was looking at new 26' Fleetwood, when they came across a 27' that had been traded in of the same floorplan and model, but one year older and 1 foot longer. So they bought it. For a tow truck, he had a 351" F-150 with a lot of add on things to keep the engine cooler, and larger transmission cooler, ect. He traded that in on a new F-250 with the same 351" engine, but a much larger radiator, much larger brakes, ect. He was much happier towing with the new truck than the older one. Good luck,Fred.

I highly recommend something with a 6 sped transmission. That means 2007+ Tundra, 2009+ GM Twins, or 2009+ F-150. The F-150 I would prefer 2011+ 5.0L or Ecoboost as the 09-10 had some transmission limitations that would drive me crazy.For any of them, you'll want to pay attention to the payload as well as the specific equipment they have. Some half ton crew cabs have under 800 pounds of payload. Some have tow ratings of 5000 pounds. Specifically, you want the 4.300 axle ratio for Tundra, 3.55/3.73 for F-150 and 3.42 for GM. And the heavy duty towing package for the transmission cooler.They would all do well. Pick the one your wife likes best. :)

I would drive each and see which I like best and go with it. None of them would be a bad choice for what your are looking at towing.

Choice of tow vehicles - Let me know what you think

13 Replies

mileshuff
Explorer
Dec 03, 2015
How about the 2004-2010 Dodge Durango 5.7L Hemi? Strong engine pulls with ease and 3 row seating for lots of room. We used ours for many years of great RV'ing. While we no longer tow with it we still own the Durango and still going strong with 150K miles on it. Great tow vehicle!
mtofell1
Explorer
Dec 03, 2015
With trucks over the last 20 years I went from a Toyota to a Ford to a Nissan to a Chevy and am now in a Ram so, obviously I'm not exactly brand loyal.

Of the truck you mention, the Tundra would be at the top of my list. I owned a 99 F150 with the 5.4 - the engine is an underperformer for the mpg and pretty much started to self destruct at 100K (something called "piston slap" - didn't sound good). The Silverado with a 6.0 is a nice truck from what I've heard (my Chevy was a diesel so I have no direct experience).

Mainly, as others have said, drive them, do some research and pick what works best. Before trucks I drove many Toyotas and was always impressed with the reliability and durability. If they'd ever start making a 3/4 or 1 ton full size truck they'd likely sell one to me.
Slate_CM
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2015
I have a 2008 Tundra with the 5.7 that has almost 60,000 miles on it. Best vehicle I've ever owned. Zero problems so far.

I tow a 5600 dry weight TT with no trouble. Some mention mileage; I think we all get about 10 while towing including me. If you are gentle and don't mind going the speed limit, the Tundra will get high teens and sometimes a 20 mpg on the highway.

Be sure and get one with the tow package. It will have the tow/haul button as well as trans temp gauge, cooler, 4.30 gears and 7 pin harness.
6_7_tow_rig
Explorer
Dec 01, 2015
tonymull wrote:
Your could go with a newer Tacoma 2005 + , they have a 4.3 engine and far more towing capacity than yours. Otherwise go for a Tundra 5.7. Can't beat Toyota for reliability and resale.

There is no such thing as a Tacoma with a 4.3 just FYI.

They do come with a 4.0 though. My neighbor has a four door that he tows a 17' Rpod with and loves it.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Dec 01, 2015
"If your looking at a Chevy truck with a 5.7 then it has to be at least a 98 model truck and that getting up in age"

I have the last year Vortex 5.7 Tahoe sitting in my driveway it's a 1999. Great engine it has 240K never been touched not has the trans, transferase front or rear end.
Grit_dog
Navigator III
Dec 01, 2015
I'm sure you meant 5.3 Chevy.
Solid advice so far. If you have the funds go for the newer 6 or 8 speed autos.
If going ford, 2011 or newer 5.0 blows away the 5.4 in any trim. Trans prolly helps that too.
Don't discount the Ram off your list either. Fine trucks.
Not much to complain about in the newer gasser market.
camp-n-family
Explorer
Dec 01, 2015
They will all do the job, really just comes down to personal preference. For me, the Tundra was top choice. I loved mine and wish I still had it. There are a lot of haters on here but you will rarely hear complaints from those who have actually owned one.

The 5.7 is a bullet proof engine. It is a little thirsty and the fuel tank is small. The crew max has the largest cabin, back seat is huge, but also the lowest payload of the 3.

For reliability and resale value down the road, the Tundra can't be beat.
Fordlover
Explorer
Dec 01, 2015
APT wrote:
I highly recommend something with a 6 sped transmission. That means 2007+ Tundra, 2009+ GM Twins, or 2009+ F-150. The F-150 I would prefer 2011+ 5.0L or Ecoboost as the 09-10 had some transmission limitations that would drive me crazy.

For any of them, you'll want to pay attention to the payload as well as the specific equipment they have. Some half ton crew cabs have under 800 pounds of payload. Some have tow ratings of 5000 pounds. Specifically, you want the 4.300 axle ratio for Tundra, 3.55/3.73 for F-150 and 3.42 for GM. And the heavy duty towing package for the transmission cooler.

They would all do well. Pick the one your wife likes best. :)

This advice is golden IMO. 6 Speeds make a whole world of difference when towing and around town driving. Pick your favorite flavor as far as brand.
p220sigman
Explorer
Dec 01, 2015
I would drive each and see which I like best and go with it. None of them would be a bad choice for what your are looking at towing.
APT
Explorer
Dec 01, 2015
I highly recommend something with a 6 sped transmission. That means 2007+ Tundra, 2009+ GM Twins, or 2009+ F-150. The F-150 I would prefer 2011+ 5.0L or Ecoboost as the 09-10 had some transmission limitations that would drive me crazy.

For any of them, you'll want to pay attention to the payload as well as the specific equipment they have. Some half ton crew cabs have under 800 pounds of payload. Some have tow ratings of 5000 pounds. Specifically, you want the 4.300 axle ratio for Tundra, 3.55/3.73 for F-150 and 3.42 for GM. And the heavy duty towing package for the transmission cooler.

They would all do well. Pick the one your wife likes best. :)