Toyota Tacoma Experience

Tacos are nice trucks. I know some have complained about the plastic beds on them, but I don't know how widespread the issues have been. Assuming that's not a major problem I think they're solid. Good power and they're good offroad with the right shoes, and one would handle a pop-up great.

You may be able to score a better deal on a newer Frontier but, and I say this as a long time Nissan fan, the newer Nissan trucks have had some quality issues.

Excellent point about access to the bed and parking. That's what I enjoy. Better off road on tight trails too.

It is the truck I would have if I did not tow the trailer I do now or the bigger one I want in the future.

My 2009 4dr 4x4 TRD Sport got 21-24 not towing, but dropped to 12.5mpgUS when towing our previous 4000# trailer (high-side, got the same mileage as our EcoBoost).

A good truck, but the cab entry was small, requiring me to bend over to get in without banging my head. Prefer the larger entry to the F150 cab.

And the TRD had a very stiff suspension. Great for towing, but a neck-breaker when not.

I could fit the Taco in our Condo garage, but the F150 does not.

"Most" 2005-current Tacoma v6's WITH FACTORY TOW PACKAGE are rated at 6400-6500 max towing capacity, otherwise 3500 pounds.

I've never owned a Toyota, but I know they build great vehicles. My experience from riding in Tacomas is that it just seems like the seats are too close to the floor. But, maybe it's just my imagination.

I have a friend with a 2010 double cab long bed, he loves the truck. He traded in an older Tundra for it and said the MPGs are about the same, he does drive with a heavy foot though.

I would like to have an access cab 4x4 Tacoma but the payload limit is a little light for my needs. With my 650lb ATV and 400lb tongue weight of my camper and me and my dogs in the truck I am at 1300lbs which is right at the Tacomas limit.

Good luck with your search Jeremiah, I think a Tacoma would work well for you.

GWolfe wrote:
I have a friend with a 2010 double cab long bed, he loves the truck. He traded in an older Tundra for it and said the MPGs are about the same, he does drive with a heavy foot though.

I would like to have an access cab 4x4 Tacoma but the payload limit is a little light for my needs. With my 650lb ATV and 400lb tongue weight of my camper and me and my dogs in the truck I am at 1300lbs which is right at the Tacomas limit.

Good luck with your search Jeremiah, I think a Tacoma would work well for you.

I would be surprised if you had a true 1300lb payload. Most nicely equipped 2nd gen Tacoma's that are like 4x4, SR5, V6, TRD, etc. off the lot at like 900-1000lb max. Put a couple people in the truck and a couple extra things, and your near your limit.

I personally have severely overloaded a 2nd gen tacoma and it seemed to handle it fine. I didn't know any better then though. I had me and my whole family in it, my Ducati 1098S in the bed (450lbs), a 220lb generator, lots of gear, bout 40 extra gallons of gas, ramps, all this stuff. Then a 550lb hitch weight. I had airbags, but it was Ok.

Even if you add airbags, a helper leaf, etc. it doesn't make the weight go away. It is still directly on the axle, wheels, tires, bearings, etc. all of that. Besides being illegal.

I now have an F-250 Diesel, because I know better.

One guy on tacomaworld who didnt have the newer TSB with the extra leaf posted:

"Therefore, I'm thinking my payload is 5450 (GVWR) - 4380 (empty weight) - 290 (weak spring deduction) = 780 lbs. That's a far cry from the 1295 lbs that Toyota advertises in the brochure."

Then there is the fact that pushing the payload and tow capacity limits, you are beating the hell our of that little trucks transmission, brakes, etc.

IMHO the truth is the truck is great (i've had 3) for taking camping, offroading, hitting the trail, driving around town, but it is not a towing/hauling truck. Buy the right TV for the job.

Thats why I don't have one AMG but I would like one if the payload was a little higher.

Good point about payload. I forgot to mention that the main reason we upgraded to the current F150 with over 2000# payload was that Taco's payload was only ~1000#.