New truck advice

[NCH2oSki]

Its time for a new truck, my company gives me a nice allowance. With the discounts and cheap money, along with the tax incentives I think now is a good time to trade up.

I currently have an 05 silverado 5.3 crew cab z71. It does a fine job towing my sport nautique the 20 miles to the closest ramp. We occasionally check out other lakes and may travel up to 100 miles for a weekend on the water.

Since the employer gives me a monthly allowance the per mile fuel/maintenance reinbursement is small. Its based on a mid size car getting 25mpg. This has me considering a smaller truck. I just test drove a Toyota Tacoma with the 4.0L v-6 and TRD package. We have to have 4wd to use some of the ramps here, a limited slip just will not get my boat out if the ramp is wet. I wasnt overly impressed with the power and its missing some of the features I like in my Chevy.

Anyone have any real world expereince with the Tocama and towing? What is real world mpg for the hwy and city?

Your input is apriciated.

[Aarons01]

RE: New truck advice

Support your american made products

[gride300]

RE: New truck advice

i hate tacoma's. 4.0; v-6, my old is300 was about that. get yourself a real man's truck. land cruiser's are amazing vehicles though. if i could have any new truck/suv it would be a land cruiser. next choice denali or escalade hybrid.

[mndanielsncsu]

RE: New truck advice

I have an '07 4Runner V6 2WD, which I tow my Sport Nautique with... not a Tacoma, but pretty close. I've towed my boat to my old hometown a couple of times, which is about 120 miles each way and I averaged about 12mpg, give or take. The 4Runner tows pretty well, given it's size. I have never had any issues with not being able to get up a boat ramp, etc.

If I had the cash though, I'd go with the Tundra. I love the way the new body style looks.

[NCH2oSki]

Re: RE: New truck advice

Support your american made products

I would gladly purchase american, but my current chevy has been mediocre at best when it comes to value and maintenance costs. I'm looking for something with better miles per gallon, I usually drive 45-55K per year and currently our per mile pay is .15 You do the math.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

RE: Re: RE: New truck advice

08 standard cab 4wd Tacoma, 4cyl 5spd gets right at 20mpg. I wouldnt want to pull a SN with it without electric Trailer brakes. It would be pretty anemic trying to pull a boat at highway speeds anyway.

My brothers 07 Tahow gets 19 MPG HWY w/o a load and would pull any nautique just fine. One of the Chevys with Multi dispacement engine is what i would go for.

[SkiTower]

RE: Re: RE: New truck advice

sodbuster88 drives a Tacoma and it pulls fine, but he's pulling a 196. It'd probably struggle with my 211 (extra 1k lbs). I'm jealous that he gets better mileage pulling than I do (and definitely gets better without pulling). There is a BIG room difference, though.

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: Re: RE: New truck advice

What is the tow rating on a Tacoma? I used to tow with a Toyota truck [18" w/outboard] It pulled the
load but I never felt totally in control seemed like the boat steered the truck as times. Can you keep the
05 for towing and get a smaller truck for work? Have you looked at the Colorado ?

[DanielC]

RE: Re: RE: New truck advice

I too would suggest something made in the USA. I would also avoid auto companies being run by the government. That leaves Ford.
I have towed my 1997 Ski Nautique, with 2085 hours with my Ford Aerostar, 163655 miles, (not all towing) and have been happy with it.
Try to get a vehicle with a lower geared rear axle, and some sort of a trailer towing package.

[gride300]

RE: Re: RE: New truck advice

my old hyperlite rep travelled the south east in his dodge ram w/ an x-star on tandem and that thing is a beast. i have an 04 yukon that tows my 210 tandem w/ every seat in the car full with ease. towing mph is only about 10mpg though. regular highway is 17mpg average. you'll also get a better deal on a gm these days. my advice is to get either a denali or escalade w/ the nice big engine they come with, put a k&n cold air on it along with a super chip(has performance, tow, and 87octane modes) and i promise you will never look back. we used to tow a 210 with an 05 sclade and wow, its like driving a supercharged caddi with the boat. the new ones have more hp/torque too. get you one

[rugdog65]

RE: Re: RE: New truck advice

I get 19-20 hwy in my 06 silverado (non 4wd). Looked at small trucks when gas was so high and just wasnt worth the sacrafice imo. Looked at tundras before I bought my last 2 chevys but dollar to dollar you got a lot more cabin luxuries in a silverado. I would buy a new chevy now without hesitation. Love the new body style as well.

[emagine]

RE: Re: RE: New truck advice

The new Tundra 4x4 with the large engine and 10,000 lbs. towing capacity is a great vehicle. Crew cab loaded and didn't even know that my 05 226 was even behind it. Smooth, efficient and Toyota reliability. I think that they are mostly assembled in the U.S. to boot. Not going to down any other manufacturer, but am very impressed with this vehicle.

[gride300]

RE: Re: RE: New truck advice

i agree that a toyota engine in my experience has pretty much 0 issues. i personally don't like pick ups, but depending on what you use it for that might be what you want. however, you can get a nice cargo mat in a denali xl or escalade esv. i honestly think you'll be happiest with a landcruiser.

[TRO]

RE: Re: RE: New truck advice

he wants to go from a z71 to a tacoma 4wd and you are suggesting denalis, land crusiers and escalades? too funny. not even looking at prices, those suv's aren't even in the same universe as those 2 trucks. completely different animals. i guess it's worth a shot to suggest them.

[TRO]

RE: Re: RE: New truck advice

i apologize...that comment was not necessary.