Which truck?
 

So I'm gonna buy a truck, most likely. Has to be before the end of the year for tax reasons. The new F150 isn't out and probably won't be until early next year, and I'm not sure I want a brand new Ford model. Even after building the same model for a decade, they're usually unreliable as shit. So I'm thinking a Tundra double-cab, probably with the 4.6L engine and the 6' bed. A base model.

Thoughts? Other vehicles worth paying attention to?

I could get a Sequoia... I kinda want a bad, and it's better for tax purposes. I think the mileage is worse. I'd like to tow. It's probably the only way I can get the family to come to the track. Drive down and tow the car. Maybe get a camper for short vacations.

I'd keep the FR-S of course. :)

to put it frank, if you have an average family (2-3 kids) and are looking for a truck that's versatile, affordable, and reliable the best option is going to the Toyota Tacoma double cab

http://news.toyotaofkilleen.com/wp-c...ubleCab-V6.jpg

What requirements do you have for a truck? Tow X thousand pounds, bumper hitch vs. fifth wheel hitch, hold four adults comfortably, hold a sheet of plywood in the back, go off-roading, etc...

My sister loves her F350 crew cab with its giant turbo diesel engine. But she also tows a gooseneck three horse slant trailer with it, too.

For myself, I'd probably get a Tacoma 4dr 4x4. but that's a tight squeeze for someone as tall as I am. Tundras, F150's, etc... are much more comfortable, but it's a bigger truck with worse mileage, too.

Personally I'm looking to buy a used Tacoma next year just to haul stuff around with. Wife's "honey do" list has grown to landscaping, building a shed, and finishing the basement. Wouldn't mind a Tundra if the price was right, but it's a bigger truck which means worse gas mileage and it will take up more space when it's just sitting in the driveway. You just have to decide what you want to do with it and then go from there. My uncle has a Ram 1500 that he loves. He hasn't had any issues with it.

I really liked the old Ford F150 Lightning's, but they're still relatively expensive even used.

Since you want to take family I'd assume that you desire 4 doors and something relatively recent and nice. Nissan gets forgotten so often in the truck world but they offer something usually comparable to Toyota for a slightly lower price in every segment for the last ~30 years or so. Frontier vs. Tacoma, Titan vs. Tundra at least for the last 10 years or so should be a valid cross-shopping tool.

The Taco doesn't have the GVWR I need for a business write-off. Otherwise, I'd go for it. The Tundra does.

I'd like to tow a car now and then. If this drought continues, I'll need to haul water a couple times a week. Assuming I get a 2000lbs trailer with a 9999lbs weight rating, that would let me haul about 900 gallons at a go. The trailer of that strength would likely be heavier, of course. I may haul rented heavy equipment now and then. Being able to make serious home depot runs would be awesome. Garbage runs to the dump and green waste company. Oh yeah!

Then of course 2 kids in the back. Maybe going out to dinner with 2 kids in the middle seats, and my parents and wife in the other seats. Possibly camping. Maybe even buy a bumper-tow camper. Nothing too big, maybe a 14-footer.

And then around town driving now and then. So a real mix. Consumer reports makes Ford, Chevy, and Dodge look ok to terrible while the Toyota looks pretty good. It is an American made truck, which I like. I had a Neon years ago. POS. I don't trust Dodge. My grandma's Pontiac caught on fire. No thanks GM. I had a BMW, so I know what it's like to sit in a repair waiting room for hours on end. No thanks.

And the Nissan supposedly has crappy reliability.

I'm not certain of the Tundra, but I'm certainly leaning towards getting an SR double-cab 2wd with the 5.7L and 8-foot bed.

I had an 04 Titan that I really liked. Put 50K on her in 2 years and never had a problem and this was back when they were relatively new to the market and everyone was complaining about their known issues. I would think all those bugs would be ironed out by now. All vehicles have some sort of know issue anyway (most anyway). I think the new Tundras are nice though so I really don't see either as too much to worry about. Dodge and GM I would probably avoid for various reasons. I really like the Raptors from Ford but $$$ and their tow rating is kind of low for a full size due to their offroad suspension setup.

If you really need to tow some weight, and it sounds like you do, get an American truck, at least a 150/1500 level vehicle. The Toyotas and Nissans just aren't as good at towing heavy weight as the American trucks are. For myself, I'd get a Ford.

I pulled a 20' bass boat (fiberglass hull with 225 hp Yamaha on the back) many times with my Titan, it was like nothing was even back there. The only noticeable thing, gas mileage was cut in half but that's normal for any gas powered truck. If you are serious about towing, then you need to step up to a diesel. I love diesels, but not the cost of owning one.

Whereas a friend of mine had a Titan that struggled to tow his camper, which wasn't exceptionally big. It really depends on what you're towing and how heavy it is.

True and I won't argue that point. I just know mine felt pretty strong when towing, but that was 10 years ago so maybe my perception of "power" has been spoiled because these vehicles seem to get sronger every year despite all the reluations etc. they have to battle with. I also grew up poor so driving old jolopie trucks while trying to pull a few tons of hay or ranch equipment tend to make you appreciate the newer vehicles because you are actually like, "wow, this thing can move and it is pulling 3 tons of boat and trailer"! I did drive a baseline F-150 with the 4.6 in a few years back when they were still around and it felt pretty doggish. I guess the best advice to the OP is go make a list of truck makes he is interested in and then test drive each. ;)

Get the Tundra.
http://www.toyota.com/content/ebroch..._ebrochure.pdf

SR or SR5 double cab.. Either 10,300 or 10,000 lb rating.

With 6 speed transmission and a 4.3 rear end it's one hell of a truck. Not the half ton of the past.

I'm a big fan of the new Z71's but they do cost a pretty penny

I would hold out until the new F150 is on dealership lots and go for a test drive. Ford's made so many substantial changes to the F150, it's worth the wait to at least rule it out

Nick C.

New F150