Tacoma or F150 for a 21?

[rotateclockwise]

Originally Posted by Northcoaster

Thank you! Feeling safe is paramount. Our 2006 Pilot saved us six months ago when we were T-boned at high speed. So much to consider. Which Tundra did you get, 4.6 or 5.7L?

5.7 - It has been a reliable engine. I don't know as much about the Fords, but I hear good things about them too.

[Farther]

Originally Posted by Northcoaster

Thank you! Feeling safe is paramount. Our 2006 Pilot saved us six months ago when we were T-boned at high speed. So much to consider.

If you've had good experience with Honda, don't rule out a new Pilot or Ridgeline.

[Jack L]

Originally Posted by rotateclockwise

The furthest I've gone is 330. While the tank is 36 gallons, the most I've ever put in while towing is ~30 gallons. I don't like to run too low and usually look to fill around 250/275. Toyota wants to keep a reserve, so the light comes on when you have about 6-7 gallons left.

Keeping some fuel in the tank of any fuel injected vehicle. gas or diesel, is always a very good idea. The fuel lubricates and cools the fuel pump. I have never had to replace a fuel pump in any fuel injected I drove because I always buy fuel when I'm down tp a quarter tank. The fuel pump is inside the tank and changing it is labor intensive. Repeatedly running the tank almost dry can lead to a very expensive repair.

[thumper-tx]

I have a 21 and own both trucks [2014 f-150 ecoboost; 2017Tacoma]. Both get 10.5-12 mpg depending on terrain, Rpm will be a bit higher with the Tacoma and it will work a bit harder on hills but it tows ok. The biggest thing is that the F-150 holds 15+ more gallons of gas which is kind of a big deal. With the Tacoma you will have to gas up every 150-175 miles which can be a pain sometime. I am a BIG fan of Toyota quality and my F-150 is the only non Toyota vehicle purchase in the last 35 years but the Ford has been a good vehicle. I believe the Tundra is up for a full redesign within 12 months and it will surely include a mpg upgrade.

[thumper-tx]

Originally Posted by thumper-tx

I have a 21 and own both trucks [2014 f-150 ecoboost; 2017Tacoma]. Both get 10.5-12 mpg depending on terrain, Rpm will be a bit higher with the Tacoma and it will work a bit harder on hills but it tows ok. The biggest thing is that the F-150 holds 15+ more gallons of gas which is kind of a big deal. With the Tacoma you will have to gas up every 150-175 miles which can be a pain sometime. I am a BIG fan of Toyota quality and my F-150 is the only non Toyota vehicle purchase in the last 35 years but the Ford has been a good vehicle. I believe the Tundra is up for a full redesign within 12 months and it will surely include a mpg upgrade.

I forgot to add that both my tow vehicles are 4X4.

[Northcoaster]

Originally Posted by thumper-tx

I forgot to add that both my tow vehicles are 4X4.

Whoa, this is such helpful info--thank you!

[Ron in BC]

This is a topic that could go on and on. Everyone has an opinion about their tow vehicle.

What can I say. I towed my 19 all over NA and Baja with my 4.0 liter Ranger. It did the job but it had to work pretty hard sometimes. Then I got my 2018 2.7 with the 10 speed. It too went to Baja along with another 2.7 towing a 21. Best tow vehicle that I have ever owned. Love the 10 speed. I have no doubt I will love it for towing my coming 21.

Never owned a 4 x 4.

Ron

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by Jack L

Keeping some fuel in the tank of any fuel injected vehicle. gas or diesel, is always a very good idea. The fuel lubricates and cools the fuel pump. I have never had to replace a fuel pump in any fuel injected I drove because I always buy fuel when I'm down tp a quarter tank. The fuel pump is inside the tank and changing it is labor intensive. Repeatedly running the tank almost dry can lead to a very expensive repair.

I'm one of those who drives until the low fuel light comes on, but I have never thought of this. I'll be sure to get my mechanics opinion, because when a fuel pump fails you're stranded. Thanks for the info.

[John in Santa Cruz]

I towed our E21 home from Texas with my Tacoma 4.0 V6 4x4 TRD Off Road... it towed it adequately with everything mostly empty, BUT, the payload was awful (1200 lbs total payload on truck, subtract 450-500 lbs for us+minimal stuff in cab, subtract 500-600 lbs for the tongue weight, and you can barely carry a couple lawn chairs in the turck bed), AND the gas mileage was pretty awful, I saw as poor as 9.6 MPG running westbound on I40 in Texas, that with the Tacoma's 18 gallon gas tank meant gas every 150 miles.

we ended up with total overkill, a 2002 F250 7.3 diesel longbed. it can carry all the gear we could possibly want, and hauls the trailer like its not there, gets 13-15 MPH towing, and has a 38 gallon tank....

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

I'm one of those who drives until the low fuel light comes on, but I have never thought of this. I'll be sure to get my mechanics opinion, because when a fuel pump fails you're stranded. Thanks for the info.

There are too many parts of the country where driving until the low fuel light comes on means a call to AAA for gas!

With both the RAV4 & Tacoma, I always filled up at half a tank; sometimes earlier with the RAV4's 11 gallon tank. Even with the 36 gallon tank in the F 150, I start looking at half, although there probably wouldn't be a problem waiting until 1/4 tank since that is still 135 miles towing.

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

There are too many parts of the country where driving until the low fuel light comes on means a call to AAA for gas!

Yes, well I don't do that in those locations. Give me some credit!

[steve dunham]

We tow our current Escape 21 with 2019 Ram 1500 Hemi V8 with an 8 speed transmission & 3.92 rearend
I would not hesitate to also tow our 2018 Escape 21 with a Ford F150 or a Chevy / GMC 1500 .
If we decide to upgrade / upsize our trailer , we will purchase a Ford , Ram or Chevy / GMC 2500 diesel
At my age , pushing a tow vehicle to its limits to save a couple of bucks holds absolutely no attraction .

[cpaharley2008]

I had a Mitsubishi 3000GT that required towing if you ran out of gas and that was flat bed towing. I never get below 1/4 or 50 miles if possible.

[santacruzer]

I towed my 17b with the Tacoma, but took advantage of a friend selling his Tundra when I moved up to a 19. My mileage with the Tundra is 11-13 depending on conditions. It has gone as low as 8, but that's been the exception, i.e., a long, steep uphill slog. The big advantage with the Tundra is the roominess...much more comfortable on a trip. Both my vehicles are 4wd, too.

Just looked at a new Tundra yesterday, way tricked out it was close to $62,000...think I'll be keeping the '07 a little longer!!

[John in Santa Cruz]

re: in-tank pump cooling... it is the gas running through the pump that's the primary cooling. as long as you don't run dry, the pump should be fine.

re; how often to fill... my f250's 38 gallon diesel tank can easily eat over $100 if fuel is $4/G or whatever... since a lot of fuel stations will only allow $100 on a credit card, I try and fill up before then, thats 25G at $4/g. I saw diesel over $4.50 in southern california, yikes, but I filled up in Arizona ($3.25/g or so) and that got me home where Costco diesel is $3.55 or so right now.

[Mike Lewis]

It helps to know that I can go 220 miles when towing in average terrain. So to give myself a cushion I assume 50 miles per quarter tank. In sparesly-populated areas I start planning for my next fill-up at the half-tank mark, knowing I can go at least 100 more miles. A couple of times I have turned around to top off my tank in a town I had just passed when I thought I couldn't make it to the next gas station. I don't ask for trouble.

[Northcoaster]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

This is a topic that could go on and on. Everyone has an opinion about their tow vehicle.

What can I say. I towed my 19 all over NA and Baja with my 4.0 liter Ranger. It did the job but it had to work pretty hard sometimes. Then I got my 2018 2.7 with the 10 speed. It too went to Baja along with another 2.7 towing a 21. Best tow vehicle that I have ever owned. Love the 10 speed. I have no doubt I will love it for towing my coming 21.

Never owned a 4 x 4.

Ron

I know it's a can of worms--thanks to everyone for putting up with me! This, too, is very helpful.

[Northcoaster]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

We tow our current Escape 21 with 2019 Ram 1500 Hemi V8 with an 8 speed transmission & 3.92 rearend
I would not hesitate to also tow our 2018 Escape 21 with a Ford F150 or a Chevy / GMC 1500 .
If we decide to upgrade / upsize our trailer , we will purchase a Ford , Ram or Chevy / GMC 2500 diesel
At my age , pushing a tow vehicle to its limits to save a couple of bucks holds absolutely no attraction .

We just talked to a mechanic (about our ailing Prius...) who likes the Ram diesels. Has a buddy who gets 23mpg while towing a gooseneck (whatever that is). That got my attention.

[Northcoaster]

Originally Posted by santacruzer

I towed my 17b with the Tacoma, but took advantage of a friend selling his Tundra when I moved up to a 19. My mileage with the Tundra is 11-13 depending on conditions. It has gone as low as 8, but that's been the exception, i.e., a long, steep uphill slog. The big advantage with the Tundra is the roominess...much more comfortable on a trip. Both my vehicles are 4wd, too.

Just looked at a new Tundra yesterday, way tricked out it was close to $62,000...think I'll be keeping the '07 a little longer!!

Yeah, I'm getting the sense that bigger might be better for pulling the 21... This is exactly the kind of input I was hoping to get, though, so thanks!

[Northcoaster]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

I towed our E21 home from Texas with my Tacoma 4.0 V6 4x4 TRD Off Road... it towed it adequately with everything mostly empty, BUT, the payload was awful (1200 lbs total payload on truck, subtract 450-500 lbs for us+minimal stuff in cab, subtract 500-600 lbs for the tongue weight, and you can barely carry a couple lawn chairs in the turck bed), AND the gas mileage was pretty awful, I saw as poor as 9.6 MPG running westbound on I40 in Texas, that with the Tacoma's 18 gallon gas tank meant gas every 150 miles.

we ended up with total overkill, a 2002 F250 7.3 diesel longbed. it can carry all the gear we could possibly want, and hauls the trailer like its not there, gets 13-15 MPH towing, and has a 38 gallon tank....

Thanks, neighbor! I like the sound of this: "... hauls the trailer like its not there." And that mileage is attractive. Might make my husband revisit his views about diesel, I think!