Midsize Tow Truck

[John in Santa Cruz]

With smaller trucks, you have to watch your payload


Extreme case, my 2008 Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4 access cab had a total payload of 1200 lbs adding a 100 lb fiberglass shell, 500 lb hitch weight for my E21, wife, me, and dog, and boom we were at the limit. Never mind my 100 lbs of tools and stuff.

[brroberts]

My Ranger XLT payload is 1827lbs. So if you get the right truck, payload is pretty good.

[Selkirk]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

With smaller trucks, you have to watch your payload


Extreme case, my 2008 Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4 access cab had a total payload of 1200 lbs adding a 100 lb fiberglass shell, 500 lb hitch weight for my E21, wife, me, and dog, and boom we were at the limit. Never mind my 100 lbs of tools and stuff.

I know the feeling. My Tacoma has the same payload rating....and I know I'm very close to maxing out as well. On the plus side, between the WD hitch and sumo springs, I find the truck handles the weight very well.

I think the Ranger and Colorado/Canyon have higher payload ratings because both trucks are based on platforms initially designed for markets outside of North America, where small trucks are expected to do real work. They compete more with the Toyota Hilux .

The Tacoma ain't no Hilux. It was primarily designed as a light-duty American "lifestyle truck" (though a very well-engineered/reliable one) . From what I understand, the 4th gen Tacoma has improved payload...now that it is based on a new global truck platform,

[George Johnson]

Selkirk's "lifestyle truck" comment really hit the mark with me. I tow my first gen 19 with a 2017 Nissan Frontier that I had prior to acquiring the trailer, and with the 4 liter engine and 5 speed tranny,I have no problems or complaints.



The rap on the knuckles given to my Frontier, as well as the new versions is that "it is too much like a truck!" I have plenty of payload capacity and towing capacity. In addition, I spent over 1,000 miles riding in a friend's new Tacoma last fall during the hunting season, and I found that my Frontier was far more comfortable to ride in than his Tacoma. Forward view over the hood in my truck is also significantly better. I didn't say anything about those matters to my friend because I didn't want to walk home.


In my location, the Tacoma is much more fashionable, therefore the local dealers are unwilling to negotiate price, while the Nissan dealer dropped $7,000 without even batting an eye. The new Nissans, with the new 3.8 engine and 8 speed tranny produce more horsepower, the same torque and better fuel mileage than my "old" '17 model. Take a look at one of these before committing to anything else. Your experience may vary, but try 'em all before making the commitment. If you are like me, you will be living with it for a long time, and you should be happy with whatever your choice is.

[WillyB]

I worked with a gentleman many years ago that used the phrase, "It's a matter of perspective", multiple times a day. So with that in mind:

Ford Ranger vs. Ford Super Duty F-450
https://www.truecar.com/compare/ford...er-duty-f-450/

Does that make the F150 a Mid Size?

Sorry, just couldn't resist

[Tford]

Remember you may use this truck for stuff other than towing! There’s a reason a half ton PU of any make is the largest selling vehicle in the US….the price point penalty is not a deal breaker these days.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by WillyB

I worked with a gentleman many years ago that used the phrase, "It's a matter of perspective", multiple times a day. So with that in mind:

Ford Ranger vs. Ford Super Duty F-450
https://www.truecar.com/compare/ford...er-duty-f-450/

Does that make the F150 a Mid Size?

Sorry, just couldn't resist

My son built his camper on a F550 4x4 diesel contractor tool truck chassis. Standard cab, 12ft "bed"...

[WillyB]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

My son built his camper on a F550 4x4 diesel contractor tool truck chassis. Standard cab, 12ft "bed"...

Sounds like a "go anywhere" camper.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

With smaller trucks, you have to watch your payload


Extreme case, my 2008 Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4 access cab had a total payload of 1200 lbs adding a 100 lb fiberglass shell, 500 lb hitch weight for my E21, wife, me, and dog, and boom we were at the limit. Never mind my 100 lbs of tools and stuff.

Hi: John in Santa Cruz... My mid size truck had a larger payload than my full size truck. It had a lot fewer "Bells and Whistles" though. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by WillyB

Sounds like a "go anywhere" camper.

It will be if he ever gets around to the planned mild lift and "super singles"...

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: John in Santa Cruz... My mid size truck had a larger payload than my full size truck. It had a lot fewer "Bells and Whistles" though. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Four-Door crew cabs really add a chunk to the curb weight

[Selkirk]

Just for giggles, I looked up the specs for the 2024 Toyota Hilux 2.8 4wd Diesel:

- 200hp/369lb-ft torque
- 1660lbs payload
- 6 speed manual
- 5500 to 7700lb towing capacity

That's basically my dream truck.

I need to move to Mexico!

[TheNiceFamily]

Originally Posted by Selkirk

Just for giggles, I looked up the specs for the 2024 Toyota Hilux 2.8 4wd Diesel:

- 200hp/369lb-ft torque
- 1660lbs payload
- 6 speed manual
- 5500 to 7700lb towing capacity

That's basically my dream truck.

I need to move to Mexico!

We're waiting on the 2024 Tacoma 6M (manual) to arrive in Canada. It may well be our dream truck and....maybe yours (at least close)?

- 270hp/310 torque
- 1521 payload
- 6 speed manual
- 6400 towing capacity

Hoping it'll handle our on-order 17B well.

[Doug2000]

All your questions are answered in this video.

<y pick would be the Colorado even know I'm a Toyota fan.

The Ike Gauntlet is the 8 miles up to the Eisenhower tunnel, the highest point on the Interstate system. 8 miles at 7% grade at max towing capacity holding 60 MPH. This is the hardest you will push your rig.

TFL The Fast Lane is highly regarded as the best source for truck tests. Over 1 million subscribers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZeqTaZ1vJI

[SageRpod]

Originally Posted by WillyB

I worked with a gentleman many years ago that used the phrase, "It's a matter of perspective", multiple times a day. So with that in mind:

Ford Ranger vs. Ford Super Duty F-450
https://www.truecar.com/compare/ford...er-duty-f-450/

Does that make the F150 a Mid Size?

Sorry, just couldn't resist

Actually, it does. I had a Nissan Frontier, which I considered a mid-size. When I spoke with ETI the first time and inquired about the 5.0 being towed by a mid-size truck, they said they considered the F150 a mid-size truck.

[John in Santa Cruz]

The half tons like the F-150 are considered light trucks, 3/4 and 1 tons such as the f250f350 and above are considered medium duty trucks and of course the f-450 and f550 are monsters

[Doug2000]

I love these guys

Who has the best MPG?

https://youtu.be/WFiF-zoK3KI?si=MXu1C8ZRO6ZEX0bS

[Ryanb-72]

I decided to purchase the new GMC Canyon. It is the first GM product I have ever owned. So far it seems very nice.
I will be setting up the WDH in the coming weeks in preperation for a 1000 plus mile round trip towing the 21C at the end of the month. I will report back to the forum on its towing abilities after the trip for those who may be considering the same vehicle.
Thanks again for everyones input!!
Ryan

[salmo7000]

Not sure if this would be helpful to anyone in the market for a mid-size pickup, but this article contains price comparisons between the 2024 Tacomas and comparable Colorado/Canyons:

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2024/05...nd-gmc-canyon/

Assuming the information here is accurate, I'm totally priced out of a new hybrid Tacoma, which I had been thinking I was going to buy in the next year or so. $64,000.00 USD, are you kidding me?? Yikes. From what I've read, Toyota developed the hybrid Tacoma to boost performance, specifically off-road performance, not to improve mpg. Again, I'm not sure this is true or not, and Toyota has yet to release the EPA mileage estimates on the hybrid trims, so that's just speculation at this point. Either way, I have no doubt this truck would be a great tow vehicle and a super fun rig to drive. Just too rich for my blood.

If and when I replace my beloved 2017 Chevy Colorado diesel, it will likely be with another Colorado, sans the diesel of course, since GM dropped it from the 2024 lineup.

Of course, there is that Toyota reliability to consider, but with the price difference between a 2024 4X4 Colorado with the LT trim (which is what I would get) and a 2024 Tacoma hybrid, I could afford to pay for a lot of repairs.

<<Sigh>>

[iamunique127]

Man, I wish there was a mid-size suitable for towing the 5.0TA, then we could have one vehicle and not need a seperate car for the wife to drive. She's just not comfortable driving the Tundra in the city but she was OK with our former Tacoma.