Midsize Tow Truck

[Ryanb-72]

I am currently researching a new tow truck. The current '13 f150 has over 180000 miles and may be getting tired.

I really want a smaller truck but one that will adequately tow the 21C. So far the GMC Canyon and Ford Ranger 2.7 are at the top of the list. I know the Ranger is not yet available but have been curious to know if anyone is towing with one of the new GM twins.

Ryan

[brroberts]

I do have the 3.3 Ranger for my E19, and it works very well.

[alanmalk]

The torque numbers for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma imply suitability for towing an E'21. $$$ may not be so suitable... (But I can still dream, can't I?)

[Chama]

Ryan, we tow our E21 with a 2017 GMC Canyon with the Duramax diesel. It has been an excellent combination for us and the diesel provides plenty of torque for towing in the mountains out West where we live. Unfortunately, GMC no longer offers that engine choice. The only option now for the Canyon is a turbocharged small displacement gas engine with which I am not familiar. It is too bad that GMC messed up a good option for towing the E21.
Chama

Originally Posted by Ryanb-72

I am currently researching a new tow truck. The current '13 f150 has over 180000 miles and may be getting tired.

I really want a smaller truck but one that will adequately tow the 21C. So far the GMC Canyon and Ford Ranger 2.7 are at the top of the list. I know the Ranger is not yet available but have been curious to know if anyone is towing with one of the new GM twins.

Ryan

[brroberts]

Originally Posted by brroberts

I do have the 3.3 Ranger for my E19, and it works very well.

Somehow typed this wrong and it’s past edit time.

2021 Ranger 2.3 XLT SCAB 2WD. 1823lbs payload, 7500lbs towing, 750lbs tongue, 12,100lbs gross. 270Hp and 310 Ft lbs torque at 3000RPM. Those are the specs for my specific truck. It works very well.

[DanandDaphne]

Originally Posted by alanmalk

The torque numbers for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma imply suitability for towing an E'21. $$$ may not be so suitable... (But I can still dream, can't I?)

Yes! it looks like Toyota has done the same thing to the Tacoma that they did to the Tundra, namely twin turbo v6 I see they are also much improved in gas mileage, 21/26 where as none of this is true for the 4runner they still get 16/19.

[pln2105]

I purchased the GMC Canyon Denali last fall in preparation for towing our E21 this coming June. From what people have posted on the 2023 Canyon Facebook site, the Canyon is a great towing machine.

[Chamberman]

Originally Posted by DanandDaphne

Yes! it looks like Toyota has done the same thing to the Tacoma that they did to the Tundra, namely twin turbo v6 I see they are also much improved in gas mileage, 21/26 where as none of this is true for the 4runner they still get 16/19.

There is no V6 in the Tacoma any longer. Its now a turbocharged 2.4L 4 cylinder in various power levels and also now includes a hybrid version.

[Selkirk]

Originally Posted by DanandDaphne

Yes! it looks like Toyota has done the same thing to the Tacoma that they did to the Tundra, namely twin turbo v6 I see they are also much improved in gas mileage, 21/26 where as none of this is true for the 4runner they still get 16/19.

From what I understand, the mileage improvements for any of the newest generation of small displacement turbocharged gasoline truck engines is realized only when travelling unloaded.

As soon as you hitch up to a 4000-5000lb trailer and work that turbo engine hard, I would expect that the mileage is going to be about the same as if towing the same load with an equivalent larger displacement normally asperated engine found in the prior generation trucks.

[DanandDaphne]

Originally Posted by Chamberman

There is no V6 in the Tacoma any longer. Its now a turbocharged 2.4L 4 cylinder in various power levels and also now includes a hybrid version.

Ahh, makes sense, similar to the Tundra going to a smaller V6 twin turbo down from the V8, I hadn't really looked close to the details as we just got a new Tundra and aren't interested in getting a new Tacoma.

[DanandDaphne]

Originally Posted by Selkirk

From what I understand, the mileage improvements for any of the newest generation of small displacement turbocharged gasoline truck engines is realized only when travelling unloaded.

As soon as you hitch up to a 4000-5000lb trailer and work that turbo engine hard, I would expect that the mileage is going to be about the same as if towing the same load with an equivalent larger displacement normally asperated engine found in the prior generation trucks.

Similar but still a bit better, there are a lot of new F150 owners that are getting better mpg towing than I ever have with our old Tundra. Also much better HP and Torque than a non turbo which will provide a better towing experience especially in the mountains.

Also we do more driving not towing than we do towing so the improved mileage is definitely a big bonus. We only have 800 miles on the new Tundra so far and have averaged almost 20 mpg and this is short trip driving. The old Tundra would be under 15 for the same.

We have a trip planed, the end of this month to Texas so we will see what improvement there is in mpg. Even if none it will be worth it for the improved towing experience. I can tell already that it's going to be a much more enjoyable drive than with the old Tundra.

[dlakeman]

Originally Posted by alanmalk

The torque numbers for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma imply suitability for towing an E'21. $$$ may not be so suitable... (But I can still dream, can't I?)

The person that bought my 21E tried towing with his Tacoma. Up hills were a big problem. He sold his Tacoma and bought my F150.

[Vaughn@premiersales.us]

We are towing our 2021-21C with our 2021 Ridgeline with great success and really comfortable ride. BTW milage combined city hwy 22mpg, towing the 21C mpg is 15-16.

Just got back from Seattle to bottom of Baja, mexico trip for the month of January this year. Up n down lots of hwys and down rough roads down to 'beach camping'

5,000 miles round trip........Great trip with friends!

[Selkirk]

Originally Posted by dlakeman

The person that bought my 21E tried towing with his Tacoma. Up hills were a big problem. He sold his Tacoma and bought my F150.

Based on my experience with the E19, there is no way I would personally attempt to tow a newer E21 with a 2nd or 3rd gen Tacoma. Those who do so and are happy with the experience must have much different expectations than I do.

I attended a local auto show over the weekend. Toyota had a 4gen Tacoma on display...but it wasn't available to sit in nor examine closely.

I did look at 1/2 ton truck models from all manufacturers (Toyota, Ram, GM, Ford)....and frankly didn't care for any of them. All felt like they were unnecessarily too big.

[SquirrelsGoneWild]

We have a 2022 Ranger with a 2.3L v4 turbo EcoBoost engine. We previously towed a 17B and now a 21NE. While we notice the 21NE more than the 17B, we haven't had any issues traveling at 65-70 mph speeds, even through the Rocky Mountains. We did have one instance on the open plains of dropping to 60 mph due to high winds to be safe, but we've felt in control. Towing mileage ranges from 11-15 mpg depending on speed, wind, and terrain, with 23-25 mpg when we aren't towing.

At the time we bought the Ranger was easily the best midsize towing vehicle (outside of diesel) with a rating of 7500 lbs, 1500 lbs of payload, and 310 ft/lbs of torque. Now with recent mid-size truck refreshes (including the Ranger) there is more competition for towing with 2024 models, but the Ranger should still hold it's own, particularly with the 2.7L v6 EcoBoost engine.

[Ryanb-72]

Thank You all for your replys!

I have ventured out to a couple of dealers over the long weekend. I stopped at a Chevrolet dealer and looked at a Colorado only to find you cannot get a power passenger seat with adjustable lumbar support (one of my wifes few requests). So on to the GMC Canyon.
The inside was a bit nicer material in the arm rests etc. very comfortable, although we did not go drive. I found price negotiating to be non existent at both dealerships. I will look at other dealerships to see if any negotations are available. Thanks again for everyones input!
Ryan

[ColoradoSwany]

Very thorough comparison of mid-size trucks in this TFL towing test video:

https://youtu.be/UZeqTaZ1vJI?si=VjvCZHnNDrDD9Om4

[Byron]

I have been pulling a Casita with my 2020 Ranger. The truck is a great choice. It has a rated towing capacity of 7,500 pounds. The optional tow package is the best. I purchased a expensive anti-sway for my Casita. The ranger tow package includes anti-sway. I tried pulling without the expensive hitch. The trailer has never swayed even a complete oscilation. I never have used the expensive hitch. The Ranger is a great truck for small to mid sized trailers.

We purchased a 2021 17B Escape, and are selling the Casita. I have already pulled the 17B and the Ranger did the job well.

[Keith3]

I have an F150 with the 2.7 EB. It is a real beast of an engine when you put your foot into it. If that is going into the ranger it could be really nice.

[brroberts]

Starting 2019, the Ranger had the 2.3. A limited specific upper trim option makes the 2.7 available starting 2024. I have a 2.3, and it’s always been plenty with my 4600lbs E19 even on17% grades.