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AvidTraveler · 04-30-2014, 11:00 AM

I'm seriously considering buying a 2014 Tacoma PreRunner V6 to tow a 16 ft Sport that will be delivered in a few weeks. My 2009 Rav4 V6 is rated for 3500lbs and could probably work for a while around Florida but I want something more suitable before heading cross country. Any advice on the Tacoma...models, options, etc. that I should think about? Buy now or wait for the 2015's to come out?

Rich W · 04-30-2014, 11:26 AM

Make sure you get the towing package. (tranny cooler, electric brake connector under dash, pre-wired umbilical connection, larger radiator, frame hitch, etc.

I think they are rated for 5,000 max capacity. I don't know the max tongue weight capacity.

AvidTraveler · 04-30-2014, 12:46 PM

Thanks, will definitely get the towing package. With that, it's rated for 6400 max, 640 tongue weight.
Irene

TBRich · 04-30-2014, 02:23 PM

Our '07 Tacoma Double Cab short bed 2x2 is rated for 6500 lbs (with the tow package). A Tacoma is a great choice for a 16'...we tow our 2006 19' with it and are satisfied. We had a tonneau cover added which is great for securely storing all the things you'll need to take along.

Rich W · 04-30-2014, 02:34 PM

Previous owner of our 2006 23' Safari pulled it with a Toyota Tacoma and never had any issues. He used the Equal-i-zer hitch and passed that along to me.

4X2 are rated higher than the 4X4. just fyi.

AvidTraveler · 05-01-2014, 04:43 AM

Excellent, thanks all. TB & Greg, I love the picture of your rig at Lost Dutchman! I'm thinking red Tacoma too so I'll look like your little sister! Where did you get your tonneau cover? I was looking at them yesterday - didn't see any shown as a Toyota accessory but lots of after market types.
Thanks!
Irene

TBRich · 05-02-2014, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AvidTraveler

Excellent, thanks all. TB & Greg, I love the picture of your rig at Lost Dutchman! I'm thinking red Tacoma too so I'll look like your little sister! Where did you get your tonneau cover? I was looking at them yesterday - didn't see any shown as a Toyota accessory but lots of after market types.
Thanks!
Irene

Hey Irene... Glad you like our set-up! The tonneau cover is an ARE product (not through Toyota)...they make accessories for trucks like shells, tonneau covers, etc... you will be able find a local distributor, I'm sure... They can match the truck's paint and the whole nine yards ... and are very good products. We really like ours. Good luck!

gmw photos · 05-02-2014, 03:35 PM

The "cousin" to the Taco is the Nissan Frontier. You might want to drive one of those too in order to compare. These class of trucks make a nice platform for these smaller trailers, and then for non towing days, they are a nice size and get good gas mileage.

Gene · 05-02-2014, 03:55 PM

I don't know the 2014's, but the Tacomas have been good trucks for years. The V6 engine has been around for about 20 years and with constant improvements, is keeping up with other engines. They are very reliable.

I would consider 4wd—towing from a dead stop on wet grass or sand or on a dirt road can be difficult sometimes in 2wd. Also, on a washboard dirt road, the truck (and trailer) can sometimes "walk" sideways at times and 4wd is also good to keep going straight.

Nissan used to make good, dependable trucks—we had a 1990 pickup that was a great, reliable truck that we had for 140,000 miles and only spent $400 on repairs. But Nissan has changed and their reliability is way, way down. They are controlled by Renault after all. The days when Toyotas and Nissans were comparable are over.

I'll second the ARE tonneau. They are well built and we've used them on several pickups. We put a black one on a blue Tundra since the trim on the truck is black, but you can get the exact color to match the pickup. The black almost always looks dirty, but when it is clean, looks nice.

Gene

AvidTraveler · 05-04-2014, 06:04 PM

The ARE tonneau's look great…will probably go with one. Another question - how do you guys feel about extended warranties on Tacomas? Lots of differing opinions out there. The local dealer is asking $1800 or $1900 for the 7 year, 100K, 0 deductible.
Thanks!
Irene

willapus · 05-04-2014, 10:35 PM

Just my $.02, but I wouldn't bother with the extended warranty especially at that price. Change your fluids and tow with od off and you should be fine. I bought my 4-runner new in 2001 and only had one thing that had to be fixed, a starter relay, and that was covered under the standard warranty. I got flipped in it with 75k on it and walked away, actually had to craw out of it after it landed on its roof. I then bought an 2002 sequoia with 102k on the clock and ran it up to 201k. A couple of months ago I sold that one and replaced it with a 2005 sequoia with 93k on it. This one is my first 4wd and think it'll come in handy. I got stuck in flat soggy grass over the Christmas holidays with the 2wd sequoia with skinny street tires at 80psi. If there is a locking rear differential available that would be a pretty nice option too.

Len n Jeanne · 05-04-2014, 11:30 PM

We tow our Bambino with a 2011 Tacoma with crew cab.

We agree with the recommendation to get a cap (canopy) for the truck bed. The Bambi has limited storage space, and we haul all kinds of camping gear in the secured back end.

If we keep our towing speed to 60 mph or less, we get 15 mpg on the highway.

AvidTraveler · 05-06-2014, 04:46 AM

Thanks all! Will, that was my inclination as well…. (Glad you walked away from that accident - wow!) I did contact Jerry at Midwest Toyota after hearing about him on a Tacoma forum…he sells the same warranty for $849! You have to visit in person though since Toyota doesn't let dealers sell warranties out of state anymore… Will see if my dealer matches it or pass on it.
Thanks!
Irene

Gene · 05-07-2014, 01:47 PM

Irene, stay away from extended warranties. The dealer may get as much as 50% of the premium and the rest is too cheap for what you may need. There are many stories about how insurers won't cover your claim on some technicality. They are often organized in a state with very weak regulation (Texas has long been a favorite for marginal insurers) so consumers are unprotected. Besides, Toyotas are among the most reliable trucks around, probably the most reliable. We have had 7 Toyotas (all trucks and truck-based SUV's) and repairs are very infrequent and have cost a lot less than $849.

Extended warranties on anything are generally a bad idea. Retailers of all sorts push them because there's a lot of money in it for the dealer. A dealer wanting so much (close to $2K) for the warranty is a dealer that will cheat you any way they can. Go elsewhere.

Gene

TBRich · 05-07-2014, 06:26 PM

I would also say don't worry about an extended warranty. Toyotas in general and Tacomas specifically are very reliable...we have never done more than regular maintenance with our 2007, and it's still going strong. Take care of it and it will do you well.

eliset123 · 05-07-2014, 06:45 PM

We tow a 16 sport with a 2013 Taco 4wd extended cab with a silver cover to match the truck. We have towed about 5k this past year and love it. Hope it can handle the elevations out west. I would also say to get the 4wd as you never know when you may need it.

Len n Jeanne · 05-08-2014, 01:38 PM

Yes, it can handle the elevations Out West. Our strategy is to stay in the right lane on the Interstate except for passing trucks, and just keep the speed around 60 mph. We then average 15 mpg. We have no trouble going faster, but the gas mileage drops.

AvidTraveler · 05-12-2014, 11:33 AM

Thanks for all the input. I've got my new Tacoma and love it...didn't get 4WD this time around. Maybe with the next vehicle if I find I wish I had it. For those of you with ARE tonneau covers, which model do you have? The nearest distributor to me recommends the LSII vs. the LSX or LSX Ultra since it's much easier for him to install and said that's what he sells most of but I'm not convinced. About $335 less than the LSX. Thanks!
Irene

Gene · 05-14-2014, 02:20 PM

Since we bought the Tundra and tonneau in 2007, my memory is vague, but I think it cost around $600 or a bit more for the tonneau. The outside does not have any model letters on it and maybe they didn't make different versions then. The inside of the tonneau is lined with some sort of carpet like material—this carpeting is useless (unless you turn the truck over and want to lie on it).

Doesn't seem to be difficult to install them. Ours has one lock in the center—some brands have one on each side. And it has hydraulic lifts on each side. Without them it would be pretty difficult to lift the thing.

What is the difference between the different models they have now?

Gene

tahoe_air · 05-14-2014, 06:20 PM

I have an '08 Tacoma DCSB 4x4 and pull my '69 overlander no problem. I live in the mountains and I can feel the weight pulling up the hills and the electric brakes (tow package) really help going back down. You don't need to wait for the next year model. The basics aren't going to change for a bit.