Tacoma or Silverado?

[CJH]

It was already decided that Ford took first place in that debate b/c of the Ecoboost... Now Chevy/Toyota are fighting for second

Bingo!!!

[SkunkedAgain]

I tow a 16.5' Alumacraft with a 90hp motor behind my Ranger up to Vermilion all the time. It's got the tow package / tranny cooler and all and I feel safe towing. You feel it but I'm also happy the other 325 days out of the year when I'm not towing.

[1johntimm]

It was already decided that Ford took first place in that debate b/c of the Ecoboost... Now Chevy/Toyota are fighting for second

Ford taking first place in anything other than more trips to the shop is reality!

[Powerstroke]

It really wouldn't matter how good the brakes are when the trailer weight starts approaching the vehicle weight; that's more physics.

I am guessing the weight difference between the two would be about 800 lbs? It may not sound like much, but it's around a 20% difference, which will be huge when you have something hefty behind you.

The OP said his boat weighs around 1300lbs. You added 800, that gives me 2100, I fudged up and said 2200.

Either way, once I thought about it more, I towed two different boats to Ear Falls, Ontario and never had a problem doing so with my v6 Nissan Xterra. Thats got an even smaller, v6, smaller wheelbase, and weighs more and that towed just fine. One was a smokercraft with a 4stroke 70 horse and the other was a crestliner fish/ski type with a 90 horse.

[river-rat4]

I have a 2010 Silverado 2500 6.0 Vortex gasser. It is a 4 door long box. I see about 14 mpg, period. If towing a load, I might be happy with 10 MPG. That said, I feel safe and that is what matters to me.

I only put on about 8K miles a year, so I did not get the diesel model for towing a lot. This is a different truck than you are talking about I am sure. Just a real value on MPG (6.0 wise).

Good luck and weigh you options.

River-rat4

[ccarlson]

I picked up an 07 Tacoma last spring. Full crew cab with the 6' long box. We got it as a commuting truck that my wife could also pull a trailer when needed since we have a suburban for me and our main towing.

As it turns out we leave the suburban in the garage more than the toyota when pulling mid sized trailers like most of you are talking about. The toyota just does a much better job than I expected. The main thing we pull with it is a fully loaded 2 horse trailer with full tack area. About 4500 pounds by my estimate. I've also used it to pull my Ranger 620 and wouldn't hesitate to do that regularly although I do use my suburban for that most of the time since I feel I need to use it once in a while. The only thing I hesitate and have not pulled with my tacoma for weight to braking ratio is my 24 foot fully enclosed snowmobile trailer loaded with sleds. It would be right at the max weight for the tacoma which I don't like to do.

The toyota is a much better running and more reliable, less maintenance required rig than the chev though, hands down and I have both in the garage. As said, resale will also be much higher with the tacoma. But, if you are going to tow big (5500# +), then go full size with a V8.

My biggest complaint with the tacoma is visibility when backing. I have a full topper on it which doesn't help but the rear seats and body design do make it difficult to see.

ccarlson

[bigsmallie]

Just for the heck of it....try and take a ride in a new dodge 1500. I just bought one a month ago after I told the dealer I would never buy another dodge again. They have come a long way the last few years.....best truck I've owned and I was a ford and toyota guy!! Take a ride, you'll be suprised! And the power is unbelievable, I get 18-19 highway and about 16 town.

[ottertailguy]

All I can say is get a Tundra 5.7. You won't be disappointed.

[Jeremy airjer W]

All I can say is get a Tundra 5.7. You won't be disappointed.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Just for the heck of it....try and take a ride in a new dodge 1500. I just bought one a month ago after I told the dealer I would never buy another dodge again. They have come a long way the last few years.....best truck I've owned and I was a ford and toyota guy!! Take a ride, you'll be suprised! And the power is unbelievable, I get 18-19 highway and about 16 town.

Until you get the bill for your first tune-up if its a HEMI!

[caseymcq]

As a somewhat aside, does anyone know what the biggest tire you can put on a stock Tacoma is?