Tow Vehicle Preferences for more than 5K lbs

[BigLew]

Do any of you guys have any experience with Toyota's Tacoma. With tow package the v-6 is rated at 6500 lbs. When my Suburban dies I'm thinking about it.

The Tacoma might do a 20' but not a good choice for the 23'. Can you say Tundra?

[Old'sCool]

I get better fuel economy all around with my '07 Dodge 5.9 CTD than a friend does with his Tundra.

[strick]

My neighbor just bought a Tundra. He finally got tired of problems he was having with his 2003 powerstroke. Not getting very good gas mileage with it (Tundra) at all. The Tundras have a very aggressive hole shot...so much that if you look around at the used ones on the market you will notice that some of them have front bumper damage.

strick

[BigLew]

FWIW

I was reponding to the question of the Tocoma towing a Seacraft. I checked the Toyota specs and the Tundra has a towing range of 6200 - 10k+ pound towing range, depending on the engine set up. Personaly, I get 25 to 27 Hwy MPG from one of their V-8 sedans- not a truck.

For the Toyota customer who wants to tow in that range of weight, he has very few Toyota options. I am not aware of a Toyota diesel powered vehicle.

[Fr. Frank]

... I am not aware of a Toyota diesel powered vehicle.

They make 'em, but don't sell 'em in the North American market. You can buy a 1-ton Toyota Hilux diesel crew cab in Australia or Central America. It comes with a 3 liter "Electronic Direct Injection (EDI) turbo diesel with 126kW of power (and a thumping 343Nm torque!)". It also is available with a "Fording Kit", allowing it to cross rivers and streams up to 1.5 meters deep.

The good news is that they ARE importable.

Same options are available on the Landcruiser 70 series.

[castalot]

Ok I'll ask ...... how many horses and torque is that

[Fr. Frank]

Ok I'll ask ...... how many horses and torque is that

approximate;y 255 ft lbs torque, 175 Bhp

[Old'sCool]

I'll stick with the Dodge 5.9 w/325, 610, and 23 mpg hwy.

[Bigshrimpin]

Gillie - For real short money you can get a decent older 2wd tow vehicle in CA. There are tons of rust free craigslist deals.

I got my 1995 Buick Roadmaster wagon out in SF in 2007 with a tow package for $2200 and it's still running good. It's got the same 4l60E tranny, same 260hp 5.7L 350 v8 motor, same 8.5" 10 bolt rear end (except for gears 2.93 vs 3.42 . . . roadmaster has smaller tires), same posi rear end, same size brakes, as a 1999 1500 2wd suburban or 1/2 ton 1500 Silverado Pickup. If you beef up the suspension (el cheapo air bags and/or sensatrac rear adjustable shocks) to get the rear end up it'll tow the 21 easy. I'm swapping to a 3.73 this year for the 23. Curb Weight of the estate wagon is 4452 . . . 1500 Silverado Extended cab short bed is 4235.

[Bigshrimpin]

Gillie - you can also pickup Vans E350 or E250 pretty cheap.