I had a Ford Ranger as a only vehicle for a while, I was set up for 2 bikes in the back. It worked well for me for racing and camping which I did quite a bit of back then. If I was racing solo and could use my tonneau cover I got about 22mph.
I did for 9yrs, although I was single and commuted by bike most of the time. Every so I often I miss the utility of the truck, but it isn’t worth giving up the better gas mileage, comfort, and every day ease of use that my car offers. My truck was totaled by a hit-and-run driver shortly before I met my wife, and I bought my car that morning. With a 2.5yr old and another on the way, probably would have had to give up the truck anyways.
Small trucks are great. I own an older Tacoma. The thing is a work horse and just wont die.
Aside from reduced gas mileage, you really aren’t giving up much, and you are gaining a whole lot of utility. They are also reasonably comfortable rides. I have an older extended cab Tacoma, and can parallel park that baby in any spot with inches to spare with relative ease, it’s not like you’re driving around an F350.
I don’t know if they even offer the newer Tacomas with the 2.7L 4 cylinder anymore, but it sips gas, and will still gladly haul all of your gear to races.
We have a tacoma access cab with a cap on the back (great for storage) for us two adults + 2 kids. It was our only car for about 14 months. Not the most comfy for the kids in the back when they’d fall asleep but it worked. Now we have a minivan and the tacoma’s back to being mine again. If it’s just you two and a dog, very easy.
GMC Sierra Crewcab 4x4. NOt a little truck but I drive it everyday (unless I can bike or run to office) to the airport, around town, whatever. Trucks are great. You’re up above cars so you can see a little better, 6’ bed that never has to be made and all the other stuff. Mileage these days is getting better but it makes up with space and access to places a car can’t. I’ve had 3 trucks, 1 car and 2 SUVs. Never go back to a car and don’t see a day when I don’t have a truck.
I don’t know if they even offer the newer Tacomas with the 2.7L 4 cylinder anymore, but it sips gas, and will still gladly haul all of your gear to races.
They do. And in a 5-speed. I suspect that is what we will get in the end. But the 4L 6-cylinder version of the trd pro is pretty incredible. And like $15K more expensive.
That’s what I have: the 2.7L 5 speed. I’m a carpenter, and it carries all my tools, and I abuse it regularly. It is a hearty pint sized warrior.
The 4.0L TRD pro with all the bells and whistles looks amazing, but for around the same price you could get a 4.6L Tundra, which is almost the same in terms of gas mileage, gives you more space and capability, and is all around an awesome vehicle.
Whatever you get I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I haven’t heard many Tacoma owners complaining about their vehicles.
That’s what I have: the 2.7L 5 speed. I’m a carpenter, and it carries all my tools, and I abuse it regularly. It is a hearty pint sized warrior.
The 4.0L TRD pro with all the bells and whistles looks amazing, but for around the same price you could get a 4.6L Tundra, which is almost the same in terms of gas mileage, gives you more space and capability, and is all around an awesome vehicle.
Whatever you get I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I haven’t heard many Tacoma owners complaining about their vehicles.
Check mileage between the 1/4 and 1/2 ton trucks. The difference is very little and you give up a lot of utility and comfort for that very small mileage difference. My ram 1500 gets 20 highway vs maybe 22 for Tacoma but is much bigger inside, more SUV like and can pull my 8000 lb camper through the mountains surprisingly well. We had no plan or desire for a camper when buying the truck but life is funny that way.
Have to agree with this point. The return on fuel economy vs vehicle size is quite out of balance when it comes to pick ups. 1/2 tons whether they be Ford, Chev/GMC or Dodge all perform quite well or better than compact trucks. One of the worst ever fuel for fuel economy was the Dakota, and FYI Toyota Tundra’s aren’t all the shit hot on fuel efficiency front either.
The newer trucks drive really well and most of the issues stem from people just not knowing how to drive in general. I have an f-150 lariat that is exceptional for everything but really great as a roadie. I can get 4 bikes in the back easily, tons of spare equipment, huge tool box in the back, big cab that seats 6, and weather is never an issue. It’s mileage is not really that bad, 16-18 in city and 20-22 on the highway. Just a word or warning but i would stay away from the tacoma but that is just a personal opinion based on others who have owned that truck. Also get a real truck, the smaller ones loose a lot of their appeal and or utility.
As many others here have pointed out, the gas mileage between even the smaller trucks and bigger ones, is not that much. In fact, the biggest trucks can get the best mileage, for instance the dodge 1500 diesel, or the new ford 1500 aluminum with a small eco boost engine. I believe both those get in the high 20’s on the hwy, which is really good for a truck that can pull a 10,000+ trailer too.
I had the big dodge 3500 diesel, got a combined 21 to 22 mpg, but that is overkill to just haul bikes. I now have the dodge 1500 with the small V8, and it gets about 18 to 19 combined. The cost for the dodge diesel was just too high, and fuel price differences make it not such a good deal anymore. I’m figuring that with the Bakken, the Ford, Canadian oil sands, and the saudis being pissed off, that gas should be pretty cheap here for a very long time…In a few years i will take a hard look at the new lighter ford, should be getting about 30 by then too…
05 Tacoma here. V6, extra cab, 6 speed manual. My only regrets are: 1) the fuel economy - about 16-18 mpg, 2) wish I had the 4-door crew cab but the rear seats didn’t fold flat in the 05 and 3) no 4WD, although I only miss it during the winter. Otherwise, I love it - fun to drive, bike mounts in the bed plus I can fit one behind the seats. With my hitch rack, I can carry 5 bikes plus gear easily. Room for two good sized dogs behind the seats as well. Great race vehicle.
In fact, the biggest trucks can get the best mileage, for instance the dodge 1500 diesel, or the new ford 1500 aluminum with a small eco boost engine**. I believe both those get in the high 20’s on the hwy**, which is really good for a truck that can pull a 10,000+ trailer too.
I have an 02 tacoma double cab automatic V6 3.4 liter with a cap and a removable rack for lumber on top plus a full size trailer hitch and small trailer.
It’s a do all vehicle. From transporting kids to towing cars and small to large home improvement projects.
I’ve never managed more than 21 mpg and its usually more like 18
The new f-150’s are pretty good but there is some truth to what you are saying. My dad had a 2014 f-150 lariat with the eco boost engine and he was not all the impressed, city 20mpg and highway 25, he decided just to man up and got a 6.7l v8 diesel and amazingly is close in MPG as his previous eco boost f-150. From my understanding there is a general frustration by mechanics with the eco boost engines by Ford, in particular for being difficult to work on and or issues. I was getting my 05 f-150 lariat worked on a few weeks ago and the mechanics were all hoping that f-150 just goes diesel and scraps the whole “eco/hybrid” idea. I just honestly do not understand why you would want a f-150 with a 2.7l engine?