Looking for a Truck

[Cascadia]

I'm in the market for a truck right now. Not quite sure what I want so I'll take some input and past experiences. What's worked for you and what hasn't? Gas or diesel doesn't matter to me. I'll be towing my enclosed trailer which is about 3000 lbs loaded. We also plan on getting a camper around 20 feet, maybe a 5th wheel if we could find one cheap and nice enough. We don't want a huge truck that is annoying and difficult to maneuver around town.

Needs to be able to tow my trailer and camper.
Needs to be able to fit a car seat in the back. (whether it's a 4 door or suicide doors)
Needs to get decent mileage (13 or more around town)
Under $20k.

 

[Caleb]

A 2007+ Tundra fits all your needs but price. IMO, It's worth a little extra for that truck though. I tow my 35' Camper all the time with mine and it doesn't even think twice about it. I also daily drive it, and it's not bad around town. If I drive like a normal person, I can easily get 15-16mpg, if I drive how I like to drive I get a little over 13. Mind you I have a 6" lift and 35" tires too.

 

[Cascadia]

How is parking in it? Is it tough to park or just like any other full size truck? I had an 06 tundra and it wasn't that bad. I see a f350 and 3500 chevy as being tough to park.

 

[Caleb]

It's definitely easier than an F250-350 but it's not like parking your old Tacoma. I can park in most spots that the other cars by it aren't parked retarded, but if possible I look for spots that have a second spot next to it to make it easier to swing in to.

 

[mbryson]

It's definitely easier than an F250-350 but it's not like parking your old Tacoma. I can park in most spots that the other cars by it aren't parked retarded, bIut if possible I look for spots that have a second spot next to it to make it easier to swing in to.

I'd second that for my Dodge shortbed quad cab.

 

[STAG]

Well in the case of my crewcab longbed F-350...

 

[sixstringsteve]

Tyson, other than MPG, was there anything you didn't like about your old tundra?

 

[Cascadia]

I loved everything about it other than the mileage. Parking was expected. I would get another but I feel that I could get more of a truck for the same price. Prices on those 04-06 double cabs are still quite high. I like low miles too so that doesn't help the price out.

 

[Caleb]

Prices on those 04-06 double cabs are still quite high.

Welcome to Toyotas. You are absolutely correct, you can get a "domestic" truck for less money, but I'll pay more and have the Toyota quality/reliability any day.

 

[Cascadia]

I've lived my toyotas and really have no complaints about them.

Today I drove a 2008 tundra 4 door (not the huge back door) and a 2003 chevy 1500. I liked them both a lot. The Toyota was only 17k with 58k miles and the chevy was 11k with 90k miles. The chevy had leather and a shell and all the goodies. The Toyota wasn't a base model but it wasn't a limited.

The pros for the tundra are 4 doors and it would only leave me with a little bit of cash for toys.
The pros for the chevy are the shell and it would leave me with quite a bit for toys.

I have been in the market for a new rig or dirt bike which would be easy to accomplish if I got the chevy. If I got the Toyota I would have to save up for another couple months.

What say ye?

 

[Gravy]

chev was a 5.3? they get decent mileage... better than the 6.0.

 

[Cascadia]

Sorry yes. It is a 5.3. I've heard the 6.0 gets terrible mileage, otherwise I would be looking at a 2500

 

[STAG]

I have a buddy with a 2500/6.0 and gets 12mpg at best.

The new body tundras get 17 freeway and 13 city at best when stock. I don't like the interiors of toyota s sms that would bug me a ton to drive a vehicle that i dont feel comfortable in. I vote the Chevy. Is it a rgular cab or extended cab?

 

[Cascadia]

It's an extended cab so it has the suicide doors. What's the mpg on the chevy? Anyone know? Will the 5.3 be able to tow a camper or possibly a buggy in the future?

 

[STAG]

KC has a 5.3 with a stick shift in his company arsenal and I've heard he gets about 25 freeway. And yes it can tow a camper or rig, but not the quickest. I's try to stay under 5k lbs of towing for decent towing performance.

 

[Caleb]

The new body tundras get 17 freeway and 13 city at best when stock.

I'd disagree. Personal experience says my 07 Tundra (as mentioned above, 6" lift and 35s) gets 13 without trying...not at best. Infact that's the worst city mileage I get if I'm not towing and that's if I drive like an ass.

Really, your comparison isn't fair. You're talking 5 years difference in vehicles. If it were me, that 5 years alone would be worth the extra for the Toyota...not to mention you'd have a Toyota over a Chevy. If you compared similar year Toyotas, you'd be in the same price range. I bet the towing capacity on the Toyota is also higher. My Crew Max has a 10,700 tow rating.

 

[Cascadia]

I know my comparison isn't fair but I think I'm looking more for experience with the 2 rather than comparisons. It's a hard decision for me because I like them both. It really just depends if I want the extra money or not for other things. I need that one cool fact or factor to push me for one truck over the other.

 

[Gravy]

Rawlin's 5.3 chev 1500 passes my 5.4 ford towing on the steep stuff and I have 4.10's.

 

[Cascadia]

I went and drove a few more trucks today and yesterday. Drove an 06 f150, an 08 dodge 1500 and another tundra. I ended up buying the original 08 tundra I drove for 17k. I like everything about it and the average gas mileage computer says 18.6 mpg. So I think caleb's mileage He quoted is pretty believable (not that I never did believe him). I will find out later how it tows and hopefully how well a dirt bike fits in the bed. Might be headed to buy an 08 ktm xcf-w in a little bit. Thanks for everyones help!! I'll get pics up later.