Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Dean in Eureka, CA wrote:Jim,
I see the Toyota has jumped out to thelead on your pole...
Might ask Kevin A's opinion... He's a head specialist. (As in engine heads, not people heads like Guy thought...)

Kevin, any problems with the heads on the 4.0 V-6 in the Tacoma?

bledsoe3 wrote:

Dean in Eureka, CA wrote:Jim,
I see the Toyota has jumped out to thelead on your pole...
Might ask Kevin A's opinion... He's a head specialist. (As in engine heads, not people heads like Guy thought...)

Kevin, any problems with the heads on the 4.0 V-6 in the Tacoma?

Jim, to be honest, I haven't seen any of the 4.0 Tacoma heads yet. Although most of the other toyota engines do have head gasket problems. Dodge heads have a problem cracking across valve seats. And I have seen quite a few Colorado heads show up under warranty needing valves replaced. About the only compact/midsize trucks that I don't see cylinder heads from are the Nissans. Keep in mind though, that I never see the vehicles themselves so I can't really voice an opinion on the trucks.

hard to go wrong with Toyota for reliability but the 4 door tacoma my dad had the b-pillar always banged your knee when getting out of the back seat. I have had 2 dakotas and got great service from both. My current dakota a 99 model still gets 22 hwy and 19 in town and has 120,000 miles on it.

We don't cover small trucks at American Driver, but we do get them in on a regular basis. I agree with the two top vote getters, the Toyota and the Honda.

I am driving a new 2008 Dakota crew cab right now (press fleet vehicle), and it is okay, but the interior is a bit cheap looking, especially for a truck with a $36,000 sticker. It is a loaded Laramie, with a V8. It sucks down a lot of gas - 14 mpg city.

I really like the Ridgeline. My uncle has one, and loves it. I think the "trunk" is cool, and unless you are going to carry enormous payloads, the unibody set-up is going to be more comfortable than the other truck's body on frame set-ups.

The Chevy's five cylinder engine will be pretty fuel efficient, but won't blow you away on performance. And, Chevy does make a pretty darn good truck.

Of course, Toyota's small pickups are legendary for toughness and longevity.

madjack wrote:Jim, I was researching just this issue last spring and my choice is not on your list...the Nissan Frontier w/4 real doors, 22mpg rated and a 265HP(?) V6............
madjack

That is another good truck, although a bit funky in styling. The supercharged six is torquey.

BTW, Toyota offers a dealer-installed supercharger for teir trucks and SUVs through their TRD program.

elmo wrote:Titan would probally be my second option.

Titan, or Frontier???

The Titan is a full-sized truck. The Frontier is the small one.

CD

In best Jedi voice....... "You don't need a truck!"
"I don't need a truck"
"You need one of these....."

Creamcracker wrote:In best Jedi voice....... "You don't need a truck!"
"I don't need a truck"
"You need one of these....."

I sat in a Smart 4-Two at Monterey a few weeks ago. Very roomy inside -- for two people. I'd like to have one for my daily driver.

Could you imagine a Smart towing a TD.

CD

My 4runner has 157,000 miles on it and is running as good as the day I bought it. Toyotas do cost more than most but in the long run, well worth it.

Jim what are you going to haul in this thing. Would a subaru baja do what you need. Good mileage, all wheel drive, four doors.

Subaru hijack off

del

I like my 4 cyl. manual shift Nissan Frontier 2004 ( 34 - 37 M/gal ). My cousin has the same except 4x4 and V6 he said was a gas hog ( 17-19 M/gal ). I think the tongue weight is 250 on mine and 50 lbs more for his. I love the ride and comfort of mine and the anti-skid traction control that really works.

Just my 2 cents.


Of course my other truck is an '85 F-150 straight six manual compound four on 15" 11.5 - 70's


Pat

del wrote:Jim what are you going to haul in this thing. Would a subaru baja do what you need. Good mileage, all wheel drive, four doors.

Subaru hijack off

del

Del, The Baja doesn't have enough bed space for my needs. Even the Ridgeline only has a 60" bed. The Tacoma has a long bed option that gives 73".

Hummmm...It all depends on the colors available. You will have to list them to any good idea on which is the better truck.



I didn't vote, cause I don't know poo about the subject. BUT whatever you decide, DO NOT GET A GREY TRUCK!!

No. 1, They are Ugly

No. 2. They blend in with all the other Grey vehicles that are ugly.

No. 3. If you are going to spend lots-O-money, then make them paint it with a REAL color.

No. 4 White is not a real color either.



Mk

ps For all you folks with a grey or white vehicle, my apologies. The above It is just my opinion, and you know what the say about opinions!?!

Mary K wrote::thinking:

Hummmm...It all depends on the colors available. You will have to list them to any good idea on which is the better truck.



I didn't vote, cause I don't know poo about the subject. BUT whatever you decide, DO NOT GET A GREY TRUCK!!

No. 1, They are Ugly

No. 2. They blend in with all the other Grey vehicles that are ugly.

No. 3. If you are going to spend lots-O-money, then make them paint it with a REAL color.

No. 4 White is not a real color either.



Mk

ps For all you folks with a grey or white vehicle, my apologies. The above It is just my opinion, and you know what the say about opinions!?!

Actually, white is NOT a color. It is the absence of color.

Did you know that white automotive paints that look really bright, such as "alpine white" actually have a tiny bit of blue in them. It looks whiter to the eye out in the sunlight.

That bit of knowledge, plus three bucks, will get you a latte at Starbucks.

Jim,

I have a 2005 F150 4-door with the large v-8. I like the room in back in the cab for putting groceries, golf clubs, etc. It is nice to be able to lock them up if you go somewhere. I also got the bed extender since my bed is only 6ft. Before this I owned a 94 Dakota with the v-6, like the truck but the F150 has a sharper turning radius. It is easier to park the F150 at a supermarket than the dakota. Dodge may have fixed that but I do not know.

My advice is to do some test driving and see what you like. Have the wife sit in back during the test drive to see how the room is in the back. I would probably have her also drive it to make sure she is comfortable with it just in case she has to drive it.

If you want to look at my Ford let me know