Anyone pulling big boat with Tacoma and or Colorado, need some input

Looking at possibly downsizing on my truck, I have 03 Z-71 , pulls boat well, just everyday back & forth mileage is getting to me , If I were pulling every day, I probably wouldnt consider changing, but 3.50 per gallon gas is killing me , my truck is getting about 13 mpg back & forth to work. It gets about 11 pulling, it gets about 18 on a road trip not pulling. Some are telling me the Tacomas are getting 20mpg around town, ???? I looked at a Chevy Colorado crew cab at the grocery store, I thought it was a decent looking truck, I think these have a five cylinder, would like some input on these also. Thanks!!! Showdawg

This topic has 9 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 17 years ago by oldtimer57.

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April 22, 2008 at 2:52 am #270346

panteraIV
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I have not pulled mine with either of those, but have pulled it with the Honda Ridgeline and it pulled just fine. Just to be sure I took my Puma and had it weighed at the certified scales at the local feed mill, full tournament load and full tanks of gas it was 4208.5lbs. The Ridgeline is rated for 5,000 and the Pilot for 4,500. I will have a 2009 of either of those soon. 23Hwy, 17City. Better than my F150, 18/13. I will add a second set of brakes on the trailer however. A lot of guys run the Chevys at work towing and all have had transmission porblems at 80 – 90K. Good luck.

April 22, 2008 at 10:55 am #270347

Jimpantera2
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I pull mine with a Tacoma, it pulls just fine, and has a 6500# towing capacity. It isnt the same as my Yukon XL was, but it is easier on gas. Just make sure you have brakes on your trailer, mine are out and need to get them repaired.

April 22, 2008 at 11:13 am #270348

smbassman
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My wife has a GMC Canyon crew cab and I would not attempt to pull a 20 boat with it. The 5 cylinder does not have the guts! If you were 5-10 flat miles from the launch, you might be okay but nothing more. GM also went to very small drum brakes on the rear, where the old S10 crew cabs were 4 wheel disks, so braking would also be a concern. She gets 20-21mpg with regular use.

April 22, 2008 at 1:43 pm #270349

PumaTrac
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The Tacoma pulls fine. There are a couple of things to remember though…. : Small engine…plan on slow highway ramp entrances : Small brakes…plan on slow braking : Short wheel base…..Good for turning, bad for backing on the boat ramp….plan on getting wet : Towing gas milage probably wont be much better than a full size truck : Doesnt handle hills very well do to small engine.

April 22, 2008 at 4:58 pm #270350

SilvrTour
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I pull my Sabre with an 04 V6 Ranger – 4.0 and it does fine. On the trip to the OI I averaged 17 mpg on the trip out ( from CA. to TX to Mt. Home.) Trip back we drove a bit faster – 70 – 75 where the law allows and only got 15.- one bad run at 13 + in New Mexico. Any of the above trucks will do o.k. – But Puma Track is right on about accel./braking. John

April 22, 2008 at 5:07 pm #270351

CaddoCat
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I pulled a PII with a Tacoma for 2 years without problems and it was a 4cyl SR5 4X4 (manual). I had 31″ tires and it performed well. If I had to say anything negative it would be further to the stopping ability of a smaller truck but thats one point Toyota built its reputation on. Maintaining speed on hills is also a chore at times but nothing you cant deal with. The 6 cyl Tacoma or Colorado (yes I know its 5 cyl) would work fine and I would suggest 4X4 for the occasional steep/wet ramp. All in all, not much of an issue. Good luck!http://www.justsayhi.com/bb/files/count … r=0&un=BCB OWNERS INVITATIONAL&size=normal&mo=03&da=27&yr=2007″ width=”250″ height=”80″>http://www.justsayhi.com/bb/files/count … r=0&un=BCB OWNERS INVITATIONAL&size=normal&mo=03&da=27&yr=2007″ />http://assets.justsayhi.com/badges/521/ … 57ol3i.jpg” alt=”” style=”display: none;” height=”1″ width=”1″ />

April 22, 2008 at 7:14 pm #270352

pantera
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i had a nissan frontier with the 4.0.worked it to death pulling my P-IV.bought a silverado with the 5.3 and i like it real well.

April 22, 2008 at 9:01 pm #270353

customcityjim
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Showdawg77, Personally I would keep the Z-71 and just buy me a cheap vehicle to drive back and forth to work. In fact that is what I do. I keep my Suburban to pull the Jaguar, and drive a 12 yr old grand prix that gets 32mpg with AC on back and forth to work. NO Problems. And the insurance is cheap on that old car. Good Luck on your decision.Last edited by customcityjim on April 22nd, 2008, 9:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

April 22, 2008 at 11:11 pm #270354

oldtimer57
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I drive a Ford Ranger with the 4.0 V6, which has a 5800 pound tow rating from Ford. Ive pulled a 19 bass boat hundreds of miles with zero problems. Ive pulled a Ford Mustang back and forth to the drag strip on a 1,000+ pound trailer. Again with zero problems. The nice thing about my ranger is it gets 23.5mpg when running on the highway at 70+ (not towing). Thats real miles per gallon, not EPA estimates. It isnt a bad option. I was a bit concerned in down-sizing from a dodge dakota with a 318cid V-8, but the ranger pulls every bit as well and the shorter wheelbase makes it a bit easier to maneuver around with the trailer…2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200
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