Mid-size Truck Recommendations for friend
- Thread starter dogememe
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AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
The Nissan 4.0 v6 has the internal water pump and it hasn't been a disaster and is routinely recommended.
A WD hitch doesn't change the tongue weight, tow rating, or payload capacities. If you're pushing capacity limits a WD won't change it.
This gen of Frontier came out in 2022 and is getting a rep for being a "simple" dependable truck.
Is there any chance of scoring a good deal on a stripped down, new , Ram pickup…?
any chance of considering that?
any chance of considering that?
Yes, and I'm one to recommend it.
That doesn't change the fact that I do not like the idea of an internal water pump and that I wish that they had put an external one on the 3.8L
If the water pump takes a dump, it requires far more labor to replace it. Hopefully, it weeps out the hole as intended instead of flooding the crankcase with coolant without you knowing.
I still think it's a bad idea. That's just my opinion.
Correct.
I doubt you can put 500-750 lbs on the receiver of a Canyon without a WD setup. Maybe so, but that's alot of "weight on the rear" without "redistributing some to the front."
Tell him to test drive them all buy what he likes. There is no best choice. 5000 lbs is a lot for a compact truck.
Not really. The Ranger and Colorado are perfectly capable at 5000 pounds. I had 10,000 miles towing a 6600 pound travel trailer with my Ranger and I would still be in it if it had the onboard generator my 150 does. Actually, if Ford quits screwing around and brings the Hybrid Ranger here and it has the pro-power on board, I'll switch back to a Ranger in a heartbeat.
The 8L in the Colorado should largely be sorted now, and the 10R60 in the Rangers is reportedly much better now as well (Except for the one mentioned above). Both of those, as long as you don't spec them to the moon with garbage will have good payload and towing numbers.
Tacoma's usually come with garbage for payload regardless of how you spec them. Usually 1200 pounds or less, which is stupid for almost any kind of truck. Especially now that they have powertrains more suited for heavier work.
My lightly optioned 2WD Ranger had a 1711# Payload. My F150 is only 1699#.
I've always found it hilarious that Toyota puts this statement in their owners manuals (2023 Tundra Hybrid is where this is from)
'We know you bought a truck, but try not to do too much 'truck stuff' with it'.
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Tough crowd haha. Thanks though to everyone who provided input. Seems like one choice does not really stand out from the others in any regard.
Has he considered a Jeep Gladiator? Or does it not have a high enough tow rating?
Think he said 2wd only. Aren't all Gladiators 4wd?
Yeah all gladiator are 4wd. Is the Nissan Titan too big? It's been thought of as slightly bigger than mid-sized but not full-,sized.
They all seem to be good choices. I would drive the top 3 or 4 then look at the smaller stuff that will sneak up on you later on in ownership like.
Is remote start by smart phone only? Does it revert to a subscription after X amount of years.
What other options revert to subscriptions later on?
Do you have to go to a computer screen to adjust HVAC, heated seats or turn the headlights on?
How big is that fuel tank? How far can you actually drive with and without a trailer on a full tank of gas?
Once he gets down to the top 2 call up his insurance agent. Some vehicles can vary widely in costs
Is remote start by smart phone only? Does it revert to a subscription after X amount of years.
What other options revert to subscriptions later on?
Do you have to go to a computer screen to adjust HVAC, heated seats or turn the headlights on?
How big is that fuel tank? How far can you actually drive with and without a trailer on a full tank of gas?
Once he gets down to the top 2 call up his insurance agent. Some vehicles can vary widely in costs
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Ram 1500 too large?
This is insanity. What if you don't have a smart (stupid) phone? All this tech is designed to make you pay and pay and pay. If you have money to burn this new stuff is great. But if you just want transportation and utility. Forget it. This is why a lot of people these days can't even afford a car.
I have a 1993 E350 and a 2002 E150 that still run and drive as they should. What are these new computers on wheels going to be doing in 2 or 3 decades? Probably sitting in a boneyard or crusher.
More like tough requirements. After pulling out more relevant details
it basically boils down to
"I need a full size truck that isnt full size"
With that requirement I'd probably go Ranger.
Not sure what hes doing now with a camry though?
Taco, maybe not:
If the Frontier still gets an ICE V6, I'd absolutely consider that. I service an '18 that I think is really cool. Just comfortable, simple, clean. Everything you need and nothing you don't. But the 2025/6 may be nothing like the '18 I adore (I don't much follow Nissan).
If the Frontier still gets an ICE V6, I'd absolutely consider that. I service an '18 that I think is really cool. Just comfortable, simple, clean. Everything you need and nothing you don't. But the 2025/6 may be nothing like the '18 I adore (I don't much follow Nissan).
Towing 5,000 lbs with a mid-size truck doesn't sound fun. At all.
I'll leave it at that.
I'll leave it at that.
The new mid-size trucks are surprisingly large. I parked my then new 2022 Canyon next to my old 1987 K3500 dually. Other than the width, the Canyon was bigger. I suggest to have your friend take a tape measure with him.
The field of mid-size trucks are no different than other vehicles. And in fact, I give the American brands a little more credit. My Canyon was fantastic. And the rest of them were competitive.
I think it will come down to the price and comfort. Sit in the seat and try them out.
The field of mid-size trucks are no different than other vehicles. And in fact, I give the American brands a little more credit. My Canyon was fantastic. And the rest of them were competitive.
I think it will come down to the price and comfort. Sit in the seat and try them out.
The ten speed is an unmitigated-trash heap piece of garbage.I just went through this when I ended up with the Tacoma.
After owning a ford with the 10 speed transmission, the Ranger is out. Now, my 150 was an 18, but I rode around in a 23 ranger and it was a disaster finding and missing gears on tight uphill switchback. The owner was very disappointed with it and his dealer offered no help.
Love the canyon twins looks of all of them. So many janky reviews on GM software in the canyon/colorado and GM of this era. What broke me of it was the passenger crash ratings are so far behind driver. Why? They know they are lacking and added a brace …. For the driver. I love my wife who rides shotgun. Or my kids. Or my friends. Shame on you GM, for not doing both sides. GM midsize off the table for that reason.
In all honesty, the frontier might be the most honest midsize truck for truck things. They seem to last forever, in every generation, without any recognition. The last gen had a lacking interior to my eye. The steering wheel was weird and I felt like I was sitting in a hole. Were it not for the interior and seating position, I might have ended up with the frontier. I see 300k titans running around with shot paint and fogged plastics and every single function still works in them. That says something.
I ended up myself with a Tacoma. I bought a higher trim than the OP is looking for, being a hybrid. I think Toyota gave jobs to last years Jeep design interns for all the silly badging…everywhere, on every surface… and I dislike the large video screen, but the bones are still Tacoma goodness. I’ve had some quirks with software, and one hiccup where it quit on me, and found the transmission low on ATF (thanks BITOG for suggesting I check it), but as a daily driver it’s great. Fun to drive, gets good gas mileage, the chassis is solid, and it brings home mulch, plywood and 2x4s par excellence. The 2.4T has plenty of power and is more driveable IMO than torque-reduced v6 … if you can stomach the rowdiness of the 4 - it almost sounds like a Subaru.
Should consider the maverick. I do not know a single owner of a maverick who doesn’t have good things to say. The new ones really have dialed in the interior a couple of notches above the first ones. I know of no complaints with any of the drivelines, but man a FWD hybrid would be a slam dunk. I think the hybrid can now be had in AWD trim, which enables a pretty heft tow rating. They may be to 5000 now. See post #35:
Note. 5,000 lbs towing for any of these mid size trucks will be inferior to a full size, or even a minivan. I’ve been impressed towing with the Tacoma - but it weighs more than my 150 did. The 150 was more stable at speed. Wheelbase means a lot. 3000-4000 lbs is probably the sweet spot. I think mine is rated for 5k or even more, but I can’t imagine it being super sure-footed at 65 with 5000lbs behind it ? Haven’t tried it….
