Just drove '09 SLT and '08 4.7 manual...
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From: Serving Overseas
I had an 07 Tacoma 4.0 4x4 4 door. Loved the thing - it was comfortable, drove great, handled, looked awesome, and it had great creature comforts. The few times I towed, you could tell it was a 6 cylinder. I pulled two softails on a flatbed to Newport News, VA which is about 180 miles from where I used to live in northern VA. Between two men (350 lbs) our gear and luggage (300 lbs) and the trailer and bikes (about 3000) the tacoma was ok at best. Gas intake doubled and the handling at highway speeds was not great. All in all, it got the job done, but I wouldnt do it again.
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From: Red Clay - Georgia
Thanks, stupid (hmmm...I like to cut names short, but I don't know about yours), that's just the kind of information that is helpful - someone who has actually towed with these things and then gives us your impressions.
You know how it is, we are going to load our trucks and trailers down with all kinds of junque (i.e., necessities) to go hunting, fishing, camping... They need to be up to the job in all kinds of weather, especially the heat.
The trailer you pulled in VA was only about 3,000 lbs? I drove Tacoma yesterday, and with towing package, it is rated to tow 6,500 lbs. But man, I love the Dodge!
You know how it is, we are going to load our trucks and trailers down with all kinds of junque (i.e., necessities) to go hunting, fishing, camping... They need to be up to the job in all kinds of weather, especially the heat.
The trailer you pulled in VA was only about 3,000 lbs? I drove Tacoma yesterday, and with towing package, it is rated to tow 6,500 lbs. But man, I love the Dodge!
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From: Red Clay - Georgia
Good, Jr. From what I've learned so far, I just need to avoid the limited slip differential (LSD, to all the acronym lovers - me, I'm a hater; acronyms, that is) in Dodges. I don't like to buy totally new models, but maybe the '09 has been well tested. Real world beats trucks up bad though, even for people like me who are gentle on their vehicles. Anyway, if I can afford it, the 2009 Dodge 5.7 4 door is the one I want; 2WD is fine for me - don't want any extra maintenance issues 4WD might bring. I'm really into low maintenance these days - must be me age.
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From: Serving Overseas
Also Mac I had add-a-leaf and beefier shocks on that truck (Tacoma). And it was probably closer to 4000 pounds total for the trailer and two bikes but I was low balling. Either way, I still wasnt happy with it.
Go with the Ram, you'll be happy you did. Good luck
Go with the Ram, you'll be happy you did. Good luck
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From: Red Clay - Georgia
Thanks again, stu (I'll shorten it to stu 
). Man, that is helpful information - and it was an '07 Tacoma! Test driving one is different than actually towing with it. You helped... I haven't tested a Ford or Chevy, but I don't see how a truck could be nicer than the Rams! And, just check out some Ford/Chevy forums if you want to see guys dealing with problems! "Like a rock", "Ford tough", my hind leg! I want reliability like in me old '93 Dakota... Just have to convince my CFO now... (wife).
Did the Tacoma have the towing package? They say that is critical for towing with those.
). Man, that is helpful information - and it was an '07 Tacoma! Test driving one is different than actually towing with it. You helped... I haven't tested a Ford or Chevy, but I don't see how a truck could be nicer than the Rams! And, just check out some Ford/Chevy forums if you want to see guys dealing with problems! "Like a rock", "Ford tough", my hind leg! I want reliability like in me old '93 Dakota... Just have to convince my CFO now... (wife).Did the Tacoma have the towing package? They say that is critical for towing with those.
Last edited by MacDak; Nov 10, 2008 at 08:21 AM. Reason: question
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I learned that the 4.7 L is out - towing capacity won't cut it. The 5.7 is only rated for a little over 5,000 lbs. disappointing... My present '96 Chevy is rated for 5,500 and '93 Dakota for 5,200 lbs. I have pulled the same trailer about 10 times more with the Dakota than with the Chevy, and it used to pull it as good as the Chevy.
I thought the drivetrain warranty also meant lifetime, not prorated; so, I need to check that out more.
Today, I drove a '09 Tacoma 4.0 L V6 - another sweet driving truck, but not near as nice as the '09 Dodge. BUT - get this - with towing package, rated to tow 6,500 lbs! Check out some Tacoma forums and guys pulling with Tacomas seem to be satisfied with towing capacity.
jram, man, thanks for that information! Right on! I will, from now on, get my transmissions flushed annually!! I have lost 4 transmissions (two on '83 Olds, one on '95 Chrysler, one on '96 Chevy C1500 truck - just got out of shop today) in my driving years, and I really baby my vehicles. My '93 Dakota has been fantastic - only one minor transmission problem, but still going good as of today.
Yugo, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, blah blah... I just want something that is the most RELIABLE! Why do you think Honda, Toyota, etc., has become so popular in America? If the thing keeps breaking down.... we, the customers do get a little testy! BUT, I want to buy American. I can say that, having lived in Japan over 25 years...
I thought the drivetrain warranty also meant lifetime, not prorated; so, I need to check that out more.
Today, I drove a '09 Tacoma 4.0 L V6 - another sweet driving truck, but not near as nice as the '09 Dodge. BUT - get this - with towing package, rated to tow 6,500 lbs! Check out some Tacoma forums and guys pulling with Tacomas seem to be satisfied with towing capacity.
jram, man, thanks for that information! Right on! I will, from now on, get my transmissions flushed annually!! I have lost 4 transmissions (two on '83 Olds, one on '95 Chrysler, one on '96 Chevy C1500 truck - just got out of shop today) in my driving years, and I really baby my vehicles. My '93 Dakota has been fantastic - only one minor transmission problem, but still going good as of today.
Yugo, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, blah blah... I just want something that is the most RELIABLE! Why do you think Honda, Toyota, etc., has become so popular in America? If the thing keeps breaking down.... we, the customers do get a little testy! BUT, I want to buy American. I can say that, having lived in Japan over 25 years...
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From: Red Clay - Georgia
What are you talking about? A hemi ram with a class IV hitch is rated around 9,500lbs towing....more or less depending on gearing, 4x2 or 4x4 and truck weight. The tacomas 6.500 max tow is pathetic...but it's also a mid sized truck with a V6 so the comparison isn't really fair.