Help me recommend a new truck to my FIL

My FIL has an 05-ish Tacoma 4-door, shortbed, V6/Auto, Pre-Runner that he's had since new and uses to tow a 6,800Lb travel trailer (I wouldn't, it's too damn much trailer for that truck). It got totaled (stolen car ran a stop sign and spun into it in his driveway) and now he's shopping. He doesn't want to wait for the 16 Taco (but that's basically the same truck), and is torn between the Colorado V6 and an EcoBoost F150.

Needs:

• Tow 7,000Lbs
• Get better mileage than the old truck
• 4-door, auto
• size matters, the driveway isn't that big

Help please!

How frequently and how far does he tow the travel trailer?

I drove a 2.7 v6 ecoboost. Why go anything else. That engine is awesome.

I'd say Ecoboost F150. That aluminum body will look nice for a very long time.

Diesel Colorado should be here very soon. Torque, economy

X cab 4 door or crew cab 4 full door?

Which ever one he wants. That way when he chooses that vs. what you recommend, you won't be mad.

I'd say if he's going for new, to check out the new Colorado if he can wait. The Colorado and the Nissan Frontier are going to be getting diesel engines in them next year like unk577 mentioned above.

Driven5 wrote: How frequently and how far does he tow the travel trailer?

He and my MIL both retired and have dozens of long-distance trips planned. They've only had the trailer 2 months and have already done 3 trips.

another diesel colorado vote

Javelin wrote:

Driven5 wrote: How frequently and how far does he tow the travel trailer?

He and my MIL both retired and have dozens of long-distance trips planned. They've only had the trailer 2 months and have already done 3 trips.

The bigger truck all the way, then. F-150, Silverado, Ram, Tundra, whatever.

Ecoboost F150

So I'm not a "truck guy", but haven't I read that the gas mileage of the ecoboosts drops precipitously when loaded/towing? Wasn't that the disadvantage of gas vs Ram minidiesel?

Totally not trolling here, because I know some people feel really strongly about it. That 2.7 ford is pretty amazing.

I'd go with the f150....especially towing that much.

I'll echo what alfadriver said. It's his truck and his choice. Honestly, for as much money as a new truck costs I'd drive each one with the trailer attached and see how it feels. That's a pretty heavy trailer so if he is going to be towing a lot the "feel" is probably the most important thing.

How is he with backing up the trailer? That might be a reason to consider the F-150 with the new trailer reverse function.

Javelin wrote: * Tow 7,000Lbs

7,000 lbs isn't insignificant. So I'd probably say neither the ecobost nor the V6.

Conversations with ecoboost owners I know invariably lead to laments regarding the way it sucks gas when pulling a load.

The Ram 1500 ecodiesel is racked with problems. My buddy has one, and it's gotten more vertical miles than horizontal ones. And I'm not talking minor problems. I'm referring to check engine lights causing the truck to go into limp mode, which means no power and stuck in third gear. That can cause a wreck if it happens at the wrong time.

KyAllroad wrote: I'll echo what alfadriver said. It's his truck and his choice. Honestly, for as much money as a new truck costs I'd drive each one with the trailer attached and see how it feels. That's a pretty heavy trailer so if he is going to be towing a lot the "feel" is probably the most important thing.

To go more on this- every vehicle has a good side as well as a bad side.

For this case- IMHO, the most important this is comfort. They are going to send HOURS in this truck, moving down the road. Better be comfortable- from the seats, to the seating position, to the sound, to the sound system. It's better that they are comfortable, and not painful. Whatever truck that means.

Teh E36 M3 wrote: So I'm not a "truck guy", but haven't I read that the gas mileage of the ecoboosts drops precipitously when loaded/towing? Wasn't that the disadvantage of gas vs Ram minidiesel? Totally not trolling here, because I know some people feel really strongly about it. That 2.7 ford is pretty amazing.

It does. I love my Ecoboost (2011 3.5L version), but I'm lucky to get 10 mpg towing my travel trailer, which weighs about what the one OP is talking about. I usually get closer to 8, and that's keeping it under 70 on the freeway. Unloaded, the truck could get pretty easily get 20 mpg in those circumstances. It's a tradeoff I'm willing to make, I don't tow that often, and when I am, though the mileage may suck, the torque is awesome.

The new aluminum version, with the 2.7L engine ought to be a fair amount better, I would think.

I have towed with the Ecoboost. It is impressive. MPGs drop very quickly with a load though. I agree, the 7000 lbs needs more truck than the Colorado. Regardless of driveway size or how he wants to keep it small, 7000 lbs needs more truck to anchor that weight.

I have also ridden 4 hours in a Colorado. Its not big on interior room or comfort. Especially compared to the downright luxo interior of the F150.

I say Ecoboost hands down. Not even an option in my opinion if he's looking for comfort and towing 7000.

unk577 wrote: Diesel Colorado should be here very soon. Torque, economy

Don't forget the diesel surcharge. Takes a long time to cover that.

Of course the mileage will drop when towing. Duh

My Jeep KJ would drop 6-8 mpg when towing 3900 lbs.

A lot depends on how many hills you climb.

iceracer wrote:

unk577 wrote: Diesel Colorado should be here very soon. Torque, economy

Don't forget the diesel surcharge. Takes a long time to cover that.

Instantly covered (and then some) with resale

iceracer wrote:

unk577 wrote: Diesel Colorado should be here very soon. Torque, economy

Don't forget the diesel surcharge. Takes a long time to cover that.

Once you put a trailer behind it that "diesel surcharge" gets washed out much quicker. I my personal experience my diesel usually double the mpg of comparable gas truck once a trailer is hooked up. If the truck will have a trailer behind it most of the time then gas shouldn't even be an option