Patrick Campbell

Like Ranger, Colorado, Taco, type small trucks. Lets say for sake of argument with a gooseneck for added stability. Manual trans. I don't really know anything about this size of truck but thinking about picking up something used.

mikmaze

Pat, that is just 500 lbs under the max listed towing for the colorado, nice lil trucks, but so close to its max.

BIGDAN65

i had a colorado. I did alot of mods to get more power exhaust intake computer reprogrammed. it still sucked. I had a 5x10 open trailer about 900lbs with a 500lb bike i had to run it in 3rd gear going to the beach. i would get about 20mpg but with that little trailer it would drop to 10-14. 4000lb was the max on it. 5k would kill it. it would be a pain to pull that any distance. It is a good little truck to run around in but any towing is agrivating.

nirion

A tacoma with the 4.0 V6. It would do 5k with the old 3.4, but the newer 4.0 has a lot more power (I think in the 260hp range vs 190 for the 3.4). You can get them with a 6 speed manual.

bhaugen

I pulled 260 bushels of corn in a gravity box to the elevator once with my old 87 S-10. I had to run it in 4 low to do it and I didn't dare go over 10 mph. But hey we were in a bind.

Need95-00CTD

Ummm... Dakota anyone? Besides that, a new Tacoma, or a new Frontier. A Raider is a good choice if you like the styling, its the same as a Dakota, but a heck of a lot cheaper, and I've towed over 7k lbs with one.

4x4Freak

You might look at a S10 with the 4.3. I pulled some stupid big loads with my 03. It was 4wd with 5spd, had the factory heavy duty spring option and also had the bigger 10 blt axle. They are pretty tough little trucks; I put mine through hell and back and it just kept coming back for more. I would still have it, but my needs outgrew it and I couldnt afford two truck payments.

The later models with rear discs have a pretty good braking system, other than the junky parking brk shoes. With trailer brakes it will stop just fine. Just dont expect to get anywhere too fast, especially with a head wind or hills.

With the load positioned right I never had a problem with stability. Other than power, it would pull and stop better than my brothers 93 c1500.

The dakota would probably be the best option if you can stand the looks. It's a little bigger truck and you can get a V8. My old neighbor had an older one with the v8. It pulled pretty good, but the mileage sucked, even empty. Stay away from the ranger 3.0L, it's gutless, cant comment on the 4.0.

~Angry Tractor~

A few months ago I saw a mid 80's toyaota camper for sale for like $800. I thought it would be a good pulling truck. Dullies and probably at least a 3/4 ton rearend. I've seen a guy around here that has the same set up he pulled the camper off and put a flatbed on it. I see him at auctons alot and he really loads that thing up. He's got like 12 foot bed on it. I'm going to ask him what kind of mileage he gets next time I see him. With diesel at $4.30 a gallon now it would probably be a good investment.

Patrick Campbell

Maybe Dakotas. Could keep it Dodge I do like the Taco's and S10s but I guess it does seem like these are just a little too little...

Need95-00CTD

The old style Dakota's were some of the best looking trucks ever IMO. And the new new ones are pretty good looking too, they squared them up a lot, and made them look pretty good, especially with the TRX4 option. My old man used to have one and with the 4.7L V8 he got about 17mpg's around town, and 18-19 on the highway, with the new 4.7L that thing should haul.

Patrick Campbell

Yeah I am just doing the research of trying to figure out what the "must" have factory options or mid year changes that you don't want to miss out on. I feel like I'd rather the 4.7 over 5.2. But not really sure... The manual trans is nv3500 I think, not bad. There is supposedly a "cooling package' which includes bigger radiator and fan, etc.

Inside.... looks familiar

TreeFarm

Tacoma is the way I would go. They are very well built trucks and they tow well.

nirion

As far as interior size, the new body style Tacoma is a good bit bigger than its predecessor. I can't recall exactly what year they were redesigned, but I think around 2004.

TRCM

You want to put a gooseneck on a small truck like that ?????

Did I read that right ?

mopardamo

Hello,

Have had a 93 Dakota(318) since new. Pulled my boat with trailer(5000lb+) for 8 years. No issues when the brakes on the trailer were correct. Changed to brakes on both of the trailer axles and had even less concern.

Been there and got the T shirt. It works.

Damon