Thinking about down sizing from 2500HD 4x4 to something that will fit in the garage. The Toyota Tacoma 4x4 crew has caught my eye. Does anyone know how this would handle a 20' dual console with 225 and tandem axle trailer. Mainly thinking about the on the ramp. Or in other words do you think my boat would pull the truck in the water on say a ramp like Diablo East?

Would be just fine... they are rsted for 6k...and you also have the option of using the 4wd while on the ramp....im getting 18 in and around towm unsure about highway ..and tow an 18ft dual console fiberglass bass boat...I have the 2006 dbl cab 4x4 v6...the Tacoma 2005 and back did not have 4.0 v6 ..they had the smaller v6 with 190 hp ...unsure of that towing capacity ..but sure its a good truck.......

Yota's are good all-round pickups from what I have heard

Do they still run the 3.4 in the tacoma's? They had plenty of power. All wheel drive should get it out although Diablo East seems to be one of the slickest ramps around for sure.

4.0 liter 236-245 hp depending on who you ask.
my 2wd gets 20 mpg unloaded and towed my 18'blue wave 115yamaha single axle just fine but doing 75-80 mph with the boat on along trip my mpg droped to 10-11. never been to that ramp.

Thanks for the inputs. I may have to give it a try. My diesel is getting 18 in the city traffic and up to 23-24 on the highway as long as I keep it around 65. Start going much over 70 and it will drop back down to 19-18. I drive less than 12k per year so I think I might be able to live with a little less fuel economy when pulling the boat. Always wanted a diesel though and it has been great but I had bought it in hopes of getting a bay boat and making trips to the coast but went the bass route instead.

I have 2 buddies with tacomas and they get 20mpg on the highway. The city driving only gets 16mpg.

My Tacoma gets around 20 in the city. I haven't had any problems with towing my boat either. I did try and bring it back to dallas during the 40 mph wind storm back a few months and I had to fill up 3 times from the coast. Other than thats its been great. 06 dbl cab, 2wd

If you are concerned about towing capacity you might look at the Tundras as well. With the 2001 V8 I get 18mpg in town or towing the boat. I can't even feel the boat back there at all. With my dads V6 Dakota it strains to pull my boat. The 07's have tons of power and are supposed to get better mileage than my 2001.

I have a 1999 4Runner with the 3.4L V6 4x4, I tow a 20ft Mastercraft Stars and Stripes. The Mastercraft weighs 3000lbs and it tows it fine. The only part is you really have to watch the braking bc my 4Runner weighs 4200lbs. But at the ramp i just put it down in 4x4 and ease out and smile bc everyone else spins the hell out of there tires if its wet.

I have an 01 Tacoma V6 (3.4L) 4x4 TRD 5 speed manual I use to pull an 18.5ft Skeeter w/VMAX150. I have had no issues towing and launch/retrieve.

My Tacoma is rated for 5000 lbs. towing. The newer ones stepped up to a 4.0L V6 and are rated for 6000 lbs.

I have had 2 Tacoma's and have no problem pulling my boat. Went up Ranger Hill several times at speed limit. BE SURE TO TURN THE OVERDRIVE OFF!! I got a 2K6 Tundra last June with the V6 and gets 22MPG faithfully and has almost the HP of the pre-2K5 V8. Have never had probs with Yota's.

I also have an '03 doublecab Tacoma with the 3.4 V6. Have towed from a 14' flatbottom to an 18' Ranger with no problems whatsoever. Excellent truck and when I go to buy a new one someday I will most definitely stick with a Toyota.

I'm liking the 4Runner as well. If it could pull the Mastercraft out then my 20' w/225 should be no problem. Unless the live wells are full... which is rare. I like the idea of an suv since I could lock up some gear and keep it dry if need be. I may be putting my fully loaded 2500 HD GMC up for sale. We'll see. I know that would make my wife happy since she doesn't like driving it.

Mine is a 07 2wd crew..4.0, pulls better than my f150 4.6 did.
I get 19 in town and 22 hwy 15-16mpg pulling 16.5 nitro. I do not lay off the gas much.