Small pick up to carry a bike?

How are you getting them in? I could see powering them up a ramp but you would need a second ramp to walk up.
I power them up a single ramp onto my tailer but it's low enough I can step up as I power it up.

Correct. Two ramps.

They fold up and fit neatly beside the bikes.

If you're taller, some guys just use one ramp and a step stool beside it.
 
Correct. Two ramps.

They fold up and fit neatly beside the bikes.

If you're taller, some guys just use one ramp and a step stool beside it.

I'm surprised that there are not plentiful kits to lower truck beds. Either airbags you can dump or something like a winch that pulls down on the springs (to roughly max load) so you dont monkey with the original suspension. Hell, if you go with hydraulics, you could go up on the front and down on the back. Makes for easy tire changes too.
 
Are the Tacomas really that much better than everything else out there? Or is it all hype and brand loyalty?

My buddy had a Tundra and loved it. It died at close to 500k and he bought an F150. Couldn’t believe how much better overall it was…for close to 20k cheaper.
They seem to be. I had fords up until 2006 when I moved to a Toyota. My last ford was a 1999 F150 that was DOA at 280,000km., 149,000km. on it's second engine. So many problems that made it unreliable and maintenance was endless. I never knew if it was going to start or if it was going to get me home. It was used as a work truck. Worst new vehicle that I ever owned.

The 2006 Toyota Tundra had 350,000 km when I traded it in back in Dec. 2014. Original exhaust, battery etc. and no rust. It was worked hard but was still worth $2500 even as a base model 2wd.

I traded it on a 2015 Tacoma 4X4 double cab limited. It's got 200,000 km and runs like it's brand new. We own a farm so it gets used to haul and pull stuff, travel over rough terrain and gets used in 4WD fairly often. I read the reviews talking about it being a old platform and about transmissions and stuff but as they always said, you don't ride/drive a spec sheet.

I imagine the newer fords are better that my experience. they'd have to be.
 
To get a Tacoma in the 10-15k price range it needs to have 400000km and no body left lol.

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yes it looked like I needed to add least another 10k to make it worth while. Not dead set on the Taco. Any smallerish p/u would do. Eve a full size but I hate the thought of that.
 
If the reason you're looking at getting a pick up is JUST for (occasionally) hauling bikes, then I would strongly re-consider.
I totally agree. A good quality trailer will be more versatile in the long run. As much as I love my Tacoma, and make good use of it, when I haul a bike around I use a trailer, or the hitch mounted rack as it's much more convenient and easier to load/unload.

If you're pressed for space the get a 2WD version as they get better mileage and are lower to the ground for loading.

But then again, I had wanted a Toyota 4X4 pick up since 1982, but could never justify buying one because my vehicle was always used for company business and deliveries etc. Finally, in 2015 I was able to buy a vehicle that ONLY I would be driving so I took the plunge and I still love it.
Buy what moves you the most and figure out how to make it work.
 
If the reason you're looking at getting a pick up is JUST for (occasionally) hauling bikes, then I would strongly re-consider.
Then why is it when you own a pickup, everyone wants to borrow it?
 
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. Also the Tacos have an outdated transmission. While everyone else has a million-speed auto, the Taco still has a six speed auto that hunts for gears if you're not confident with the accelerator pedal.
Yes, a common ownership complaint and that is why I ordered the manual 6 speed (hence the six months wait). Jeep is the only other manufacturer to include the manual trans but in talking to owners of them, they don't appear to have been designed and built to last. A bit of a pain in shifting in heavy traffic but it provides me with better control overall and keeps the wife and kids from bugging me to use it ...(y)
 
The dealership finally got my new Tacoma in. If you're interested in an 09 Frontier 4x4 for $6000 with some rust on the box and an ugly exhaust then send me a message.
 
@Relax which minivan would you recommend for two enduros (think TW200 or XT250)? hubby wants to trade in his pickup for a work van (think Chevy express) but I think a minivan would work just fine...any thoughts?
 
@Relax which minivan would you recommend for two enduros (think TW200 or XT250)? hubby wants to trade in his pickup for a work van (think Chevy express) but I think a minivan would work just fine...any thoughts?

Others can weigh in but just about any would work. I’d probably go with a caravan with the rear seats that fold into the floor.


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@ifiddles I’ll agree with @SVeezy … any van should do the trick. I’m biased toward the Odyssey because we have one.

I actually regret not buying my buddys for 8k when he was selling it with 200k on the odo. Another friend bought it and they love it.

Ours will tow 3500lbs according to the spec sheet and when I tow my Cb500X it’s like it’s not even there.
 
The Montana (extended) was great for loading a bike in up to and including my 1975 CB550. The clearance through the back door and the floor-to-ceiling height was perfect.

My Grand Caravan…not so much.


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@Robbo thanks...I kind of thought it would be possible

We have a trailer but want to sell it and the bikes and get a van with enduros instead...maybe something that could potentially tow a small trailer to camp in which is why he wants the Chevy Express...much to think about...
 

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