2006 Toyota Tacoma

Another impressive redesign by Toyota this year was the new 2006 Toyota Tacoma. This truck has morphed from a small to a mid-size pickup truck. You are familiar with the Tacoma's of the past. They are as reliable as the day is long, but how will the new truck compare?

I went shopping, and to be honest, I was checking out the Nissan Frontier, too. Its been redesigned and is about the same size as the new Tacoma. The Nissan has a rail system in the bed of the truck, but the Toyota has it on the deck edge up higher. I like it better as it seems as though it would make tying off items a lot easier. Also, in the bed, there are two neat lockable storage compartments nestled so they aren't noticed. Pretty slick.

The new V6 has 236hp, which is no slouch in anyone's book. The old V6 had about 190 hp I think. The standard 4-cylinder is 2.7 liters and rates 164 hp, which is more than most V6's.

There's an X-Runner available, which is more for show and go, than off road or work. My dad got the previous version, which was an S-Runner Tacoma. They are slick. Dad's is way cool, and I've seen only one X-Runner at a car show as they sell before they are around on the lot too long. A pickup that can hold .9G's on the skid pad will rival most sports cars. Basically, the X-runner has everything. The Prerunner and double cab are the top of the line for the 4x4 trucks, but they have many options. The only option I can find on the X-runner is daytime running lights.

Don't worry, the SR5 still comes loaded up with a chrome grill, color bumpers, overfenders, leather steering wheel, and variable windshield wipers. The V6 has fog lamps and the sport package includes the limited-slip rear differential. The off-road package adds larger wheels, better suspension with bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential and skid plates and tow hooks.

The TRD Sport truck is my favorite with the hood scoop, 17" wheels, nicer seats, power outlet and a neat overhead console with compass and temperature gauge.

The Tacoma isn't the little truck you see around anymore. My dad's had 4. I've only owned one Toyota truck and I drove it until the wheels fell off. But you know what? It started and ran every time. I'm sure the trucks we see on the lot today will last another generation due to Toyota's unsurpassed quality.

Another impressive redesign by Toyota this year was the new 2006 Toyota Tacoma. This truck has morphed from a small to a mid-size pickup truck. You are familiar with the Tacoma's of the past. They are as reliable as the day is long, but how will the new truck compare?

I went shopping, and to be honest, I was checking out the Nissan Frontier, too. Its been redesigned and is about the same size as the new Tacoma. The Nissan has a rail system in the bed of the truck, but the Toyota has it on the deck edge up higher. I like it better as it seems as though it would make tying off items a lot easier. Also, in the bed, there are two neat lockable storage compartments nestled so they aren't noticed. Pretty slick.

The new V6 has 236hp, which is no slouch in anyone's book. The old V6 had about 190 hp I think. The standard 4-cylinder is 2.7 liters and rates 164 hp, which is more than most V6's.

There's an X-Runner available, which is more for show and go, than off road or work. My dad got the previous version, which was an S-Runner Tacoma. They are slick. Dad's is way cool, and I've seen only one X-Runner at a car show as they sell before they are around on the lot too long. A pickup that can hold .9G's on the skid pad will rival most sports cars. Basically, the X-runner has everything. The Prerunner and double cab are the top of the line for the 4x4 trucks, but they have many options. The only option I can find on the X-runner is daytime running lights.

Don't worry, the SR5 still comes loaded up with a chrome grill, color bumpers, overfenders, leather steering wheel, and variable windshield wipers. The V6 has fog lamps and the sport package includes the limited-slip rear differential. The off-road package adds larger wheels, better suspension with bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential and skid plates and tow hooks.

The TRD Sport truck is my favorite with the hood scoop, 17" wheels, nicer seats, power outlet and a neat overhead console with compass and temperature gauge.

The Tacoma isn't the little truck you see around anymore. My dad's had 4. I've only owned one Toyota truck and I drove it until the wheels fell off. But you know what? It started and ran every time. I'm sure the trucks we see on the lot today will last another generation due to Toyota's unsurpassed quality.

Stuart Simpson [http://www.toyota-trucks-review.com]

The 2010 Toyota Tacoma

Basically the 2010 Toyota Tacoma is the same truck produced for the '09 model year. It remains a great selection due to its wide assortment of body styles and trim packages. Other great features are the fact that although the Toyota corporation has had some technical problems, it remains a very reliable pickup. Tacomas equipped with larger engines offer more power than just about any competitors, including the Chevy Colorado. Few downsides include awkward seat positioning and a noisy V-6 engine. All around they remain more than capable work trucks.

Consumers who don't need a full size pickup truck will do well buying a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. For their size they offer industry leading carrying and hauling capabilities. While not quite able to haul as much as any half-ton on the market, their size makes them highly maneuverable and allows for a more nimble handling experience. Fuel economy is another aspect that will make these trucks more appealing, while the slightly higher price tag than competitors may put off some frugal minded buyers.

Trim packages available include Base models (regular cabs), access cabs, Double cabs, SR-5, and TR-D. As stated before the basic models only come with a regular cab body style and doesn't offer a whole lot in terms of accessories. Included on base models are 15 inch steel wheels, composite bed liners, tilt steering wheels, cloth seating, and an optional CD player. Basic models are better work trucks than anything, offering the class leading capabilities, without the higher prices. Access cabs represent Toyota's mid-level trim package. Standard features include AC, full power accessories, skid plates, bench seats in the rear, 16 inch steel wheels, and lumbar support for drivers.

Going up in class and style are the Double cab models. These come with 16 inch steel wheels, more tech gadget portals, highly customizable interior fabrics and accents, along with more skid plates to protect the undercarriage. SR-5 trim packages represent a entirely different experience for their owners. They have fog lamps, very nice seating, leather steering wheels with audio controls, rear cameras for backing up, remote keyless entry, and chrome accents throughout the pickup. The off road package (TRD) has been designed to handle rugged terrain. They come with 17 inch alloy wheels, sturdier suspension, sport style seating, fender flares, and heavy duty skid plates. TRD models can also be outfitted as sports packages designed for better highway handling.

The engines available for 2010 Toyota Tacoma pickups include a 2.7 liter four cylinder that put out 159 hp, that are offered with either a five speed manual or 4 speed automatic transmission. The larger engine is a 4.0 liter V-6 capable of 236 hp, and comes with either a 6 speed manual or five speed automatic. Fuel economy for the smaller engine is 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, while the larger option gets 16 mpg city, and 20 mpg highway. Those numbers are relatively impressive when compared with the Chevy Colorado, but are slightly less impressive than the smaller Ford Ranger.

Crash test rating received perfect scores for both front and side impact crashes. That makes it one of the safest mid-size pickups available to consumers.

Overall, the 2010 Toyota Tacoma remains one of the best pickups in the small to mid-size class. Towing capabilities are more similar to that of a half-ton pickup than most of it's competitors. Pricing however is an area that the Tacoma remains less competitive, being offered at substantially higher numbers. Whether you're looking for a basic work truck, or a fully loaded luxury style interior there is a model to suit just about every consumer's preference.

Dan Legal is a member of the web development team that runs the website LemonFree.com Cars. LemonFree is a car search engine which currently over 1.8 million new and used cars for sale.

If your interested in purchasing a 2010 Toyota Tacoma; give LemonFree a test drive today!

Diesel Pickup Trucks

Diesel pickup trucks are designed for towing or carrying heavy loads and can do any work associated with commercial medium-duty segment trucks. A number of companies manufacture pickup trucks such as Ford, General Motors, Harley Davidson, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Toyota.

Pickup truck interiors are designed to provide maximum comfort to passengers while negotiating uneven terrain at campsites. Sound insulation mechanics installed in pickup trucks offers an exceptionally quiet and comfortable cabin environment. These trucks are built on a sturdy chassis and have thick glass windows, inset doors with double layer seals to prevent unwanted noise from the road, tires, and engines. Engine noise is also reduced with the use of intake resonator and low-restriction exhaust system.

Pickup trucks use multiple valve diesel engines to provide maximum power in excess of 300 horsepower and 365 foot-pounds of torque. Sophisticated electronic throttle control system is used to provide seamless and consistent transmission quality at various altitudes. They use wide tires that provide maximum traction at high speeds and have advanced suspension systems for excellent handling and a quiet, composed ride. They are equipped with advanced steering system to provide a predictable and linear steering response to the driver. They use standard four-wheel disk brakes and anti lock braking system (ABS) to provide excellent braking on roads or dirt tracks.

The electronic brake force distribution (EBD) system is used to manage the brake force between the front and rear wheels. It helps in reducing braking distances and maximizes rear-wheel braking, especially while towing.

The exteriors are designed to give an elegant and sporty look to these vehicles. They are designed to accommodate different accessories and are the most commonly used vehicles in agricultural farms. Campers can also be attached with these vehicles to convert them into recreational vehicles (RV) used for camping activities.

Pickup Trucks [http://www.e-PickupTrucks.com] provides detailed information on Pickup Trucks, Pickup Truck Accessories, Used Pickup Trucks, Pickup Truck Rentals and more. Pickup Trucks is affiliated with Hard Tonneau Covers.

The Deadly Secret That Lurks in the Early Toyota Motor Homes

To most people a Toyota motor home built in the 1980s looks like a cute and charming recreational vehicle. And for the most part this is exactly what they are. But there was a fatal flaw built into these early 1980 motor homes was that caused heartbreak and disaster for hundreds of people.

As the motor home size was expanded past 18 feet, the original Toyota pickup chassis which was only rated at 1/2 ton capacity, was simply not up to the job. Specifically the rear axle began to fail. When this happened bad things occurred to good people.

Completely empty, these little campers have a marginal carrying capacity for people and possessions. This meant that the typical motor home left the driveway in probably an overloaded condition. This was normally not a problem because the performance of the camper insured that slow speeds would be maintained on the trip. The hundred horsepower four-cylinder engine would not move three tuns of house in a very fast pace.

As the size of the camper increased it wasn't long until the rear axles began to fail. The camper manufacturers compensated by adding a second set of wheels on the axle. This created a dual set of tires on each side. However this did not correct the problem. The problem lie in the fact that the bearings and the axle itself were just not heavy-duty enough to carry the load.

Excessive load caused the bearings to overheat, fail, and then disintegrate with disastrous consequences. Victims of this problem reported that the wheels would actually leave the truck. This was such a serious problem that the national highway safety administration became involved and issued a recall of certain Toyota motor home models.

There was no way to predict when the axle would fail. Some units failed almost immediately, some units went thousands and thousands of miles, and some units have not failed yet. However any Toyota motor home without the heavy-duty axle should be considered as a suspect vehicle.

There is an easy way to tell if your Toyota RV has a safe axle. First of all, all models of Toyota RV built after 1987 were built with the upgraded safe axle. All models of Toyota motor home built in 1984 and before are required to have the upgraded axle due to the safety recall. In 1985 and 1986 some models were built with the upgraded safe axle and some were not. So it is up to you to be careful when inspecting the axle on any Toyota motor home you are considering to buy.

A simple inspection of the axle itself will tell you if it is safe or needs to be replaced. The safe axle will have six lug nuts, the unsafe axles were built with five lug nuts. The safe axle will also have a protruding center hub that has a ring of nuts around the outer edge.

If the axles on the Toyota motor home you are considering only have five lug nuts and the center does not stick out and have a ring of bolts on the center hub, keep looking for another camper to purchase.

Having lived and traveled in a Toyota Motor Home, I have fond memories of this type of RV. Discover more about the little RV at http://www.thorntonnetsales.com/toyotamotorhome.

Lee McPherron is a long time RV user, now enjoying life in a 27 foot fifth wheel full-time. He is a research writer who writes on a variety of subjects. Associate links provided could possibly result in compensation.