Nissan Frontier or similar?

[The_Centaurian]

It’s time to car shop. I have driven an economy car for 10 years, and I still love to drive it. However, horses eat a lot and I would like to buy more than 2-3 bales of hay at at time!

This will be my primary vehicle, so it needs to fit in a regular parking space and use a reasonable amount of gas.

I do not have a horse trailer, but eventually I would want to have a small one for local trips.

Requirements:
-backseat (king/crew cab)
-towing package w/weight distributing hitch
-towing capacity over 5k lbs.
-price under $30k

I have really only seen the Nissan Frontier check all of the boxes. The V6 crew cab w/tow package hauls up to 6300lbs, costs ~26k. Maybe I am missing something. Can anyone recommend any other makes/models that might suit?

I am open to used cars, but my trusted mechanic died last year, so I’m a little leery of buying used without him.

[Shagyas_Rock]

The Frontier is a cracker jack little truck for all around farm use - you can haul hay and bags of feed etc. in it but it doesn’t really have a whole lot of tow capacity . . . at least not for hauling a loaded horse trailer. It would be fine for hauling dead weight such as a boat or small camper, but I think you’re going to want something heftier, even if you’re just hauling one horse in a relatively light two horse trailer (such as a Featherlite, or a light two horse stock trailer)
The reason is that towing live cargo is a different thing altogether. . .
I use the Nissan Titan - it has nearly twice the towing capacity. But once you start looking for more muscle in your truck, you’re going to sacrifice gas mileage.

If your trailer was really light and you only hauled one horse, you might get away with it, but I would personally not be comfortable with that. A bigger truck is going to increase your safety factor.

[The_Centaurian]

[QUOTE=Shagyas Rock;8746084]
The Frontier is a cracker jack little truck for all around farm use - you can haul hay and bags of feed etc. in it but it doesn’t really have a whole lot of tow capacity . . . at least not for hauling a loaded horse trailer. It would be fine for hauling dead weight such as a boat or small camper, but I think you’re going to want something heftier, even if you’re just hauling one horse in a relatively light two horse trailer (such as a Featherlite, or a light two horse stock trailer)
The reason is that towing live cargo is a different thing altogether. . .
I use the Nissan Titan - it has nearly twice the towing capacity. But once you start looking for more muscle in your truck, you’re going to sacrifice gas mileage.

If your trailer was really light and you only hauled one horse, you might get away with it, but I would personally not be comfortable with that. A bigger truck is going to increase your safety factor.[/QUOTE]

I agree bigger is better for hauling. I can probably borrow the big bad F250 from my stepmom if I ever do any serious horse hauling. She lives 4 hours away, though, so I would still like to have a vehicle that can haul a trailer a few miles down the road in a pinch.

Someone please talk me out of the b*tchin’ 1987 el Camino I saw on Craigslist for my hay hauling needs! LOL

[msj]

Look for an older model full sized pickup like a Chevy Silverado or Ford F-150. I can’t tell you anything about a foreign truck as I’ve never had or driven one.

I’d sell you mine (2005 Chevy Silverado with only 72K miles) but then I’d have to go out and spend $50K or more to replace it!

[OuttaShape]

As a space-constrained city dweller (barn is 45 min away), I ended up with the frontier and a euro-trailer. I like it, and needed the smallest possible truck (length and width-wise, since it’s all parallel parking in my neighborhood) that could tow. I only put 1 horse in my super light 2 horse trailer - I don’t think I’d trust it to have enough power for 2 over the hills in my area. I’m really enjoying it, but honestly, I don’t think it’s saving too much gas over a F150 or other full size truck. I’m averaging 15mpg combined (city commute, drive to barn, weekend towing of ~200 mi round trip).

[hokiekat]

Mid-size trucks (ie - Nissan Frontier, Chevy Colorado/GM Canyon, Ford Ranger, etc) are great for someone who doesn’t actually need a real truck. They are excellent for hauling furniture, small boats, etc - but only some trims (speaking from knowledge of the Chevys/GMCs) have a large enough towing capacity (and stopping capacity!) for a lightweight 2 horse trailer. A new V6, 4 door Chevy Colorado with a 7,000lb towing capacity is likely going to cost around $40k+ depending on your area. Remember, many advertised prices do not include trailer hitches and other options. The diesel variants get great mileage, but are much more expensive than gas engine vehicles.

You are better off getting a used full size truck, both for value and capability. The majority of newer trucks have back up cameras - so you’ll learn how to park! You won’t run into a major issue towing 2 horses around town, especially with a light weight trailer. I recently purchased a 2011 F150 FX4 with 20k miles and completely optioned out (leather, tow package, etc) for around your price point. Plus my gas mileage is around the same as a mid-sized truck.

Feel free to shoot me any technical questions - I’m an automotive engineer.

But if you just need a bed to haul hay/grain - totallllllllllllly go with the El Camino!!!

[The_Centaurian]

[QUOTE=hokiekat;8747128]

But if you just need a bed to haul hay/grain - totallllllllllllly go with the El Camino!!![/QUOTE]

Enabler! LOL

[The_Centaurian]

[QUOTE=OuttaShape;8747080]
As a space-constrained city dweller (barn is 45 min away), I ended up with the frontier and a euro-trailer. I like it, and needed the smallest possible truck (length and width-wise, since it’s all parallel parking in my neighborhood) that could tow. I only put 1 horse in my super light 2 horse trailer - I don’t think I’d trust it to have enough power for 2 over the hills in my area. I’m really enjoying it, but honestly, I don’t think it’s saving too much gas over a F150 or other full size truck. I’m averaging 15mpg combined (city commute, drive to barn, weekend towing of ~200 mi round trip).[/QUOTE]

Ooh, euro trailer sounds very fancy. Do you have a picture/specs for your trailer?

It would be amazing if you parallel parked the trailer, but I assume you keep it parked at the barn

[OuttaShape]

[QUOTE=The Centaurian;8747194]
Ooh, euro trailer sounds very fancy. Do you have a picture/specs for your trailer?

It would be amazing if you parallel parked the trailer, but I assume you keep it parked at the barn :)[/QUOTE]

It’s just an ugly old Brenderup, sadly nothing fancy for my first trailer I have my eye on the new Equi-treks that will be available from Equi-trek Portland in the fall, though.

The trailer stays at the barn, yes! The truck sits in front of the house. While I’m getting better about backing, I’m not entirely confident in my ability to parallel park that thing :lol:

[knightrider922]

This kind of size truck does not have sufficient wheel base to haul ANY kind of horse trailer ANY kind of distance. Even in short distances, you risk turning the trailer. I’ve seen trailers being pulled by trucks this size take BOTH the trailer and truck on its side with one whole side of the truck and trailer in the air. they were really lucky the whole thing did not capsize.

DONT haul with this.

[Jim_in_PA]

I somewhat disagree with the previous poster…a Euro trailer which is designed for hauling with more modest vehicles is fine. Many thousands of people in other parts of the world can’t be wrong about that. But Euro trailers carry a hefty price tag…

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=OuttaShape;8747080]
As a space-constrained city dweller (barn is 45 min away), I ended up with the frontier and a euro-trailer. I like it, and needed the smallest possible truck (length and width-wise, since it’s all parallel parking in my neighborhood) that could tow. I only put 1 horse in my super light 2 horse trailer - I don’t think I’d trust it to have enough power for 2 over the hills in my area. I’m really enjoying it, but honestly, I don’t think it’s saving too much gas over a F150 or other full size truck. I’m averaging 15mpg combined (city commute, drive to barn, weekend towing of ~200 mi round trip).[/QUOTE]

I get better than this - 16.5 to 17 mpg - with my 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 with the 5.3L V8. Hauling with the trailer I get 12 mpg.

OP, if fuel mileage is a concern, don’t bother with a “smaller truck” because as you can see, they aren’t always better on fuel economy! At minimum, get a half ton…F-150, Sierra 1500, Silverado 1500, etc.

[The_Centaurian]

Ha! I have been researching trucks, and came to COTH with a horse-specific hauling question… And search returned my own thread!

I have definitely decided to go for a diesel. I’m looking at used Ram 2500’s (2013+) and new Chevy Colorado’s (2016), both diesel. These are the trucks I have been able to find… Open to others if I can afford and actually find them for sale!

My heart is more or less set on a stock-type 2h slant. Have not been able to find a smaller trailer in a gooseneck as I would like, so I’m counting on bumper pull. Not really sure what this weighs unloaded, 3k lbs? More?

What should I look for in the factory towing setup? Type of hitch? Tranny cooler? Axle ratio? What should I be asking the dealer/seller/mechanic about these trucks?

Are the towing specs on the diesel Colorado (7700 lbs) sufficient for towing 1-2 horses in flat country?

[TheHorseMutterer]

dons flame suit

I have an '08 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner (so the bigger body style & 6500# towing capacity) that ticks all the boxes you mention and has been reliable beyond my imagination. I got the short bed so I fit in downtown Atlanta parking spots in college and the crew cab so I can tote people and dogs easily, now it tows my two horse stock trailer for local things.

Is it great for towing? Hell no. Does it haul home just about anything I want? Hell yes! It has been the boat/motorcycle/car/utility trailer/horse trailer towing vehicle for my family for 8 years and I couldn’t be happier with it. Still drives nicely, has had probably one trip to the mechanic outside of routine maintenance and took to towing my trailer (once I added brakes to it) well enough to get me around town.

Now that I want to haul the horse (and likely a second) more, I’m considering trading it for a full size. But I sure would miss the convenience of being able to park up close at the grocery store when a spot is open.

[ISR]

My Nissan Frontier is my daily driver and my tow vehicle (with a european trailer). I comfortable haul my small WB everywhere, over mountains, long distances etc, and the only issue is forgetting that i’m hauling because it tows that well. It comfortably tows two horses as well, I just don’t often have a need for hauling two.

You will limit yourself with the type of trailer you can buy to tow with that truck, and the new european trailers are far more expensive than traditional two horse BP trailers. All that said, I have been really pleased with the truck but for towing and overall performance for commuting.

[ISR]

Here is a picture of my setup:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153048477673422&set=basw.Abr7n-9ezpOyJq9y6D1804yWSuw5GzBk8MKSye2lQliH8AGOY7rtiqOROEedinY8QtHWB56Tt-s8vxj0CcdySpg0SS3hn8yWWh7-cfA5w_SwAhSI_2iHw9CA4Xd2va6CIRoUSvb9CgwHy_6o_yoaHjYW.10151166499278422.10101565261310740.10151087100263422.10155251606320302.10102619034415990.10154521027735302.10152294528123422.10151601988998422.10153048477673422&type=1&opaqueCursor=AbpqG3u9guJr12529yKqwsJ_9HQVwFfp19u8aUBDUCc5wHB_oHZZNxudvLxGJGoBnKJXCRk_Zw1W_U7Ge0oYurvyVp8no4_WGvNv5HfSAKIhBfGIiPaigHv90BNrV7ri-Gnt_wk8rwNh_nYYhhIsWkj-7qVR4cY7whVqXJYzUcNyQBx0F47cHSsmjpOj67filBUVgq2kGOcIDA17weXTrRZ46YavBYupJp4iv9uq2wSHWS3VvcQBONaMFpzM0QqMqjrSavqZRArcgkORBz5m9kK0Faal-u1SFkPNNpLBydnN4j45wXVWoolv5dYfm7jDxve_tTQrGmjT_a33pfyWtMc7l1emH6W6ZkZM8jvWzPJCWmEt4t4pE9j8ICucZhQLZ1Rkd0lHyOzxVWXhdkP0hSLmvHZHLa4trd9kvBYkeCcBPg&theater

(additional pictures in the comments).

PS–Those Equi-treks seemed VERY poorly constructed

[KLB]

They are really popular for towing in Australia, but we don’t have access to the trucks like you do in the States. I do envy your trucks but could never afford the fuel for them here!

I don’t know if they are set up differently in the different countries but the Navara (your Frontier) is able to legally tow 3T here (6,613 lbs). I have had mine for 10 years and towed everywhere and it has never skipped a beat.

[specifiedcupcake]

I think the Nissan is rated for up to 3500 kgs, so should be fine. I drive one now (well, it’s a Navara, so basically the same thing), get 32 mpg when not towing, pretty happy with it. I miss my old truck though!

In the US I had a Ram 1500 Ecodiesel I was super happy with. Had all the bells and whistles- camera, chrome, heated seats, media package, etc. In fact, it was only a year old when I sold it for $20k… Could have sold it to you! It towed up to 10k lbs, and still got 19 mpg while it worked. 30 mpg highway, and other than a bad battery (I bought it new and then it wouldn’t start about two weeks later, was just the battery though) had no issues. Ran like a beast.

[The_Centaurian]

quote
I think the Nissan is rated for up to 3500 kgs, so should be fine. I drive one now (well, it’s a Navara, so basically the same thing), get 32 mpg when not towing, pretty happy with it. I miss my old truck though!

In the US I had a Ram 1500 Ecodiesel I was super happy with. Had all the bells and whistles- camera, chrome, heated seats, media package, etc. In fact, it was only a year old when I sold it for $20k… Could have sold it to you! It towed up to 10k lbs, and still got 19 mpg while it worked. 30 mpg highway, and other than a bad battery (I bought it new and then it wouldn’t start about two weeks later, was just the battery though) had no issues. Ran like a beast.
/quote

I want that Ecodiesel!

Chevy heard my plea for a medium-sized tow vehicle, and came out with a diesel Colorado in 2016. This truck, new, is selling for less than the used full-size trucks. Comes with tow package, 7700 lbs tow capacity, integrated trailer brakes and wiring. Does anyone have one?

Would need to install a gooseneck hitch for the dreamy perfect extra-tall trailer I also found…

Because who wants to stop at hauling hay and shavings when you could be hauling all the things

[Jim_in_PA]

I’ve seen a video ad for the Holden truck which is basically the Chevy Colorado in the Australia region. It coincidently involved horses…