I turned around in Dedeckera in my Tacoma, but I was playing it safe. I have Firestone Ride-Rite air bags on my Tacoma and they were great and were easy to install, cost about $230 I think. I did not get the automatic air system, I just fill the bags with a bike pump, very easy/simple/cheap. I like how you can fill them to whatever PSI you want, so when you are not carrying a load, things are not so stiff.
A few of my thoughts:
-If this truck will be your daily driver, the smaller trucks are easier.
-Smaller trucks/campers are going to, in general, be more capable off road.
-I have heard the the Frontier has the same frame as the Titan, don't know for sure.
-First generation Tacomas (late '90s to '04) have a weakeness in the frame that a long camper could stress.
http://www.cbioffroadfab.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=27_28&products_id=98
-First generation Tacomas can have frame rust issues and Toyota has replaced some frames. You would want to make sure you are buying one with a good frame, if you go that route.
-You can run a diesel on vegetable oil and biodiesel.
-I would put a pretty high emphasis on reliability, if you are going on long distance, back country trips.
Finally, I see commercials on TV for new Ranger 4x4 V6 for something like $18,000. Seems really cheap. I would imagine your money goes a long way in used Ranger. Just about every small truck review says the Tacoma is superior with the Frontier close behind and the rest are way back, something to keep in mind.
Let us know what you decide on.
Great advice, thank you everyone.
Thanks for the warnings about the Tacomas. My brother got a 2003 a couple years back with 58,000 miles, and it was only 10k. I can't find any with less than 100,000 miles in my price range. I'm thinking that I will run into this a lot with gassers, which is why I am still considering a diesel. Even if I got one with 200,000 miles, I'll probably still get more life out of it than if I bought a gasser with 100,000 miles.
Truth be told, I'd like to stay away from Toyota if possible. I know they make good stuff, but the dishonest way they dealt with their quality control issues was kind of a turn off for me. I'd like to give Nissan a shot, or even Mazda or Ford.
The main attraction I have right now to a smaller truck is that, like others have said, you can go into certain areas easier with a smaller, lighter truck. That canyon you guys mentioned would definitely be a fun place to try out my off roading skills. Getting a full size truck through there would be tough...
I'll keep doing my research and let you know what I decide.