opinions on TOYOTA TUNDRA for my towing needs

[Lynkage]

As far as what I tow.....
First my kubota is large. Almost 8000lbs. 24' gooseneck 14,000lb trailer weighs 4000lbs. That right there 12,000lbs. RV is 8000lbs. Dump trailer is 3000lbs unloaded. it can carry 12,500 total. Powerwasher w/full tank of water is 6000lbs. That is some of what I do with my f350

 

[RobertN]

Basically I can haul whatever I feel I need to. Unlike with a 1/2 ton where I have to worry about how overloading it. We took my truck on vacation last year for two weeks and drove over 5000 miles. I did not get tired like I usually do driving that fun and it was extremely comfortable.

We have the 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton, so I get to choose . My RAM2500 rides really good for a 3/4 ton, especially compared to older 3/4 tons. I find it a very comfortable truck to ride in. It is not, though, as smooth as the 1/2 ton. I hate to be undertrucked, which is why I have the 3/4 ton. But, not everyone needs them.

 

[gemini5362]

We have the 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton, so I get to choose . My RAM2500 rides really good for a 3/4 ton, especially compared to older 3/4 tons. I find it a very comfortable truck to ride in. It is not, though, as smooth as the 1/2 ton. I hate to be uvery comfndertrucked, which is why I have the 3/4 ton. But, not everyone needs them.

Robert I agree not everyone needs to have a big tuck. My 3/4 ton rides very well and I really enjoy driving it on trips. My wife just bought a new ACCURA TL. It is very compfortable also and we will probably take it on trips more than the truck just because of the difference in fuel prices and mileage. The original post was about needing a truck to haul something with. I believe that most of the posters on here are pointing out that the tundra is a very high priced vehicle, the fuel mileage does not seem to be that great. You can buy a 3/4 ton diesel and get better fuel mileage and A vehicle that has a much higher towing capacity, for not all that much difference in money.

 

[Northland]

Robert, I like your logic. I no longer need a monster tow vehicle. I often wonder what everyone here is towing anyway but thats another story. In my opinion, whoever comes out with a nice 1/2 ton type truck that is well built with a robust but not ego bragging diesel that gets supreme mpg will win my money. I don't need or desire 400 HP and 700 lbs of torque, give me 30 mpg and decent tow and payload and I'm signing up for the long list of would be customers. No doubt you will have a winner with that configuration. Right now I think Toyota has just such a combination but our lovely politicians don't think this is what we want so they are not yet allowed. With 15 ppm ULSD diesel here in California, I hope that will change. I want one and will drive my daily repair or fix until one comes out. I don't tow much and I don't want to. RaT....

That's exactly what I want and need as well. I have a 2005 Tacoma 4x4 that I like a lot (except the 6 sp manual trannie-too much rowing & no limited slip diff) but my next truck will be diesel.

Apparently Dodge is bringing out a bluetec diesel in their 1500 series trucks by 2009 that will meet CA emission standards. That may be my next truck

 

[BAGTIC]

Buy a GM or Ford. And once GM buys Chrysler add Dodge to the list. Toyota and Datsun trucks are just un-American.

So is all that imported fuel you pump into them so they will run.

 

[gemini5362]

So is all that imported fuel you pump into them so they will run.

Very good point

 

[_RaT_]

Originally Posted by Hard
Buy a GM or Ford. And once GM buys Chrysler add Dodge to the list. Toyota and Datsun trucks are just un-American.


So we should just buy American to be more American. If the American product has what the buyer determines is not appropriate or has lesser value we should "do" the American thing anyway? I don't call that being more American, I call that being stupid.

 

[Bob_Young]

Coming into this late, but the remarks about a 1/2 ton with a small diesel brings up a nagging question.

What was so wrong with the 12-valve Cummins diesels Dodge was putting in their 2500s in the mid 90's? They may have had only 190HP and 400ft. lbs. of torque, but they are great for towing. Not only that, but with stick shift and 3.55 gears they'd easily get 24-25mpg empty and 16-18mpg towing. That seems ideal for towing a 10K tagalong...it's plenty for me, I know. I realize the Dodge auto trannys weren't so hot, but mine is stick and would be anyway.

From what I've seen the Dodge Cummins is now all about huge HP, stupendous torque, poor mileage and auto trannys that still can't take the heat. I don't think you can get a new CTD with simply "enough" power and "enough" torque plus good mileage any longer. What caused this? I don't think it can be blamed on emissions regs. Was it the Ego Market effect? Did we throw out perfectly good, economical tow vehicles in the name of bragging rights?

In any case, why can't they market a 'detuned' version for the guy towing 10K and under who would like a 3/4 ton with good mileage and doesn't care about lighting up the tires?
Would like to know.
Bob

 

[jwstewar]

I don't know about it capabilities, but I've seen a couple of these on the dealer's lot. Man are those things ever butt ugly. I don't think I could ever own one (besides the fact I don't like Toyota) but I think I would puke every time I looked at it.

 

[Asymtave]

You're right about the Bragging Rights, Bob. The auto manufacturers are leaning on the diesel motor suppliers to constantly up their HP ratings. The scary thing is that with a modern motor, it's doable 100% with the software. More fuel and more turbo boost are as simple as plugging in a laptop.

There was rumor (maybe discussed here in a different thread) that Ford had been increasing the HP of the 6.0 PSD without Navistar approval, after the motors left Navistar. I have not seen any real documentation on this however. Some say that this was really what was behind the fight between Ford/Navistar.

As far as a de-tuned modern motor: Should be totally do-able the same way the power can be increased. In theory, better mileage, longer life of just about everything, etc. Of course, it will still void your warranty, won't be emmisions certified, or may cause other unforeseen problems.

As far as the OEM's selling the trucks this way - never gonna happen. Gotta keep the HP wars going you know.....