opinions on TOYOTA TUNDRA for my towing needs

[JDGREEN4ME]

i have a 03 extend a cab and i tow my tc30 with a backhoe with no problem the only weakness i see with mine is a beefier rear suspension is needed. 50 k and no problems. i would buy another. the only problem with 07 models is the price they wont really budge on the price cause not many around yet. good luck

The nearest Toyota dealer to me will not budge off the price no matter how many they have on the lot or sold! Wife looking at RAV4s and they must of had forty of them on the lot and not much dealing. I do agree the resale and durability is a plus on everything Toyota sells. Currently I have a F250 that has treated me right, since owning a Ford is genetic in my family not sure I could show up with a Tundra!

 

[KAB]

It is not a 3/4 in dusguise. 5 bolt rims not atleast 8. Semi floating Axle instead of a full floating axle. Payload under 1500# instead of the 3000+ range. I did not look but I am guessing P rated tires.

I had not looked at the fine print on the commercial but a friend said that the commercial were they towed a load up the ramp and stopped on the other said the fine print indicated only towing 5000#.

Toyota has their Auto LSD (Automatic Limited Slip Differential) which is in all reality - Traction Control - Apply the bakes to the wheel spinning to see if power can be transferred to the other side. From what I here there is a warning in the owners manual that if the ALSD is used for to long that an alarm will sound and you should park your vehicle in a safe place. (PG 247?) (I would prefer either a real Limited Slip at a minimum and really prefer an auromatic locking rear diff.)

Larger Rotor but smaller sweep area. They also weigh more than some of the competition.

All in all. I hear they are a nice truck. Good marketing. They will be competition for the domestics. At this point in time the new GM's seem to be the favorite in the media. (which is a surprising statement.)

Kurt

 

[Z-Michigan]

The nearest Toyota dealer to me will not budge off the price no matter how many they have on the lot or sold! Wife looking at RAV4s and they must of had forty of them on the lot and not much dealing. I do agree the resale and durability is a plus on everything Toyota sells.

My local Toyota dealer - which is the only Toyota dealer in 60 miles - is absolutely terrible, just abysmally bad, I really could mine the thesaurus to describe how horrible they are. Their horrendous attitude and service are the main reason I don't own a Toyota now and haven't since I became able to buy new cars instead of used ones. My dad, who has owned a Tundra for about 6 years now, has had a range of mediocre and awful service from all the Toyota dealers he has dealt with - some in Las Vegas (when be bought the truck) and others in Colorado north of Denver. I realize this is only relevant in my area and my dad's area, but hear this: I was once on an airport bus with a guy holding a Toyota part in his hands, and I chatted him up and it turns out he was an engineer for the Toyota tech center in Ann Arbor. I mentioned to him that I thought the cars were good but the dealers awful, and without skipping a beat he said Toyota knows that lots of their dealers are bad, but has no motivation to change it as long as their cars keep selling. Something to think about.

 

[Hard]

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

How about that Honda commercial calling the Pilot and Element trucks...that's just too funny.

 

[jhr]

I own an 04 Tundra double cab, first year they were out. Four full doors and real back seat. Bought for similar reasons to your thinking. Needed to tow a boat and haul the family at the same time. I also wanted to minimize the number of vehicles to register/maintain. You will be parking way out in the parking lot. I don't mind the extra walk, it's good for me. I'd think about where you go with the ATV's. Parking a long truck with trailer, at the end of a trailhead in the woods, could be difficult at best. Gas mileage isn't great, but no worse than the other 4x4 gas engine trucks. Way better than the 87 K10 blazer I was using (still miss that beast though). It's been very comfortable on long trips. I see a lot of contractors driving them around here now as well.

Only issue has been a recall on the lower ball joints. Dealer took care of it, no problem. My version was based heavily on the Sequoia, so I was not that concerned with first year issues.

I looked at Ford, Dodge, and the Nissan Titan as well. I've owned new fullsize GM's, Driven Fords on a regular basis, and have a friend with a Dodge and a Ford. When I made my decision, I felt it was the best value for my dollar. After nearly 3 years and 36K miles I still think it was the right decision.

 

[RobertN]

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

How about that Honda commercial calling the Pilot and Element trucks...that's just too funny.

I would agree, except the "Big-3" build thier trucks in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Good chance a GM/Ford/Dodge could be built elsewhere(my 2500 was assembled in Mexico) while the Toyota is made here.

I'm really pro-US made, have never owned a Honda or Toyota, and have a hard time looking at those brands. But, they are made here. I have had and am a die hard Harley guy, but my buddies Kawasaki Vulcan was made here and has easily as many US made parts as my '84 FXRS.

That argument sounds good, but it aint the same since the markets have become so global. Not that I disagree, but...

Now the Honda "truck", well, you're right on with that

 

[Hard]

I know you are correct about the trucks GM and Ford build come from parts manufactured around the world and some models are built out of country which is very unfortunate. The only thing I can hang my hat on is at least the companies, GM and Ford, are based in the US. Personally, I know my GM truck was manufactured in Flint, MI. They're not all built in other countries...yet.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I know you are correct about the trucks GM and Ford build come from parts manufactured around the world and some models are built out of country which is very unfortunate. The only thing I can hang my hat on is at least the companies, GM and Ford, are based in the US. Personally, I know my GM truck was manufactured in Flint, MI. They're not all built in other countries...yet.

My 03 F-350 dually was built in Louisville Ky...Toyota was really smart to build this truck in Texas...That's gonna help sell a lot of those vehicles...Still though if you want a 3/4 or 1 ton you gotta stick with the GM, Ford, or Dodge...Those are my only alternatives at this point...

 

[escavader]

I know you are correct about the trucks GM and Ford build come from parts manufactured around the world and some models are built out of country which is very unfortunate. The only thing I can hang my hat on is at least the companies, GM and Ford, are based in the US. Personally, I know my GM truck was manufactured in Flint, MI. They're not all built in other countries...yet.

I have gave carefull thought to buying from an AMERICAN COMPANY".Whos to say all the stock share holders in these company are from the U.S ?Are we sure the money is actually staying in the US.? I really dont know the answer to these questions,does any one?The TUNDRA is made here,so it helps employ AMERICANS.At least TOYOTA is trying to make things here,the american auto makers keep building else where.
Heck ,i own a KUBOTA,its been one tough sob.So is anything by HONDA.YAMAHA,AND KAWASAKI,AND SUZUKI have good stuff.My SUBURU aint been all that bad.The japs know how to build good products.In the web site one of the fellows above gave me in this thread to check out ,they gave the tundra a 9.4 rating.Sounds pretty good to me,however im being open minded and exploring my options.
I checked out the TUNDRA briefly at a dealer the other day,and it looked like a quality made pick up.I got in my car and beat feet it when i see the sales man coming my way I dont deal until im sure what i want ,i usually do alot of research and beat the thing to death first
Ill admit the fords and DODGES LOOK NICE TOO!My 73 ford is still going strong
My sister in law who works for an insurance agent,told me yesterday TOYOTAS are cheaper to insure.Didnt know why though.Gonna have to check into this more.
ALAN

 

[RobertN]

I checked out the TUNDRA briefly at a dealer the other day,and it looked like a quality made pick up.I got in my car and beat feet it when i see the sales man coming my way I dont deal until im sure what i want ,i usually do alot of research and beat the thing to death first
ALAN

You saw the NEW Tundra? I have no plans to by another truck anytime soon(I expect 300k miles from mine). But, I'm curious about the newest Titans and Tundra's.