Tundra vs. Chevy

[sdef]

I thought, in general, you weren't supposed to tow a load until you get around 1k miles on a new truck.

Hopefully these dealers are letting you tow with demo's and not brand spanking new trucks.

Another reason I always order. You have no idea how the miles are put on a new one on the lot.

+1. I will order my truck built for me. There are none in stock from any OEM with the exact options I will be paying for. It is amazing how few trucks are in stock with the Max Towing and the Max Payload options.

remman2505: Please post your findings.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I wouldn't do a thing till Nissan drops the New Titan. I had a 08 and it was the best anything I have owned. That Cummins diesel and a Aisin transmission will make it a game changer and the 1st half ton with a serIous diesel.

Chris

 

[sdef]

I wouldn't do a thing till Nissan drops the New Titan. I had a 08 and it was the best anything I have owned. That Cummins diesel and a Aisin transmission will make it a game changer and the 1st half ton with a serIous diesel.

Chris

Agreed. Rumor has it it will only be rated for 10k towing; but I just can't see that with the current market forces and competition unless they will follow a similar path as the new Dodge 1/2 ton Ecodiesel. Supposedly Toyota is working on a similar project so that should ratchet up the abilities of the Nissan offering.

 

[Eric102]

My 2007 Tundra with about a 9000lb load. No equalizer or sway bars and it tows like a dream, much better than the F250 diesel it replaced.

 

[s219]

I like the idea of trying them both out pulling my tractor...only problem is most half tons don't come with a gooseneck hitch on them so that won't work....most I would ever be pulling with it is 8000# if it's anymore than that I'll use my Duramax

Ok, for a max of 8000# you could definitely get by with the 5.3L V8 on a Chevy/GMC. With 3.42 gears it tows about 9,500#, and with 3.73 about 11,000#. And there rest of the time when you're not towing you will see really good gas mileage.

The most I have towed with my 5.3L V8 3.42 is 7,000# (capacity of my trailer) and it does that without much effort. The one thing to be aware of on the GMs is that they have calibrated the accelerator pedal (drive by wire) to encourage fuel economy, so the initial pedal travel doesn't do much (which is fine for highway driving). I got used to it within a couple days and know how to step on it to get into the power right away if wanted. Putting the transmission into tow mode overrides some of the nanny behavior too, and will raise shift points.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Agreed. Rumor has it it will only be rated for 10k towing; but I just can't see that with the current market forces and competition unless they will follow a similar path as the new Dodge 1/2 ton Ecodiesel. Supposedly Toyota is working on a similar project so that should ratchet up the abilities of the Nissan offering.

I'm reading 12,000# on the low end and upto 14,000# on the high end. This makes sence. Going any less would kill the Camper market.

Chris

 

[sdef]

I'm reading 12,000# on the low end and upto 14,000# on the high end. This makes sence. Going any less would kill the Camper market.

Chris

I hope so but do not expect anything much greater than 12.5k in a 1/2 ton chassis. Nissan is advertising they have tested it at > 5 tons, whatever that means. If they sell this with a better than gasoline Ford and GM tow rating (12k or >) and the price is "reasonable", I might end up with one sitting in my driveway. But expect the diesel pricing to be more than I am willing to pay for my limited heavy duty towing.

 

[JKR]

I would get the Tundra as long as you are towing 10,000 lbs or under. Make sure your trailer has electric brakes.
If you are over 10,000 lbs then look at the Ford or Chevy 3/4 ton trucks and maybe a diesel options.
I also agree have the dealer take the truck to you house an tow your trailer. You will tell what one works best.

 

[tcartwri]

I can pretty much guarantee you the Nissan diesel is going to be north of $50K for even the base model.

 

[sdef]

I can pretty much guarantee you the Nissan diesel is going to be north of $50K for even the base model.

I think the economics of a heavy duty 1/2 ton with a diesel for towing, say a 12k - 13k load is not there for a 1/2 ton of this price. Not to mention a 13k load may be a handful for a truck of this weight.

The sticker price of a diesel Chevy 2500 DC LT 4 x 4 is ~ $52k and has far greater towing and carrying capacity than 1/2 tons and the proven higher HP and far more torque of its Duramax, not to mention it will handle a 12.5k# load FAR better than a 1/2 ton truck due to its design. One of my Chevy dealers had a couple fairly loaded 2500 diesels for $62k.

I believe at the 1/2 ton truck level, Dodge has it right with its 1500 SLT QC 4x4 diesel at $42k that has a sticker of 28 MPG and 9200# max. towing which would suffice for many folks' towing and carrying needs. I recently read Dodge is selling 1 in 5 trucks (1/2T and 3/4T combined) with the Ecodiesel in the 1/2 ton.

Ram EcoDiesel - Fuel Economy, Power & Efficiency - Ram Trucks