Kahuna said:
I have a new 2007 Tundra Double Can version. It is rated to pull 10,300 and that is the trailer only not including the truck weight. I pull a 30 foot goose neck trailer that is 6000 lbs empty, my trailer gross weight is actually in the 11,000 plus category. I traded in a 2004 F250 crew cab with the 5.4 gas. This Toyota will run circles around the F250. I am talking gas engines here. If my Ford would have had the diesel I probably would have kept it.
Don't say too much bad about the Tundra until you have owned one. I feel there is absolutely no comparison to any other half ton and I have had Ford's and Chevy's in the past. I look at the Tundra as being somewhere between a half and a three quarter ton. It only needs heavier tires and a little more spring. The brakes, rear end, transmission and engine are there now.
If you are towing that much weight on a regular basis please let us know after 30,000 to 50,000 miles how it is doing.
The frame is no where near any 3/4 ton and from the hands on comparisons that I have done it is not all that impressive.
Yes, it has a large ring gear but still uses a semi-floating rear axle instead of a full floating rear axle.
The transmission has not proven itself over time (inc. heavy use). It has proven to have problems duing the initial release (supposedly fixed).
Yes, performance is rather impressive, but at a cost of fuel economy. (There have been cam issues, but claimed to now be fixed). They had an opportunity to get some incredible fuel economy ratings but came up short even when equipped with a 6 speed tranny. (GM does better with 4sp.) Using a high axle ratio (4.33 or 4.51 not in the mood to look it up right now) gives great acceleration but kills fuel economy.
Comparing the Toy 5.7 to a Ford 5.4 is a bad comparison. Yes, Ford should have kept a 351 then we could have a real comparison. At the same time I would not compare the Ford V10 to the Toy V8.
Also, please be careful with the tailgate. It has got to be the lightest tailgate that I have ever seen. Who in their right mind would put an almost full width access panel across the inside. It effectively removes all strenght from the top (back) edge of the gate when it is in the down position. If you don't have a bed liner have somebody walk across the gate (200# person) and watch it flex.
If you are like the average person who buys a 1/2 ton truck as a daily driver and tows a few times a year then this post will not apply to you. You bought a decent truck, are sending profits to Japan, and contributing to reason that US companies are laying people off.
If you do use it as a truck to tow that much weight, I wish you the best of luck, but please let the rest of us know when and where you are towing so we can stay away from that area. (That applies to anybody using a 1/2 ton to tow that much weight.)
Kurt
odge 3/4 & 1 tons are assembled in Mexico and have been since about 2000 give or take a year.
