-September 2024 Special Lease Deals-

2024 Chevy Blazer EV lease from Bayway Auto Group Click here

2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee lease from Mark Dodge Click here

2025 Ram 1500 Factory Order Discounts from Mark Dodge Click here

Towing w/ a Tundra

moeman1moeman1 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Toyota
I am considering buying a Tundra and intend to tow
a camper. I would like to hear from those owners
both pro and con on the performance of this truck
especially since Toyota has the truck's towing
rated @ 7200 lbs.
«1

Comments

  • markbuckmarkbuck Member Posts: 1,021
    Usually means "slide in camper", assume you mean travel trailer.

    I tow a 5,000 lb trailer with my '99 1/2 ton and feel the truck is too light. The 4.8L motor in my Silverado is plenty, but the suspension, truck weight, and handling ends up feeling like the tail wagging the dog in windy conditions at 75mph on the interstate particulary when the bed is full of dirtbikes even when using an equalizer hitch.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ..get a real full size truck...aka Chevy/Ford.

    - Tim
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    Motor Trend just added a Tundra to its long term (1 year) test fleet. One of the editors has a travel trailer and he will be using the Tundra to pull it. I would guess the next issue will have an update on how well the Tundra did when put to the towing test. Last month Motor Trend finished their long term test of the Silverado - great rating for towing travel trailers, boats other cars.
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    If ya goin work that truck get ya a full size big3 one. If reachin for the fad, that tundra will do ya just fine now. Good luck on this one now!
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Buy one of the Big 3 trucks...and it comes with a free Tundra in the back for the kids to play with!

    - Tim
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Does that free tundra come with them ginzus? I be needin a set of them ones quick now. Good luck on this one now!
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ask a toiletta owner

    used to

    -Tim
  • dogsterdogster Member Posts: 94
    I tow with a 4700 lb. boat, 460 lbs. tongue weight with my Tundra and it does great. If it's anything like my old T100 it will never break or overheat either. My Tundra also came with the optional tow strap - for my friends Chevys and Fords when they break or overheat on those 6% interstate hills. Why buy trouble? Toyota reliability made the difference for me between the Tundra and the F150/SD250.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    The tundra replaces a SD250...

    I must laugh on that one...

    http://www.teleweb.net/mgdvhman/Tube.wav

    - Tim
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Comparin a tundra with a SD250? This got too be the knee slapper for sure. Guessin ya had the hard time comparin that hunydai too that BMW too? Good luck with that hunydai now. Good luck on this one now!
  • dogsterdogster Member Posts: 94
    Yeah, I really liked the SD250 but it sucks gas/the diesel version is way too loud and my wife hates the smell. My friend with a SD250 gets about 8 mpg around town. I get 14. I also can't park a SD250 in a downtown LA garage - too big. So until I buy the Queen Mary to tow around, my Tundra does just fine and is more comfortable and quiet too. The F150 5.4 short block failures convinced me. Sure they extended the warranty to 100,000 miles but I expect to get at least 200,000 from the factory motor on my Tundra.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ..You keep telling yourself that......Maybe someday even you will believe it?

    - Tim
  • barlitzbarlitz Member Posts: 752
    Where did you hear of the 5.4 failures.And where did you get your info on the 100000 mile warranty?I have a 5.4 and have had no problems.
  • barlitzbarlitz Member Posts: 752
    Another thing Ford will have a V6 deisel in 2003 available for the F150.I'm sure Chevy will have one to eventually along with Dodge.
  • egbakeregbaker Member Posts: 13
    I fully agree with Dogster, my T100(55,000 miles so far) tows my compact diesel loader/trailer(@ 4200 pounds) without a whimper. How ever I do have to drop the V6 down a little on hills(so the V8 would be my future choice).
    The only complaint is the truck is so tight that any trailer movement is constantly fed back, which is really a good thing.
    The T100 runs cool as a cucumber and has never failed on the road, or off.
    I have not added suspension mods but the manual indicates putting an anti-sway bar on the back. I suspect that would improve the side to side a little.
    Toyota makes a bullet proof truck and no amount of attempted misinformation(from Big 3 owners that seem intent on using the Tundra web site to vent their well founded fears) will change that.
    Good luck and wise choice.
  • markbuckmarkbuck Member Posts: 1,021
    The poor guy just wants some info on towing, an yawl turn it in to a import/domestic name fest.

    I'm beginning to remember why I took a couple of months off of this board....
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Go over too that tundra solutions website too hear the truth on them "bullet proof" trucks now. Folks be losin engines, trannies, paint be flakin off em, doors popin open, ect.... This what ya be meanin by "bullet proof" now? Good luck on this one now!
  • dogsterdogster Member Posts: 94
    The 5.4 was on the national news recently. Ford extended the warranty on some of the 5.4s to 100,000 miles due to what I believe, was what I heard about last Fall - short block failures. My GT Mustang was extremely reliable until it hit 70,00 miles. Now at 120,000 it needs a rebuild. Extremely disappointing. As far as towing with the Tundra, it handles my 47000 lb. boat fine, as did my T100. It just has a lot more power than my T100 did, although I never dropped below 45 mph up the steepest grades. My T100 never as much as hiccuped on the 330 mile LA to Vegas/Lake Meade runs, up 6 and 7% freeway grades, in 120 degree + heat, with the AC on. I just had to shift the trans a lot on hills to keep in peak torque. That's why I bought another Toyota. The Tundra should do just as well in the reliablity and walk easily up the hills with my boat, which out here, are actually mountains. By the way, I have 460 lbs. of tonque weight and the T100 was rock solid on the road.
  • egbakeregbaker Member Posts: 13
    I am not saying anything about my T100 that is not the absolute truth. Except for one warrantee problem(which Toyota acknowledged and was quickly fixed - without a hitch) The 4WD truck has run flawlessly for 5 yr/55,000 miles(oh yes, the dome light burned out once).

    I run all synthetic lubes(Amsoil 5W-30) engine, manual tranny, diffs and grease for the U-joints. I'm sure that helps but not with everything.

    I would visit this board more often, these boards are handy, but I get very tired of the big 3 crap, It takes all kinds.
  • tundradudetundradude Member Posts: 588
    I just got back from the beach. I have a 20 foot camping trailer. It weighs in around 4000 pounds. I really have no idea it really weighs, but this is a good estimate, because I know its max GVWR. I have the V6. I averaged 12 while towing it. I use a class IV hitch with the special drop hitch (because the tundra is so high off the ground) and I have the 7 plug wiring harness. My hitch is rated at 10,000 even though my truck can only do 5250. The V8 would just be better if you had more weight to pull up till 7700. Its all about priorities. How much weight to pull without buying too much truck to do the job!
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    "too much truck"....when it comes to towing.

    ...Course in a Toy...it ain't possible anyway.

    - Tim
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Ya aint got too much truck with that tundra, thats for sure, but ya do have one problem now, ya got too much hitch for that limited one. Good luck on this one now!
  • tundradudetundradude Member Posts: 588
    Jealousy will not get you anywhere in life!
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    soon find a Tundra won't get you very farr in life either..

    Don't you have an Ocean to swim and go be with the ones you really love?

    - Tim
  • tundradudetundradude Member Posts: 588
    You are just as jealous as Rubletoo Jr.

    A non-believer like you just pollutes the edmunds site.

    Something happened to you in the Ocean and it never went away!
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ..anytime you want to put the tundra against my Silverado....just lemme know..

    maybe at the truck bash?

    - Tim
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Rubluetoo be my Grand-Uncle now. He tells of puttin the 52 up against that limited one ya got, what say on this? I be thinkin that 52 will snap ya back quick now. Good luck on this one now!
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    We need some truck pulls at that bash now. Like too see them tundras goin up against the big3, gettin snapped back quick for sure. Wonder if any of them ones be showin, and goin for a pull now? Kinda seems unfair, pullin them littler ones against a "full size" one now. Good luck on this one now!
  • tundradudetundradude Member Posts: 588
    Only if it was a fair comparison.

    If you have a Silverado with a 5.3 V8 for example, it is not a fair comparsion.

    A fair comparison would be equal towing capacity.

    I really could care less which Silverado you have. I will not bother to put your truck down and you should do likewise.

    If I had a 9000 pound trailer, I would buy have to get a 3/4 Ford or Chevrolet. I do not like Dodges for any reason.

    There is no reason to buy a $25,000 truck (any brand) for what my $16,000 Tundra will do quite easily towing what I have.
  • tundradudetundradude Member Posts: 588
    I no have limited. I have base. You know lowest price model.
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Them 1/2 Chevrolets be rated to pull 9600, it would pull that 9000 pounder without havin too move on up too that 3/4 tonner now. That 52 got a 6, and it be a base model now. Be thinkin it will snap back any limited one. What say too this one? We be usin that 52 as a tanker now, it hauls that tank about the farm, no troubles. Good luck on this one now!
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    I like and agree with Tundra dude's post #29 (other than how did you get a tundra for only 16K).

    i just had to comment that its funny how there are 3 or 4 Tundra owners screaming superiority until someone like Tim says 'step up to the plate'. Where are they at, Tim??
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    stuck in the tread of my tire this morning??

    - Tim
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Got me a few tundras stuck in grill and on that bumper now, anybody know where I can get me some "tundra off" to rub em out? Heard tell if ya dont get em off quick they leave a mark now! Good luck on this one now!
  • tundradudetundradude Member Posts: 588
    They are rare finds to find the base model Tundra. I just got lucky. I bought mine last July. They are bargins. They are in limited production because the V8 extended cabs are produced the most.

    I wish that Toyota would not produce the Sequoia and produce a Heavy Duty version of the Tundra on its limited production line.
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    When ya say "Heavy Duty version of tundra", ya meanin a "full size" one now? Good luck on this one now!
  • dogsterdogster Member Posts: 94
    Let's see how reliable that 6 liter is. If you wonder about Toyota reliability, check the DOT web site for recalls and campaigns/complaints on Toyota. Then check Chevrolet. Good luck on this one now! I'll take my Toyota (as I did after I drove a Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge) any and everyday. The big 3 look good in the brochures but ownership and reliability is a different matter. I should know. I've owned all three makes.
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Them big3 ones cant be too bad now, as provin by the whippin that tundra be takin in sales:

    #1 Ford F series
    #2 Chevy Silverado
    #3 Dodge ram
    #4 Ford Ranger
    #5 Chevy S10
    #6 GMC Sierra
    #7 Dodge Dakota
    #8 Tacoma
    #9 Frontier
    #10 Tundra

    Looks like that tundra be goin the way of them t100 ones. Best tradeup quick, the truth be gettin out faster now. Good luck on this one now!
  • quark99quark99 Member Posts: 136
    My 1996 Ranger (tow capacity-ooops!-6000 lbs)
    had NO trouble maintaining 60-65 mph up a 7% grade....with a 4600# boat and trailer....
    Did I mention the thermostat was plugged, the water temp was pegged at HOT, and still no whimper, pinging, or any problem whatsover?
    Granted, I wouldn't have continued, but 90 miles from home left me with no choice.....so all the way back with the temperature gauge pegged, 95 degrees outside, and 3000 ft in elevation to climb. Got home. Checked compression. 100% OK.
    Changed oil. Nothing strange about that, either.
    Changed out thermostat. ($2.75 at local Napa) 10 minute job.
    It's all about power-to-weight ratio. The Tundra's motor is an excellent piece of engineering. However, given the weight of the truck, it doesn't generate enough torque to rival a full-size (big 3) vehicle, nor is it stable enough to safely pull it's rating. trust me on this, the Ranger was at it's safety limit, although I was 1200# under the tow rating.
    Why doesn't someone hook up a 4500# boat to a Tundra, plug the thermostat, and see how far on FLAT GROUND it can go....about a mile?
    Sorry, I'll take tried and true ruggedness over some marketing guru's idea of a "90's" truck...
    You know, a Celica or Camry will run for 500,000 miles, time after time.
    In fact, I'll bet every Toyota out there will last much longer than your average person's willingness to drive it.
  • quark99quark99 Member Posts: 136
    My 1996 Ranger (tow capacity-ooops!-6000 lbs)
    had NO trouble maintaining 60-65 mph up a 7% grade....with a 4600# boat and trailer....
    Did I mention the thermostat was plugged, the water temp was pegged at HOT, and still no whimper, pinging, or any problem whatsover?
    Granted, I wouldn't have continued, but 90 miles from home left me with no choice.....so all the way back with the temperature gauge pegged, 95 degrees outside, and 3000 ft in elevation to climb. Got home. Checked compression. 100% OK.
    Changed oil. Nothing strange about that, either.
    Changed out thermostat. ($2.75 at local Napa) 10 minute job.
    It's all about power-to-weight ratio. The Tundra's motor is an excellent piece of engineering. However, given the weight of the truck, it doesn't generate enough torque to rival a full-size (big 3) vehicle, nor is it stable enough to safely pull it's rating. trust me on this, the Ranger was at it's safety limit, although I was 1200# under the tow rating.
    Why doesn't someone hook up a 4500# boat to a Tundra, plug the thermostat, and see how far on FLAT GROUND it can go....about a mile?
    Sorry, I'll take tried and true ruggedness over some marketing guru's idea of a "90's" truck...
    You know, a Celica or Camry will run for 500,000 miles, time after time.
    In fact, I'll bet every Toyota out there will last much longer than your average person's willingness to drive it.
  • tundradudetundradude Member Posts: 588
    Uh yea!

    You contradicted yourself a few times back there.
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    They run great till them head-gaskets pop at 60k or that body and frame rust up at 75k, after that just haul em off, they be good for that scrap by then. The yuppie, already bored with that new one, had done long traded it anyways. Course he be swearin up and down how great they be, cuz that yuppie never be buyin nothin that aint the best now! Seen this time and again, cant be learnin that yuppie nothin no ways. Good luck on this one now!
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    You got a real bad case of Tundra envy. It is clouding what little brain power you have. It is sickening to see you constantly whining and crying in these newsgroups because you didn't have enough sense to buy a Tundra. You need to buck up and act like a man. I know that it must be difficult for you.

    Here is some numbers that may interest you: I got
    these numbers from www.carpoint.com:

    My "mini-size" pickup will actually haul more
    than the Silverado: The Tundra Access cab V8 4WD
    hauls 1680 lbs. and the Silverado extended cab V8
    4WD short bed is only rated for 1603 lbs. Seems
    like so-called "full-size" will not haul as much.
    What does this make the Silverado - "micro-size"?

    Those Silverados should be good for hauling a
    couple bags of groceries or in trucksrus' case a
    couple of cartons of cigarettes. It is too bad
    Chevy decided to make such a wimpy truck. Not much competition for Toyota. Better luck next time!
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Tundra = Tacoma parts from down undra!
  • quark99quark99 Member Posts: 136
    Contradicted myself..huh? I like the Tundra, but who the heck can afford one? (besides the .com crowd...) Anyone who knows anything about the Rubicon trail KNOWS Toyota trucks/4-runners prevail...so if we're talking ruggedness and ability, perhaps the Tundra's Toyota heritage will prove it to be a tough truck. But there are downsides to owning imported vehicles:
    1) Repair costs are astronomical
    2) Vehicle prices are high
    3) Crash ratings are predominately low
    Consider these opinions*
    1) Who makes the most technologically advanced vehicles? Germany.
    1) Who makes the fastest vehicles? Italy.
    2) Who makes the safest vehicles? Germany/Sweden.
    3) Which truckmaker's product is used the most in commercial applications? Ford.
    4) Who makes the "prettiest" vehicles (this is purely based on broadest appeal) Daimler-Chrysler
    5) Which automaker's product is the choice of consumers who need excessive tow capability? Toss-up between Ford and GM.
    6) Which automaker's vehicles are bought purely for ego or prestige. Think Land Cruiser, Hummer, Silverado, Suburban, Navigator, Explorer, etc., etc., and yes, the Tundra belongs in this group.
    My observation is that although the Japanese carmakers (perhaps with the exception of Nissan-Datsun) exhibit great feats of technological prowess, they have rarely actually CREATED a new technology. Their strategy always seems to be to take an idea and improve upon it.
    Rarely do we hear of "groundbreaking achievements" coming from the little Pacific island. Not in medicine, science, music, the arts, mathematics, or even automotive stuff. Brilliance in automative technology always seem to come from Europe or the good ole' USA. Along the way, we (the USA) have made some pretty poor products, such as the Pacer, the DeLorean, etc. But don't count us out when it comes to pushing the envelope....we've always been there. If you're of a different mind, solely under the impression that Toyota's vision is superior, well then good luck on that one!
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Since them facts dont seem too be workin, and ya keep strechin and twistin them truths, use ya eyes on them limited ones. Why ya think that factory name it "Da Runt" now? They be tellin folks who be smart enough, too stay away from em now! The yuppie who be reachin for the fad, dont take the time too figure these things out, and now they be the ones regrettin they got em "Da Runt". How much haul ya expectin in one name "Da Runt" anyways? This just be the way it is. Good luck on this one now!
  • tundradudetundradude Member Posts: 588
    In my opinion that award would go to Volkswagon and Ford overall. However, the Japanese brands have come up with the hybird technology. The Germans are responsible for our technology today such as air bags and ABS. It all depends on the market of a particular country. Germans drive fast, they need saftey. Japanese and Europeans so they need good fuel saving cars. As Americans, we have combined these into our market. Unfortunately, we do miss some of these cool cars from Europe and Japan. Some examples are the Subaru Impreza WRX or the Lotus Elise.
  • dogsterdogster Member Posts: 94
    LOL. I just did some calculations. The 6.0 GM trucksrme brags about puts out 300 hp and 355 ft. lbs. of torque. That's .829 hp per cubic inch and .980 ft. lbs. of torque per cubic inch. On the other hand, the DOHC 32 valve 4.7 Toyota puts out 245 hp and 315 pounds of torque. That's .863 hp per cubic inch and a whopping 1.109 ft. lbs. of torque. So the Tundra 4.7 actually beats the GM 6.0 in hp and torque per cubic inch! Gee, that means the Tundra, which trucksrme says is lighter than the domestics MUST have a better power to weight ratio. Which means THE TOYOTA must "haul" better than the GM - it's got more power and it weighs a little less too! Somebody must be smart in Japan because the Toyota is way more efficient. Efficiency = Smart. Maybe the Japanese are innovative after all. Good luck on this one now!
  • quark99quark99 Member Posts: 136
    Using your calculations/methodology
    1999 Neon R/T-2600 lbs
    2.0l motor (120 cubic inches)
    HP=150
    Torque 131
    hmmmm...1.25 hp per cubic inch
    hmmmm...1.08 torque per cubic inch
    What's the bottom line?...the Neon is "more technologically advanced" than the Tundra, in fact, it's about 33% more efficient in horsepower, and marginally less efficient in torque...geez, the Toyota's "new millenium technology" is almost as good as what DC offered in their entry-level vehicles in 1996...quite an accomplishment!
    My 2000 Dakota QC is rated at 235 HP, 295 torque, and it's lighter, faster, and handles as well as the Tundra...for $8,000 less...so where's the value?
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    for Dodge that is..
This discussion has been closed.