Tundra as a tow vehicle?
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From: Marietta, Georgia, USA
Tundra as a tow vehicle?
I know catch 22 had one.. not sure its current status
whats it like ? I am thinking 18 or20 foot trailer. Holding a DSR car. so 900lbs for the car..
whats the concensus?
whats it like ? I am thinking 18 or20 foot trailer. Holding a DSR car. so 900lbs for the car..
whats the concensus?
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From: Haymarket, VA, USA
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Want2race)
well, I towed my civic shell that I bought from uncle catch on a 18 foot trailer with my tundra from Atlanta to DC. no problem whatsoever. It towed fine.
It's a 2003 Tundra 4wd V8 with the towing package. I wouldn't tow an eclosed 24 foot trailer with it, but I think some people around here might...
It's a 2003 Tundra 4wd V8 with the towing package. I wouldn't tow an eclosed 24 foot trailer with it, but I think some people around here might...
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From: Durham, NC, USA
I tow my '00 Celica on a 16' deck open trailer (full steel deck) behind a '02 Tundra 4x4 (V8 of course). Total trailer weight is probably 4500 lbs or so. Sure I know it's there, and I run with overdrive off most of the time, but for my needs (mostly daily driving) it's been great as a 2nd car/tow vehicle.
So far at 19,000 miles (about 2000-3000 actual towing miles) it's been totally trouble free. Not a single service visit, just change the oil and lube the drive shaft periodically. I'll probably switch it to synthetic tranny fluid this summer.
Best gas milage has been 18-19 on a summer road trip (light load), and the worst has been about 11-12, towing up hill in the winter time.
Complaints?
1) Up hill if you drop below 70 mph you lose the power band and steadily slow untill a hard shift to 2nd gear. Keep it over 70 mph and it will tow up hill in 3rd (this is towing uphill from NC into VA/West VA on Hwy 77). I suspect a 4x2 (especially the little TRD sport package they have) would be slightly better because the tires are a bit smaller so the gearing is better.
2) The TRD 4x4 package I have is a bit soft. It rides great around town, but with a trailer and a full load in the bed the nose starts to get a little high (headlights blind people). I added some air helper springs to solve this (and it has solved the problem).
Scott
So far at 19,000 miles (about 2000-3000 actual towing miles) it's been totally trouble free. Not a single service visit, just change the oil and lube the drive shaft periodically. I'll probably switch it to synthetic tranny fluid this summer.
Best gas milage has been 18-19 on a summer road trip (light load), and the worst has been about 11-12, towing up hill in the winter time.
Complaints?
1) Up hill if you drop below 70 mph you lose the power band and steadily slow untill a hard shift to 2nd gear. Keep it over 70 mph and it will tow up hill in 3rd (this is towing uphill from NC into VA/West VA on Hwy 77). I suspect a 4x2 (especially the little TRD sport package they have) would be slightly better because the tires are a bit smaller so the gearing is better.
2) The TRD 4x4 package I have is a bit soft. It rides great around town, but with a trailer and a full load in the bed the nose starts to get a little high (headlights blind people). I added some air helper springs to solve this (and it has solved the problem).
Scott
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Want2race)
yes, you could. But, you could get a Silverado with a 5.3 v8 (285hp) for much cheaper.
when i was looking, similar year Tundras vs. Silverados were $3-$5K more, for lesser HP, lesser towing capacities, lesser.
when i was looking, similar year Tundras vs. Silverados were $3-$5K more, for lesser HP, lesser towing capacities, lesser.
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From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Driven)
Toyota vs GM. Pleeeaaasssseee! For 3-5k more you get a truck where the built quality, materials, and interior ergonomics don't require a barf bag.
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From: Marietta, Georgia, USA
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Driven)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Driven »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yes, you could. But, you could get a Silverado with a 5.3 v8 (285hp) for much cheaper.
when i was looking, similar year Tundras vs. Silverados were $3-$5K more, for lesser HP, lesser towing capacities, lesser.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
i thought about it for a brief second.. But the toyota will hold value better!
when i was looking, similar year Tundras vs. Silverados were $3-$5K more, for lesser HP, lesser towing capacities, lesser.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
i thought about it for a brief second.. But the toyota will hold value better!
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From: Future Site of the Runoffs, USA
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Driven)
i'm with this guy
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Driven »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yes, you could. But, you could get a Silverado with a 5.3 v8 (285hp) for much cheaper.
when i was looking, similar year Tundras vs. Silverados were $3-$5K more, for lesser HP, lesser towing capacities, lesser.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
when it comes to towing stuff, i'd have to stick with the americans. although the new titan is particularly interesting, but too rich for my blood right now.
i will be purchasing a silverado in the next couple of months, so i'm a bit bias.
i don't have any exact numbers to back up my position at the moment, but from what i've read (C&D archived article from 2000), at that time, the silverado 5.3 was clearly the best tow vehicle available. no it might not be quite as nice inside, but it's a truck, not a boulevard cruiser. also consider interior volume and bed volume, because if you're going to go racing, you'll have a ton of stuff to bring with you.
you could buy a decent enclosed trailer for that 5k you save too.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Driven »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yes, you could. But, you could get a Silverado with a 5.3 v8 (285hp) for much cheaper.
when i was looking, similar year Tundras vs. Silverados were $3-$5K more, for lesser HP, lesser towing capacities, lesser.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
when it comes to towing stuff, i'd have to stick with the americans. although the new titan is particularly interesting, but too rich for my blood right now.
i will be purchasing a silverado in the next couple of months, so i'm a bit bias.
i don't have any exact numbers to back up my position at the moment, but from what i've read (C&D archived article from 2000), at that time, the silverado 5.3 was clearly the best tow vehicle available. no it might not be quite as nice inside, but it's a truck, not a boulevard cruiser. also consider interior volume and bed volume, because if you're going to go racing, you'll have a ton of stuff to bring with you.
you could buy a decent enclosed trailer for that 5k you save too.
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Want2race)
I spent most of 2003 shopping for a tow vehicle. I started off planning on a used PSD, but the prices were more than I could justify in the end, and the enclosed trailer we were using was sold off. After looking at the Silverado, F150, and Dodge 1500, I ended up with a 2003 Tundra 2WD Access Cab V8, for a couple major reasons:
1: Price. The Tundra was $21,900 before taxes. V8, LSD, tow package, and SR5 package. Please tell me where you can get a 5.3 Silverado for that price, because I couldn't find one anywhere in socal, even with my employee discount on GM. Employee discounts on Ford and Dodge also didn't get me as much truck as I got from the Tundra.
2: Warranty. 3yr/36k bumper to bumper, and 5yr/60k on the drivetrain for the Toyota. 3/36 bumper to bumper on GM, and nothing after that. No thanks. Hell, even Dodge trusts their workmanship better than that.
As far as interiors, I find the Toyota to be pretty spartan, and the GMC was much more cushy. But not $5000 more cushy
.
Right now I tow a CRX with an open 18' trailer. Best I've gotten is 12-13mpg with that. With a 7200lb tow capacity, I should easily be able tow an enclosed 20' with the CRX and most of our gear, if ever I come up with the $ for such a trailer.
1: Price. The Tundra was $21,900 before taxes. V8, LSD, tow package, and SR5 package. Please tell me where you can get a 5.3 Silverado for that price, because I couldn't find one anywhere in socal, even with my employee discount on GM. Employee discounts on Ford and Dodge also didn't get me as much truck as I got from the Tundra.
2: Warranty. 3yr/36k bumper to bumper, and 5yr/60k on the drivetrain for the Toyota. 3/36 bumper to bumper on GM, and nothing after that. No thanks. Hell, even Dodge trusts their workmanship better than that.
As far as interiors, I find the Toyota to be pretty spartan, and the GMC was much more cushy. But not $5000 more cushy
.Right now I tow a CRX with an open 18' trailer. Best I've gotten is 12-13mpg with that. With a 7200lb tow capacity, I should easily be able tow an enclosed 20' with the CRX and most of our gear, if ever I come up with the $ for such a trailer.
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From: formerly elgorey, VIRginia
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (tnord)
The Tundra may not have the outright best towing capacity or biggest bed or anything, but thats not the only thing some people shop for in a truck.
The tundra is perfect for me because:
-It has 4 doors without completely killing the bed length
-the rear seat area is great for storage
-Its slightly smaller and more maneuverable than big USA Iron. I hate driving huge cars
-The DOHC V8 gets relatively good gas mileage.
reliability reports have been surprisingly mediocre though from the research that I have done. No LSD (until 04 model IIRC) is a bummer.
Modified by elgorey at 8:17 PM 1/15/2004
The tundra is perfect for me because:
-It has 4 doors without completely killing the bed length
-the rear seat area is great for storage
-Its slightly smaller and more maneuverable than big USA Iron. I hate driving huge cars
-The DOHC V8 gets relatively good gas mileage.
reliability reports have been surprisingly mediocre though from the research that I have done. No LSD (until 04 model IIRC) is a bummer.
Modified by elgorey at 8:17 PM 1/15/2004
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (elgorey)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">-Its slightly smaller and more maneuverable than big USA Iron. I hate driving huge cars</TD></TR></TABLE>
My wife loves the fact that she can actually drive and park this thing. She drove the crew cab Fords and it scared the crap out of her.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">-The DOHC V8 gets relatively good gas mileage.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I am getting 15-16 mpg in town, and 18-19 on the highway. I read that the mileage improves as you get closer to 10k miles. I'm at 8k miles, and it's been steadily improving.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">-No LSD (until 04 model IIRC) is a bummer.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have a 2003 and it has an LSD. Do you mean the crew cab model doesn't have one?
My wife loves the fact that she can actually drive and park this thing. She drove the crew cab Fords and it scared the crap out of her.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">-The DOHC V8 gets relatively good gas mileage.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I am getting 15-16 mpg in town, and 18-19 on the highway. I read that the mileage improves as you get closer to 10k miles. I'm at 8k miles, and it's been steadily improving.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">-No LSD (until 04 model IIRC) is a bummer.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have a 2003 and it has an LSD. Do you mean the crew cab model doesn't have one?
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From: formerly elgorey, VIRginia
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Shaun K)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Shaun K »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a 2003 and it has an LSD. Do you mean the crew cab model doesn't have one?</TD></TR></TABLE>
hrm, maybe it was 03 that the first year had an LSD. Im looking at 2000 and 2001 (cuz Im po'
) and they didnt have an LSD available.
hrm, maybe it was 03 that the first year had an LSD. Im looking at 2000 and 2001 (cuz Im po'
) and they didnt have an LSD available.
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From: Charlottesville, Va, usa
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (elgorey)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elgorey »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I hate driving huge cars
</TD></TR></TABLE>
says the 6'3" miata driver...
FWIW - the only trucks you'll see in afghanistan and iraq that arent military vehicles are toyota tundras and landcruisers... i figure if it can stand the desert heat and take 7.62mm rounds, it's pretty reliable...
-b
I hate driving huge cars
</TD></TR></TABLE>
says the 6'3" miata driver...
FWIW - the only trucks you'll see in afghanistan and iraq that arent military vehicles are toyota tundras and landcruisers... i figure if it can stand the desert heat and take 7.62mm rounds, it's pretty reliable...
-b
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From: formerly elgorey, VIRginia
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Maengelito)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Maengelito »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
says the 6'3" miata driver...</TD></TR></TABLE>
heh. my first car was an '81 Caprice Classic. Now that thing was a boat! Of course I didnt mind, because it was a set of wheels, and I had nothing to compare it to anyway!
but I digress....
says the 6'3" miata driver...</TD></TR></TABLE>
heh. my first car was an '81 Caprice Classic. Now that thing was a boat! Of course I didnt mind, because it was a set of wheels, and I had nothing to compare it to anyway!
but I digress....
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From: Charlotte, NC, USA
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Jason Franza)
Jason, is the Chevy 2wd or 4wd? I apparently am getting a couple mpg better than my 4wd brethren (PSD). I think, of the few tanks I've filled, I am around 18 city, 21 hwy. I did a little towing (approx 100 miles) and didn't notice that gas trip being off the norm (but I don't have a good idea of the norm yet 
). It is fun plugging your truck into the house when you come home Melikey instant heat on the cold days.
). It is fun plugging your truck into the house when you come home Melikey instant heat on the cold days.
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From: Greensboro, NC
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (phat-S)
Adam-
4WD. Then again, I should mention that I've not yet towed through the hilly "tundra" to Summit Point yet. If I get 15mpg on that trip I'll be happy. Oh yeah, that instant heat does rock!
Jason-
who does drive the truck like a grandma
4WD. Then again, I should mention that I've not yet towed through the hilly "tundra" to Summit Point yet. If I get 15mpg on that trip I'll be happy. Oh yeah, that instant heat does rock!
Jason-
who does drive the truck like a grandma
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From: Durham, NC, USA
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (elgorey)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elgorey »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
hrm, maybe it was 03 that the first year had an LSD. Im looking at 2000 and 2001 (cuz Im po') and they didnt have an LSD available.</TD></TR></TABLE>
LSD was a stand alone option starting in 2002. Mine has one...
Scott
hrm, maybe it was 03 that the first year had an LSD. Im looking at 2000 and 2001 (cuz Im po'
) and they didnt have an LSD available.</TD></TR></TABLE>LSD was a stand alone option starting in 2002. Mine has one...
Scott
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From: formerly elgorey, VIRginia
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (celica73)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by celica73 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">LSD was a stand alone option starting in 2002. Mine has one</TD></TR></TABLE>
that would make sense
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elgorey »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Im looking at 2000 and 2001 (cuz Im po') and they didnt have an LSD available.</TD></TR></TABLE>
that would make sense
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by elgorey »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Im looking at 2000 and 2001 (cuz Im po'
) and they didnt have an LSD available.</TD></TR></TABLE>
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From: Elkton, MD, 21921
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Shaun K)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Shaun K »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">With a 7200lb tow capacity, I should easily be able tow an enclosed 20' with the CRX and most of our gear, if ever I come up with the $ for such a trailer.</TD></TR></TABLE>
i don't think you will enjoy towing an enclosed trailer with your Tundra. i tow a 21 foot Pace; with all my extra equipment/tires/parts plus of course the car and the extra gas, it gets quite heavy. the enclosed trailer also has a huge aerodynamic drag. ask James Evans; he was pulling a small-medium sized enclosed with his Toyota back from Lowes.... I sailed past him (only time i can ever claim passing him up!!!) with my rig (dad's chevy 2500 HD + my trailer). I could hear his Yo screaming to maintain 65 mph in the rolling hills (i bet it was turning better than 4k rpm; it was really revving out). At the same time, my rig was effortlessly rolling along at 75 to 80. getting 9.5 mpg at about 2400 to 2600 rpm. and it very rarely shifts out of 5th gear (Allison automatic). i'll bet if you ask James, he'd tell you he was probably getting worse than 10 mpg, and i don't think that truck will stand up pulling like that for the long term....
dad got a pretty good deal on it; it was a 2003 extra cab 2500 silverado long bed with the HD package, tow pak, 4x4, 8100 V8 and Allison tranny. it sat on the lot because most buyers were looking for a Duramax at that time, and didn't want the gas. he got a fairly nice deal on it (a little under 28k, brand new). it was loaded with all the comfort crap that really isn't needed (cd system, pw, pl, cc, etc. etc.). it is a real nice long haul machine, and reallly pulls effortlessly. i think its rated for 12,500 or 13,000 gvw, so my trailer really doesn't make it break a sweat. its not too bad driving everyday, if you don't mind driving a big car and looking down on everything...
i guess i'd say the Toyota would be fine for the open trailer stuff, but i don't think it would really be suitable for an enclosed trailer; at least, try to find someone towing a similar trailer and ask to take it for a drive, or at least go for a ride....
oh, and dad's last truck was a 96 Ford F150 with the 351 and heavy duty tow pak. we special ordered it and 3/4 ton springs installed. we put 95k miles total on the truck (at least 60k were towing miles, pulling my trailer). had zero problems whatsoever and now a friend of mine has bought it and is towing his race car with it. it was great truck -- but even it had to work fairly hard towing my rig up to the Glen in the NY mountains. the Chevy 2500 HD pulls much easier.... and i have to believe that the Ford would probably pull better than the Toyota.... just my opinion, for what its worth.... good luck on the truck hunt!!
i don't think you will enjoy towing an enclosed trailer with your Tundra. i tow a 21 foot Pace; with all my extra equipment/tires/parts plus of course the car and the extra gas, it gets quite heavy. the enclosed trailer also has a huge aerodynamic drag. ask James Evans; he was pulling a small-medium sized enclosed with his Toyota back from Lowes.... I sailed past him (only time i can ever claim passing him up!!!) with my rig (dad's chevy 2500 HD + my trailer). I could hear his Yo screaming to maintain 65 mph in the rolling hills (i bet it was turning better than 4k rpm; it was really revving out). At the same time, my rig was effortlessly rolling along at 75 to 80. getting 9.5 mpg at about 2400 to 2600 rpm. and it very rarely shifts out of 5th gear (Allison automatic). i'll bet if you ask James, he'd tell you he was probably getting worse than 10 mpg, and i don't think that truck will stand up pulling like that for the long term....
dad got a pretty good deal on it; it was a 2003 extra cab 2500 silverado long bed with the HD package, tow pak, 4x4, 8100 V8 and Allison tranny. it sat on the lot because most buyers were looking for a Duramax at that time, and didn't want the gas. he got a fairly nice deal on it (a little under 28k, brand new). it was loaded with all the comfort crap that really isn't needed (cd system, pw, pl, cc, etc. etc.). it is a real nice long haul machine, and reallly pulls effortlessly. i think its rated for 12,500 or 13,000 gvw, so my trailer really doesn't make it break a sweat. its not too bad driving everyday, if you don't mind driving a big car and looking down on everything...
i guess i'd say the Toyota would be fine for the open trailer stuff, but i don't think it would really be suitable for an enclosed trailer; at least, try to find someone towing a similar trailer and ask to take it for a drive, or at least go for a ride....
oh, and dad's last truck was a 96 Ford F150 with the 351 and heavy duty tow pak. we special ordered it and 3/4 ton springs installed. we put 95k miles total on the truck (at least 60k were towing miles, pulling my trailer). had zero problems whatsoever and now a friend of mine has bought it and is towing his race car with it. it was great truck -- but even it had to work fairly hard towing my rig up to the Glen in the NY mountains. the Chevy 2500 HD pulls much easier.... and i have to believe that the Ford would probably pull better than the Toyota.... just my opinion, for what its worth.... good luck on the truck hunt!!
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From: Los Vargos, NV
anyone know a quick reference place to look up towing capacities of veichles..asking a lot i know, but i have to have a daily driver, but really would like something that is good on fuel and can tow 2klbs with no problem
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From: Houston, TEXAS, USA
Re: (cingham)
Hmm...daily driver, good on fuel, and tow 2,000lbs with no problem... sounds like what I drive -
If you want to look up towing specs maybe check out edmunds.com and do a comparison on different vehicles you are interested in.
If you want to look up towing specs maybe check out edmunds.com and do a comparison on different vehicles you are interested in.
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Todd Reid)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Todd Reid »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
i don't think you will enjoy towing an enclosed trailer with your Tundra. i tow a 21 foot Pace; with all my extra equipment/tires/parts plus of course the car and the extra gas, it gets quite heavy. the enclosed trailer also has a huge aerodynamic drag. ask James Evans; he was pulling a small-medium sized enclosed with his Toyota back from Lowes.... I sailed past him (only time i can ever claim passing him up!!!) with my rig (dad's chevy 2500 HD + my trailer). I could hear his Yo screaming to maintain 65 mph in the rolling hills (i bet it was turning better than 4k rpm; it was really revving out). At the same time, my rig was effortlessly rolling along at 75 to 80. getting 9.5 mpg at about 2400 to 2600 rpm. and it very rarely shifts out of 5th gear (Allison automatic). i'll bet if you ask James, he'd tell you he was probably getting worse than 10 mpg, and i don't think that truck will stand up pulling like that for the long term....</TD></TR></TABLE>
I don't see why I wouldn't enjoy towing with a Tundra. A 20' Haulmark weighs 3185 lbs, and the car is about 2200 lbs. Gear is 1000 lbs max. This comes to 6385 total, on a truck with a 7200lb towing capacity. I've talked to James about his Tundra, and he's told me that the 24' trailer is overkill for his truck when he has the CRX and the dyno loaded in it.
Of course it gets heavy vs. an open trailer, but thats the price you pay to have an enclosed trailer on the road and at the track. There's nothing new about that. The aerodynamics aren't any different from towing the same trailer with a GM 2500, so I don't see how that's an issue. Anyway, I should hope you sailed past a truck that cost 8-10 grand less than yours; I'd hope for the same thing. Good luck with that Allison trans after 36k miles too, BTW.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i guess i'd say the Toyota would be fine for the open trailer stuff, but i don't think it would really be suitable for an enclosed trailer</TD></TR></TABLE>
BTW, you're comparing my 1/2 ton Tundra to your dad's 3/4 ton Chevy, which makes no sense. If I had the money I'd have bought a 3/4 truck as well, but finances dictated that I buy a 1/2 ton. I merely chose the most capable and best priced 1/2 ton on the market. The Chevy, Dodge, and Ford's just couldn't compete. Oh, and I see plenty of Tudras (and all othe brands of 1/2 tons!) towing enclosed trailers, and even some 5th wheels.
i don't think you will enjoy towing an enclosed trailer with your Tundra. i tow a 21 foot Pace; with all my extra equipment/tires/parts plus of course the car and the extra gas, it gets quite heavy. the enclosed trailer also has a huge aerodynamic drag. ask James Evans; he was pulling a small-medium sized enclosed with his Toyota back from Lowes.... I sailed past him (only time i can ever claim passing him up!!!) with my rig (dad's chevy 2500 HD + my trailer). I could hear his Yo screaming to maintain 65 mph in the rolling hills (i bet it was turning better than 4k rpm; it was really revving out). At the same time, my rig was effortlessly rolling along at 75 to 80. getting 9.5 mpg at about 2400 to 2600 rpm. and it very rarely shifts out of 5th gear (Allison automatic). i'll bet if you ask James, he'd tell you he was probably getting worse than 10 mpg, and i don't think that truck will stand up pulling like that for the long term....</TD></TR></TABLE>
I don't see why I wouldn't enjoy towing with a Tundra. A 20' Haulmark weighs 3185 lbs, and the car is about 2200 lbs. Gear is 1000 lbs max. This comes to 6385 total, on a truck with a 7200lb towing capacity. I've talked to James about his Tundra, and he's told me that the 24' trailer is overkill for his truck when he has the CRX and the dyno loaded in it.
Of course it gets heavy vs. an open trailer, but thats the price you pay to have an enclosed trailer on the road and at the track. There's nothing new about that. The aerodynamics aren't any different from towing the same trailer with a GM 2500, so I don't see how that's an issue. Anyway, I should hope you sailed past a truck that cost 8-10 grand less than yours; I'd hope for the same thing. Good luck with that Allison trans after 36k miles too, BTW.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i guess i'd say the Toyota would be fine for the open trailer stuff, but i don't think it would really be suitable for an enclosed trailer</TD></TR></TABLE>
BTW, you're comparing my 1/2 ton Tundra to your dad's 3/4 ton Chevy, which makes no sense. If I had the money I'd have bought a 3/4 truck as well, but finances dictated that I buy a 1/2 ton. I merely chose the most capable and best priced 1/2 ton on the market. The Chevy, Dodge, and Ford's just couldn't compete. Oh, and I see plenty of Tudras (and all othe brands of 1/2 tons!) towing enclosed trailers, and even some 5th wheels.
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From: Charlotte, NC, USA
Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Shaun K)
Shaun K, you probably would enjoy owning a Tundra, you'd probably enjoy using a Tundra for daily commuting and you'd enjoy a great many things about it but I think you would begin to feel you are doing some detrimental things constantly pulling 6800 lbs. with it. My Expedition towed something like 7700 lbs. but that was max load and I believe (like the Tundra if not mistaken) that's w/ a load balancing hitch - I still wouldn't have liked towing that much weight on the Expy. It would just come down to feeling I was damaging my investment. If you are wanting to tow an enclosed trailer, perhaps you should look for an older 3/4, full ton truck - its what I did for the same reasons I mention.
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Re: Tundra as a tow vehicle? (Todd Reid)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Todd Reid »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
i don't think you will enjoy towing an enclosed trailer with your Tundra...
i guess i'd say the Toyota would be fine for the open trailer stuff, but i don't think it would really be suitable for an enclosed trailer...</TD></TR></TABLE>
I agree. Personally, I wouldn't want to run much heavier than 5000 lbs with my Tundra. Yeah, it could do it but it wouldn't be nearly as fun.
Rumors are flying that 2005 will get a displacement bump (got to compete with Nissan), and other rumors are of a "heavy duty" model with a Diesel. If I were shopping now I'd get the Nissan. Another "fun" option would be the Tundra (used) with a TRD supercharger. The superchargers are nearly $5000 though, but a lot of fun (240 hp ---> 360 hp, 315 ft-lbs ---> 470 ft-lbs).
I think I've read (here? other places?) that technically for "comfortable" towing you should take the manufacturer's maximum weight and divide by 2. I'm a little over that with a 4500-5000 lb load and I find that in the Tundra that puts me right on the edge of "comfort," so that rule of thumb may be accurate.
The Tundra's are soft, if you are towing 6000 lbs, then figure on a 600-700 lb tongue weight, plus cargo in the bed. The Tundra will need some sort of helper springs to stay level with that load. The rear leafs are progressive and quite soft for the first few inches of travel (and that makes it ride great empty), it settles in the rear quickly with weight, untill about 4 inches of travel where you hit the much higher rate leafs and it starts to hold the weight. Big bumps with that weights result in a bit of wallowing.
My Firestone air bags have solved the wallowing, but even then, I've found that the shocks need more rebound valving if I go over about 25 lbs of air in the bags (at 25 it rides GREAT, at 30 psi it starts to bounce a bit).
Scott
i don't think you will enjoy towing an enclosed trailer with your Tundra...
i guess i'd say the Toyota would be fine for the open trailer stuff, but i don't think it would really be suitable for an enclosed trailer...</TD></TR></TABLE>
I agree. Personally, I wouldn't want to run much heavier than 5000 lbs with my Tundra. Yeah, it could do it but it wouldn't be nearly as fun.
Rumors are flying that 2005 will get a displacement bump (got to compete with Nissan), and other rumors are of a "heavy duty" model with a Diesel. If I were shopping now I'd get the Nissan. Another "fun" option would be the Tundra (used) with a TRD supercharger. The superchargers are nearly $5000 though, but a lot of fun (240 hp ---> 360 hp, 315 ft-lbs ---> 470 ft-lbs).
I think I've read (here? other places?) that technically for "comfortable" towing you should take the manufacturer's maximum weight and divide by 2. I'm a little over that with a 4500-5000 lb load and I find that in the Tundra that puts me right on the edge of "comfort," so that rule of thumb may be accurate.
The Tundra's are soft, if you are towing 6000 lbs, then figure on a 600-700 lb tongue weight, plus cargo in the bed. The Tundra will need some sort of helper springs to stay level with that load. The rear leafs are progressive and quite soft for the first few inches of travel (and that makes it ride great empty), it settles in the rear quickly with weight, untill about 4 inches of travel where you hit the much higher rate leafs and it starts to hold the weight. Big bumps with that weights result in a bit of wallowing.
My Firestone air bags have solved the wallowing, but even then, I've found that the shocks need more rebound valving if I go over about 25 lbs of air in the bags (at 25 it rides GREAT, at 30 psi it starts to bounce a bit).
Scott