Forum Discussion

stevemorris's avatar
stevemorris
Explorer
Oct 09, 2017

Ram or Toyota

we're down to a couple of choices that fit our budget

a 4 year old Toyota tundra, big v8, 4wd, all the usual bells and whistles, 40,000 miles, $28000

new (demo) ram 1500, hemi, 6 speed 1500, 4wd, same bells and whistles, 4000 miles, $33000

im partial to the Toyota because of their reputation and good resale, dw doesn't care either way

towing capacities are virtually the same(payload and gross)
Toyota is far more refined in every respect, fuel mileage is very close

crawling around under the Toyota is an eye opener, built like a brick ****house!

our tt is 4060 lbs loaded with 480 on the tongue including the hitch system, 3100 dry from the manufacturer

we tow 8-9000 km per year, mostly high speed(100-105 kmh)
Tow Vehicles

98 Replies

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  • camp-n-family's avatar
    camp-n-family
    Explorer
    Oct 09, 2017
    Having owned both I would go Tundra every time. Yes I own another Ram now but only because I needed a 3/4 ton truck and got a deal I couldn't pass up. My 1st Ram was a reliability nightmare, the Tundra was solid and only had 1 problem (AIP pump) which there was a tsb for and was covered by warranty. After 4 years and 100k I traded the Tundra for only $2k less than I paid for it. After 1 year with the Ram I struggled to get $26k for it (paid $42k)

    Both trucks will have no problem towing that trailer but the Tundra with the 4.30 gears will do it better.
  • crcr's avatar
    crcr
    Explorer
    Oct 09, 2017
    Tundra's do not have much payload. You'd best check the payload sticker on the Toyota. Then total up the weight of the people, pets, camping gear, etc, when you go camping, plus a realistic number for tongue weight, and you may not have enough payload.

    Better yet, if you can test drive the Tundra long enough to do so, load up exactly as if going camping, with a full tank of fuel, and go to a cat scale and get the truck weighed. You may be surprised how little payload is left.
  • Bluhorn's avatar
    Bluhorn
    Explorer
    Oct 09, 2017
    You sound like you have your mind made up already but here is another opinion. For a few thousand more you can get a new truck with full warranty with 36000 less miles. I dont care if its a toyota or not, its only as good as the previous owner maintained it. As far as resale its already a few years older and with way more mileage. If you keep it 2 yrs and put on 12K a year you have a 6 yr old with 60k miles thats out of warranty. I would get the Ram or as some suggested find a 3/4 ton. There really is not a bad truck out there no matter the brand. Best Wishes!
  • DownTheAvenue's avatar
    DownTheAvenue
    Explorer
    Oct 09, 2017
    Between the two, the Toyota hands down. The reliability alone puts the Toyota way ahead of the Ram.
  • crcr's avatar
    crcr
    Explorer
    Oct 09, 2017
    Between the two trucks you list, if it were me, I would buy the new Ram. Just seems like a much better value for only $5K more.

    However, if it were me, I would keep shopping and find a 3/4 ton within my budget. Even though you aren't towing very heavy, 3/4 ton is always a better and safer towing experience. Plus that gives you "insurance" against having to upgrade tow vehicles if you ever move to a larger and heavier RV (which most of us have done). And all other things being equal, resale should be a little bit better for the 3/4 vs 1/2 ton.
  • womps's avatar
    womps
    Explorer
    Oct 09, 2017
    You are saying that you are partial to the Toyota, the towing capacities are the same and the Toyota is built like a b.s.h. Sounds like you are asking a question you have already answered.
  • mowermech's avatar
    mowermech
    Explorer
    Oct 09, 2017
    For me, it would be Ram all the way.
    However, having had experience towing heavy on hilly highways with the 1500 (admittedly the engine was a little sick), I would go with the 3/4 ton like in my sig.

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