Truck Shopping Soon

The Tundra is just getting broken in. It's twice the truck of new Nissan IMHO.
A friend of mine bought a used Tundra with just over 100k miles. He now has 250k miles with no major issues. If you take good care of maintanence the Tundra will last a long time. Rust will kill it a long time before miles will.

Do you feel that your "towing quality" is bad? Do you frequently feel instability in your steering and handling? Are there episodes of trailer sway or bounce? Do you have a lot of correction to recover from the sideways "push" from a passing semi?

If the answer to any of the above is YES, then you need another tow vehicle. Otherwise, maintain what you have and keep it until it dies---which could be another 100K miles, or more.

What kind or area of engineering?

The ratings mentioned above is to "Manhandle" the setup in the worst day out there.

Being at to over the ratings limits...says you will have less to no safety margin to 'Manhandle' the situation...when you might need all of that safety margin spot on...not time to go back to the store for bigger/better....or the mentality that, that day Mr Murphy cross the path only happens: "To the other guy"...

Maybe the fake half ton is the right thing for you, as they are/were designed for folks who insist on only a half ton... Most half tons are in the 6K GVWR and 4K RGAWR range. Older half ton HD were 7.8K GVWR and just under 6K RGAWR. Today's fake half tons are in the low 7K GVWR and below 5K RGAWR. Vs 3/4 ton's +8K GVWR and 6K RGAWR...not to mention the larger frame, larger suspension, Diff, etc, etc

My Silverado in sig was mom'n dad's specialty grocery/butcher shop I ordered for dad. He insisted on only a half ton for ride quality and since most all pickups have the exact same base body from half ton up through the higher classes...he though the 8 foot bed is all it takes...

Picking up produce, loads of chicken/turkeys, canned goods, etc in the +2K to 3K pound range...installed 1 ton coil helper springs. Solved the loaded down to bump stops...but...the wallowing was still there. Albeit a bit better with those 1 ton helper springs.

It still 'can' do it today while being 37 years old loaded with fire wood or fire pellets...but know it and only take streets. The rear axle bearings come apart often and replacing them only takes an hour or so. The roller bearing cage deforms to allow one or more rollers to come out and into the axle tube.

It has LT flotation tires and better ride quality than the LT tires most half tonner's consider. As your thoughts of going to higher class tires will reduce the ride quality, but improve the TVness

Good luck

I know I am all over the place. Sorry about that.

I really do not want a HD series to do nothing HD. Now the 1/2 Tonnes are nearing the 2000 LBS payload capacity .

The payload bugs me as i am an engineer and seems like i hate keeping this in the back of mind all the time.
my buddy brought a dually and hates it as he says it drives very hard and is putting some 3k air suspension. He jumped from a Ram 1500 loaded to a Ram 3500 and seem to not enjoy the ride or length. so i am cauious. He did update from a 34 ft TT to 40 ft 5th. Then went seasonal .

we love to travel so i am being a bit more cauious.

Big Truck Big RV
The guy that does these videos is a Ford guy but is generally unbiased in his reviews. I think they are worthwhile to watch. If you look back through his videos you’ll find that he generally covers 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. He also reviews RVs and equipment add-ons for trucks.

Silverfz, slow down and separate wants/ needs/issues. You’re all over the place! Lol

Payload, half ton is a half ton pretty much, the MAX payload half tons are just stiffer springs and maybe harder tires. (Ford used to put a bigger rear axle in, not sure if that’s still the case. Either way you’re not pushing the limits of the axle with what you’re doing)
Nothing more and nothing that can’t easily be upgraded on lower payload rigs, as you’ve already done.

Fuel mileage will not be appreciably better or worse with any new model gasser when towing. IE you’ll still get 8 mpg when your foot is planted and the truck is doing work.
Comforts, features, reliability? That’s all subjective stuff and up to you.

Have fun truck shopping!!

donn0128 wrote:
A 2500 series truck, especially the newest ones give up nothing in creature or ride comforts. The newest gas motors are vastly improved in power and fuel economy. You also gain hugh in towing/load carrying ability. Unless you are planning in the near future to upgrade to a much larger TT of possibly a fifth wheel you probably dont need a 3500 or a diesel.

You’re spot on with the exception of ride comfort. Not sure where you pulled that from. Yes new(er) Hd pickups are comfortable, but they’re not even close comparing to a half ton. Sayingntheyre the same is misleading.

A 2500 series truck, especially the newest ones give up nothing in creature or ride comforts. The newest gas motors are vastly improved in power and fuel economy. You also gain hugh in towing/load carrying ability. Unless you are planning in the near future to upgrade to a much larger TT of possibly a fifth wheel you probably dont need a 3500 or a diesel.

silverfz wrote:
My truck is at 135k and I am thinking in a year or so I will be needing another truck or not. Not sure as this is my first truck so far all the cars i have had, i sold them around 100-120k.

Trucks (real) are designed to work. So 100K to 120K is nothing...if it is taken care of

Even today's cars are good for more and...if it is taken care of

Min of using the manual maintenance schedule and better if using the higher level schedule

1) I take good care of the truck. It tows 2k a year and used as a grocery and school trips for 10k a year.

Your truck should go a loooong time with this non-truck usage

2) I have airbags in the rear I run at 20 PSI and equalizer 4 pt hitch.
3) I also update the rear shock to 4600HD.
4) I sold the camper by dealer with the statement it will tow easily but nope. It took airbags and shock to be solid.

For you trailer...your TV is at the limits and/or over and you have compensated with all this stuff

Nothing wrong, but know it is at or over the ratings

Note that all things designed...have a specification. AKA ratings. and that is the CYA for the OEM. Proof of being over their ratings is tough to prove, so generally...most are not caught on that after an accident...that day Mr Murphy crosses your path

Should I go to LT tires?. Will it improve the towing experience. It already perfect as long as I air up the tire to 40 PSI rear. But just a question?

I am at or above payload now on the tundra crewmax . Will a more payload vehicle improve the experience?

All of your mod's are to try and move your TV's ratings up into tyhe next class.

Going to LT class tires (next higher class over 'P' class...passenger class). Some Tundra's do come with LT's, but not all or enough...it is still a half ton

40 PSI is on the high end and again upping the spring system, but not the frame/suspension/etc

The 5.7 V8 with a full custom exhaust just pulls great but i get bad gas mpg at 7-8 mpg. Will i improvement.? With 20 gallon tank to get gas light i am limited to 140-160 mile range now .

Laws of physics, as to move that approx 32 foot, 8,000 lb trailer takes the same amount, generally, from any TV. Whether small block/big block gasser or diesel.

Of course factored by several. Like pumping loses, frontal air profile, etc, etc

I want to start researching and test drive some trucks. My current rv is 7k-7.5k loaded depending on length of trip.My payload is 1400 and i usually do not carry anything in the bed due to it being so low.

Low mileage Used
Titan 5.6 with 1800 lbs
F150 PayLoad Package
or
Put LT tires on tundra and just ride it will an rv upgrade or it breaks down enough to warrant a change.
or
F250 gas - as my vehicle. I work from home so really it will be MY vehicle and wife will keep the tundra.

You will get tons of advice and mine is only to provide you with enough info to make your own decision

Here is the generic formula suggest you find info for and use to derive your next TV

GCWR >/= actual weights of TV + Trailer + stuff (people, hitch, cargo, pets, etc, etc)

PS...have mostly come across an automotive salesman who doesn't press the limits...to out and out lying about it...only one and is the guy/dealer who I ordered my Suburban from...they sell semi's and only sell cars & pickups/SUVs/etc to keep their customers happy.

This salesman knew what was asking for and complaining about other dealers who lied to me...ordered 3/4 ton and five called that mine came in...all were half tons...'cuz they didn't know the difference and think the general public likewise doesn't know the diff...