Tundra vs. Silverado question

ssthrd wrote:

plasticmaster wrote:
I have a 2014 Silverado 5.3L V8 with tow capacity of 9700# and payload capacity of 1638# according to the sticker on the door jamb. I tow my camper with it, which fully loaded weighs close to 9500#. I know I’m at the upper end of my tow rating, but I’ve never felt uncomfortable while towing. I’m thinking of getting a Toyota Tundra. As long as the tow capacity and payload capacity is the same or exceeds that of my Silverado, shouldn’t I expect roughly the same experience towing? I want to make sure the Tundra would be up to the task. Thanks.

IMHO, comfort level is an individual measure based on skill, experience, and personality. What is comfortable for you might be over the top for others. Opinions you get will vary.
I would put myself at the more aggressive end of the scale.

Having said that….

I had a 2013 Tundra Limited with 5.7, 6 speed automatic, and 430 rear end. 381 up and 401 ft lbs torque (if memory serves me right). Cargo weight was something around 1500 lbs, and the tow rating was 9800 lbs. So a little more power and towing capacity than your Chevy. On a 32000 km trip over more than 5 months, I averaged 23 litres per 100 kms which translates to 10.2 US mpg while towing a 7000 lb travel trailer. I can’t remember the numbers, but with 3 people, 2 dogs, a canopy, a Ruckus, 10 gallons of fuel and a toolbox in the back along with 2 spares for the trailer, I was overweight on the back axle by maybe 500 lbs. never hurt or power in the Rockies, and downhills was never an issue with a decent engine/tranny combo.

With that out of the way, I would not tow any more than that with that particular truck over that distance. I loved that truck and would have bought the ¾ ton version if they made one. For short trips it was awesome. Good weather with not much wind it was awesome. Windy day with semis passing it sucked, but after awhile it became “normal” and manageable. Just needed to anticipate and deal with things accordingly.

I would say that if you are towing anything close to 10,000lbs with a half ton over longer distances, get a ¾ ton whatever truck and you will thank yourself for it. Otherwise stick to your Chevy. It is a great truck and the 5.3 is bullet proof.

Or maybe get a dually…………

Good post. And even at that, you live in the coastal PNW and have to drive the Cascades as a warm up for the Rockies.
Whereas the OP lives in “home” because he don’t want to share that. But if “home” is Iowa and he doesn’t travel more than 500 miles in any direction, his truck is probably doing less work towing 9500lbs than yours was towing 7klbs.
But you understand that. Many here don’t.