Time for a new (used) TV: GM vs Toyota

[Pat_in_Speedway]

Just a bit of background:

This spring we upgraded our trailer from a 16' Scotty to a 29' Shasta. My tow vehicle is a 2003 Toyota Sequoia 4.7L. Never had a towing issue with the Scotty paired with the Sequoia. However, the Shasta and Sequoia don't seem to get along too well! I've been trying to get a handle on the squirliness the Sequoia experiences when getting passed by a semi, box truck, or a plastic bag. I'm running a new Blue Ox WDH on it. After many suggestions that I've tried, I've come to the conclusion that the Sequoia's wheel base is just too short (118.2") for the 29' Shasta.

We got pre-approval from our credit union for a loan today and we're keeping it at $17K to borrow for an upgraded tow vehicle. I'm going back to a pick-up, and it'll be a crew cab, since we have two grandsons still in car seats that will camp with us from time to time. Per our credit union, they'll only go back as far as a 2005 and as high as 125K miles. I love my Sequoia dearly, but if I'm spending this kind of $$, one of the trucks I'm going to look at is a 2007+ Tundra Crewmax. With the upgraded 5.7L and tow capacity, I'd much rather overkill it than be marginal with a pre-2007 Tundra. We camp rather light, and "if" we have any water onboard the Shasta, as well as other stuff, we'd be looking at a trailer weight in the 5200lbs range TOPS. I've recently weighed the tongue and it checks in at about 640lbs.

My other choice would be a Silverado/Sierra of the same 2007+ era, crewcab with a 5.3L. Tow capacities of the GM vs Tundra are around 7500 vs 10,000 from what I can tell, and payload is in the 1600 lbs range for either.

So, based on these TWO choices only, any opinions on what's my best bet? Is one a no brainer compared to the other? Opinions always appreciated!

[Need-A-Vacation]

The GM twins should have no problem with your trailer as long as you don't load the bed full of fire wood or similar....

If you get a 4spd truck, make sure you get a 3.73/4.10 gears. If you can find a 6spd truck, make sure it has the 3.42 gears. Last but not least verify the truck has the FACTORY tow package!

BUT, keep an eye on the factory round tube hitch. You will probably be fine with the lower tw (tongue weight), but a round tube hitch can twist ("wind up") when the wd bars are "latched up". The quality of the factory hitch is comparable to a tin can....

Good luck in your search!

[ib516]

I'd go with the Toyota.