toyata tundra

[stevemorris]

so we decided to downplay our vehicle replacement to used in order to replace our 2008 Dakota and not spend 50000 on new
our local toyota dealer has a 2011 tundra, awd, the big v8, all the usual bells and whistles except leather(don't want leather anyway), 4 door
towing capacity of 9400 lb(iirc), payload of 1300
has factory towing package with 7 pin and 4 pin connectors but no brake controller(should be an easy addition)
I figure our tongue wt to be around 500 lbs(including hitch etc etc), leaving 800 for passengers and cargo
so 400 lbs of driver and passenger, add a topper, other misc camping stuff in the bed, should be great
truck is immaculate, well cared for, sold new by the local dealer

thoughts?

[Ron3rd]

bikendan wrote:

stevemorris wrote:
yes I thought the payload was low for a "big" truck

From my recent search for a new truck, Tundra payload capacities are second worse, with the Ram 1500 being the worse.

But that Tundra will have no problems with your trailer.

But if you decide to get something bigger in the future, you'll probably have to get a different tow vehicle.

Which is what I had to do.

While I agree with you, my personal opinion is the Japanese mfgs are very conservative and de-rate everything, I know because a company I worked for years ago made OEM parts for Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki, so I know how they think.

So, curiously, the Tundra always had the lowest payload rating yet folks hauled huge loads with them year after year and discovered you basically can't break the truck. Heck, I was over the payload rating by 1,000 lbs on many occasions.

The bottom line IMO opinion is you basically can't break the truck because it is so over-built, you CAN get yourself into a very bad situation hauling a trailer that is way too big and should be towed by a 3/4 ton truck.

In the end, the Tundra now has a huge body of work going back to the 2007 models so it's well know what they can and can't do.

[bikendan]

stevemorris wrote:
yes I thought the payload was low for a "big" truck

From my recent search for a new truck, Tundra payload capacities are second worse, with the Ram 1500 being the worse.

But that Tundra will have no problems with your trailer.

But if you decide to get something bigger in the future, you'll probably have to get a different tow vehicle.

Which is what I had to do.

[stevemorris]

yes I thought the payload was low for a "big" truck
but a light trailer(500 lb tongue) and 2 adults there's still plenty of room for other stuff, we do travel light, no genny, no dirt bikes etc etc, the back of the Dakota is usually pretty empty on long trips, just 2 lawn chairs, small bbq and small folding table, that kind of stuff. back seat area is empty except for the dog
gotta have a cap for the bed though!!

[xtech]

Agree with all above posts. I worked my last 22 years for Toyota. We sold many Tundras for use as oil and gas field service trucks. Their only downfall is the low payload ratings, however they ran for years overloaded in rough use and I never saw a failure due to that. Rear axle assy is very robust, much more so than most half tons. Many put extra spring leaf or air bags on. So for a light trailer no problem. Personally we towed 2 different 10000 lb 30 ft 5th wheels with our 2011 Tundra, as we are snowbirds and had no issues. Now have F250 but only because I was uncomfortable being not legal on truck GVWR. Fuel mileage towing same 5th is similar to Tundra, however Tundra driven same way unloaded as I drive the F250 (gas 6.2) would get 3 mpg (imperial) better on highway. Enjoy your Tundra, if they had the payload I need would still be driving one.

[Ron3rd]

RinconVTR wrote:
The Tundra will give you 3/4 ton gas power and torque in a 1/2 ton package.

It holds its value better than any other 1/2 ton for good reasons. Reliability being at the very top.



Downsides:

With 3/4 ton gas power comes 3/4 ton fuel mileage.

Low payload limits larger TT options, to a point. Over 7500lbs actual trailer weight (not dry or gross...but ACTUAL) you're usually bumping the limit of the Tundra's gross vehicle weight rating.

Agree with the above. But the OP is only talking about 500 lbs tongue wt so the trailer can't be that big.

As to mpg, they can be a bit thirsty; I was getting about 8-9 mpg towing a much bigger trailer. (Most of the V8s get about the same BTW) and the 26 gal gas tank gives it short legs too, but that was not a big issue for me. I always filled up around the 200 mile mark. Never did trips much farther than that anyway.

[RinconVTR]

The Tundra will give you 3/4 ton gas power and torque in a 1/2 ton package.

It holds its value better than any other 1/2 ton for good reasons. Reliability being at the very top.



Downsides:

With 3/4 ton gas power comes 3/4 ton fuel mileage.

Low payload limits larger TT options, to a point. Over 7500lbs actual trailer weight (not dry or gross...but ACTUAL) you're usually bumping the limit of the Tundra's gross vehicle weight rating.

[IdaD]

If you only need a half ton you could do a lot worse than a Tundra. I know several guys who have owned them and they seem like nice and reliable trucks.

[Ron3rd]

BTW, get yourself a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller and the Tekonsha pigtail for Toyota. The connection is behind the left kick panel (if they have not changed it) and you simply plug the pigtail into the factory connection, mount the controller and you're done. I left my Prodigy on the Tundra when I sold it as my new Ram has the integrated controller.

[Ron3rd]

Former Tundra owner here. My thoughts? Go for it; the 5.7 Tundra will pull that trailer around like a little toy.

I used to tow over 8,000 lbs with my old 2007 Tundra Crew Max with the 5.7 V8.

Loved that truck and sold it at 106,000 miles and was never in a repair shop a single time for anything other than maintenance. Had a couple recalls but that was it.

[Bumpyroad]

stevemorris wrote:

has factory towing package with 7 pin and 4 pin connectors but no brake controller(should be an easy addition) ?

as part of buying it, have them plug in the controller that you supply. my tacoma had the hook up fitting hidden/buried behind netting & a metal support. the toyota dealer couldn't find it. I almost resorted to the remote controlled version which I could easily move to another TV if desired.
bumpy