Feedback from Tundra 5.7L TV owners

[5arnolds]

I am interested in hearing feedback from those of you who use the 5.7L Tundra (Double Cab or Full Cab) as a TV and their experience (power, stability). In my case, I'd be towing 7,500 max. I like the idea of considering a Toyota (reliability) as my TV but wouldn't want to cut myself short on towing capacity.

[SkyBound]

Worth a watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJZVUnOduH4

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

Worth a watch.

I'm curious, how is this Ford commercial relevant to towing with a Tundra? I don't about you or the OP, but unless you're an off roader, no one ever puts their trucks though that kind of punishment.

[5arnolds]

I've seen this video before. I have to agree that I'm not sure the point of this video since I would never put any of my vehicles through that abuse, especially at that speed.

[j_shoe99]

This video would be more relevant to you I think....(I don't know how to paste video links here)

http://youtu.be/jyt49D-v2Ho

It's a new Tundra towing a big load up a mountain pass in Colorado Springs.

[Nighthawk 96]

My trailer is #6700, a tad under #6000 on the axles and #720 on the hitch. As you can see from the video that j_shoe99 has posted, the truck has no problem towing your weight. I have had no problems with sway. My pervious Tundra, a 2006 had 86k on it when traded in and never had a repair of any kind made to it. Didn't even have to replace the front brake pads. I traded it because the smaller engine was working too hard. This is the 7th Toyota I have owned starting with a 1971 Corolla that I paid $1900 for brand new! Mileage when towing is between 8 and 9 mpg @ 60 to 65 mph. I think there is way more quality in the Toyota products than the domestic brands.

[SkyBound]

It's a demonstration of frame strength and axle control. It takes extreme conditions to make the differences visible, even though they are always there at certain levels. There are lots of vids out there showing the EcoBoost out-towing the competition, but this video was most remarkable to me showing the quality and strength of design.

This is coming from a huge Toyota fan. I drove a 1987 Supra Turbo for 11 years and it was one of the best cars built in that class. That being said, I'm not sold on their trucks. The frame design was one of the factors that steered me away from them. I prefer a boxed design for several reasons and the riveted support pieces seems shotty. I fully suspect that the Tundra will go to a boxed frame design soon, if not next year. That may sway me over a bit, but until then I can't recommend it.

[DieselX]

Originally Posted by j_shoe99

This video would be more relevant to you I think....(I don't know how to paste video links here)

http://youtu.be/jyt49D-v2Ho

It's a new Tundra towing a big load up a mountain pass in Colorado Springs.

I just towed that hill with our camper last week, it's a nice one. Try it with snow and wind makes it even more fun haha.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

I absolutely love mine for towing. It out pulls my old Ram 2500 Hemi all day long! It does have soft suspension but all 1/2 tons do. I would recommend getting the TRD rear sway bar and upgrading to LT tires. This would be true of any 1/2 ton as well. I get around 9 mpg and it pulls hard as fast as I dare go. Accelerates with relative ease towing our 26BH loaded including all 90 gallons of fresh water! The 4.30 gears and 6 speed tranny combined with the 5.7 engine do make a wonderful combo. About the only downfall of the Tundra is the gas mileage while empty. I get around 14 - 15 mpg mixed driving. My overall mileage over 16,929 miles is 13.51 mpg. I have about 4,000 miles of towing. The worst mileage was towing in 50+ mph winds and I got 8.46 mpg. The best was when my wife drove to Iowa this past winter. She got almost 18.5 mpg on one tank.

[grampacc]

family on fifth toyota and all have been excellent quality. had 07 tacoma and pulled a 22fb for four years with great results except for the uphill towing. upgraded to a 2013 5.7 tundra and didn't even consider any of the big three. hardly notice tt is behind truck, although it's not too heavy. love the tundra, especially with the towing mirrors. toyota make great products and have had excellent service. everyone has their preference.

cheers.

[Bob Landry]

My Toyota was a great puller and I'm a fan, however, where it fell short for me was the payload and the 26 gallon gas tank. I can't wrap around putting a 26 gallon fuel tank in a truck that is supposed to be designed for towing.

[mcfarmall]

Hey, if it can tow the space shuttle it can surely tow your travel trailer! I saw a guy pull a railroad locomotive with his teeth but I don't want to take him on vacation.

[mrp116]

Tow our White Hawk 28DSBH with our 2012 5.7 Crew Max with no problems. Would not tow anything longer or heavier.

[Heady]

My Tundra towed very well, however I didn't like it as a daily driver. As Bob mentioned, the small fuel tank was a pain as 9mpg and a 25ish gallon tank and you are looking for a gas station every three hours.

Picked up an F150 Ecoboost and couldn't be happier. Getting 12mpg pulling my x20e, with a 35 gallon tank.

For what it's worth, I loved my Tacoma, was just a little light.

[Bassdogs]

Grew up in a Ford family and as I got older and developed my own needs and wants, I became a GM family. Astro van, Tahoe, Silverado 1500 and now a Silverado HD Duramax. My point? Its a matter of personal preference and experience. All major brands will get the job done as long as they are matched to the task at hand. You don't need a diesel to pull a hybrid or moderately sized TT which is where your application seems to fall. I'm sure you are fine with the TV you have. The ford eco-boost adds are exactly what they are, promotional ads. Gm has their proof of a superior product as does Dodge. The battle for the title of "Best" TV will go on forever, but in the end it will come down to your own preference. Don't expect an S10 to pull a 36' Outback and you might look pretty silly buying a color coded 3500 dooly to handle your pop-up.

[Jayco28BHS]

We (myself, wife + 3 kids) love towing with the Tundra, see signature for particulars. We have done Mammoth Cave, KY (1000 mile round trip) and recently the FL Keys (2000 mile round trip), and several 400-500 mile trips in the books as well.

And I don't really mind the 26 gallon fuel tank, with my crew we have to stop every 2 - 2&1/2 hours anyway. Happy wife and happy kids make daddy a happy camper.

Wish a little more payload, but typically the case with 1/2 tons - simply adjust packing. Good luck, this Tundra owner loves it, fits our needs.

[robkelly]

Love my Tundra. Only towed with it once so far, but very happy with the performance. Just did a 3400 mile round trip to FL (no TT) and truck performed flawlessly and was very comfortable. A larger fuel tank would be nice, but as mentioned by Jayco28BHS, we need to stop every couple of hours anyway, so not a big deal.

[PKEagle]

Sorry not a TT but a 5'er.

I tow a super heavy 5'er. Close to 9,300lbs fully loaded. With the weight of that fancy Superglide hitch, plus the 5'er hitch weight, I am way over the Tundra's payload. Not advocating for overloading, but I have taken major precautionary measures to modify my truck with Heavy Duty and the best money can buy upgrades; Suspension, Shocks, Tires & Brakes.

The Tundra doesn't skip a beat. I wouldn't give it up for another TV. Not at least until the nest generation 3/4 ton Diesel Cummins Engine comes out next year.

Originally Posted by 5arnolds

I am interested in hearing feedback from those of you who use the 5.7L Tundra (Double Cab or Full Cab) as a TV and their experience (power, stability). In my case, I'd be towing 7,500 max. I like the idea of considering a Toyota (reliability) as my TV but wouldn't want to cut myself short on towing capacity.

[Cookies Cleared]

We travel at night often and I'm glad for our range, out in the middle of nowhere with stations 50+ miles apart if they are even open @ 4 a.m. Nice to know you can keep on cruising.

[MrKong]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo7H3lsOVt8

I love my Tundra. That Ford video is not an apples to apples comparison. Why don't you see them run the same track with an F350? It has the same frame type as the Tundra. Both are heavy haulers, and work very well.