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Toyota Tundra Towing Questions

92 messages,  Last post on Aug 06, 2010 at 8:15 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Tundra, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Truck

Messages Page 1 of 10

#1 of 92 Toyota Tundra towing by cyclone7

Jan 22, 2006 (8:12 pm)

I own a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 Ext.Cab 4x4 with the 4.8L V8.I have a hybrid camper that has a wt. of about 3500#.With the truck and camper, loaded I'm probably looking at about 4500#.I often wish that I had a little more power.I am now shopping for a new truck and I have narrowed my selections to a 2006 Chevy Silverado Ext.Cab 4x4 with the 310 HP 5.3L and a 2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab 4x4.Price,reliability,four full doors,warranty and fuel mileage have me leaning towards the Toyota.I know that the Chevy would have no problem towing my camper but I'm not sure about the Toyota.It has less HP(271 vs. 285) but more torque(313 vs. 295) than my GMC.Will the Toyota pull our hills of PA better than my GMC?Any input would be greatly appreciated.

#2 of 92 Re: Toyota Tundra towing [cyclone7] by toykick

Jan 22, 2006 (10:30 pm)

Replying to: cyclone7 (Jan 22, 2006 8:12 pm)
lol it would pull it with no problem... but if i were you i would wait...

#3 of 92 Re: Toyota Tundra towing [cyclone7] by uga91

Jan 23, 2006 (8:57 am)

Replying to: cyclone7 (Jan 22, 2006 8:12 pm)
I believe the Tundra is good for about 7500 lbs, so this camper should be no problem.

#4 of 92 Re: Toyota Tundra towing [cyclone7] by sebring95

Jan 25, 2006 (6:33 am)

Replying to: cyclone7 (Jan 22, 2006 8:12 pm)
You might have your numbers wrong on the Chevy. The newer 4.8's have 285hp. I have an '03 4.8L and it's 270hp at 5200rpm. Essentially the same as the Tundra. But the torque is better on the Tundra. I have the same concern as you. I have an '03 ext. cab 4x4 with 3.73 gears and 265x75-16's. I know the Tundra/Chevy are rated for 7,000+ on towing, but let's be realistic. I don't like my engines to be struggling and I have no doubt both of these engines would be gasping for breath with that much weight. Plus I'm used to towing with a diesel. I use my 1/2 ton for a light-weight cargo trailer, usually 4,000# or so. The 4.8L moves it pretty good on the hwy, but it's working hard on the back hills. I think the Tundra will do a little better with the torque and 5-speed auto. I swore I wouldn't buy another small V8, but I found a good deal on a used Tundra so I might go for it. I'm going to drive one today. My wife has this same engine in her Lexus and it's no pulling machine, but I think it will do what I need.

#5 of 92 Re: Toyota Tundra towing [cyclone7] by bsr7696

Jan 27, 2006 (11:30 am)

Replying to: cyclone7 (Jan 22, 2006 8:12 pm)
Cyclone7,
   I'm in the same boat... I drove the Tundra, loved it and I didn't think I was going to like it because it very bland but functional inside. As well, when it comes to towing you just can never have enough "beef". My concern is that I tow a Jeep CJ7 that weighs loaded around 4400lbs with a tool box (150 lbs.) on the tongue of my tandem axle trailer Bri-Mar trailer that I put my CJ7 on when I go to Jeep Jamboree's. I want a truck that I can drive everyday with ultimate reliability for the price manufacturers are charging for these vehicles as well as decent fuel mileage for everyday use. I only Tow about 10 times a year with this heavy load and I can't decide between the Tundra or the Chevy/GMC half ton Crew Cab. My goal, get decent fuel mileage, easy to drive, be extremely comfortable, ease of towing and something that I can drive everyday and have the ability to put professional work colleagues and customers in it if the need should arise with my work. Anything you find out would be great. I think the two vehicles drive much differently and the Chevy had some nice creature comfort features but their viability and inconsistent quality is what concerns me about their product.
 
bsr7696yahoo.com

#6 of 92 Re: Toyota Tundra towing [cyclone7] by iqbaldhillon2

Jan 29, 2006 (12:04 pm)

Replying to: cyclone7 (Jan 22, 2006 8:12 pm)
Id go for the Tundra because Tundra can tow up to 7,100 pounds and you have to tow a 4500 pound camper so go with the Tundra. The Tundra also has better torque ratings than the Silverado/Sierra and tows with no difficulty.

#8 of 92 Going to tow eventually...will share my experiences.. by ma23peas

Jun 11, 2006 (1:37 pm)

We have had our Tundra Double Cab with tow package and goodies for 3 weeks now...yep, we LOVE it!!! There is more room in the back for our 3 children than in the Camry...very nice and roomy...when you have the moonroof/back window/all windows down it's like driving a convertible! Love it! Okay, yes I'm a girl, what can I say. But my dear husband is sold on it as well and swears when our Sienna bites the dust we'll get another truck...one truck in the family is enough...that's where we differ!
 
Over the next 6 months we will be researching, buying, and outfitting our Tundra for towing a travel trailer...I'm trying my hardest to find a TT that is under 5,000 pounds but I think we'll be lucky to find one under 5500 that will fit our family of five and 2 dogs. We'll have to learn to pack really light..no water, no groceries, just a few clothes to get us going and pillows and covers for the bed...try living on plastic cups and such until we find our true weight.
 
But, I must admit I had delusions of a bigger tow potential...hey, I can get 1600 in my truck and tow 7000...sure on paper...but not TOGETHER!! Only when I dug deeper did I realize with trailer and truck contents I can't exceed 11,800...truck weighs about 4,800 (need to weigh it for sure)...family, dogs and bikes weigh about 800 pounds and growing! so now I'm at 5600...figure on about 100 for propane and hitch equipment...now at 5700...clothes and gear about 500 now at 6200...so the max trailer we can pull would be 5600 pounds!!! EEK! I was hoping to have us only pulling 11,000 and be on the underside of that weight...need to find a 5000 or less trailer bad...
 
And footage...I have found a few 4800 pound trailers that would be great but they're pushing 30 feet long...my wheelbase says 26.5 would be perfect..is is safe to push it if I have the dual cam Reese set up? Think Hensley arrow is overkill for our situation...but would entertain opinions on that as well..
 
Just posting to say that over the next year, I'll have a purchase and bad/good experiences to put down to help others...for now I love my Tundra!
 
Tara

#9 of 92 Limited Slip Differential? by toucanet

Jun 18, 2006 (7:41 am)

What is this and is it necessary for towing a boat or trailer?

#10 of 92 LSD by ma23peas

Jun 18, 2006 (8:23 am)

First, let me correct myself...I was using the 11,800 number as max GCWR...but my owners manual says 12,600 for DC 2x4 with tow package...so I'm going with that number...please check your owner manual for any differing numbers....
 
The limited slip differential as explained to me is a helpful thing if you get stuck...rather than having a wheel spin and getting sunk...the slip differential balances out something that makes it less likely for you to sit and spin your tires out...so in short, less likely for you to get stuck in the mud. HOw's that for technical?
 
Tara

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