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Half-ton Pickups - The full field - READ ONLY

333 messages,  Last post on Oct 12, 2007 at 6:58 PM

You are in the Toyota Tundra Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Tundra, Dodge Ram Pickup 1500, Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Nissan Titan, Car Comparisons, Car Buying, Truck

Messages Page 2 of 35

#2 of 333 Re: Toyota Tundra v. Dodge Ram [tundrahq] by dustyk

Apr 15, 2007 (11:23 am)

Replying to: tundrahq (Apr 13, 2007 5:00 pm)
In case you weren't aware, the 545RFE automatic transmission that's used behind the 4.7 and 5.7 Hemi engines have six forward speeds. Five are used in sequential shifting, but for kick down has an alternate second gear which improves acceleration.
 
As far as towing capability, many will tell you that the truck manufacturers are playing the numbers game. Many wouldn't even attempt to pull 10,000 pounds in a half-ton pickup despite the rating.
 
As to the comments about the Hemi fuel consumption, come on guys! The only thing gross about the Hemis fuel consumption was your exaggeration. You know as well as anybody that the EPA test is the only fair comparison between vehicles. I know many RAM owners that typically get 14-15 MPG around town. It's how the vehicle is driven. I had one of our company's maintenance trucks for better than a week and that Hemi delivered just over 16.
 
The new Tundra sounds like a nice truck, and I guess it would be a little too much to expect you guys to be completely objective. But you could at least try.

#3 of 333 5.7 & CrewMax selling well by rsholland

Apr 16, 2007 (7:42 am)

http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/2639
 
Bob

#4 of 333 Re: Toyota Tundra v. Dodge Ram [dustyk] by chris206

May 21, 2007 (1:06 pm)

Replying to: dustyk (Apr 15, 2007 11:23 am)
I have a 2005 Dodge Ram with the 5.7 hemi, I love the truck, I bought it new and have 20,000 miles on it now. I have pulled some very very heavy loads and it did great, BUT the gas mileage it BBBAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!! the EPA ratings are not right on this vehicle. I have drove it everyway in the book and it still does not get over 11 mpg in the city and 14 on the hwy. Usually my numbers are more like 9 mpg.

#5 of 333 Re: Toyota Tundra v. Dodge Ram [chris206] by tundrahq

Jun 08, 2007 (12:59 pm)

Replying to: chris206 (May 21, 2007 1:06 pm)
Ya...that's what we've heard (and seen).
 
Not that gas mileage is a huge consideration when buying a truck, but 9mpg is rough. Here's to hoping it gets better!

#6 of 333 Re: Toyota Tundra v. Dodge Ram [chris206] by rsholland

Jun 08, 2007 (5:53 pm)

Replying to: chris206 (May 21, 2007 1:06 pm)
Edmunds had a long-term Jeep Commander test vehicle with the Hemi engine, and it too got really lousy mileage.
 
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/193
 
Bob

#7 of 333 Tundra, Ram or Tacoma? by tent2tt

Jun 12, 2007 (9:44 am)

I am trying to find a reliable truck with as good gas mielage as possible that can tow a maximum 5,500 lbs hard sided (not fold-down) travel trailer (that's the GVWR fully loaded up + 2 passengers)without overtaxing the engine going up hill and while still getting decent gas mileage towing and around town (particularly around town). Decent gas mielage to me is at least 20 mpg when not towing. I noticed that several versions of the Tacoma have a GVWR tow rating of 6,500 lbs, but no one seems to be using them for towing trailers--why is that, if the tow rating is that high? Would it overtax the Tacoma? I have seen one posting about using a Tundra for towing loads, but the gas mileage on the Tundra looks awful. Does anyone out there use have a Tundra for towing a travel trailer? If so, how much do you tow, how does it do uphill and what's the towing and non-towing real world mpg? Is it true that I should get a Dodge Ram 2500 with Cummins Turbocharged diesel instead? I haev seen numerous posts on travel trailer sites by people saying that they can get 20mpg empty and 11-15 mpg towing (heavier weights than my prospective TT) in their Dodge Ram TCD with the Cummins engine, but the overall reliablility of the Dodge, Ford and Chevys seems very worrisome compared with Toyotas great consumer report ratings and reliability reviews. I need a truck that I can take to travel that will be reliable, strong and get good gas mileage, especially when I drive it when I am not towing. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

#8 of 333 Re: Tundra, Ram or Tacoma? [tent2tt] by p51b

Jun 13, 2007 (9:36 am)

Replying to: tent2tt (Jun 12, 2007 9:44 am)
I have a 2003 Toyota Tundra with the 4.7 liter gas engine; 4 wheel drive; automatic transmission; tow package with transmission oil cooler; and 71,000 miles on the truck. I have had zero problems with this truck. I change the oil and filter every 3-4,000 miles and am running Mobil 1 5W-30 fully synthetic oil. I change the transmission fluid, front and rear differential fluids, transfer case fluids, power steering fluid; every 50,000 miles. And coolant every 2 years.
I am towing a 2005 Prowler 25 foot travel trailer that weighs loaded maximum 5,500 pound; and using an Easy Lift Hitch with anti-sway bars.
I take it out of overdrive on even the slightest hill or bucking a headwind.
This 4.7 liter engine has enough power to tow this trailer and am getting about 10-12 miles per gallon while towing.
I get 16-17 MPG driving the freeway at 65 MPH (not towing).
I am considering upgrading to the 2007 Tundra with 5.7 liter engine that delivers 100 more horsepower. I also am considering the Dodge RAM 2500 Heavy Duty with cummins turbo diesel engine. I have had such good luck with the 4 toyota cars and trucks that i have owned over the last 20 years; that i am reluctant to switch over to the Dodge.
I don't think you will find a more reliable and trouble free truck than the Toyota.
The Dodge is definately more of a towing rig than the Tundra; and the turbo-diesel will get a little better MPG. The 64,000 dollar question is---What will it cost to maintain the Dodge for 200,000 miles??? My Toyotas that i have owned all went over 264,00 miles and were still running with the orginal engines and transmission with no problem (with consistant preventative maintenance/changing lubricants). Lubricants are the lifeblood of moving components and reduce friction and wear and is very inexpensive preventative maintenance.

#9 of 333 Re: Tundra, Ram or Tacoma? [p51b] by tent2tt

Jun 14, 2007 (11:19 am)

Replying to: p51b (Jun 13, 2007 9:36 am)
Thanks for your response, p51b,
 
You are the first Tundra owner I have heard from. I have heard from 4 Tacoma owners who've been able to tow around 5K lbs., though one out of the 4 said he "white-knuckled" it every time (then got a Dodge Ram 2500).
 
Reading the Dodge forums gets me all freaked out that I will be dealing with one headache after another, bad warranty coverage issues and the fact that I don't know squat about diesels. But then I hear from Dodge owner like that one who loves his rig and I start thinking about the power and relatively good mpg (however, the '05 and newer models do not seem to be getting as good as the older models. The 2002- 2003 models seem to be the best). I am so confused right now.
 
The city and hiway mileage on the Tundra seems really low, though the towing mileage seems reasonable. Part of me feels that if I am going to get that huge of a truck, seems like it ought to be a diesel, but then it's the reliability issue... so I am back to looking at Toyota...Geez, can someone please get me off this see-saw? I want a truck with the Dodge Ram's power and at least 21-24 mpg hiway and at least 14-17 mpg towing and I want it to be as reliable as Toyota! Is that just too much to ask for my hard-earned money?

#10 of 333 Re: Toyota Tundra v. Dodge Ram [tundrahq] by adamb1

Jun 21, 2007 (11:18 am)

Replying to: tundrahq (Apr 13, 2007 5:00 pm)
The only time I have seen single-digit fuel economy with my '03 QC HEMI has been towing a trailer.
 
That said, I've never come close to the in-town figure on the windon sticker. I routinely averag 11.5-12.5 mpg in town. On the interstate, I have seen 16-17 mpg.

#11 of 333 Re: Tundra, Ram or Tacoma? [tent2tt] by dustyk

Jul 12, 2007 (4:20 pm)

Replying to: tent2tt (Jun 14, 2007 11:19 am)
A look in to the Ford and GM diesel forums seems to indicate a fair amount of issues as well. In fact, it looks to me like there are more angry Powerstroke owners out there than disgruntled Cummins' owners.
 
Most of the Dodge diesels owners I know or have spoken to have had little problems. Yes, I have noted a couple that had problems. But the majority have been please with the Cummins' motor and the truck.
 
I have an acquaintance that thought his Dodge diesel experience was going to be bad because so many GM and Ford owners told him he would. I spoke to him a while back and he remarked that after four years he was convinced that even the Dodge platform was far superior in his opinion (He owned GMs before).
 
In my experience as a former fleet manager, I believe the Cummins' is the best you can get in a light duty pickup.
 
Best regards,
Dusty

Messages Page 2 of 35

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