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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 34

#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

#12 of 333 Re: Tundra, Ram or Tacoma? [tent2tt by treehuggerjake

Jul 15, 2007 (5:25 pm)

Replying to: tent2tt (Jun 14, 2007 11:19 am)
Like tent2tt I want a pickup that can safely tow 5000-7000 pounds when needed (which is a few times per year), that will get good gas mileage both city and highway, and that will be a reliable vehicle that will last for years.
 
What are my best bets?

#13 of 333 Re: Tundra, Ram or Tacoma? [tent2tt] by keeptruckin

Aug 20, 2007 (4:48 pm)

Replying to: tent2tt (Jun 12, 2007 9:44 am)
I've been a loyal Dodge fan for years, but the issues I had with my '02 Ram were nearly intolerable, so that is why I switched to the '07 Tundra. It can do nearly as much as most 3/4 ton trucks, with a gas engine, and so far I'm getting nearly 19mpg on the highway and about 14mpg city. Not too bad for a big truck. Now my father just recently traded in an '04 Ram Quad Cab 2500 that had the Hemi. He used it to tow a 34' travel trailer that weighed nearly 10,000lbs. His best mpg came after he installed a cold air induction kit and a free flowing exhaust system, but that still only netted him just under 8mpg. He got an '07 Ram MegaCab with the new 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel. It tows that tt without a problem. He hasn't gotten to take it on a long enough trip yet to get the real world mpg when towing but he's guessing around 12-14mpg. But he doesn't expect it to get much higher than that when he isn't towing. His is a 2WD and I would highly recommend that set up for any heavy, long term towing. The only downside to the diesel seems to be more preventive maintenance like 12qts of oil and a water filter of some kind that needs checked every month. His is very nice and would easily tow 5,500lbs. I can tow his tt with my Tundra. The mpg are not great, about 10.5mpg, but it can do it. My suggestion...get the new Tundra. It will easily tow the weight and is likely to have fewer problems. The Tacoma is strong enough to pull it, but the mpg will be bad when towing and they are not that much better than the full size Tundra when not towing mpg wise. My friend's Tacoma only gets 21mpg hwy. Hope this helped.

#14 of 333 My 2007 Dodge Rams' MPG by dennisplus

Aug 27, 2007 (12:54 pm)

I just bought a new 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L and it does great gas wise. I stomp it off the line all the time after stop signs and stop lights and not only do I love the power but gas mileage isn't all that bad. I get around 12-16 in town and 20-27 on highway. I love power behind the engine. I've towed a couple good loads of brick and cement and it drives like nothing was behind it. I took my truck to the Toyota dealership right after buying it and asked a couple guys there if they could tell me how there truck was better than mine. They had nothing to say but "IT HOLDS IT VALUE BETTER". I got a Laramie with Nav. and everything and made them sell it to me for $31,000. The Toyota's price with everything I had in my truck was so exaggerating! I'm glad I went to dodge.

#15 of 333 Re: My 2007 Dodge Rams' MPG [dennisplus] by bugchucker

Aug 27, 2007 (3:11 pm)

Replying to: dennisplus (Aug 27, 2007 12:54 pm)
Tundra does hold its value better than any truck. Ram is not in the same class as a Tundra. They were probably laughing at you for stopping at the Toyota dealership with your new Ram. Why waste time with you? Damage is done.

Messages Page 2 of 34

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