I have a 2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD double cab but all wheel drive. I have billstein gas shocks front and rear. 13 mpg towing my 2020 RPod 195 at 3350 pounds. 19 mpg when not towing. I absolutely love this truck rides like a Lexus and 250k miles running strong no issues just keep her maintained and she will last you forever. Make sure and have transmission fluid changed at TOYOTA HOUSE ONLY. It’s sealed so best to let the pros who work on them everyday do that. My daddy was always a Toyota Honda man and now I know why. I also have a 2011 RX 350 no issues also runs and drives like a dream. I drive my Toyota Prius at 50mpg just around town. Congrats on your Toyota Truck welcome to the Toyota family you will not regret it and be so glad you did! Have a great day John and love you channel.
Thanks for the comment. I love this truck even after three years of owning it. I have had several Hondas and they were all excellent as well. Thanks for the tip on getting the transmission fluid changed. All the best!
Everybody disses the Tundra for being old and for poor fuel mileage. Doesn’t bother me and “old reliable” is exactly what I want. Big ol reliable V8....can’t beat that!
We have a 2017 Tundra Crew Max and haul a 2020 Keystone Hideout 29DFS (7100lb Dry weight). We installed rear self-inflating airbags, which helps quite a bit with rear-end drop. I'd highly recommend it. We purchased our Tundra not based on MPG's since it was going to be our trailer hauler, not or daily driver. When comparing MPG's while towing, all trucks (with the exception of a few diesel pushers - they get about 12 mps - not great either), the difference is negligible between other brands. Long-term dependability was our #1 concern which nothing beats out the Tundra. For our brake controller, we made the simple upgrade to a Tekonsha P3, which makes a world of a difference. Best of luck my friend! Keep on Camping!
I have a 2010 Tundra CrewMax and I tow a 36 foot Jayco Travel Trailer. It tips the scales at 9600 lbs and it tows fantastic even up mountains. I did add the Firestone Ride Rite air bags to hold the weight up of the Trailer and it keeps the truck level and without any sagging.
Thanks for the comment. I use a Blue Ox Weight distribution hitch and it really helps level things out. The sway bar is what a lot of people use as well. Glad you are liking your Tundra. All the best!
I have a 2019 Tundra double cab and I love it. Towing a Jayco 264BH sometimes I forget I am pulling it. Really great tow truck and thank you for this review. The brake controller really works and I love it. Once you are connected it has a memory from the last time you pulled and it is like a plug and play.
That's great mileage. I am fortunate to break 10 mpg with my 5,000lb. Keystone Bullet going 60-62 mph. My Tundra has been outstanding as far as quality. I hope to do a 5-year real-life review next spring. Thanks for the comment!
Curious what the gross weight and tongue weight the Keystone is rated. Also, do you know the payload capacity on your Tundra (on the driver-side door sticker)? Factory on mine was supposed to be 1,630 lbs. but mine was only 1,320 lbs. with the Off-Road package and 38 gallon gas tank. Thanks!
@JohnMarucci I still use the factory integrated brake controller. It took me a long time to discover the "electric 5000+lb" option in the settings believe it or not lol
considering trading in my tacoma with the v6 4.0 eventually. The cab is so small in the tacoma even being a whopping 5ft 7" lol. But navigating the tundra in the city where I work in is what is holding me back.
I’m thinking Toyota may have improved the brake controller on the newer ones. Mine is a 2019 and it works just fine pulling my 27’, 6500 travel trailer, but I’ve heard complaints from guys with slightly older Tundras. This was a very good review. Thanks for all the info!
I love the fact the trans shifts down like a manual to help control speed going downhill. The transmission is amazing. I tow a backhoe and its safer than my f150 ever was.
Bud, glad to hear it is working well for you. I think 70+% of my mileage is towing and no issues. Great solid truck and it will be 4 years old in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the comment.
Great video, John...after watching several videos on the Tundra from other TH-cam contributors I can say without hesitation that yous is the most informative, concise, and just very well put together!
I wanted a Tundra but after researching trucks and looking at all capabilities within the trucks I ended up with a Ram due to more payload, towing capacity and ride quality along with better fuel mileage and a better factory warranty. I also paid 6k less for the ram. It's been a great truck so far I'm at 38k miles. It's a crew cab full bed pick up with the hemi V8 and 8 speed transmission. I average 15 city and 22 highway not bad for a 395 hp full size truck. I just got from Breckenridge today towing the camper for the last four days. My Ram averaged 16 mpg and has plenty of power within the hemi. My truck in tow mode downshifts when coming down the mountain which is awesome. Granted my camper and load is probably around 3500 lbs which isn't much for my truck but my truck will downshift so well in tow/haul mode I only used my breaks once coming out of Eisenhower tunnel into summit County which is impressive IMHO. I definitely wanted a Tundra but I don't think now I'd trade it for a Tundra. The tundras supposedly last forever but I personally don't care about getting 500k miles out of a truck. I will probably keep my Ram until it hits 120k and go get another one. Today's trucks are so good and reliable no matter what brand you get I don't worry too much about that. So many great trucks out there today
Really excellent and helpful review of the Ram truck. Greatly appreciated. It sounds like it has all the bases covered well. Glad it is working well for you and thanks for sharing your experience and perspective. All the best!
I traded my 16' ram hemi 8 speed for a 19' tundra. I like both trucks but the ram was superior in ride and handling, and the 8 speed transmission had really impressive shift programming, overall the truck was smooth and quiet and surprisingly felt more refined then the tundra. The tundra rides rougher no doubt and gear hunts a bit more, both good trucks, I dont understand the hate for ram from alot of people, it was a great truck for the 60k miles I owned it.
Great review I pull my 24ft trailer (5,000 Les) with 2017 Tundra. I have 43,789 1/2 of that is pulling the rv. Been reliable and comfortable to drive. I use the me electrical to hydraulic brake mode. I keep the gain in the lower range I have no issues.
Thanks for the comment. I’ve tried the brake controller both ways. It does work as you mentioned. I do wish it had more sensitivity. Overall the truck is great for towing and very comfortable for long trips. Thanks again for the comment!
Tom c yes, the brake controller does not apply enough voltage. In the Lance forums and Tundra forums that was an alternative method and it works well at the lowers settings.
John, any experience with/ adding a TRD dual exhaust and how that would affect performance? Curious n/c I just p/u a ‘21 Platinum and love the sound of this engine, thank you.😊
Dang man. You nailed that down to the "t". I got a 2020 Trd sr5 crewmax 4x4 at the end of may this year. I pull a 21 ft pontoon, 5x10 enclosed trailer, and a 6100# 33ft travel trailer here and there. With the travel trailer I average 65-70 mph on flat interstate. 9-9.5 mpg on average. I really enjoyed your video! Brake controller does kinda suck. But everything you said describes my experience!
@@JohnMarucci So I have an update on my tundra braking system. For whatever reason, I was pulling my travel trailer to the shop to have warranty work done and on that trip my brakes all of a sudden started working great. Tugging good! The only difference was it was cold and wet outside. I dont have a clue why this was.
Sorry to hear about your trailer Brake system not feeling right. I have a 2018 Tundra Limited access cab and I towed a 4,300 lb trailer and the electric braking system worked great! I set it up at 25 mph and then squeezed the brake till the trailer jerked the truck but not squeal the tires, then added .5 gain and it was like it wasn't there stopping the truck. I had a good experience.
Sounds like you dialed it in well. Mine works ok dialed at 9.0 with the factory brake controller. It seems to do ok but I may have to try your process at some point here to see if I can improve performance. Thanks for sharing!
@@JohnMarucci I think my total gain was set to 3.5, I found the secret is you're only pressing your break pedal half way down when your actually braking, you can watch it on the display, but when your squeezing the trailer break you're stomping the pedal to the floor when it's completely together. so you should feel pull from the trailer when you squeeze the brake half way I hope this makes sense! tough to explain. :-)
Nice video & review... air bags and an anti-roll bar in the rear are great, but a weight distribution hitch should be standard equipment when towing. I rescued a 2007 regular cab short box SR5 with the 5.7L tow package, the 3 previous owners put 270,000 miles on the truck towing & hauling weight. The truck has 293,000 on it today, and it's my daily driver / sport truck. One option that I read about from guys that tow is the addition of a DAP tune so the transmission doesn't hunt for gears... I added it to my truck at 281,000 for the performance gains - it works!
We go off roading and tow all the time with our 2016 tundra,never an issue. My neighbors dodge ram with 30,000 less miles already has a cracked exhaust manifold and electrical issues, what's next transmission..😵
Thank you for this video. Looking at same Keystone trailer with a F150 with 1860 payload and was wondering how it would be. Nice to see you knocking it all out with 1630 payload and similar V8 engine with no problem.
Hi John, i have a 14' sr5 dc trd offroad. I have only towed 30' coaches with it. The Tundras real weak point is payload, this is why they squat so bad. Ive installed the same tow mirrors, tenkosha p3 brake controller, go rhino tube steps, full bedrug, trd rear sway bar and front and rear Timbrens. I use an equalizer hitch but the sway bar and timbrens are a must have. Greatly improves the towing experience and both mods improve body roll and braking substantially.
Tom c,I went with the fire stone “ride-rite”www.sdtrucksprings.com/firestone-2445-ride-rite-air-bag-kit-toyota-tundra-2007-2018?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI38ry9ZnZ6QIVCYrICh0dawWMEAQYAiABEgKcnPD_BwE
Own a 2007 Tundra, towed a 35 ft DBH Towed it over the mountains had no problems. Truck has 270+k and run great. Its a 3/4 ton....I mean half ton.......yea right.
I like Toyota and I’m very seriously considering a Tundra as my next truck. I’m also very familiar with Tundras and as I do with all my pickups I add air bags that is an incredible assist for sagging springs, just don’t think that those increase payload capacity, they really help stabilize your suspension when towing.
Thanks John. I am currently in the market for a new vehicle and the Tundra is the front runner. Currently I have a Tacoma that does a good job towing but you definitely know the trailer is back there. I get the same towing mileage with the Tacoma and I have towed my 179 with a Tundra and it was a very good towing vehicle. Thanks for a very timely review!
Rob, good to hear from you. Glad the video was helpful. I think you will be very pleased if you go with a Tundra towing the 179. I would still recommend a WDH for sway control and to level things out. All the best!
I miss my 05 Tundra currently have a 15 Tacoma and towed my 18ft TT across country and back and it worked hard and I got between 7-9 mpg. But it done and is running great, not one issue and has 85,000 miles so far.Been driving Toyotas since 1992 and had a 01 dodge and a couple chevys in between while owning a Toyota wont be driving nothing else .
Thanks for the excellent in-depth review John! I really enjoyed it especially the fact that the break trailer brake is subpar and MPG is something to be considered versus the depreciation value of a Toyota midsize
Good vid, Thanks for the insights! Wife & I just bought a 2008 Limited version less than 2-weeks ago. Although we are not planning on towing anytime soon, Kinda Cool, our test drive included an off-road 4X tutorial from the salesman in some mud/trail's....Not expected but surprising and Fun! I had been looking for one about a month and were pretty happy we found one we like,(plus since it came outta Texas, there's pretty much none around our area that have the more unusual Timberland Mica Green:)
Congrats on getting a Tundra! Really like mine. If you ever decide to tow a camper, I have a hundred or so videos to help out learning about it. All the best!
Enjoyed your review John, i also have a 2017 Tundra SR5 2 WD. I think the mpg being good or bad is a point of view. I had a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Z66, 5.3L 285 HP (bought new) and towed a 19’ Airstream loaded 4,000+ lbs and got 10-11 mpg. Now I own a 2017 Tundra SR5 5.7L 381 HP (also bought new) and still tow the same 19’ Airstream and i get 13-14 mpg. So with an additional 100 horse power i get better mileage. Also i think the shape of the Airstream makes for a more pleasant towing experience and improved mpg. I have a friend that bought the same 2017 Tundra and tows a 25’ Airstream and went from Florida to Wyoming and enjoyed very much, never an issue driving through Colorado and Wyoming.
Joe, thanks for the insights and relating your experience. I would like like to tow an Airstream at some point to see how it compares to my Keystone Bullet. I think he slip stream of the Airstream would be a huge win interims of tow experience. Thanks again!
for the 5.7 V8 folks, make sure you check for potential cam tower leak at about 30k-60k. Get your dealership to fix it before warranty runs out or you will have to jump through loops to get it fixed. --Personal experience.
@@dalephillips8250 2016. The cam tower is located behind the engine block. It is easier to see if you lift the truck up and look from under. It is very hard to spot. The oil will get vaporized due to heat before it even get to the ground. Other than that no complain. I just recently bought a 2020. Hopefully Toyota fix the cheap seal.
I just bought a 2021 Crewmax Sport and I love it. Very smooth ride & I agree about the dash controls. Not too exciting but nice and simple. I’ve got a 38 gallon tank also and I believe you can upgrade it to around 46 gallon tank. Great truck that will retain its value.
26.4 gallons is the standard gas tank size. The 38 gallon usually comes with the SR5 package. I also have the larger 38 gallon tank and it is essential for towing. Thanks!
Nice review! I have the exact same 2019 model Tundra. I use it tow a dual axle boat trailer that is about 5k pounds with boat. Tows great! Wonder if your viewers know that as of 2019 the Tundra no longer has a transmission cooler included with the tow package. Any viewers ever notice any issues related to this? Lots of chatter on Tundra forums.
It's too bad they cut this cost and removed the transmission cooler. I'd rather have it than not have it. Hopefully, with the new 2022 model about to be revealed in September, they will reverse this decision. Thanks for the comment!
My boat is 8500 lbs on the trailer. No issues with transmission. The truck loves it. You 100% know the trailers back there. Anyone who says different is a liabetic
i tow a 3500 pound StarCraft 17rb with a 2018 Tacoma TRD off road, wile towing it gets 12 to 15 mpg, unloaded it gets 20 to 23 mpg. have had no problems at all even at speeds around 70mph (with weight dis hitch). i was thanking about getting a Tundra but i have seen no real reason so far.. Love theses Toyota trucks !!
One more add-on you need. Tailgate cover. You can purchase from Toyota. It's the piece that comes with a bedliner but you can purchase separately. I have one on my 2019 SR5 Tundra.
Take MPG “down side” with a grain of salt, I typically get better mpg in my 2019 5.7 liter Tundra then I got in my 5.3 liter GMC Sierra. I don’t have experience with the F-150 or Ram, but the Tundra is not the worst gas hog of the bunch.
Excellent review sir. First time viewer. I am considering a 2021 Tundra Double Cab to use as a daily driver. Am considering a roof top tent or overlander type set up. Do you think this is a wise idea? The reliability is huge for me, I need to keep this truck 20 years. I only drive 10k per year normally. Thanks again.
Eric, I think it could be a fine truck to overland in. You may want to find some people who have done this with their Tundra to get some feedback. There is probably a Facebook group for it. Thanks!
We towed a White Water Retro and Rpod 195 with a 2017 Tesla model X which has more Horsepower and more torque than our Toyota Tundra. But the 100kwh battery is not big enough for the taller Rpod-195. It’s like a 10 Gal tank, and it takes an hour to recharge. So we are looking forward to towing the Rpod with the Tundra. But after 10 days owning the Tundra, I’ve spent more than two months of charging the Tesla towing. For example we towed the smaller retro 3200 miles with free supercharging and paid $25 for non Tesla chargers. So the Tundra payments + fuel are approaching what the Tesla model X was...but not quite. If I could get a Tesla model X with a 2x larger battery I’d go back in a heartbeat. The Cybertruck has that battery, but is not yet available.
I agree with all that you’ve said on the Tundra. I have a 2015 sr5 crewmax 5.7. I tow a Jayco XJ213 at 5100 lbs. I do use a weight distribution system as well. I have not had one problem at all and I have 78,000 on her now with lots of towing. My question is have you had your transmission fluid serviced and do you do your own service on your truck?
Thanks for the comment. I have not serviced my truck on my own, I have a really good dealer locally that I take the truck to. I haven't had my transmission fluid changed out yet, but plan to fast-forward this to 30k miles given the tow load. Glad you are liking your truck!
I have a 2011 tundra platinum crew max. and had 1,500 lbs of concert and rebar in the box . The truck did NOT Move not even 1/2 inch just the tires . It drive better with the Weight then with out .
I towed 9k pound trailer from miami to seattle and the vehicle was very well balanced and pulled effortlessly, even without a weight distribution hitch. I feel my truck has lot more towing capability vs what toyota advertises. A 6500 trailer on daily basis should not be an issue, but then I am not a daily tower.
Great info. I just picked up a 2017 this past week just like yours except 4x4. So far loving it. I had a 2003 ford f150 pulling a midsize trailer 4700 dry, it did ok but due to the age I sold it and got the tundra. Off the bat I noticed the size, the power, the smoothness big difference. The mirrors the stock mirrors on tundra I see no reason to replace,I see alot better then the tow mirrors I but on my ford hmmm. I did hear a few people complaining about the brake controller on the tundra not grappin enough. They are saying on 2017 and 16 there is a update that Toyota can install to take care of the problem,I downloaded the tsb. I have not towed my trailer yet I guess I will find out. Did you say you added air bags? I'm definitely getting running boards. And a graphic handle for driverside ..glad I found your channel I'll check it out more....
Tom, congrats on getting the Tundra. I'll have to look into the brake controller fix. I did not put air bags on, but my Blue Ox Sway Pro weight distribution hitch seems to be leveling out the truck well. Thanks for the comment!
I was getting 9-10 mpg with the 5,000 lb. Keystone - more like 5,400 lb. loaded. I did only go 60 mph or so. I know if you drive 70 mph it will lower mpg as will a trailer not sitting level. Curious if it is avg. speed in your case or something else, as that mpg is pretty low for that weight of trailer.
John: My wife and I are working on our 4th Toyota Tundra SR5 we have the 2014 model and I do a lot of towing with it anything from 1 800 pound ATV to 8 900 pound 5'x5' round bails of hay on a 24 ft snowmobile trailer and I haul a 2000 pound car trailer and I load it with anything from a Small 2 dr car to a 1 ton truck like you the gas mileage is not that great but the work it does is great again this is our 4th one and I would buy a new one with out a question, I know that people ask all the time if I have had other trucks and yes I have and I still will stay with Toyota Tundra, We have gone from Maine to Morris, Illinois and back We got good gas mileage at 16 to 18 miles per gallon depending on the roads, then we hauled a 6x 12 U-haul from Maine to Southern Va and back in a snow storm just the past February and now here it is July 24, 2020 and in just a few days on July 27th we will be heading back down to Va to get a trailer and haul it back to Maine, Oh by the way when we bought this truck it was used and had about 25,000 miles on it and not it has 118,000 miles on it and still going great,
I have the same truck. Are those tow mirrors aftermarket? The Toyota ones are so expensive, the ones on Amazon appear to be the same for half the price. Great review. I pull a 4000 pound trailer and get around 10mpg and have an Andersen hitch and it pulls real nice.
Mike the tow mirrors are Trail Ridge aftermarket towing mirrors. They have a great blind spot mirror in the bottom 1/4 of the mirror. Here is the link if interested... amzn.to/3bxsw4F
I have the same mirrors with 2 years on them, blind spot woks great. Again John Thanks for the honest review and not beating the tundra up becuz it does not have all the tech.
Do NOT buy tow mirrors off amazon. They are made in china type a crap. Spend 150 per mirror and order the OEM tow mirrors for superior durability and long lasting quality.
Also I have a 2018 tundra 5.7l sr5 trd offroad. I HATE the technology of the stupid toyota safety sense. Why do i need a parking monitor or a pre colision warning. Its just more crap to go wrong. If toyota took that crap out of the new tundras it would be so much less complicated. All that shit is just a waste of money. So i just turn that crap off everytime i drive. I wish i could disable it. It causes issues if you want to lift the truck, if you want to replace the bumpers, put a smittybuilt wench on, a brush or bull guard. Any suggestions around it?
I drive 60-62 normally when towing. I don't use the manual shift unless extreme conditions. It is a six-speed transmission and will get there usually above 45 mph when towing. Thanks!
John, new to your TH-cam. And really like moats if not all, it has provided me with loads of information. We picked up A”what I call a pull behind” trailer 28’ Grand Design. Also with the trailer a 2017 Tundra SE5. Just listen to your talk about your tundra’s handling. My question is how to use the (S)D gear, for like down hill as on I 75 between Kentucky down to Knoxville TN? How and when would you use it. BTW live in Schoolcraft and will have more questions if you don’t mind. TKS in advance. Ric
Rick, I've travelled that stretch towing but if I am coming south greatly prefer the I-65 route with fewer hills. I keep the Tow/Haul button engaged and allow the transmission to downshift as it does with this mode enabled. No issues. I think with my 2017 Tundra (which I still tow with), you have to be aware of payload, which for my 4x4 Off-Road SR5 is only slight more than 1,300 lbs. On an 28' trailer, you will want to use a Cat Scale at a TA/Loves etc. to know your weights and payload and you will want a good weight distribution hitch. Here is a video on weight distribution hitches you may want to take a look at if you haven't already: th-cam.com/video/8rBDeX-dSkY/w-d-xo.html
I'm glad i saw this pop up, because i plan on getting the same trailer. I have the 2016 crewmax.... Have you put on a rear sway bar yet? I've heard from a few people that helps with towing. I travel for work, and have to go thru some pretty windy areas, so really trying to find out how the truck with do with the bullet. I also ran into a guy at the gas station, who tows an airstream with his, and said he supercharged his and makes a world of difference.
@@jmfj925 I haven't added air bags or any other suspension aid. Basically, with my 5,000 lb Keystone Bullet RV, I adjust the Blue Ox to 7 or 8 chain links and it moves weight from the rear to the front truck axle. It rides well and is firmly planted. Several thousand miles towing and I'm good with it at this point. Thanks!
Dead reliable, horrible on fuel, 13 year old technology. They have had that same engine and transmission in use since the debut of that truck in 2007, and it's still competitive (other than mpg wise). I'd own one in a heartbeat just for the reliability. All the wizz-bang features the competition uses are great, but it's just more things to break. I don't need or want things like a powered tailgate!!
Thanks for the comment. I like the fact that the Tundra is still a basic reliable truck without all the tech. I'm sure that will change shortly with the next release, but for now it works fine for me.
Good review. Was wondering about the factory brake controller. I use a p3 on my Tacoma and I love it. Wasn’t suppressed about spring sag. My Tacoma got weak springs to. I use a husky wdh and also added firestone air bags.
I used the Tekonsha 90160 Primus IQ brake controller on my 2014 Pilot with my 171 and it was very good. The factory one on the Tundra has to be turned up all the way to grab properly and then it seems to grab a bit much. I understand the P3 is a good unit as well. Many Tundra owners add the air bags, but it seems the Blue Ox does well in this regard. Sounds like you have your set up dialed in well. All the best!
You could get the 4.6L V8 for that year as well. My 2017 tundra is almost exactly the same as yours with the exception of the engine and I don't have the trd package. Still has skid plates though. It pulls really well but I'm sure it's not as good as the 5.7L
@@JohnMarucci I'm kicking myself for shying away from the 5.7 since it was my daily driver at the time and I wanted decent gas mileage. Now that I have a tractor I could use the extra towing power. I get about 16.5mpg in the summer which is pretty nice for the truck that it is.
Towing our Alaska-purchased ‘17 RPod 179 worked well with my 10 Tundra (bullet-nosed styling generation ). We relocated on down to the Lower 48: (NC). I’m running the 4.6 in a 2WD Crew Cab SR5 and it does fine with the aid of the very well set up towing package and a transmission unique to the 4.6. Integrated brake controller NA then, just the controller-ready pig tail. So the 4.6 is a slightly more fuel efficient engine (20 mpg Hwy non-towing) with the lighter 2WD drive train. Towing ranges around 13 ish with our 2800 dry weight 179. Not a powerhouse, so would not graduate up to a 3500# or greater trailer with the 4.6. The helpful bonus now as a daily driver is a solid 20 mpg Hwy. I believe the 4.6 got dropped as an economy engine option toward the end of your gen’s year span. We enjoy a cross-bed refuel tank giving us a maximum of 66 gallons on board; really useful for the Alcan Hwy but cuts the frequency of fill ups. Your 5.7 was wise for both the 4wd in general and going on to upgrading to your new Bullit travel trailer. If we want to move to the RPod 190, the ‘22 proposed twin-turbo Tundra will be on the consideration list (unless sticker keeps us to an older 5.7 w/36 gal tank). Meanwhile our current set up is working well. Thanks, John! If you later make the jump to the 22+ Gen Tundra, I’ll look fwd to your next assessment if u stay Tundra ...
5.7L the only engine? My 2019 Tundra has the Lexus 4.6L with a tow capacity of 6500lbs which is fine, my Escape Trailer Industries 19 only weighs 3000lbs. It’s a fiberglass shell, light and aerodynamic. I get 19 mpg highway and super reliability. I would get a Cummins for that bullet.
Outstanding review - concise, informative and and well produced. I have already chosen a travel trailer, Escape 23’, that weighs 3250# empty and 5500# GVRW. I am considering the Sequoia and the Tundra and my only concern is the brake controller. Do you know if an aftermarket unit be used instead?
I think you can put an aftermarket brake controller in the Tundra. Not sure of the process or details however, but I know people have done it. You may want to check out the Tundra and Trailers Facebook group.
Tommy, I used the Fastway E2 WDH for the Pilot and 171. This had built in sway control. Honda did not recommend a WDH with 2014 4WD unibody Pilot, but I reasoned that safety took priority over frame issues. There is much debate on this issue with good reasons on both sides. Thanks for the question!
They eliminated in 2019 and 2020 the aux transmission oil cooler....you have to purchase the Toyota part to add back a aux trans cooler See you tube on this bad change but you can upgrade back
What is your set up with the Tundra - what year, model, engine and are you running airbags or any other suspension aid? I'm curious given you are able to exceed recommended towing capacity.
@@JohnMarucci stock everything well except on my 2020 where they took out the transmission cooler. I had to add a transmission cooler. Safety wise you need tires that are 10 ply and trailer with its own electric brake. For the suspension you can do add a leaf to increase weight capacity. The biggest limiting factor on the truck itself is tires.
Thank you that was a very good review. I have a 2020 Tundra double cab also. I just purchased a 28-foot travel trailer dry weight is 6300 lb I feel good about towing with this I'm a little leery because my old trailer was 4500 lbs. and it towed it was absolutely no issues. Keeping my fingers crossed I have a good weight distribution and I'll check my weights but thanks for the information happy camping
I got mine from the dealer right after I got the truck. It looks like they may still have it but you may want to confirm with them on length: parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2017_Tundra/Bed-Mat/69525692/PT58034070.html
Thanks for your video. I will only buy things reliable so I will go with Tundra. BTW, what is the travel trailer brand having an affordable and reliable reputation, like Toyota?
Jim, it is different (and usually lower) on the door sticker vs the published amount. My 5.7L 4x4 Double Cab with 6.6 ft bed has a published payload amount of 1,630 lbs., but my door sticker says only 1,320 lbs. including passenger and cargo weight. This is apparently based on the wheels and tires that came with the truck. Not sure why the difference beyond this. Here a link to a similar question asked: www.toyotanation.com/threads/tundra-payload-discrepancy.1687070/ Thanks!
@@JohnMarucci yeah, the advertised ratings are often significantly higher than actual, as options and accessories add weight, so was wondering yours. Toyota pickups seem to have very low actual capacities. Appears it would make towing under the payload capacity, when adding hitch and tongue weight, challenging if have people and stuff in pickup. Probably physically handles it fine, but a legal liability concern.
The ratings are due to added equipment on the truck like power seats, sunroof, center console, etc. adding weight and then being subtracted from payload. The door sticker is the original weight minus added options so they are usually specific for that particular truck.
Good video. Any recommendations on what years would be best to buy used, and why, say from 2014 to 2019 or would it be worth just going new if asking prices were high, which they seem to be around here? Thanks.
There is a brand new generation Tundra supposedly coming out in 2022: www.motortrend.com/news/2022-toyota-tundra-pickup-truck-everything-we-know/ As far as the current generation, the later years 2019-2021 likely will have more available safety features. However, there is an issue with Toyota removing the Transmission cooler on later models: pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/missing-transmission-oil-cooler-2019-2020-toyota-tundra/ I like my 2017 very much after 4 years and a bunch of RV towing miles. Whatever direction you go, the Tundra is highly rated and likely reflected in price. Thanks!
@@JohnMarucci Thanks for the reply and links, John. We looked at a 2014 today at the local used car lot. It's been there awhile due to the almost $40K price with 60K miles. Looked nice but a little newer sounds good. We're leaning toward a king cab with a long bed. Do you continue to use your brake controller? Is 4.30 the only rear end available? We probably wouldn't tow more than 6K lbs. Thanks.
Hello there thank you so much for making this video. I heard you mention it came standard with tow package? What year did that start? Do all tundras 2017 and newer come standard with all the tow package features?
It is my understanding that all Tundras since 2017 have the tow package as standard. Here is a thread if interested: www.tundras.com/threads/does-my-new-tundra-have-a-tow-package.12214/
I own a 2019 Ford F150 but I like the Tundra. Very reliable. Regrets? Kinda. But I have 15000 km and no issues..Hope it stays like that. But my next truck is a Tundra for sure..
Sorry, jumped the gun. I see the Tundra had one. I'm getting my first R-pod next week. New to this. I didn't know all vehicles need one for the brakes to work. Private party sale so learning as I go. Thanks for your videos.
My boat is the same size and I can't tell that I'm pulling anything. I do notice my FR Vibe 28bh behind it. I added Sumo Springs to the Tundra today to help with stability and rear sag.
They do function with OEM features, mine are power mirrors only and work as my OED mirrors did. You do need to choose carefully the model for your Tundra. It did not cause any issues in terms of sensors or lights on the dash. Solid mirrors.
It would be a lot of truck to pull behind a Class A or C. Make sure you are good on the towing capacities of the RV and research the towabilty of a Tundra. I haven't heard of anyone doing this. Not every car or truck can be towed behind an RV, so you'll want to confirm. Thanks!
I still use the factory brake controller but it is not all that sensitive. People do put in after market units, but they usually have to be mounted somewhere that is in the way or out of place. Basically, I have mine turns up all the way when using it.
Does anyone have the smaller v8 model? I think it’s a 4.6. I wonder if it’s worth the gas mileage savings. Irony think I’ll ever tow anything heavy. Maybe quad, dirt bikes and camping gear. MPG’s on the 4.6? Thanks.
Not sure you will get the feedback you are looking for from the video comments. There is a Tundra's and Trailers Facebook group with a bunch of Tundra owners if interested. Thanks!
I have a 16 SR5 dc 4x2. Mileage varies depending on driving habits. I can get 18 on the highway driving 65mph or less. I get 14 to 15 driving 75 to 80. I will admit I wish I would have got the 5.7 but the deal on this truck was to good so i bought it. My biggest problem with the 4.7 is the cruise control is only good on flat highway, even overpasses make the trans down shift(very annoying). If the overpass or hill is tall enough it will down shift again just as it reaches the top of the hill(SUPER ANNOYING!). I would say get the 5.7 mpg isn't much less and the added power is worth it.
I tow my dirtbikes on a trailer behind my Highlander haha. Kayaks on the roof rack, and skis up there too. It dips down to 16mpgs when I tow which sucks but is what it is
I have a 2013 Tundra 4.6L 4x4 and I love it. I drive about 60 highway miles a day commuting to work so getting the smaller engine was definitely helpful for me. I have a boat that weights around 4,000 lbs that I pull regularly and I usually can fill up and drive a good 3 1/2 hours before I get to a quarter of a tank again and have to fill up, and that is when I go places that requiring climbing a lot of hills. I hauled a car hauler the other day total loaded weight being around 8,000 lbs for about an hour and the needle barely moved and the truck didn’t struggle at all. I am currently installing a gooseneck hitch in mine to haul around a vintage gooseneck camper I have just acquired. I have been highly satisfied with my 4.6l and have saved a lot on gas compared to my friend who has the 5.7. Being that I don’t tow everyday, the smaller engine just made more sense for my application.
I have a 2010 tundra with the 5.7. I get 14 in city and 19 or so on the highway. I’ve got a heavy foot. Before that I had the tundra with the 4.6 v8. The mileage difference is negligible. Get the 5.7 if u can. More power.
I also have 2020 Tundra, we bought a 26 ft TT, we are taking a road trip about 3k miles for the first time, I heard people are towing with tow haul and S4 mode, any suggestions and do you think is too hard or on the transmission ?Thanks
You really need to be careful about payload with the Tundra. My 5.7L V8 Tundra only has 1320 lbs. payload according to the door sticker. Subtract people weight, gear in the cab and truck bed, and trailer tongue weight and it is very thin at best to tow any mid-sized trailer. My Blue Ox weight distribution hitch helps to distribute the tongue weight well and using a weight distribution hitch should be considered if you don't already have one. I always use tow-haul mode everytime I tow, but run in drive and not S4. Toyota removed the trans cooler in 2019 I believe, saying they are no longer needed due to better fluids used, but you'll want to keep track of temps if possible. To me the bigger saftey issue is having a TPMS to monitor the trailer tires on a trip that long. Thanks!
I know they are great and reliable but for me is a love hate type of thing.......... I wanted one because of the reliability but the looks stopped me from doing so........ instead I went for a 2019 Rebel.........
Should have gotten the trd sport over the offroad . the offroad spring/ suspension designed to flex . as the sport would of honestly benefited you for towinh
crewmaxes are over-rated. i dont get the appeal of oversized backseats and sacrificing 1ft of bed. the doublecab has similar leg room to a regular sedan already. besides the middle console extruding out on the middle position. Doublecabs dont get as much love from Toyota though. no full rear window roll down, no premium audio options, no platinum trims, no moonroof options, etc...
Tim, I have not added a new brake controller at this point. The original one still works but isn't the best (as mentioned). I have to set it to be very sensitive to get it to brake properly. It works fine for now. Thanks!
@@JohnMarucci we are looking at buying a new pickup. Towing a 191 and wanting to get up and down Western mountains, I’m leaning towards the Tundra. Our 4Runner does good on flat ground, but not so great in the mountains.
Tim, I’ll have mine four years in March and still really like it. It has been a great truck. Make sure you get the spray on bed liner and rubber bed mat. I also spent the $ and added the trifold tonneau cover and love it. This spring I’m planning to add the Curt front 2” hitch receiver for my bikes. All the best!
@@JohnMarucci We are going to buy a new truck soon. The choice s are between a Tacoma and a Tundra. I'm 6'3" so the interior cab race is important to me. Also the towing capacity of the V-8 versus the V-6 is something to consider. Forget about miles per gallon. We have a 4Runner which tows the RPod 191 just fine until we hit the higher mountain passes, then it crawls at 40-45 mph in 3rd gear. I hear the Tundra would do much better!
John, I have a 2019 Limited that is two years old, and I now have 64,000 miles on it. My experience in towing matches yours fairly close; I tow a 7,000 enclosed trailer. I think you will see gas mileage go up a little once you get it broke in. My best MPG and the engine's strength did not kick in until it had about 50,000 miles on it. When I can run ethanol-free gasoline, I can pick up about 2 MPG empty and about a half-mile per gallon towing. My best MPG over a 600 mile (one tank) trip was 23.3 MPG, flat land, no cruise control on a recent trip. When the truck had 30,000 miles, the very best I could get was about 21 MPG; all my comparisons are on the same route and same gas station and pump. Using cruise control, I loose about 1.5 MPG empty. Depending on conditions, I rarely use 6th gear when towing, mostly 4th most of the time, and it really doesn't seem to hurt me much on MPG. As a previous person noted, mine does not have the auxiliary transmission cooler; after backing up a long gravel driveway, a yellow light came on that the temps were too high. The dealer checked it out, and no codes showed a problem. I am hoping to trade my soon for 2021 before this engine and transmission go away.
The tranny with get toasty. Ive towed over 8k miles with out a trans cooler on my 2021 and temps are up in the 240 going up hills and stay around 230 ish on flat ground and will come down when your going down hill over long grades, but they are far from ideal. Now this is with about 5k to 6k weight for me. with a cooler temps would be around 195 to 210 ish. A trans cooler is a must, stupid move by toyota for removing it. Im adding one to mine here soon.
It may be outdated, but I am liking the analog nature of the truck. Overpriced is another story as you need to look at resale value and depreciation to answer that question. Mine was sub 40k new and is holding its value well after 3 years, and it still looks, drives and tows wonderfully.
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I have a 2015 CrewMax, towed 12 ft enclosed from NC to Alaska, and a 16 ft enclosed from Alaska to NC. Love my Tundra
Aubrey, glad to hear it. I am greatly enjoying mine as well.
Would love the details on the weight and setup.
I have a 2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD double cab but all wheel drive. I have billstein gas shocks front and rear. 13 mpg towing my 2020 RPod 195 at 3350 pounds. 19 mpg when not towing. I absolutely love this truck rides like a Lexus and 250k miles running strong no issues just keep her maintained and she will last you forever. Make sure and have transmission fluid changed at TOYOTA HOUSE ONLY. It’s sealed so best to let the pros who work on them everyday do that. My daddy was always a Toyota Honda man and now I know why. I also have a 2011 RX 350 no issues also runs and drives like a dream. I drive my Toyota Prius at 50mpg just around town. Congrats on your Toyota Truck welcome to the Toyota family you will not regret it and be so glad you did! Have a great day John and love you channel.
Thanks for the comment. I love this truck even after three years of owning it. I have had several Hondas and they were all excellent as well. Thanks for the tip on getting the transmission fluid changed. All the best!
Everybody disses the Tundra for being old and for poor fuel mileage. Doesn’t bother me and “old reliable” is exactly what I want. Big ol reliable V8....can’t beat that!
John, I also enjoy the old school nature of the truck. Solid and reliable for towing or as a daily driver. Thanks for the comment!
We have a 2017 Tundra Crew Max and haul a 2020 Keystone Hideout 29DFS (7100lb Dry weight). We installed rear self-inflating airbags, which helps quite a bit with rear-end drop. I'd highly recommend it. We purchased our Tundra not based on MPG's since it was going to be our trailer hauler, not or daily driver. When comparing MPG's while towing, all trucks (with the exception of a few diesel pushers - they get about 12 mps - not great either), the difference is negligible between other brands. Long-term dependability was our #1 concern which nothing beats out the Tundra.
For our brake controller, we made the simple upgrade to a Tekonsha P3, which makes a world of a difference. Best of luck my friend! Keep on Camping!
Quang, thanks for the great comment! Sounds like you have your towing situation dialed. All the best!
I have a 2010 Tundra CrewMax and I tow a 36 foot Jayco Travel Trailer. It tips the scales at 9600 lbs and it tows fantastic even up mountains. I did add the Firestone Ride Rite air bags to hold the weight up of the Trailer and it keeps the truck level and without any sagging.
Danny, thanks for the comments! The air bags are probably essential equipment with that much weight. All the best!
I have the exact same truck and agree with everything you said. I added a sway (control) bar and it improves cornering and towing.
Thanks for the comment. I use a Blue Ox Weight distribution hitch and it really helps level things out. The sway bar is what a lot of people use as well. Glad you are liking your Tundra. All the best!
I have a 2019 Tundra double cab and I love it. Towing a Jayco 264BH sometimes I forget I am pulling it. Really great tow truck and thank you for this review. The brake controller really works and I love it. Once you are connected it has a memory from the last time you pulled and it is like a plug and play.
Thanks for sharing!
Very well presented and articulated!!!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
I towed my 22 foot Airstream from Maryland Beach to the Factory in NW Ohio... It weighed 5,000lbs. towed great in the hills , and mountains. 11.7 MPG
That's great mileage. I am fortunate to break 10 mpg with my 5,000lb. Keystone Bullet going 60-62 mph. My Tundra has been outstanding as far as quality. I hope to do a 5-year real-life review next spring. Thanks for the comment!
Was just towing my 32 ft Keystone Passport GT through the Ozarks with my 2021 Tundra. No issues whatsoever!
Could barely tell I was towing!
Curious what the gross weight and tongue weight the Keystone is rated. Also, do you know the payload capacity on your Tundra (on the driver-side door sticker)? Factory on mine was supposed to be 1,630 lbs. but mine was only 1,320 lbs. with the Off-Road package and 38 gallon gas tank. Thanks!
Glad to know! I got a grand design 245 rl. Just a couple ft shy of yours. Glad yours tows well. What hitch are you running?
With Tundra is seems what you loose on gas you save on maintenance compared to other trucks.
Good observation. Thanks for the comment!
Yes 👍
I was not happy with my 2020 brake controller until I discovered the 5000+ option. That made all the difference in the world!
Good to hear. Is there as specific brand you went with as a replacement?
@JohnMarucci I still use the factory integrated brake controller. It took me a long time to discover the "electric 5000+lb" option in the settings believe it or not lol
Makes sense. Thanks for sharing!
considering trading in my tacoma with the v6 4.0 eventually. The cab is so small in the tacoma even being a whopping 5ft 7" lol. But navigating the tundra in the city where I work in is what is holding me back.
Josh, that's a tough call. The Tundra is a great truck, but obviously it isn't small or easy to park. All the best in your decision!
Man, your presentation skills are excellent!
I’m thinking Toyota may have improved the brake controller on the newer ones. Mine is a 2019 and it works just fine pulling my 27’, 6500 travel trailer, but I’ve heard complaints from guys with slightly older Tundras. This was a very good review. Thanks for all the info!
Michael, good to hear that the brake controller is improved. Thanks for the comment!
I love the fact the trans shifts down like a manual to help control speed going downhill. The transmission is amazing. I tow a backhoe and its safer than my f150 ever was.
Bud, glad to hear it is working well for you. I think 70+% of my mileage is towing and no issues. Great solid truck and it will be 4 years old in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the comment.
Great video, John...after watching several videos on the Tundra from other TH-cam contributors I can say without hesitation that yous is the most informative, concise, and just very well put together!
Thanks! Glad the video was helpful!
I wanted a Tundra but after researching trucks and looking at all capabilities within the trucks I ended up with a Ram due to more payload, towing capacity and ride quality along with better fuel mileage and a better factory warranty. I also paid 6k less for the ram. It's been a great truck so far I'm at 38k miles. It's a crew cab full bed pick up with the hemi V8 and 8 speed transmission. I average 15 city and 22 highway not bad for a 395 hp full size truck. I just got from Breckenridge today towing the camper for the last four days. My Ram averaged 16 mpg and has plenty of power within the hemi. My truck in tow mode downshifts when coming down the mountain which is awesome. Granted my camper and load is probably around 3500 lbs which isn't much for my truck but my truck will downshift so well in tow/haul mode I only used my breaks once coming out of Eisenhower tunnel into summit County which is impressive IMHO. I definitely wanted a Tundra but I don't think now I'd trade it for a Tundra. The tundras supposedly last forever but I personally don't care about getting 500k miles out of a truck. I will probably keep my Ram until it hits 120k and go get another one. Today's trucks are so good and reliable no matter what brand you get I don't worry too much about that. So many great trucks out there today
Really excellent and helpful review of the Ram truck. Greatly appreciated. It sounds like it has all the bases covered well. Glad it is working well for you and thanks for sharing your experience and perspective. All the best!
I traded my 16' ram hemi 8 speed for a 19' tundra. I like both trucks but the ram was superior in ride and handling, and the 8 speed transmission had really impressive shift programming, overall the truck was smooth and quiet and surprisingly felt more refined then the tundra. The tundra rides rougher no doubt and gear hunts a bit more, both good trucks, I dont understand the hate for ram from alot of people, it was a great truck for the 60k miles I owned it.
Great review I pull my 24ft trailer (5,000 Les) with 2017 Tundra. I have 43,789 1/2 of that is pulling the rv. Been reliable and comfortable to drive. I use the me electrical to hydraulic brake mode. I keep the gain in the lower range I have no issues.
Thanks for the comment. I’ve tried the brake controller both ways. It does work as you mentioned. I do wish it had more sensitivity. Overall the truck is great for towing and very comfortable for long trips. Thanks again for the comment!
You use the hydraulic/electric mode on trailer electric brakes?
Tom c yes, the brake controller does not apply enough voltage. In the Lance forums and Tundra forums that was an alternative method and it works well at the lowers settings.
@@gy56 thankyou, I will give it try before I switch it out
John, any experience with/ adding a TRD dual exhaust and how that would affect performance? Curious n/c I just p/u a ‘21 Platinum and love the sound of this engine, thank you.😊
I have no experience with adding dual exhausts.
My salesperson at Toyota said after I buy it he will give me a tip on saving fuel.He said leave it in the driveway 🤣
Dang man. You nailed that down to the "t". I got a 2020 Trd sr5 crewmax 4x4 at the end of may this year. I pull a 21 ft pontoon, 5x10 enclosed trailer, and a 6100# 33ft travel trailer here and there. With the travel trailer I average 65-70 mph on flat interstate. 9-9.5 mpg on average. I really enjoyed your video! Brake controller does kinda suck. But everything you said describes my experience!
Thanks for the comment!
@@JohnMarucci So I have an update on my tundra braking system. For whatever reason, I was pulling my travel trailer to the shop to have warranty work done and on that trip my brakes all of a sudden started working great. Tugging good! The only difference was it was cold and wet outside. I dont have a clue why this was.
Sorry to hear about your trailer Brake system not feeling right. I have a 2018 Tundra Limited access cab and I towed a 4,300 lb trailer and the electric braking system worked great! I set it up at 25 mph and then squeezed the brake till the trailer jerked the truck but not squeal the tires, then added .5 gain and it was like it wasn't there stopping the truck. I had a good experience.
Sounds like you dialed it in well. Mine works ok dialed at 9.0 with the factory brake controller. It seems to do ok but I may have to try your process at some point here to see if I can improve performance. Thanks for sharing!
@@JohnMarucci I think my total gain was set to 3.5, I found the secret is you're only pressing your break pedal half way down when your actually braking, you can watch it on the display, but when your squeezing the trailer break you're stomping the pedal to the floor when it's completely together. so you should feel pull from the trailer when you squeeze the brake half way I hope this makes sense! tough to explain. :-)
Nice video & review... air bags and an anti-roll bar in the rear are great, but a weight distribution hitch should be standard equipment when towing. I rescued a 2007 regular cab short box SR5 with the 5.7L tow package, the 3 previous owners put 270,000 miles on the truck towing & hauling weight. The truck has 293,000 on it today, and it's my daily driver / sport truck. One option that I read about from guys that tow is the addition of a DAP tune so the transmission doesn't hunt for gears... I added it to my truck at 281,000 for the performance gains - it works!
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Sounds like you did a great job on the Tundra rescue!
I towed my 264BHW Jayco with my 2019 Tundra and I love it. Mine is black double cab also. Thanks for this video. I am more at peace :).
Peter, thanks for the comments, glad the video was helpful!
Clear and transparent. Thanks
You're welcome!
We go off roading and tow all the time with our 2016 tundra,never an issue. My neighbors dodge ram with 30,000 less miles already has a cracked exhaust manifold and electrical issues, what's next transmission..😵
Glad to hear about your truck's performance. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you for this video. Looking at same Keystone trailer with a F150 with 1860 payload and was wondering how it would be. Nice to see you knocking it all out with 1630 payload and similar V8 engine with no problem.
Shouldn't be a problem with that payload rating. You will likely want a good weight distribution hitch given the Keystone's tongue weight. Thanks!
Great Video! Good info , I will be purchasing a 2021 here soon!!
Hi John, i have a 14' sr5 dc trd offroad. I have only towed 30' coaches with it. The Tundras real weak point is payload, this is why they squat so bad. Ive installed the same tow mirrors, tenkosha p3 brake controller, go rhino tube steps, full bedrug, trd rear sway bar and front and rear Timbrens. I use an equalizer hitch but the sway bar and timbrens are a must have. Greatly improves the towing experience and both mods improve body roll and braking substantially.
Mark, thanks for the comments, and recommendations. All the best!
I added a set of airbags and it really helped out with the rear springs!
Jayson, what airbag system did you get and how much?
Tom c,I went with the fire stone “ride-rite”www.sdtrucksprings.com/firestone-2445-ride-rite-air-bag-kit-toyota-tundra-2007-2018?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI38ry9ZnZ6QIVCYrICh0dawWMEAQYAiABEgKcnPD_BwE
Jayson, I didn't add the airbags. I am not getting any sag in the back with the weight distribution hitch I am using. Thanks!
Own a 2007 Tundra, towed a 35 ft DBH Towed it over the mountains had no problems. Truck has 270+k and run great. Its a 3/4 ton....I mean half ton.......yea right.
I like Toyota and I’m very seriously considering a Tundra as my next truck. I’m also very familiar with Tundras and as I do with all my pickups I add air bags that is an incredible assist for sagging springs, just don’t think that those increase payload capacity, they really help stabilize your suspension when towing.
Thanks for the comment!
Thanks John. I am currently in the market for a new vehicle and the Tundra is the front runner. Currently I have a Tacoma that does a good job towing but you definitely know the trailer is back there. I get the same towing mileage with the Tacoma and I have towed my 179 with a Tundra and it was a very good towing vehicle. Thanks for a very timely review!
Rob, good to hear from you. Glad the video was helpful. I think you will be very pleased if you go with a Tundra towing the 179. I would still recommend a WDH for sway control and to level things out. All the best!
I miss my 05 Tundra currently have a 15 Tacoma and towed my 18ft TT across country and back and it worked hard and I got between 7-9 mpg. But it done and is running great, not one issue and has 85,000 miles so far.Been driving Toyotas since 1992 and had a 01 dodge and a couple chevys in between while owning a Toyota wont be driving nothing else .
Mike, thanks for the comment and testimonial on your experience. All the best!
Thanks for the excellent in-depth review John! I really enjoyed it especially the fact that the break trailer brake is subpar and MPG is something to be considered versus the depreciation value of a Toyota midsize
Glad it was helpful!
Good vid, Thanks for the insights!
Wife & I just bought a 2008 Limited version less than 2-weeks ago. Although we are not planning on towing anytime soon,
Kinda Cool, our test drive included an off-road 4X tutorial from the salesman in some mud/trail's....Not expected but surprising and Fun!
I had been looking for one about a month and were pretty happy we found one we like,(plus since it came outta Texas, there's pretty much none around our area that have the more unusual Timberland Mica Green:)
Congrats on getting a Tundra! Really like mine. If you ever decide to tow a camper, I have a hundred or so videos to help out learning about it. All the best!
Enjoyed your review John, i also have a 2017 Tundra SR5 2 WD. I think the mpg being good or bad is a point of view. I had a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Z66, 5.3L 285 HP (bought new) and towed a 19’ Airstream loaded 4,000+ lbs and got 10-11 mpg. Now I own a 2017 Tundra SR5 5.7L 381 HP (also bought new) and still tow the same 19’ Airstream and i get 13-14 mpg. So with an additional 100 horse power i get better mileage. Also i think the shape of the Airstream makes for a more pleasant towing experience and improved mpg. I have a friend that bought the same 2017 Tundra and tows a 25’ Airstream and went from Florida to Wyoming and enjoyed very much, never an issue driving through Colorado and Wyoming.
Joe, thanks for the insights and relating your experience. I would like like to tow an Airstream at some point to see how it compares to my Keystone Bullet. I think he slip stream of the Airstream would be a huge win interims of tow experience. Thanks again!
for the 5.7 V8 folks, make sure you check for potential cam tower leak at about 30k-60k. Get your dealership to fix it before warranty runs out or you will have to jump through loops to get it fixed. --Personal experience.
Thanks for the comment and advice!
Cam Tower? Where that at and is that a common problem for certain years? What year is yours?
@@dalephillips8250 2016. The cam tower is located behind the engine block. It is easier to see if you lift the truck up and look from under. It is very hard to spot. The oil will get vaporized due to heat before it even get to the ground. Other than that no complain. I just recently bought a 2020. Hopefully Toyota fix the cheap seal.
@@Baebon6259 do you know if this affects 2020 model's? Wouldn't they have corrected it by now and used the black gasket stuff?
@@dalephillips8250 I don't know to be honest. 2020 is still brand new for people to find cam tower leak. I hope they fixed it.
I just bought a 2021 Crewmax Sport and I love it. Very smooth ride & I agree about the dash controls. Not too exciting but nice and simple.
I’ve got a 38 gallon tank also and I believe you can upgrade it to around 46 gallon tank.
Great truck that will retain its value.
26.4 gallons is the standard gas tank size. The 38 gallon usually comes with the SR5 package. I also have the larger 38 gallon tank and it is essential for towing. Thanks!
Yes, there is a aftermarket company that makes bigger tanks. I really want one. I do think it's a 46 gallon tank
Nice review! I have the exact same 2019 model Tundra. I use it tow a dual axle boat trailer that is about 5k pounds with boat. Tows great! Wonder if your viewers know that as of 2019 the Tundra no longer has a transmission cooler included with the tow package. Any viewers ever notice any issues related to this? Lots of chatter on Tundra forums.
It's too bad they cut this cost and removed the transmission cooler. I'd rather have it than not have it. Hopefully, with the new 2022 model about to be revealed in September, they will reverse this decision. Thanks for the comment!
My boat is 8500 lbs on the trailer. No issues with transmission. The truck loves it. You 100% know the trailers back there. Anyone who says different is a liabetic
i tow a 3500 pound StarCraft 17rb with a 2018 Tacoma TRD off road, wile towing it gets 12 to 15 mpg, unloaded it gets 20 to 23 mpg. have had no problems at all even at speeds around 70mph (with weight dis hitch). i was thanking about getting a Tundra but i have seen no real reason so far.. Love theses Toyota trucks !!
Glad the Tacoma is working out for you. All the best!
One more add-on you need. Tailgate cover. You can purchase from Toyota. It's the piece that comes with a bedliner but you can purchase separately. I have one on my 2019 SR5 Tundra.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Take MPG “down side” with a grain of salt, I typically get better mpg in my 2019 5.7 liter Tundra then I got in my 5.3 liter GMC Sierra. I don’t have experience with the F-150 or Ram, but the Tundra is not the worst gas hog of the bunch.
I am thinking between tacoma and tundra; you made me go for Tundra..
Love mine! It is a decent tow vehicle that you should enjoy.
Thanks for the honest info.
Glad the video was helpful!
Excellent review sir. First time viewer. I am considering a 2021 Tundra Double Cab to use as a daily driver. Am considering a roof top tent or overlander type set up. Do you think this is a wise idea? The reliability is huge for me, I need to keep this truck 20 years. I only drive 10k per year normally. Thanks again.
Eric, I think it could be a fine truck to overland in. You may want to find some people who have done this with their Tundra to get some feedback. There is probably a Facebook group for it. Thanks!
Million mile engine so hell yes
We towed a White Water Retro and Rpod 195 with a 2017 Tesla model X which has more Horsepower and more torque than our Toyota Tundra. But the 100kwh battery is not big enough for the taller Rpod-195. It’s like a 10 Gal tank, and it takes an hour to recharge. So we are looking forward to towing the Rpod with the Tundra. But after 10 days owning the Tundra, I’ve spent more than two months of charging the Tesla towing. For example we towed the smaller retro 3200 miles with free supercharging and paid $25 for non Tesla chargers. So the Tundra payments + fuel are approaching what the Tesla model X was...but not quite.
If I could get a Tesla model X with a 2x larger battery I’d go back in a heartbeat. The Cybertruck has that battery, but is not yet available.
I agree with all that you’ve said on the Tundra. I have a 2015 sr5 crewmax 5.7. I tow a Jayco XJ213 at 5100 lbs. I do use a weight distribution system as well. I have not had one problem at all and I have 78,000 on her now with lots of towing. My question is have you had your transmission fluid serviced and do you do your own service on your truck?
Thanks for the comment. I have not serviced my truck on my own, I have a really good dealer locally that I take the truck to. I haven't had my transmission fluid changed out yet, but plan to fast-forward this to 30k miles given the tow load. Glad you are liking your truck!
I have a 2011 tundra platinum crew max. and had 1,500 lbs of concert and rebar in the box . The truck did NOT Move not even 1/2 inch just the tires . It drive better with the Weight then with out .
Glad it is working well for you. No complaints on my part with significant towing.
would it be good for daily towing 6500 pound trailer every day,, great video
It could be, but make sure you advance your service schedule if you go this route.
I towed 9k pound trailer from miami to seattle and the vehicle was very well balanced and pulled effortlessly, even without a weight distribution hitch. I feel my truck has lot more towing capability vs what toyota advertises. A 6500 trailer on daily basis should not be an issue, but then I am not a daily tower.
Great info. I just picked up a 2017 this past week just like yours except 4x4. So far loving it. I had a 2003 ford f150 pulling a midsize trailer 4700 dry, it did ok but due to the age I sold it and got the tundra. Off the bat I noticed the size, the power, the smoothness big difference. The mirrors the stock mirrors on tundra I see no reason to replace,I see alot better then the tow mirrors I but on my ford hmmm.
I did hear a few people complaining about the brake controller on the tundra not grappin enough. They are saying on 2017 and 16 there is a update that Toyota can install to take care of the problem,I downloaded the tsb. I have not towed my trailer yet I guess I will find out.
Did you say you added air bags? I'm definitely getting running boards. And a graphic handle for driverside ..glad I found your channel I'll check it out more....
Tom, congrats on getting the Tundra. I'll have to look into the brake controller fix. I did not put air bags on, but my Blue Ox Sway Pro weight distribution hitch seems to be leveling out the truck well. Thanks for the comment!
I have a 2018 5.7 crewmax and I tow a 4500 pound jayco jay flight, i usually only average between 7.5 to 8.9 mpg towing
I was getting 9-10 mpg with the 5,000 lb. Keystone - more like 5,400 lb. loaded. I did only go 60 mph or so. I know if you drive 70 mph it will lower mpg as will a trailer not sitting level. Curious if it is avg. speed in your case or something else, as that mpg is pretty low for that weight of trailer.
that depends if you load up your tundra with 5 people and full bed with gears...while towing
John: My wife and I are working on our 4th Toyota Tundra SR5 we have the 2014 model and I do a lot of towing with it anything from 1 800 pound ATV to 8 900 pound 5'x5' round bails of hay on a 24 ft snowmobile trailer and I haul a 2000 pound car trailer and I load it with anything from a Small 2 dr car to a 1 ton truck like you the gas mileage is not that great but the work it does is great again this is our 4th one and I would buy a new one with out a question, I know that people ask all the time if I have had other trucks and yes I have and I still will stay with Toyota Tundra, We have gone from Maine to Morris, Illinois and back We got good gas mileage at 16 to 18 miles per gallon depending on the roads, then we hauled a 6x 12 U-haul from Maine to Southern Va and back in a snow storm just the past February and now here it is July 24, 2020 and in just a few days on July 27th we will be heading back down to Va to get a trailer and haul it back to Maine, Oh by the way when we bought this truck it was used and had about 25,000 miles on it and not it has 118,000 miles on it and still going great,
Dennis, this is great to hear. Thanks so much for the testimonial on your experiences with the Tundras. All the best!
My 2016 SR5 did not come with the larger 38 gallon tank. I went with the crewmax 4x4. It has done everything I expected it to do and more.
I have the same truck. Are those tow mirrors aftermarket? The Toyota ones are so expensive, the ones on Amazon appear to be the same for half the price. Great review. I pull a 4000 pound trailer and get around 10mpg and have an Andersen hitch and it pulls real nice.
Mike the tow mirrors are Trail Ridge aftermarket towing mirrors. They have a great blind spot mirror in the bottom 1/4 of the mirror. Here is the link if interested... amzn.to/3bxsw4F
I have the same mirrors with 2 years on them, blind spot woks great. Again John Thanks for the honest review and not beating the tundra up becuz it does not have all the tech.
Do NOT buy tow mirrors off amazon. They are made in china type a crap. Spend 150 per mirror and order the OEM tow mirrors for superior durability and long lasting quality.
Also I have a 2018 tundra 5.7l sr5 trd offroad. I HATE the technology of the stupid toyota safety sense. Why do i need a parking monitor or a pre colision warning. Its just more crap to go wrong. If toyota took that crap out of the new tundras it would be so much less complicated. All that shit is just a waste of money. So i just turn that crap off everytime i drive. I wish i could disable it. It causes issues if you want to lift the truck, if you want to replace the bumpers, put a smittybuilt wench on, a brush or bull guard. Any suggestions around it?
Another good one. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I have an 08 tundra and I put 293000
That’s great to hear!
great content. thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
How fast do you drive while towing and do you use the manual shift option and what's the highest gear you can run in?
I drive 60-62 normally when towing. I don't use the manual shift unless extreme conditions. It is a six-speed transmission and will get there usually above 45 mph when towing. Thanks!
John, new to your TH-cam. And really like moats if not all, it has provided me with loads of information. We picked up A”what I call a pull behind” trailer 28’ Grand Design. Also with the trailer a 2017 Tundra SE5. Just listen to your talk about your tundra’s handling. My question is how to use the (S)D gear, for like down hill as on I 75 between Kentucky down to Knoxville TN? How and when would you use it. BTW live in Schoolcraft and will have more questions if you don’t mind. TKS in advance. Ric
Rick, I've travelled that stretch towing but if I am coming south greatly prefer the I-65 route with fewer hills. I keep the Tow/Haul button engaged and allow the transmission to downshift as it does with this mode enabled. No issues. I think with my 2017 Tundra (which I still tow with), you have to be aware of payload, which for my 4x4 Off-Road SR5 is only slight more than 1,300 lbs. On an 28' trailer, you will want to use a Cat Scale at a TA/Loves etc. to know your weights and payload and you will want a good weight distribution hitch. Here is a video on weight distribution hitches you may want to take a look at if you haven't already: th-cam.com/video/8rBDeX-dSkY/w-d-xo.html
I am waiting for my 2020 TRD OFF ROAD Tundra. Towing with the Tacoma works but Tundra will be better.
Congrats on the new Tundra! I think you will enjoy the towing experience. All the best!
@@JohnMarucci Thank🇨🇦🍻
I have a 2008 crewmax and I tow a 7k TT... blew the transmission at 160k. Just rebuilt and yet to tow . Hd4600 shock and airbags.
Thanks for the comment and for sharing your experience.
I'm glad i saw this pop up, because i plan on getting the same trailer. I have the 2016 crewmax.... Have you put on a rear sway bar yet? I've heard from a few people that helps with towing. I travel for work, and have to go thru some pretty windy areas, so really trying to find out how the truck with do with the bullet. I also ran into a guy at the gas station, who tows an airstream with his, and said he supercharged his and makes a world of difference.
I use a Blue Ox Sway Pro with the Tundra and Bullet. Works well. Here is a video I did on the Blue Ox: th-cam.com/video/8rBDeX-dSkY/w-d-xo.html
@@JohnMarucci nothing done to your suspension? Been looking into adding the sumo springs for towing
@@jmfj925 I haven't added air bags or any other suspension aid. Basically, with my 5,000 lb Keystone Bullet RV, I adjust the Blue Ox to 7 or 8 chain links and it moves weight from the rear to the front truck axle. It rides well and is firmly planted. Several thousand miles towing and I'm good with it at this point. Thanks!
@@JohnMarucci ok, cool. Thanks
Dead reliable, horrible on fuel, 13 year old technology. They have had that same engine and transmission in use since the debut of that truck in 2007, and it's still competitive (other than mpg wise). I'd own one in a heartbeat just for the reliability. All the wizz-bang features the competition uses are great, but it's just more things to break. I don't need or want things like a powered tailgate!!
Thanks for the comment. I like the fact that the Tundra is still a basic reliable truck without all the tech. I'm sure that will change shortly with the next release, but for now it works fine for me.
Good review. Was wondering about the factory brake controller. I use a p3 on my Tacoma and I love it. Wasn’t suppressed about spring sag. My Tacoma got weak springs to. I use a husky wdh and also added firestone air bags.
I used the Tekonsha 90160 Primus IQ brake controller on my 2014 Pilot with my 171 and it was very good. The factory one on the Tundra has to be turned up all the way to grab properly and then it seems to grab a bit much. I understand the P3 is a good unit as well. Many Tundra owners add the air bags, but it seems the Blue Ox does well in this regard. Sounds like you have your set up dialed in well. All the best!
I replaced rear springs on my Taco last year....replacements are way better than OEM.
You could get the 4.6L V8 for that year as well. My 2017 tundra is almost exactly the same as yours with the exception of the engine and I don't have the trd package. Still has skid plates though. It pulls really well but I'm sure it's not as good as the 5.7L
Right, I chose the 5.7L for tow capacity mainly. Works great for that purpose, plenty of power. Thanks!
@@JohnMarucci I'm kicking myself for shying away from the 5.7 since it was my daily driver at the time and I wanted decent gas mileage. Now that I have a tractor I could use the extra towing power. I get about 16.5mpg in the summer which is pretty nice for the truck that it is.
Towing our Alaska-purchased ‘17 RPod 179 worked well with my 10 Tundra (bullet-nosed styling generation ). We relocated on down to the Lower 48: (NC). I’m running the 4.6 in a 2WD Crew Cab SR5 and it does fine with the aid of the very well set up towing package and a transmission unique to the 4.6. Integrated brake controller NA then, just the controller-ready pig tail. So the 4.6 is a slightly more fuel efficient engine (20 mpg Hwy non-towing) with the lighter 2WD drive train. Towing ranges around 13 ish with our 2800 dry weight 179. Not a powerhouse, so would not graduate up to a 3500# or greater trailer with the 4.6. The helpful bonus now as a daily driver is a solid 20 mpg Hwy. I believe the 4.6 got dropped as an economy engine option toward the end of your gen’s year span. We enjoy a cross-bed refuel tank giving us a maximum of 66 gallons on board; really useful for the Alcan Hwy but cuts the frequency of fill ups. Your 5.7 was wise for both the 4wd in general and going on to upgrading to your new Bullit travel trailer. If we want to move to the RPod 190, the ‘22 proposed twin-turbo Tundra will be on the consideration list (unless sticker keeps us to an older 5.7 w/36 gal tank). Meanwhile our current set up is working well. Thanks, John! If you later make the jump to the 22+ Gen Tundra, I’ll look fwd to your next assessment if u stay Tundra ...
5.7L the only engine? My 2019 Tundra has the Lexus 4.6L with a tow capacity of 6500lbs which is fine, my Escape Trailer Industries 19 only weighs 3000lbs. It’s a fiberglass shell, light and aerodynamic. I get 19 mpg highway and super reliability. I would get a Cummins for that bullet.
Yep, if you try to build and price a 2020 model, only the 5.7L is available. Sounds like you got one of the last 4.6L. Glad it is working for you.
22000 miles in 3 years? thats nothing.. you dont even drive it
Yep, it's nice to that my office is only three miles from the house. Keeps the mileage low when not towing.
Long term review?? Come back at 100,000 miles!
@@bertveldhuizen8699 Or 10 yrs minimum.
Outstanding review - concise, informative and and well produced. I have already chosen a travel trailer, Escape 23’, that weighs 3250# empty and 5500# GVRW. I am considering the Sequoia and the Tundra and my only concern is the brake controller. Do you know if an aftermarket unit be used instead?
I think you can put an aftermarket brake controller in the Tundra. Not sure of the process or details however, but I know people have done it. You may want to check out the Tundra and Trailers Facebook group.
Nice review. Did you use a sway bar when towing the RPOD 171 with the Honda Pilot?
Tommy, I used the Fastway E2 WDH for the Pilot and 171. This had built in sway control. Honda did not recommend a WDH with 2014 4WD unibody Pilot, but I reasoned that safety took priority over frame issues. There is much debate on this issue with good reasons on both sides. Thanks for the question!
They eliminated in 2019 and 2020 the aux transmission oil cooler....you have to purchase the Toyota part to add back a aux trans cooler
See you tube on this bad change but you can upgrade back
Thanks for the comment!
Umm so what u mean is not good for 2019 2020 tundra transmission is less reliable
Me a construction guy who tows 15k lb daily doing 20k mile in 5 months with my tundra watching this video like what...
What is your set up with the Tundra - what year, model, engine and are you running airbags or any other suspension aid? I'm curious given you are able to exceed recommended towing capacity.
@@JohnMarucci stock everything well except on my 2020 where they took out the transmission cooler. I had to add a transmission cooler. Safety wise you need tires that are 10 ply and trailer with its own electric brake. For the suspension you can do add a leaf to increase weight capacity. The biggest limiting factor on the truck itself is tires.
Thank you that was a very good review. I have a 2020 Tundra double cab also. I just purchased a 28-foot travel trailer dry weight is 6300 lb I feel good about towing with this I'm a little leery because my old trailer was 4500 lbs. and it towed it was absolutely no issues. Keeping my fingers crossed I have a good weight distribution and I'll check my weights but thanks for the information happy camping
Glad the video was helpful.
How has it been towing? I have a 30' Airstream loaded is 6,800 lbs.
I cannnot find the bed mat where did you find it. 6.7 Bed
I got mine from the dealer right after I got the truck. It looks like they may still have it but you may want to confirm with them on length: parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2017_Tundra/Bed-Mat/69525692/PT58034070.html
Thanks for your video. I will only buy things reliable so I will go with Tundra. BTW, what is the travel trailer brand having an affordable and reliable reputation, like Toyota?
In my experience, there is no brand travel trailer that meets that definition or I’d own it.
its called an airstream :)
@@gregparent1242 It is too expensive. Not like Toyota which is more affordable.
Check out nucamp. We are very pleased with the quality, reliability and customer service.
Nice review. Is that payload capacity that popped up onscreen what your door sticker says?
Jim, it is different (and usually lower) on the door sticker vs the published amount. My 5.7L 4x4 Double Cab with 6.6 ft bed has a published payload amount of 1,630 lbs., but my door sticker says only 1,320 lbs. including passenger and cargo weight. This is apparently based on the wheels and tires that came with the truck. Not sure why the difference beyond this. Here a link to a similar question asked: www.toyotanation.com/threads/tundra-payload-discrepancy.1687070/
Thanks!
@@JohnMarucci yeah, the advertised ratings are often significantly higher than actual, as options and accessories add weight, so was wondering yours. Toyota pickups seem to have very low actual capacities. Appears it would make towing under the payload capacity, when adding hitch and tongue weight, challenging if have people and stuff in pickup. Probably physically handles it fine, but a legal liability concern.
The ratings are due to added equipment on the truck like power seats, sunroof, center console, etc. adding weight and then being subtracted from payload. The door sticker is the original weight minus added options so they are usually specific for that particular truck.
I don’t have the nicer features with the SR5. Auto headlights, digits speedometer, driver customization
Good video. Any recommendations on what years would be best to buy used, and why, say from 2014 to 2019 or would it be worth just going new if asking prices were high, which they seem to be around here? Thanks.
There is a brand new generation Tundra supposedly coming out in 2022: www.motortrend.com/news/2022-toyota-tundra-pickup-truck-everything-we-know/
As far as the current generation, the later years 2019-2021 likely will have more available safety features. However, there is an issue with Toyota removing the Transmission cooler on later models: pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/missing-transmission-oil-cooler-2019-2020-toyota-tundra/
I like my 2017 very much after 4 years and a bunch of RV towing miles. Whatever direction you go, the Tundra is highly rated and likely reflected in price. Thanks!
@@JohnMarucci Thanks for the reply and links, John. We looked at a 2014 today at the local used car lot. It's been there awhile due to the almost $40K price with 60K miles. Looked nice but a little newer sounds good. We're leaning toward a king cab with a long bed. Do you continue to use your brake controller? Is 4.30 the only rear end available? We probably wouldn't tow more than 6K lbs. Thanks.
Hey John thanks for the review. Is your interior the black or graphite cloth?
Wes, while the inset of the seats has a slight graphite thread, the interior is black. Thanks!
Hello there thank you so much for making this video. I heard you mention it came standard with tow package? What year did that start? Do all tundras 2017 and newer come standard with all the tow package features?
It is my understanding that all Tundras since 2017 have the tow package as standard. Here is a thread if interested: www.tundras.com/threads/does-my-new-tundra-have-a-tow-package.12214/
They removed the transmission cooler does not come with one
Yep, here is a good write up on the issue... pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/missing-transmission-oil-cooler-2019-2020-toyota-tundra/
@@JohnMarucci good read thanks for sharing.
I own a 2019 Ford F150 but I like the Tundra. Very reliable. Regrets? Kinda. But I have 15000 km and no issues..Hope it stays like that. But my next truck is a Tundra for sure..
Did you need a brake controller? Do all vehicles require a brake controller for the electric brakes to work? Thanks.
Sorry, jumped the gun. I see the Tundra had one. I'm getting my first R-pod next week. New to this. I didn't know all vehicles need one for the brakes to work. Private party sale so learning as I go. Thanks for your videos.
Sure, no problem. The brake controller is essential for sure. The Tundra is great for towing the R-Pod, barely feel you are towing. All the best!
What’s considered as “ mid size trailer “? Would I be able to toll 25’ boat weighting about 4500 lbs?
Most Tundras can tow close to 10,000 lbs. I think 4,500 lbs. shouldn't be a problem.
My boat is the same size and I can't tell that I'm pulling anything. I do notice my FR Vibe 28bh behind it. I added Sumo Springs to the Tundra today to help with stability and rear sag.
Great video. When you put those tow mirrors on, do they function as OEM? And did it cause any sensors or lights to come on in dash?
They do function with OEM features, mine are power mirrors only and work as my OED mirrors did. You do need to choose carefully the model for your Tundra. It did not cause any issues in terms of sensors or lights on the dash. Solid mirrors.
@@JohnMarucci Thanks so much! Very helpful sir.
Such a great review. Initially wanted a Tacoma to pull behind a C or A Class RV but now will look a bit more into this and what I can pull behind.
It would be a lot of truck to pull behind a Class A or C. Make sure you are good on the towing capacities of the RV and research the towabilty of a Tundra. I haven't heard of anyone doing this. Not every car or truck can be towed behind an RV, so you'll want to confirm. Thanks!
You mentioned the break controller is not good. How did you solve this issue? Did you install an after market one? TIA:)
I still use the factory brake controller but it is not all that sensitive. People do put in after market units, but they usually have to be mounted somewhere that is in the way or out of place. Basically, I have mine turns up all the way when using it.
@@JohnMarucci great! thanks John for the response:)
Does anyone have the smaller v8 model? I think it’s a 4.6. I wonder if it’s worth the gas mileage savings. Irony think I’ll ever tow anything heavy. Maybe quad, dirt bikes and camping gear. MPG’s on the 4.6? Thanks.
Not sure you will get the feedback you are looking for from the video comments. There is a Tundra's and Trailers Facebook group with a bunch of Tundra owners if interested. Thanks!
I have a 16 SR5 dc 4x2. Mileage varies depending on driving habits. I can get 18 on the highway driving 65mph or less. I get 14 to 15 driving 75 to 80. I will admit I wish I would have got the 5.7 but the deal on this truck was to good so i bought it. My biggest problem with the 4.7 is the cruise control is only good on flat highway, even overpasses make the trans down shift(very annoying). If the overpass or hill is tall enough it will down shift again just as it reaches the top of the hill(SUPER ANNOYING!). I would say get the 5.7 mpg isn't much less and the added power is worth it.
I tow my dirtbikes on a trailer behind my Highlander haha. Kayaks on the roof rack, and skis up there too. It dips down to 16mpgs when I tow which sucks but is what it is
I have a 2013 Tundra 4.6L 4x4 and I love it. I drive about 60 highway miles a day commuting to work so getting the smaller engine was definitely helpful for me. I have a boat that weights around 4,000 lbs that I pull regularly and I usually can fill up and drive a good 3 1/2 hours before I get to a quarter of a tank again and have to fill up, and that is when I go places that requiring climbing a lot of hills. I hauled a car hauler the other day total loaded weight being around 8,000 lbs for about an hour and the needle barely moved and the truck didn’t struggle at all. I am currently installing a gooseneck hitch in mine to haul around a vintage gooseneck camper I have just acquired. I have been highly satisfied with my 4.6l and have saved a lot on gas compared to my friend who has the 5.7. Being that I don’t tow everyday, the smaller engine just made more sense for my application.
I have a 2010 tundra with the 5.7. I get 14 in city and 19 or so on the highway. I’ve got a heavy foot. Before that I had the tundra with the 4.6 v8. The mileage difference is negligible. Get the 5.7 if u can. More power.
I also have 2020 Tundra, we bought a 26 ft TT, we are taking a road trip about 3k miles for the first time, I heard people are towing with tow haul and S4 mode, any suggestions and do you think is too hard or on the transmission ?Thanks
You really need to be careful about payload with the Tundra. My 5.7L V8 Tundra only has 1320 lbs. payload according to the door sticker. Subtract people weight, gear in the cab and truck bed, and trailer tongue weight and it is very thin at best to tow any mid-sized trailer. My Blue Ox weight distribution hitch helps to distribute the tongue weight well and using a weight distribution hitch should be considered if you don't already have one. I always use tow-haul mode everytime I tow, but run in drive and not S4. Toyota removed the trans cooler in 2019 I believe, saying they are no longer needed due to better fluids used, but you'll want to keep track of temps if possible. To me the bigger saftey issue is having a TPMS to monitor the trailer tires on a trip that long. Thanks!
I know they are great and reliable but for me is a love hate type of thing.......... I wanted one because of the reliability but the looks stopped me from doing so........ instead I went for a 2019 Rebel.........
Right, the styling is a bit outdated.
Great review ! The tundra is a great choice as a tow vehicle . I love mine as well
Fully agree, really enjoy my Tundra! Thanks for the comment!
I wish I kept my truck this clean
Should have gotten the trd sport over the offroad . the offroad spring/ suspension designed to flex . as the sport would of honestly benefited you for towinh
crewmaxes are over-rated. i dont get the appeal of oversized backseats and sacrificing 1ft of bed. the doublecab has similar leg room to a regular sedan already. besides the middle console extruding out on the middle position.
Doublecabs dont get as much love from Toyota though. no full rear window roll down, no premium audio options, no platinum trims, no moonroof options, etc...
Love my double cab. Plenty of space.
I despise the look of the double cab
12.5 smiles per Gallon....
Did you add a break controller to your tundra or do you just put up with the one that came with the truck?
Tim, I have not added a new brake controller at this point. The original one still works but isn't the best (as mentioned). I have to set it to be very sensitive to get it to brake properly. It works fine for now. Thanks!
@@JohnMarucci we are looking at buying a new pickup. Towing a 191 and wanting to get up and down Western mountains, I’m leaning towards the Tundra. Our 4Runner does good on flat ground, but not so great in the mountains.
Tim, I’ll have mine four years in March and still really like it. It has been a great truck. Make sure you get the spray on bed liner and rubber bed mat. I also spent the $ and added the trifold tonneau cover and love it. This spring I’m planning to add the Curt front 2” hitch receiver for my bikes. All the best!
@@JohnMarucci Thanks so much!
@@JohnMarucci We are going to buy a new truck soon. The choice s are between a Tacoma and a Tundra. I'm 6'3" so the interior cab race is important to me. Also the towing capacity of the V-8 versus the V-6 is something to consider. Forget about miles per gallon. We have a 4Runner which tows the RPod 191 just fine until we hit the higher mountain passes, then it crawls at 40-45 mph in 3rd gear. I hear the Tundra would do much better!
John, I have a 2019 Limited that is two years old, and I now have 64,000 miles on it. My experience in towing matches yours fairly close; I tow a 7,000 enclosed trailer. I think you will see gas mileage go up a little once you get it broke in. My best MPG and the engine's strength did not kick in until it had about 50,000 miles on it. When I can run ethanol-free gasoline, I can pick up about 2 MPG empty and about a half-mile per gallon towing. My best MPG over a 600 mile (one tank) trip was 23.3 MPG, flat land, no cruise control on a recent trip. When the truck had 30,000 miles, the very best I could get was about 21 MPG; all my comparisons are on the same route and same gas station and pump. Using cruise control, I loose about 1.5 MPG empty. Depending on conditions, I rarely use 6th gear when towing, mostly 4th most of the time, and it really doesn't seem to hurt me much on MPG. As a previous person noted, mine does not have the auxiliary transmission cooler; after backing up a long gravel driveway, a yellow light came on that the temps were too high. The dealer checked it out, and no codes showed a problem. I am hoping to trade my soon for 2021 before this engine and transmission go away.
Steve, many thanks for an excellent and thorough review of your experience with your Tundra. Great write up!
2018-2020, tundras has seen the transmission cooler removed. Please show us the transmission oil Temps!
I am glad I have a 2017. It is unfortunate that they removed the Transmission Oil cooler.
The tranny with get toasty. Ive towed over 8k miles with out a trans cooler on my 2021 and temps are up in the 240 going up hills and stay around 230 ish on flat ground and will come down when your going down hill over long grades, but they are far from ideal. Now this is with about 5k to 6k weight for me. with a cooler temps would be around 195 to 210 ish. A trans cooler is a must, stupid move by toyota for removing it. Im adding one to mine here soon.
My 2018 should have one
Yea it’s just 2019 - and up removed the cooler so the 18 tundra has it
Outdated over priced
Tried and true reliability and priced to perform.
It may be outdated, but I am liking the analog nature of the truck. Overpriced is another story as you need to look at resale value and depreciation to answer that question. Mine was sub 40k new and is holding its value well after 3 years, and it still looks, drives and tows wonderfully.