Tundra

[pat sublett]

I noticed that the new Tundras had a towing capacity of 10,400 lbs. Any body had any expirence with one. My 2006 has a limit of 7000 with towing package. Kind of thinking about trading.

 

[rustyfarmall]

Towing capacity seems to be the claim to fame for light truck manufacturers, but the last I knew there were no standards in place that would REQUIRE any maker to PROVE their trucks could actually tow 7,000 pounds or 10,000 pounds without slowing to a crawl on steeper grades or overheating. If I were shopping for a truck, I'd want some actual proof, not just the hype you read in sales ads.

 

[WesternPa Puller]

I recently went through this half ton towing rating, options game. Toyota was diffantly one of my top 3, along with Ford and Dodge mainly because I needed a very large back seat which all three had in addition to a 10k+ towing rating. The trick was to see if you can get a dealer to actually let you hook your trailer up. I did this for all three models in question and it made my mind up quick.

 

[Mike M]

Please tell us about your experience !

 

[pat sublett]

What conclusion did you come to?

 

[26Red]

Which one did you pick?

 

[mkirsch]

Keep in mind that tow ratings have a lot of fine print attached.

You can't for example expect to take a Tundra with a 10,xxx towing capacity, load your three linebacker-size sons in the back seat, put the missus and dog up front, fill the bed with bales of hay, and hook on a 10,000lb trailer.

Tow rating assumes an empty truck and a fairly skinny driver, along with a maximum of 10% tongue weight.

 

[WesternPa Puller]

Ok, first let me start by saying these are my opinons and I know all too well there are a few out here who will take major exceptions to this, but regardless....

My goal was to find a truck that could serve as my daily driver (I put about 25,000 mi+ a year on my truck) and still be able to pull a tractor to the pulls every once and again. Also, it had to be a half ton model as I use this as company vehicle/ toy hauler. Also, I needed quad cab to haul customers and dodge, toyota, and ford all have roomy cabs that a 6'4" guy can comfortably fit in. This is where chevy and GM lost the fight!

I went with the dodge for a few reasons. First, the options. I wanted a pretty loaded truck but didn't need all the options like nav, leather, and 60K price tag. I did like the ford and the ecco boost was impressive (although I do worry about cost to repair after warranty is out and with my milage it wouldn't take long to run out of warranty). However, there was no middle ground either completely loaded at 60K or nothing mroe than base, so Ford was out. Also, they use a light wood color trim and I hated it! The tundra was next but ran into two problems here. First, just had a plain look to it in my opinion and again took alot of options to get my package to what I wanted. Second the gas milage was BAD. Everyone who had one said the same thing lots of power but loves the gas pump.

So my decision was to go with a Ram. Always was under the impression that Dodge road like a truck and have been a fan of chevy for years beacuse of it. But the coil over suspension is great! I picked the outdoorsman package. Two tone paint scheme with plenty of options including the 5.7 hemi, 3.92 rear, 4x4, built in electronic brakes controller, and a bunch of luxury items I was looking for in the cab all came standard under that package. Oh and 17" tires because I didn't want to pay for 20" rubber all the time. On top of that I added the Ram boxes (I wish the others had these, can't tell you how much I love these things!!!)
Finally, added a B&W GN hitch to the truck, a set of Firestone airbags and I was ready to go! I am allowed 10,500 but liscensed for 10K to avoid combination plates. Trailer weight 3500# empty which is perfect for my tractor weighted to 5500# and me to go to the pulls.

 

[Mike M]

Thanks for shareing.

And I hope you don't get ripped to shreads by the nasties.

Wasn't too long ago we went car shopping and had to get the wife, me and my boy to all agree ( sort of )on what was best and it sure is tough and takes alot of time running around ! So I can apreciate some of what you must of went through.
I could sure use a NEW truck as my old one has 189,000 miles ! but they sure are expensive and the gas mileage still is bad on them.

 

[ericlb]

just a thought, but with todays modern engines and power improvements most 1/2 tons can 'tow 10,000 lbs' for a short distance on level ground, [ remember the add with the chevy pulling the railroad car] the big question is how long will the truck live towing frequently? if your going to tow just once in awhile you might be ok, but if your going to pull something often the 3/4 ton or even 1 ton is your best bet to make the truck last over the years

 

[craigco]

i have a friend here in colorado that pulls a goose neck trailer and 2 tractors proably close to 9000 lb with his tundra he lives in the mountains asked him how the truck did he said it handled it fine

 

[26Red]

How did your "towing test drive" go? I recently purchased a new 1/2 ton pickup. Test drove all 4 brands, and it came down to the Ford vs Ram. I had to test drive them again to decide! I was frustrated to by Ford options, all the trucks were either loaded or nothing. Ram was a little better on options & price.

 

[scotc]

I have a cousin who used to work for Trinity Industries building rail cars. When the tow rope through the plant broke (it was about an inch and a half sisal rope), two guys would grab the first car behind the break and pull the line up to hook the new rope in.

And if it broke near the end of the line it might take 3 or 4 guys.