Toyota Tundra 2006, 4x4, Double Cab, 4.7 liter

[Ray Eklund]

I pull a 23 foot, 2006 Safari LS. I love it. But without this Tundra to pull this Safari across the western US, I would be missing out. On flat asphalt the Tundra 4.7 liter pulls easily at the speed limit. Get up to the Rocky Mountains and elevation does take its toll. Even though, the engine does not overheat and the automatic shifts into overdrive when the RPM is needed on the climbs over 10,000 foot passes. We will be replacing the 2006 with the 2008 Crew Max, Tundra, 5.7 liter engine and new drive train soon. Not because the 4.7 liter is underpowered, but the extra horsepower and drive train will then answer any of my needs for mountain travel.

The 4 wheel drive is a must have when traveling high elevation asphalt and gravel roads. Traction. Also the 4 wheel high and low gives you all the power ranges you need for ALL travel, within reason of course. No vertical climbs, etc. that you might see on a video game. I have 4 wheel high and 4 wheel low ranges, which take me almost anywhere... and we have been there and back 36,000 miles already.

What did I replaced on the Tundra after my first year pulling the Safari? The tires. I went to the Goodrich All Terrain D rated tires (from Costco) and love them. Plenty of traction, no tread punctures like with the factory supplied Goodyear C rated factory tire. That was the only short coming for pulling a trailer off asphalt roads with the Tundra were my tires. Load C tires are fine when you are pulling a small boat, but with a trailer in tow I would never consider a tire less than a Load D. Or, am I the only one discovering that the Goodyear tires on the 2006 were a problem. I usually have my Toyotas into the 200,000 mile range before I let them go. I do my own oil changes, modest maintenance myself and drive with the idea that 150,000 miles is the break in period for Toyota trucks. Just for pulling a loaded trailer over gravel, the Load C tires were getting punctured through new tread on gravel or dirt/gravel roads in the western US.

If you love your Safari, you will love the latest Tundras as well! I will admit, I use to be a die hard Chevy man until my first Toyota 4x4 in 1982, where I learned my mechanical lessons at a young tender age. I will never look back, but there are many GM and Fords out there that finally make the grade. I am always watching for something better, but for now Tundra has not done me wrong.

[SlimJim]

I too have been a Toyota fan for many years. I just gave my son my 2003 Tundra Limited. It was probably the best vehicle I have ever owned. When I first started thinking seriously about getting an Airstream, I was going to go with the CrewMax also and would have had the dealers been willing to work with me on price. I love the cars but cannot stand working with any Toyota dealer. I feel like I'm in a carnival when in one of their dealerships.
After reading many many threads on TVs on this forum, I decided to go with the Chev 3/4 ton truck. I know it may be overkill but I do not want to cut corners after reading some of the incidents some folks have had towing with smaller TVs. I know you'll do great with your 23' and a CrewMax. It'll probably be going long after my Chevy is turned to rust.
Slim

[Ray Eklund]

Hi SlimJim,
That was always my favorite 4x4 truck. My last was in 1978 but the front and rear leaf springs could handle anything. If it were not for the poor 12,000 mile warranty then, I probably would still have one. I did not need to use my warranty on the 1981 Toyota 4x4 pickup, but when I drove off in it, I thought I was in a cardboard box with clean windows! It is nice to see full sized models now available, but they have always been proud of the price.

When a salesman shows up I ask him "what is NOT selling like hot cakes". It seems that whatever I want is selling like crazy. Then... why run the expensive advertisements every couple days? I am with you. I like the vehicle, hate dealing with the BS artists...

[Ray Eklund]

OK.

After 26 years of Toyota trucks and Land Cruisers my wife and I stopped at a Ford dealership yesterday. After seeing the F250 and F350 4x4's you can see how much heavier they are built than Toyota's half ton truck. Whoa... is all I can say.

Seeing the "factory installed" brake controller MSRP listing for $600.00 and Toyota's brake controller is around $165.00 retail, it made me back up a bit.

I will have to look through Consumer Reports and see what kind of problems the Fords might have. The front end is stout and the stack of leaf springs in the rear are made to handle a load. I have been happy with my Toyota vehicles, but maybe some Ford owner can set me straight...

[altamont]

Ray,

We looked at the Toyotas but wanted something heavier duty. We looked at the GMC 2500 diesel and found it OK. We saw a TV show testing the 2008 F250 SuperDuty with the NEW turbodiesel. We drove down and looked and my wife fell in love. Not a usual occurance with her. We bought the F250 Lariat Crew Cab with most of the bells and whistles. After 9k miles (6500 of which towing), it still is in perfect condition with not a rattle or squeak anywhere. Mileage is 12 towing but up to 24 at 65 on level roads. Much better than my Suburban (454) did.

In short, I have trouble taking the smile off my face talking about this truck. Expensive, yes. But should last 300k.

[Streamer1]

Ray, I drive a 2006 F250 PSD Crew Cab Short Bed. I love this truck. Plenty of room and loads of power. You could probably get away with a 1/2 ton truck for your 23' trailer, but in the world of tow vehicles I say having some extra "breathing room" is a comforting feeling.

[chefmardigan]

I bought a 2004 double cab 2 wheel drive Tundra about 3 years ago. It has been the best Truck I have ever owned. It pulls my 74 25' Tradewind like a dream. I installed a cold air intake and E3 plugs and the thing is a rocket ship. I get about 500- 525 km's to a full tank of gas pulling the Airstream with the overdrive on with an average speed of 100-110km's/hour. I dont know about the Carnival atmosphere at U.S. Toyota dealers. But My Dealer in Saskatoon is second to none. My Tundra has 100,000 KM's on it and the only thing I have done to it is front brakes.I was at Ens Lexus Toyota the other day and the main design team and engineers from From Toyota City were there doing design research for Toyota and Lexus. I met the guys and all they wanted to talk about was my 04! I told them I towed a vintage Airstream and showed them some photos. They were fascinated by the Airstream. It was quite the experience to meet some of the actual designers of my truck!I have owned a few Chevy's and a Dodge(it's nickname was the 2 toned turd!!LOL!) but since getting the Tundra, I will never own any other truck again but a Tundra.