I've always been a Chevy guy, but this new Tundra might win me over. The one complaint I have about my Avalanche is that the rear seat isn't quite as roomy as it should be for this size vehicle and the new Tundra seems to have addressed that - see the attached article by the car guy from USA Today. And I've pretty much given up the 'USA only' ideal ... there are no vehicles today that are made, parts and assembly and all, in just one country. It's a global industry/market no matter what make you buy anymore.
With the torque this thing is supposed to have and a towing capacity of over 10K, I'm not sure you'd need a 3/4 ton except for a 30+ foot trailer - the 1/2 ton would certainly pull my 28'er with no problem. I probably won't get rid of my Avalanche for a few years b/c I like it a lot, but ...
bh
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'06 28' Safari SE / '08 Chev 2500HD Duramax
'64 Me / '60's-ish wife / '90's kids / '06 Black Lab / '02 Poodle / oh, and a horse, too.
Toyota's NASCAR engines are push rod style and have nothing in common with production models.
Check this out:
LIGHT-DUTY DIESEL PICKUP ON DODGE’S HORIZON
Armed with new Cummins clean diesel technology, Dodge will introduce an all-new turbodiesel engine in its light-duty pickups after 2009. The new engine will provide a dramatic increase in low-end torque, up to a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency and a 20% reduction in carbon-dioxide emissions when compared to an equivalent gasoline engine.
"Our all-new Cummins engine will offer future Dodge Ram 1500 customers the ultimate in terms of fuel economy, refinement, reliability and durability," said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group President and CEO. "It's another example of the Chrysler Group bringing new, clean, quiet diesel technology to the marketplace."
The new clean diesel engine will meet 50-state emissions standards for 2010. In March of this year, Dodge will offer a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel in its Ram Heavy Duty trucks. The new engine meets 2010 standards in all 50 states.
"We are pleased to build upon our 18-year partnership and brand franchise with the Chrysler Group by providing our new light-duty diesel-powered engine for use in the Dodge Ram 1500," said Tim Solso, Cummins Chairman and CEO. "We know customers for this product will demand high performance. We also know that we need to be extremely good at fuel efficiency and emissions control in order to succeed in this market. Cummins will use its technology leadership to meet all of those criteria, while providing the driving public with an exciting new diesel engine alternative for the popular Dodge Ram series."
Chrysler Group Diesel-Powered Models
In the United States, current Chrysler Group diesel-powered models include the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, powered by the new 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel; the all-new Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab, with a new 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel; the Dodge Sprinter, with a 2.7-liter common-rail direct injection (CDI) turbodiesel; and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, featuring a new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine (which hits the market early this year).
In Europe, diesel-powered models account for more than half of Chrysler Group sales. Diesel versions of numerous Chrysler Group vehicles continue to be popular, including the Chrysler 300C, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Compass, as well as the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber and 2007 Jeep Wrangler.
I've always been a Chevy guy, but this new Tundra might win me over. The one complaint I have about my Avalanche is that the rear seat isn't quite as roomy as it should be for this size vehicle and the new Tundra seems to have addressed that - see the attached article by the car guy from USA Today. And I've pretty much given up the 'USA only' ideal ... there are no vehicles today that are made, parts and assembly and all, in just one country. It's a global industry/market no matter what make you buy anymore.
With the torque this thing is supposed to have and a towing capacity of over 10K, I'm not sure you'd need a 3/4 ton except for a 30+ foot trailer - the 1/2 ton would certainly pull my 28'er with no problem. I probably won't get rid of my Avalanche for a few years b/c I like it a lot, but ...
bh
I wasn't a big Avalanche fan at first, but I love the new model...only issue is that the new model only comes in a 1/2 ton, similar to what appears to be the same thing about the Tundra.
I'd be careful on the 10k rating until it's got some real world testing. In the "real" world of 3/4 you get much more than just an engine upgrade.
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Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
I just got back from a test drive in one, what a truck! I have an 03 with the 4.7 and this was a 5.7 motor, 6 speed automatic, tow mirrors. I can't believe how much nicer this is. Lots of low end power, plenty of torque and a very smooth ride. I am impressed. It almost fits in my garage, after a few mods it will. This one had a sticker price of 33K. Now I have to wait for the right color and interior color to show up...
I just got home earlier today from the PA Outdoor and Sports Show, which is a REALLY hugh outdoor show that specializes in hunting and fishing, with a bit of RVing and boating as well. They must get a few million people there over the course of the week.
Toyota had one of the biggest displays at the entire show, including a couple of their new Tundras. They'd make a nice fishing vehicle, but I'm not sure they are ready to handle my 30' Classic.
Chevrolet also had a number of vehicles on display, but Ford was noticeable by their absence. When I drove by our local Ford dealership on my way home though, I did notice they had one of Ford's new 2008 F450 Superdutys on their front lot - now there's a truck that'll handle ANY Airstream - assuming that their new 6.4L diesel will stay on the road.
Toyota had one of the biggest displays at the entire show, including a couple of their new Tundras. They'd make a nice fishing vehicle, but I'm not sure they are ready to handle my 30' Classic.
Chevrolet also had a number of vehicles on display, but Ford was noticeable by their absence. When I drove by our local Ford dealership on my way home though, I did notice they had one of Ford's new 2008 F450 Superdutys on their front lot - now there's a truck that'll handle ANY Airstream - assuming that their new 6.4L diesel will stay on the road.
Friend of a friend bought an '06 PowerStroke -- already has had to have the engine pulled and a new one dropped in. And I thought the problems were fixed after the '04 issues!
Not for the 30' Classic? Right! Post 39 here gives payload capacities for the '07 Tundras -- pretty much the same as any strong 1/2 ton (all of which exceed the Nissan Titan by a far stretch). Real world hitch weights and the concept of safety margin (not exceeding 85% of a capacity) suggests that the Tundra might suit older, lighter Airstreams in the 24' to 26' range. If you're going to have weights of more than two people aboard and a truck cap, I believe a new 25-footer deserves some caution in pairing with this truck. Whaddya guess pulling that much weight? 9 mpg?
__________________ . BobStream
...You really don't know someone 'til you've had recess with them. ...Alex Ziton, age 8
I hope that folks go out and trade in '04 and '05 Tundra 4doors like crazy for the '07s! I might be able to pick up a decent deal to replace my '02 6cyl X-cab... although I'm still not sure I like the later models better than my '02... <sigh>
Very nice truck with lots of power, but it still aint a 3/4 ton/heavy duty. We own a Toyota and Lexus, greta cars and SUVs too, but our truck is a big Ford. Until Toyota comes out with a 3/4 ton diesel, the Fords, Chevys and Dodges will rule the towing market. Not to say that the new Tundra doesn't work great for some AS owners, if I owned a smaller AS it would be in my garage.
Toyota is claiming big numbers ,and 401 ft pounds of torque is quite hefty for a 5.7 gas V-8 ,some real dyno numbers are in order on that one .It takes
alot of modifications on even a GM vortec to pull down 400 FT lbs of torque.
My thoughts are the rest of the drivetrain and the rear axle capacity ,or
rather how big is the ring and pinion gears (dana 60 or 70 territory?) These
huge towing claims need to be more than just the engines power ,many
times that alone is what the manafacturers use to say you can pull a 30ftr
no problem .What kind of oil and trans coolers are standard (if any), things
like that come to mind .A 1/2 ton with a 10,000 lb or greater tow rating
better have a heavy duty drivetrain in it with heavy duty big brakes and
things like that .I like toyota,the quality is good also ,but Im not going to
tow 10.000 lbs with one .This thing needs full floating axles in the rear ,that would be a big plus. My opinion from a technical point of view .
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