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Old 04-03-2020, 08:46 AM   #1
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First trip with new Tundra

I just got home from my first road trip with my new 2020 Tundra. My Airstream is a 2014, 30' Serenity weighing 7020 pounds for this trip. Previously, I had a 2017 Ford F250 Powerstroke. The Ford pulled great and had more payload but I had a lot of trouble with it. I knew I was sacrificing towing ability and payload when I purchased the Tundra, but wanted the reliability of Toyota and a more comfortable daily driver.

My first trip, from Central Texas through Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson, El Paso, and back to Central Texas was 2513 miles. 2238 towing and 275 not towing. When possible, I set my cruise control on 67. That is a speed I am comfortable going without feeling like I am rushing to get somewhere. A large stretch of the trip going west I had a 30 mph headwind. Also, went through a blizzard in Flagstaff.

My overall mpg was 10.53 mpg. I was very pleased with that. I would get 12.8 in my F250 under similar conditions. The Tundra did fine going up hills. Coming down, I would slow down, downshift, and take my time. I knew I would not be able to stop as promptly with the Tundra, so I gave myself plenty of distance.

I am pleased with my decision to purchase a Tundra. Towing (2-3 months of the year), I went from great to good. As a daily driver (9-10 months), I went from bad to great.
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Old 04-03-2020, 09:03 AM   #2
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Nice to hear that you are happy with your decision. I fear that you will soon need to don your flame resistant jacket. Mention a Tundra and the big boys will come after you.


I tow my 25FB without issue. I am usually going down the road at just about 6500 and I have measured this more than once. There is plenty of power to get me up and over but, going down the other side you have to follow the guidelines you stated.



I bought a new Tundra in 08 and never had an issue with it. I traded it in on a new 17 Tundra but only because the new one had much better maps, backup camera and sound system. Another reason I purchased when I did was the talk about Toyota making big changes to their Tundras. Many point out that Toyota is behind the "change it up" curve. Actually, I like that they have a very strong and dependable power train and haven't changed just for the sake of change. Didn't Wally B say something about making changes only if they improve things? I had just about 90K carefree miles on the 08 and got $17K on the trade in. Dependable trucks, no question there.
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Old 04-03-2020, 09:12 AM   #3
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I am on my 3rd Tundra, the first being the original with a smaller engine. My 2016 4WD gets 11.5 MPG, but I tow at 62 MPH. Speed is a big factor in determining gas mileage as is the quality of the fuel and the amount of ethanol in the mix.
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Old 04-03-2020, 09:21 AM   #4
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First trip with new Tundra

Appreciate the reports. Tells me my desire for a 2020 or 2021 new Tundra to tow my 22’ 2007 International CCD is still doable and a big step up in power from my current Tacoma. The Tacoma can do it, but takes lots of patience climbing hills...
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Old 04-03-2020, 02:58 PM   #5
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Rich, if you can do it, get the Tundra. You will not have any problems towing your 22 with one of these. It will be relaxing as well.
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Old 04-03-2020, 03:32 PM   #6
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We love our 2010 Tundra CrewMax 4X. Just wish it had another 500 pounds of payload capacity.
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Old 04-03-2020, 04:19 PM   #7
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Toyota: Tundras - Excellent Choice

I towed our 2006 23 foot Safari with a 2006 4.7L 4x4 Tundra and a bit underpowered and at capacity, but never a problem. Reliable and quick sale used.

I towed our 2006 23 foot Safari with a 2008 and 2012 5.7L 4x4 Crew Max and all the power and capacity one would every want.

I towed our 2014 25 foot International with a 2012 5.7L 4x4 Crew Max and was a bit light for suspension, but all the power needed.

I towed our 2014 25 foot International with the 2016 F350 4x4 Diesel King's Ranch which exceeded all previous combinations and more truck than needed at the time. (We Boondock OTG and travel with full loads.)

I currently tow our 2019 27 foot International with the 2016 F350 Diesel King's Ranch and an excellent combination with no need for more truck to trailer combinations. I am 100% happy, which says a lot for me as I expect performance and utility of both the current trailer and tow vehicle.

I used Equalizer Hitches on all. Currently an Equalizer hitch with 1,000# bars. All of my Tundras had shells on the six foot beds.

If you are happy with your trailer and towing combination, that is great! If Toyota offers a 3/4 ton 4x4 I would not hesitate to look and compare with the F350. Never had ONE Warranty or out of pocket repairs on ANY of my Tundras.

I have not had any problem with the 2016 F350 4x4 Diesel.

My Toyota experience began in 1981 and ended in 2016 with the F350. Just the OTG Boondocking and traveling heavier with supplies and equipment forced the upgrade in truck capacity. I hope the Ford holds up like ALL of my Toyotas... time will tell.

The Ford Dealer gave me a premium on the 2014 Tundra and a good price on the end of the season for 2016 model Fords. Also a big .
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Old 04-03-2020, 04:48 PM   #8
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Very happy with my 2008 5.7L long bed Tundra! Trailer is an FC28, hitch Blue Ox w/ 1500 lbs bars. Totally solid combination IME.
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Old 04-03-2020, 05:04 PM   #9
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Glad to hear about your experience. I have thought about getting a 3/4 ton, but I know that for daily driving I would be giving up a lot. And right now my combination with my F150 and ProPride hitch is great. Things like this kind of tell me that 3/4 ton is less needed.
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Old 04-03-2020, 05:53 PM   #10
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Watch your 6(‘)

2008 Crewmax with 172K still chugging along. Towing a tad over 14K with the 28’ AS loaded for camping. You will be fine with your 30’ at around the 7k range.
The northeast winters are starting to show a little on my Tundra. I take very good care of all my vehicles & I have the first rust spot on my tailgate...
So, I don’t need a new truck anytime soon as I only take one long summertime trip with the AS. I also have never bought a new vehicle in my life. However, I am very interested in the specs (Payload, towing, torque etc) of the 2021 Tundra.
It may be promising. Time will tell.

Stay Safe & Watch Your Six....
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Old 04-04-2020, 08:54 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by malinois38 View Post
2008 Crewmax with 172K still chugging along. Towing a tad over 14K with the 28’ AS loaded for camping. You will be fine with your 30’ at around the 7k range.
The northeast winters are starting to show a little on my Tundra. I take very good care of all my vehicles & I have the first rust spot on my tailgate...
So, I don’t need a new truck anytime soon as I only take one long summertime trip with the AS. I also have never bought a new vehicle in my life. However, I am very interested in the specs (Payload, towing, torque etc) of the 2021 Tundra.
It may be promising. Time will tell.

Stay Safe & Watch Your Six....

You're..... talking about combined weight right?
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Old 04-04-2020, 10:00 AM   #12
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Daily Driver?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Eklund View Post
I towed our 2006 23 foot Safari with a 2006 4.7L 4x4 Tundra and a bit underpowered and at capacity, but never a problem. Reliable and quick sale used.

I towed our 2006 23 foot Safari with a 2008 and 2012 5.7L 4x4 Crew Max and all the power and capacity one would every want.

I towed our 2014 25 foot International with a 2012 5.7L 4x4 Crew Max and was a bit light for suspension, but all the power needed.

I towed our 2014 25 foot International with the 2016 F350 4x4 Diesel King's Ranch which exceeded all previous combinations and more truck than needed at the time. (We Boondock OTG and travel with full loads.)

I currently tow our 2019 27 foot International with the 2016 F350 Diesel King's Ranch and an excellent combination with no need for more truck to trailer combinations. I am 100% happy, which says a lot for me as I expect performance and utility of both the current trailer and tow vehicle.

I used Equalizer Hitches on all. Currently an Equalizer hitch with 1,000# bars. All of my Tundras had shells on the six foot beds.

If you are happy with your trailer and towing combination, that is great! If Toyota offers a 3/4 ton 4x4 I would not hesitate to look and compare with the F350. Never had ONE Warranty or out of pocket repairs on ANY of my Tundras.

I have not had any problem with the 2016 F350 4x4 Diesel.

My Toyota experience began in 1981 and ended in 2016 with the F350. Just the OTG Boondocking and traveling heavier with supplies and equipment forced the upgrade in truck capacity. I hope the Ford holds up like ALL of my Toyotas... time will tell.

The Ford Dealer gave me a premium on the 2014 Tundra and a good price on the end of the season for 2016 model Fords. Also a big .
Ray,
Do you use the F350 strictly as a TV or is it daily driver also?
If you do drive it daily, do you miss the Tundra? Seems like it would be more than enough for any of the 25' AS.
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Old 04-04-2020, 10:45 AM   #13
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I'm also a Tundra fan.
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Old 04-04-2020, 11:11 AM   #14
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Great partial stories about great trucks! I was waiting to read about payload minus trailer tongue weight - topper/tonneau - cargo = overweight! Also wonder why Toyota places such a small payload on all Tundras? Safety, or bragging rights to having the smallest payload?
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Old 04-04-2020, 03:52 PM   #15
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310K Miles & Still Chugging

For us, as full-timers, reliability is king.

Started pulling our Airstream with our 2007 Tundra at right about 100K in 2013. Now we're at 310K with about 2/3 of that (about 140K) towing miles. No major problems: just regular oil changes & tire rotations, and an occasional brake and rear suspension replacement. We go easy on the truck when pulling: 60 mph max and let it find its own speed in the steeps. Really like the downshifting on the downhills which saves a ton on brake wear. Tight turning radius is great for doing u-turns with the Airstream as well. Plan to retire from our Airstream life in 2024 and we think our 2007 Tundra just might make it all the way to the end.

One final anecdotal note: in our opinion, the Tundra isn't really designed to pull anything heavier than a 27. We feel we've been near the upper limit of what the Tundra should be doing on a long term basis. Not confident it could do more.

Thank you Toyota!
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Old 04-05-2020, 10:49 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikebrady62 View Post
Ray,
Do you use the F350 strictly as a TV or is it daily driver also?
If you do drive it daily, do you miss the Tundra? Seems like it would be more than enough for any of the 25' AS.
******
When we had the Tundra 4x4 Crew Max it was the daily driver for me. Otherwise we used the 2008 Land Cruiser. Wife liked the LC for driving in town. I like sitting up high and can watch traffic... miles ahead.

You cannot haul sheet rock and lumber in a Land Cruiser or Range Rover.

I have had Land Cruisers since 1985 with the straight six cylinder (those suck). Today they are supreme to me. Good for 200,000 miles, and need maybe the front end replaced at 250,000 miles. The 5.7L engine is excellent. The transmission people say if all transmissions were like the Land Cruisers... they would all be out of business. True.

The F350 has just under 40,000 miles. The Land Cruiser is at 69,000 miles.

I take the F350 out in town to get the engine and transmission up to temperature and keep the Diesel Tank topped off. When sitting for awhile during the Winter months (Las Vegas does not really have Winters).

I like the turbo Diesel... when towing and just in town to merge. It is amazing how much power a heavy pickup develops with RPM. Also... how quickly 15mpg becomes 12mpg.

I do not buy my Tow Vehicle's for mileage per gallon towing or local driving.

I want Toyota dependability, but needed a heavier vehicle for our kind of camping. So far, the F350 Diesel turbo, 4x4 had met all of MY needs.

Toyota has Diesels in Australia. I wanted to take a photo of one leaving a Cruise Ship in Australia... and they chased me off... if a friendly way and 'no pictures'. There is something wrong with this... where the USA restricts all these other Toyota options that other countries currently use.

No doubt if a 3/4 ton Toyota pickup is to be made... it will not be sold in the USA. Something is wrong, somewhere.

Love my Toyotas. I am happy with the F350. If you drive like my mother would... great mileage. If you like to get moving along... another story. I am now 70. Time is more valuable now. The rest of you... give it time... you will figure it out on your own. I am just ahead of the group and do not try to pass me... if I am felling... frisky.
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Old 04-05-2020, 01:04 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by superChop View Post
Great partial stories about great trucks! I was waiting to read about payload minus trailer tongue weight - topper/tonneau - cargo = overweight! Also wonder why Toyota places such a small payload on all Tundras? Safety, or bragging rights to having the smallest payload?
Excellent questions; when I looked at the Tundras on the lot with the "experts" we could not find even one, with "payload" on the door jam that read over 1400 lbs...most were in the 1200-1300 range...but the "experts" there argued with me that the "specs" on line were what you should go by...2000+ lbs payload..."oh yea", says I?? - show me! Don't get me wrong...for a 1/2T, Toyota is a fine truck...just not for towing large payloads unless ordered specially for that is what I was told.
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Old 04-05-2020, 01:27 PM   #18
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Badger Road- Lincoln, Montana?

[QUOTE=gypsydad;2348114]
*****
Are you among those living along the runway in Lincoln, Montana and tow your Airstream with a turbo prop?
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Old 04-06-2020, 05:26 AM   #19
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So That's a No???

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Eklund View Post
******
When we had the Tundra 4x4 Crew Max it was the daily driver for me. Otherwise we used the 2008 Land Cruiser. Wife liked the LC for driving in town. I like sitting up high and can watch traffic... miles ahead.

You cannot haul sheet rock and lumber in a Land Cruiser or Range Rover.

I have had Land Cruisers since 1985 with the straight six cylinder (those suck). Today they are supreme to me. Good for 200,000 miles, and need maybe the front end replaced at 250,000 miles. The 5.7L engine is excellent. The transmission people say if all transmissions were like the Land Cruisers... they would all be out of business. True.

The F350 has just under 40,000 miles. The Land Cruiser is at 69,000 miles.

I take the F350 out in town to get the engine and transmission up to temperature and keep the Diesel Tank topped off. When sitting for awhile during the Winter months (Las Vegas does not really have Winters).

I like the turbo Diesel... when towing and just in town to merge. It is amazing how much power a heavy pickup develops with RPM. Also... how quickly 15mpg becomes 12mpg.

I do not buy my Tow Vehicle's for mileage per gallon towing or local driving.

I want Toyota dependability, but needed a heavier vehicle for our kind of camping. So far, the F350 Diesel turbo, 4x4 had met all of MY needs.

Toyota has Diesels in Australia. I wanted to take a photo of one leaving a Cruise Ship in Australia... and they chased me off... if a friendly way and 'no pictures'. There is something wrong with this... where the USA restricts all these other Toyota options that other countries currently use.

No doubt if a 3/4 ton Toyota pickup is to be made... it will not be sold in the USA. Something is wrong, somewhere.

Love my Toyotas. I am happy with the F350. If you drive like my mother would... great mileage. If you like to get moving along... another story. I am now 70. Time is more valuable now. The rest of you... give it time... you will figure it out on your own. I am just ahead of the group and do not try to pass me... if I am felling... frisky.
Unless you count filling it up with fuel.
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Old 04-06-2020, 08:53 AM   #20
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[QUOTE=Ray Eklund;2348122]
Quote:
Originally Posted by gypsydad View Post
*****
Are you among those living along the runway in Lincoln, Montana and tow your Airstream with a turbo prop?
Ray- how'd you know that? Yes! 2 miles outside town, just past the runway...mile back off the highway, on the Blackfoot!
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