Toyota Tundra Forum

Ok so I am in the market for a new truck, I currently own an 01 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 I won't say it has been a good truck enuff said. I am on the fence as to which truck to buy a Tacoma quad or a Tundra double cab. I live in Central Maine and no matter where you go it is a minimum 20 minute drive so mileage is important, I will be hauling a 20' boat at some point and will haul a utility trailer with ATV's so power is also important. 4x4 is a must. I have read some posts on mileage but it is mostly for the 5.7 engines would like to hear real world numbers on the smaller v-8 and whether this is an adequate power plant for the Tundra. Also bed hop I have seen the video's and want to hear real world experience with it, is it as bad as it looks ? Have the dealers made any attempts to correct this? Do they even acknowledge this? Toyota seems to have some growing pains Tacoma's with motor mounts sinking into the frames, maybe rushing the Tundra out ( bed hop ) which does concern me however they do offer the most bang for the buck, heck my buddy trades in his Tacoma's every 3 years and get's almost what he pays for them what other manufacturer can claim this? So please help me with my decision, Thanks

Welcome. I know the Taco's standard Tow rating is 3500lbs and properly equiped it is up to 6500lbs. However add in vehicle occupants and that tow rating drops because the max gross weight recommended is 11,000lbs.

In the Tundra you would not have to worry about tow rating. The only issue you might find depends on your region. If you want to put the TRD SC in, Toyota might only sell the Flexfuel 5.7L in your area so you might have to go to another state to get it purchased if you want to SC it. The 4.6L is a nice motor. I never driven one however what I can tell you is there are a few forum members who wish they spent the the extra $500-$1250 (sale etc) to get the 5.7 upgrade. Then there are a few that don't.
Personally I love blowing the doors off the DIE HARD domestic owners that try to mess with me.

Interms of fuel economy the Tundras numbers are 14/17mpg for the 5.7L 15/19 for the 4.6L and the Tacos 4.0L are 20/26. However these trucks are in complete different catagories. I can tell you going 75/80mph I did get 17-18mpg(flat). I added in a CAI and exhaust and my mpg on the highway was 19-21+mpg (flat). I need to get off my butt and post the clip on youtube (yes I recorded it while I drove). City wise I get 15.5mpg to 16.5mpg depends on heavy my foot is that day.

Know looking on the financial aspect. The price between a SR5 package Dbl Cab Tundra 5.7L and a Tacon Dbl Cab properly equipped for your towing needs is less then 1k based on MSRP.

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T From Phoenix

2008 DC SR5 5.7L Tundra Super White

See my Garage


Mods... Autopia Foglights,Escort Passport 8500 Radar Detector, Magnaflow Dual In/ single Out Exhaust,Volant CAI,Putco LED interior lighting,Toyota Bedrail system, Toyota bedliner,Toyota Alarm w/o GB sensor, Window Tint, Slotted & Cross Drilled rotors.

I've had my truck for over 2.5 years and I've never experienced anything close to the bed bounce that they show in that Ford video. Yes, that was a Ford video and their truck was built to look good on that track.

As for engine choice, you'd be better off towing with the 4.6 Tundra. Has plenty of power for what you want to tow.

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Any questions about truck mods I have done need to be asked in the forums. Don't send me a private message about mods cause I probably won't answer that PM unless there is money involved.

2007 SR5 Crewmax 5.7L 4x4
Mods: nerf bars, Truxedo tonneau, radar detector power, 3M clear bra, fog lights, black billet grille, rear differential breather, parking sensors, Line-X, power tailgate lock, hood safety latch mod, one off driving lights behind grille, Pioneer NAV w/ OEM camera, CDT 6.5" speakers, Flowmaster 50 SUV dual/dual, blue LED dash lights, Volant CAI, Llumar tint, CompuStar Pro alarm, ProComp 6066 20" wheels, Nitto Terra Grapplers LT305/55/20, OME HD coilover lift, Firestone helper air bags, 55w reverse lights, stereo cable lock, Tekonsha P3 brake controller, colormatched exterior parts (de-chromed truck), Weathertech floor mats, eDead sound proofing, CDT Audio speakers, Custom made speaker brackets, LED foot well lights, PRG/Deaver 3 leaf mini-pack, LED map lights
All mod descriptions and pictures © 2007-2011 by Toxarch. They may be copied only for personal use and the mods may be done for non-profit only.

Looking at the Ford video I had to think to myself how many times will I be putting my truck in that position? Driving 28 mph over an obstacle course of bumps set up as such, I think most would slow down, avoid, etc. I have been leaning toward the Tundra as I want another full size but was a bit afraid of the mileage, don't ask why I had an 06 GMC 2500 HD that got a whopping 13mpg no matter how I drove it and while towing my utility trailer with ATV's this past fall I got a whopping 10.2 mpg with my Dakota. Heck even unloaded I only get 18mpg with the Dakota and it has a V-6 stick and zero power. I should be test driving in a month or two and will make my decision based on how I like the vehicle.

I have a 2010 Tundra with the 4.6L and have been pleased with the power/performance so far. I drive 12 miles to work and go through 26 stoplights round trip and I am getting 14 miles per gallon. While the 4.6L is not the 5.7L it has plenty of power for towing. I was also considering both the Tundra and the Tacoma but I am glad I went with the Tundra 4.6L. In my test drives I did not feel a substantial difference between the 4.6L and 5.7L but the 4.6L felt considerably more powerful than the 4.0L in the Taco.

I owned an '06 Taco TRD quad cab for three years, and towed close to 7k lbs with it almost every weekend. When I traded it for my '09 SR5 DC Tundra 4x4 I did not want to let it go, but couldn't afford both. I towed with it in Florida and south Georgia - hills, but nothing terribly challenging, and it never gave me a single problem. It was a nice tradeoff as the mileage while not towing was around 24 mpg on my daily 40 mile commute. In the woods it was a mountain goat. In a year or less we are going to replace my wife's car with a new Taco - or MAYBE a second Tundra - to have a backup tow beast, as we have multiple trailers.

My Tundra has been nothing short of amazing; the best all-around fullsize I have ever owned. The fuel economy is fair at around 18 highway, 15 city. I have done better when I keep my foot out of it, but that is difficult to do. Towing is rock solid in the mountains and on the flat, as is its off road prowness. It does surprisingly well off road, despite its bulk.

I love both of these trucks, and would not hesitate to buy another of either. Which one obviously depends upon one's needs.

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Meanwhile, back on the tuna boat.......

hey T.

I live in so.cal ... I've never felt bed bounce and I've put almost 20k on my truck in less then a year...also i had a 08 Tacoma with the 4.0 and a 6 speed manual. it towed my 21 foot boat OK but there were a few times it had me worried....in my 5.7 i sometimes forget its back there ....and even with the slight lift and bigger tires the MPG is better then the Tacoma....

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2011 CW
TRD SHIFTER
3+1 but i left the 1 off for now...
N-FAB steps
20x9 BMF S.E.R.E 5 inch back space with 0 offset
305 55 20 NITTO TERRA GRAPPLERS
MORE TO COME

*** I'VE EXPERIENCED BED BOUNCE WHEN TOWING ***

I've experienced bed bounce on interstate 59 while towing my 9k travel trailer. The right lane was in very bad repair. It felt like I was riding on one of those old clothe washboards my mom has hanging up in her home. It was the same scenario in that Ford VS Toyota bed bounce video on Youtube. After about a mile of sheer misery, I merged over into the left lane to avoid the washboard surface. Once the road leveled back out, I merged back over into the right lane and was passed by the vehicle behind me. After they passed, they slowed back down and shouted out their window that my hood was unlatched. I pulled over and indeed they were right. For now on, when the tail wags starts wagging this dog, I'm finding a smoother path.

I don't think I would have experienced the same outcome if I were not towing.

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2007 CrewMax TRD, 5.7L, SR5, 4x4, Super White
Sunroof, Fender Flares & Fog Lights
Brushed Stainless Stepboards
Borla Dual Cat-Back Exhaust
Volant CAI
TRD Rear Sway Bar
Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller
Timbren Suspension Enhancement System
GatorHyde Spray-In Bed Liner
Deck Rail Tie Down System
Garmin GPS

I went from a 2002 Dakota Quad cab to a 2008 Tundra 5.7l Double cab and the only thing I miss about my Dakota was that it was easier to park... but that's it.