2007+ Tundra and other trucks

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I would keep my 2001 Tundra forever except it didn't make the frame recall and is going to break in half sometime in 2021 if not sooner. It is, for me, the perfect size full size truck. And at 220K miles with nothing breaking, other than the frame, since 167K, it has been somewhat reliable.

The 2007+ Tundras look monstrous, hard to navigate and park. Yes? No?

Any other trucks to consider?

[sammyg2]

I loved my 2001 tundra, except the brakes were horrible and would fade down long hills.

And I could see out the back of it to park, something I could NOT do in my 2007 tundra.
Newer generation tundras need a back up camera or you don't use reverse without a spotter.

[Vipergrün]

Just got a 2015 Double Cab SR5 with TRD package. I've had a gen1, and gen2, and now a gen3 Tundra. This is by far the best. For me, it's easy to drive and park, rear view camera is great.

[LakeCleElum]

I have a 2015 Tundra - coming from a Tacoma and long line of Mazda Pickups.....Did a lot of research and Found:

Each year of Tundra got a little more power and better fuel mileage.....I wanted the Tundra over the Tacoma as the bed is wider and I can get a snowmobile, ATV and my riding mower between the fender wells.......I wanted a little larger cab. I don't tow much more than a snowmobile two, so went with the smaller 4.6 V8........It gets better fuel mileage than my old Mazda 4.0 V6, 5 speed. The 4.6 Tundra is geared higher than the 5.7 and the TRD models - good for fuel mileage.......

I'm storing my buddies truck long term as he moved south. It's a Chev. Silverado Diesel.....I love the torque of his diesel, but it drives like a truck. My Tundra drives live a car.....Comes with backup camera also........

[Seahawk]

All the current 1/2 tons are big.

I am sure they are all good...I bought the 2015 Tundra I have as much on price as any other criteria. I need a 1/2 ton since I own a farm and horses. Just the way it is.

A few data points:

When I was driving into DC a lot, the Tundra was a pain so I bought a used FJ Cruiser to get around in the city. The Tundra is great on the road, steers and handles great, tows like a dream, but is tough in a city.

My daughter used the Tundra to move out of NYC to Charleston. She loves the truck but could not believe how big it is...she lives in downtown Charleston. She has an older FJ Cruiser as her DD.

So, for a truck in a more urban setting, there are really good smaller trucks depending on your price point and how long you want to keep it.

I drove the new Ranger yesterday with my friend who is in the market. Very nice and it is comfortable. The Tacoma is great but has a cramped interior for me. We looked at Tacoma’s for my wife but we opted for a 4Runner.

Honda Ridgeline is great as well. A good friend of mine has one and raves about it. Excellent truck/car for 90% of folks.

I have not driven the Colorado or the smaller Nissan.

[vash]

i imagine the newer toyota will rust out on you slowly as well.

how about some pics of the rust?

[Scott Douglas]

My brother has a 2018(?) Colorado and has been using it to move lately. It doesn't tire him out as much as his GMC diesel dually does. I went on the test drives with him when he was shopping the Colorado. I'd have one if I could afford it. Plenty of engine with the V-6 and the interior is nice too. Doesn't ride like a car but not as bad as a full on truck either. He had his trailer fenders painted to match the truck. Makes for a nice looking rig.

[unclebilly]

My 2011 Tundra has just about 400,000 kms on it. I bought it new and have used that truck, worked that truck, loved that truck. It was the first vehicle I ever bought new and I have no regrets. Despite the poorish mileage, my cost of ownership has been low.

I do a lot of towing with it, and not just lawn tractors...

I recently replaced the rear leaf springs and they likely broke because I was using it to haul 18,000 - 20,000 lbs worth of loaded gooseneck trailer. I’ve used the truck for daily commuting as well as for farm chores. The body still looks great but the box is starting to rust. I put a 2-1/2” lift on it and 35” tires when it was less than a year old and have no regrets. Mine is a SR5 TRD Crew Max and I park it downtown all the time in tight spots. It does have a back up camera and the sonar system (that doesn’t work properly due to gravel flying up and damaging the sensors).

The truck has towed to Laguna Seca twice, it’s been to The Ridge, it’s towed my Kubota M5-111 to the dealer and back a few times (250 mile round trip), it’s been used in the oil patch when I was running Downhole tools many times. It is still tight and drives like new. I won’t replace it until the new Tundra comes out...

Bottom line, this thing is comfortable, powerful, safe, easy to drive and very capable.

[Seahawk]

What bumper and winch combo it that?

Looks great and I have regretted not having a winch.

Shaun, the Tundra is a fine vehicle, I share unclebilly’s assessment.

In an urban environment, the size, even with great steering, visibility, reliability gets old if you need to park around the city, underground parking, curbside, etc...even my Series 80 is like driving a VW Bug compared to the Tundra.

[wdfifteen]

I went from a 2003 to a 2017. Yes the newer models are relatively monstrous - ridiculously so for a half-ton pickup. Hard to believe that inside the sheet metal these are basically the same size. No, not so hard to navigate and park once you get used to them. I took pictures of my 2003 and 2017 before I sold the '03.

Advantages of the 2017: more powerful engine, hopefully better corrosion control, rear view camera

Advantages of the 2003: the bed and interior dimensions are essentially the same in a more compact and user friendly form factor. Easier to get into and out off. With more power it would do everything the 2017 does. Less embarrassingly absurd "look at me I'm big and bad assed" styling.

I passed on a used Arizona 2003 with less than 100k on the clock for half what I paid for the 2017. I'm still kicking myself. I would look hard for a used example of whatever the 2003 generation is (gen 1? gen 2?) if I were you.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

All good stuff, thanks. I'll start looking and driving this weekend.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

The earlier truck looks tiny compared to your new one. Will be interesting driving the new one.

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I went from a 2003 to a 2017. Yes the newer models are relatively monstrous - ridiculously so for a half-ton pickup. No, not so hard to navigate and park once you get used to them. I took pictures of my 2003 and 2017 before I sold the '03.

Advantages of the 2017: more powerful engine, hopefully better corrosion control, rear view camera

Advantages of the 2003: the bed and interior dimensions are essentially the same in a more compact and user friendly form factor. Less absurd "look at me I'm big and bad assed" styling.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

The earlier truck looks tiny compared to your new one. Will be interesting driving the new one.

Hard to believe that the inside of the bed on the 2003 is the same size as the 2017 and the interior is more comfortable for a 6'2" 225 pound man to be comfortable in. I drove the 2003 truck all over the US and Mexico. I can't recommend it enough. See the edits of my post.

[Tim Hancock]

Went from an '02 Limited Tundra 4x4 (over 200k) to an '11 Limited Tundra 4x4. The newer one is much beefier and much more powerful. Both dead reliable. I spray underside with Fluid film each fall and have no rust issues at all at about 100k. Both have pulled race car many many nights to the track and pulled 9000 pound 31.5' camper to Oshkosh twice with the '11 (7hrs each way).

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

What bumper and winch combo it that?

Looks great and I have regretted not having a winch.

Shaun, the Tundra is a fine vehicle, I share unclebilly’s assessment.

In an urban environment, the size, even with great steering, visibility, reliability gets old if you need to park around the city, underground parking, curbside, etc...even my Series 80 is like driving a VW Bug compared to the Tundra.

Smittybilt bumper and Costco winch. The rear bumper was custom built by a friend to match the smittybilt.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Hard to believe that the inside of the bed on the 2003 is the same size as the 2017 and the interior is more comfortable for a 6'2" 225 pound man to be comfortable in. I drove the 2003 truck all over the US and Mexico. I can't recommend it enough. See the edits of my post.

Edits noted. I did find these while looking earlier. But here's a problem with any new truck I get. I'll only get a nice truck. By current truck is one that I just cut down a tree last weekend, cut up the leafy branches to fit in the bed. Threw them in. Put a strap across the bed at the wheel wells and the metal ratchet started to dig into the paint on the bed side. It is so great to have that kind of truck. I guess I'll always have towels in the back seat of a new one.

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/ctd/d/woburn-2003-toyota-tundra-access-cab/7192373274.html

https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/ctd/d/west-wareham-2006-toyota-tundra-sr5-trd/7197125327.html

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

I do a lot of towing with it, and not just lawn tractors...

My brother hauls a lot more than just his lawn tractors with his Colorado.

[plexiform]

I've been really happy with my 2016 Silverado. I'd buy it again without reservation.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

My brother hauls a lot more than just his lawn tractors with his Colorado.

Um yah... about that.

The trailer and tractor were over 14,000 lbs at the scale (I have commercial plates so I need to scale)... this was 250 miles round trip and I have done this twice.



I’ve posted photos of hauling 8 1800-2000 lb bales with my truck a few times lately so I won’t repost those photos... let’s just say I’ve hauled more than the weight of that yellow truck, the trailer, and the car on the trailer with my ol’ Tundra.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I need an F250 for towing a large boat fairly long distances on a regular basis, otherwise I would probably seek out a first generation Tundra double cab from a Southern state. Having driven in Boston I would not want to navigate any of the current huge 1/2 ton trucks through those narrow streets, small parking lots, and heavy traffic. I think they are a great size for someone who just needs a truck for general DIY tasks.