Toyota Tundra

[murphyluv]

Theres two different size engines. Which one is best? That’s where I’m confused for sure. This is also off their website:
i-FORCE 5.7L V8 (346 CU. IN.)

381 hp and 401 lb.-ft. of torque, a 6-speed automatic transmission, plus a standard Tow Package with added engine and transmission oil coolers equal heavy-duty towing capability. 22 Add Double Overhead Cams (DOHC), a 32-valve head design and Dual Independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (Dual Independent VVT-i), and you get an i-FORCE drivetrain that can tow a space shuttle. 24
i-FORCE 4.6L V8 (281 CU. IN.)

Tundra’s 4.6L V8 is packed with tech, delivers 310 hp and 327 lb.-ft. of torque via a 6-speed automatic transmission. It also benefits from Double Overhead Cams, a 32-valve head design and Dual Independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (Dual Independent VVT-i), so all the power you need is ready when you need it.

[murphyluv]

MMavin: rear air bags to the suspension? I feel like a dummy, I’m confused by that, lol! In cab air pressure controller vs manual inflation?

[QUOTE=MMavin;8475871]
2010 5.7l Tundra here…must have factory tow. Tow mirrors and digital tow brake controller are nice to have, and can be added later.

I added rear air bags to the suspension after purchase-- I wish I had paid extra for the in-cab air pressure controller for these vs. the manual inflation version. Since it’s my daily driver and I trailer regularly, it means I live with a firmer ride around town.

It tows a steel 2H BP with one horse like it’s not there. Fully loaded with 2 horses and going over high mountain passes was a little slower but I only do that a couple times a year.

Like above, great truck and a comfortable drive for a 5’5" woman.[/QUOTE]

[horsejumpguy]

i bought a new 2013 a couple of years ago to replace a 1999 4runner. i would recommend the 5.7L v8. i think you would want all the power you can get. also look at the hauling limits of the truck you will buy, they advertise it as hauling 10,000 lbs but my model is set at 9,200. not a big difference but worth noting.

[Libby2563]

[QUOTE=murphyluv;8497155]
Theres two different size engines. Which one is best? That’s where I’m confused for sure. This is also off their website:
i-FORCE 5.7L V8 (346 CU. IN.)

381 hp and 401 lb.-ft. of torque, a 6-speed automatic transmission, plus a standard Tow Package with added engine and transmission oil coolers equal heavy-duty towing capability. 22 Add Double Overhead Cams (DOHC), a 32-valve head design and Dual Independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (Dual Independent VVT-i), and you get an i-FORCE drivetrain that can tow a space shuttle. 24
i-FORCE 4.6L V8 (281 CU. IN.)

Tundra’s 4.6L V8 is packed with tech, delivers 310 hp and 327 lb.-ft. of torque via a 6-speed automatic transmission. It also benefits from Double Overhead Cams, a 32-valve head design and Dual Independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (Dual Independent VVT-i), so all the power you need is ready when you need it.[/QUOTE]

I have a 2015 5.7L V8 for a two-horse with dressing room Gore trailer. I would not get the 4.6L if you are planning to haul horses. Look on page 44 of this: http://www.toyota.com/content/ebrochure/2016/tundra_ebrochure.pdf. The 4.6L 4x4 is rated to tow 6,500 lbs vs 10,000 for the 5.7L 4x4. 6,500 lbs does not give you as many options for trailers and will not be as safe. Do get the factory tow package, it’s worth it, and I bet it’s included with the 5.7L engine anyway.

I too sold a beloved 4Runner (2008 V8) to buy this Tundra for many of the same reasons you cite (although I already have the farm and do trailer on a regular basis). I couldn’t be happier–it tows better than any other vehicle I’ve ever owned, including a diesel F350.

The integrated brake controller is a bit of a sore subject with me because they initially promised that on the 2015 models and I searched high and low for it, only to eventually discover it hadn’t panned out but they didn’t bother to remove it from their advertising. It wasn’t a big deal to install aftermarket, of course, but I really liked the integrated one Chevy has and wanted that nice clean look. And the false advertising and general ignorance of the salespeople really annoyed me.

A word of advice: know what specs you want going in, and do not count on the salesman at the dealership to tell you what you need. I found that they were less than knowledgeable about towing. Most of them didn’t even know what a brake controller was.

If you buy one, enjoy! They’re amazing.

[FitToBeTied]

I looked at the Toyota Tundra a few years ago when I was looking at trucks and found their tow capacity to be a little low. I looked at the 2016 because of these discussions and the tow capacity seems improved. The one thing that I can’t figure out is what happens to the HP. NY ford F250 has 388 HP and the Tundra is listed at 380HP. Yet the Ford tow capacity is 14,400 versus 11000 for the Toyota.

[caryledee]

I have an 08 Tundra I bought used 3 years ago. I am very happy with it; I feel completely safe pulling a 2 horse with it. Definitely go with the 5.7L engine and tow package. Gas mileage will suck but you need the extra power. Like someone else said, I sometimes forget the trailer is back there, is pulls it so easily!

[MMavin]

The 5.7 engine is a must for towing. As for air bags added to the suspension, I found this link:

http://riderite.com/benefits-of-air-springs

And

Www.airliftcompany.com

Mine are the Firestone Ride Rite

The Tundra has a slightly soft rear suspension, which gives a nice car like ride around town, but sags a bit under weight. The air suspension is like extra shocks and adjustable, so you can increase air/firmness when towing and reduce other times. Mine are manual, so I use an air compressor to fill through two tire valves that live on each side of my license plate. For extra $, you can have a control button in the cab that fills and deflates automatically.

[TullyMars]

I have the airbags with the remote control system. I love it and can adjust my air with a touch of a button. Very cool and can use it to hook up and unhook my trailer. It is my best addition to my truck.

[Martina]

A little late to the party, but I’ll chime in. I’m another 2008 Tundra pulling a 2H aluminum gooseneck. Tows the GN great with one horse and gear. I haven’t done a lot with 2 horses. The thing to be aware of is the payload. I did all the calculations and everything checks out plenty fine, just borderline with payload though. With a GN you add 25% of the load and that is where you are getting close to max. Even so, I love mine. I have about 160k miles and–knock wood–have had no major issues.

[clanter]

[QUOTE=murphyluv;8497149]
to help stabilize the trailer, and your precious boat.[/QUOTE]

what an odd name for a horse

[murphyluv]

Thanks everyone! I spoke to a Toyota dealer today, got a little more information about pricing and such. He insists Tundra’s take 87, not necessary to use premium gas. So at least there’s not that price increase, but definitely a slight decrease in gas mileage, as well as I’m sure a price increase in tires and upkeep. 4.6L is hard to come by, and yes, lower towing capacity. He also seemed to think the Limited is not worth the price increase, just to do the SR5 in whatever cab size and bed length I prefer, and add on features. Brake controller is standard, and all come with tow package. Price also seemed more reasonable than I expected, unless I add on a bunch of stuff- bed liner, remote start… all tempting.

[Jim_in_PA]

Trim level is a matter of personal preference…but Toyota does get a pretty penny for the Limited trim level, so if you want/need the amenities it provides, by all means build what you want on the next level down.

It’s not uncommon for V8 quipped vehicles to be able to run reliably on regular (~87 octane) fuel these days as the computer systems automatically adjust for that. I’ve never put anything else in my Hemi V8 equipped Grand Cherokee Summit and when I had the Tundra years ago, it was also run on regular. For heavy towing, I’d do the recommended 89 octane, but I don’t do that. For the most part, premium fuel is mostly the realm of Euro luxury cars and some vehicles with smaller engines that are supercharged. (Octane isn’t about “power”…it’s about detonation and higher octane “burns slower” in that respect which is important for engines that have higher compression in the cylinders)

[murphyluv]

Interesting. Thank you for explaining the octane.
My parents are convinced that gas will climb back to $4-5 per gallon again, and soon, and think that I should get a Tacoma and just rent a truck if I ever haul horses. Renting a truck for hauling horses is about the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard, especially if you’re a novice hauler. The economics of their suggestion I do understand though. I feel like if I was going to stick with something the size of a Tacoma I may as well just get another 4-runner. The cab size seems much smaller. Hopefully going to test drive tomorrow.

[Jim_in_PA]

Rentals are usually a no-go for hauling…there’s no way to know if the truck is factory equipped for tow capacities and they will almost never have a brake controller. And many rental companies prohibit towing, too.

I hesitate to mention it, but I have a light-weigh 2h BP (2200 lbs) and pull it with my 2012 Grand Cherokee Summit (Hemi V8, factory tow, 7200 capacity) and it meets my needs. It’s not an uncommon sight around here, either. So I get the luxury I want/need for my business travel, 20mpg on the highway, and the ability to move my horses if I need to. I only trailer a few times a year and am happy with this arrangement.

[murphyluv]

Test drove the Tundra, I love the ride and feel. Definitely different driving tactics from a 4-runner, but it handles great. Sat in the Tacoma, and said “nope.”. It may be built on the same frame as the 4-runner but it is much smaller inside.
I’m currently looking at available options…I’m looking at ball mount, tow hitch receiver, trailer ball, all of that is listed as options. Anything I have to have other than " standard towing package"?

[Jim_in_PA]

You want/need “Factory Tow”…which will include the hitch receiver, wiring and adjustments to things like brakes, suspension and cooling. It may or may not come with a brake controller…not an issue if it doesn’t because it will still be pre-wired for one with the Factory Tow setup. Don’t worry about the ball mount and ball until you actually have a trailer…the ball size and drop to the mount is specific to a given trailer. You don’t want to buy that from the Toyota dealer, anyway…there are better sources for better products.

[murphyluv]

Ah, ok. that’s what I was thinking. Standard factory installed tow package (and it does have brake controller)… All the rest I can add later. Thanks for humoring me! I’m learning a lot!

[MMavin]

Did we already mention tow mirrors? And does the one you looked at have the backup camera?

[horsejumpguy]

Also make sure it is 4 wheel drive! tough to add that on later.

[Jim_in_PA]

[QUOTE=MMavin;8511561]
Did we already mention tow mirrors? And does the one you looked at have the backup camera?[/QUOTE]

These may or may not be needed…depends on the trailer. I don’t need them with my setup at all. Tundra’s standard mirrors are pretty darn large, so unless she gets something that’s extra wide, they might not be needed. No point in spending the money now until the trailer decision is made.

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Horsejumpguy, 2WD Tundras aren’t very common, but that’s a good point.