Thinking of trading in my 18 Taco for a full-size

Good to know. Thank you @TRDPro196

 

I am having a hard seeing how basic features are too gadgety and prone to recalls and all the other stuff people be talking bout in previous posts.

I’m sorry I live in Colorado and if I pay $56k for a pickup, I want my damn power seats and rear backup stuff. Hell, even the air ride suspension has basically been out in the Grand Cherokee since 2014 without any major problems. What’s more weird is that some people talk about the Tundra like they bought one and do serious crawling/wheeling when 95% of us would at most do some light trails.

I don’t keep trucks past two years so I couldn’t care about the million mile tundra that was publicity windfall for Toyota instead of the typical vehicle that everyone drives. Every manufacturer seemingly has a million mile vehicle. Even Saab had one, so I guess we should just assume that those things were built to last?

Face it, there’s a reason why the Tundra frequently finishes fourth or fifth in comparison tests. Simply denying the shortcomings and calling everyone else Fake News doesn’t change that.

 

With your need for higher payload pushing you to one of the Big 3, why not check out 3/4 ton pickups?

3 people, 3 dogs, pulling a trailer? One of the major benefits of a 3/4T is not just larger payload but bigger brakes vs a 1/2T.

The beefier components, like alternator, battery, wheel bearings and other drive line components etc. in theory at least, should end up less stressed by all the weight and thus last longer.

 

I co-manage a fleet of pick-ups/heavy duty trucks/heavy equipment for a very large construction company. We have roughly 100 over the road pick-up trucks on my job. The company generally purchases a single brand of trucks (all negotiated rates) but switches it up over time. Here is my feedback/opinion on trucks, keeping in mind that these are heavily used and abused trucks, and would suggest they are at the extreme end of use.

We bought primarily Fords until around 2015 when it no longer made financial sense. We generally had reasonable reliability only one or two transmission failures, and no engine failures on the last job. We still have a number of these trucks on site, but they are nearing the end of their time with us. Mechanically they are in decent shape, but they trucks are just worn out. Suspension shot, seats all torn. Normal work truck abuse.

Due to cost, the company switched to Dodge and we've had a miserable time. Our pick-ups are normally plain jane work trucks, 1500 and 2500's both regular and crew cabs. We've had a HUGE problem with the V6 drive line. Almost every single one of our trucks (roughly 25) have developed a nasty tick. They've all gone in for warranty work (around 80k) and they've been repaired (rod knock). No repeat offenders so far. We have another 30-40 5.7L trucks (almost all in 2500's) and we've had a few drive lines fail in the last 6 months, albeit on trucks with 130k+. Last truck (last week), had both the engine and transmission fail simultaneously. Still runs and drive but not for long.

With the Dodge trouble, we've switched over to Chevys. We currently only have one on the job site, and it hasn't has any problems yet (or at least none that aren't our fault.) We have 9 brand new ones coming next week that will get tossed into the fleet. We will see how they fair....

All the brands have their pro's and con's. I think the Dodges have a great fit and finish, but I've been turned off of them from reliability side. The Fords seem to keep trucking, but they were fairly beat at this point and I can't yet comment on the Chevys.

 

still a possibility but the max tow half ton GMC is more then capable. but the options are still open

 

No locking rear diff, either

 

A Ridgeline isn’t a truck. It’s an Accord with bigger tires. I hate even seeing them in the truck comparisons. Secondly, the only owners older than Tacoma owners (on average) are Ridgeline owners.

I’m just saying that the Tundra has become the Crown Victoria of full size trucks. Neglected and o lay updated when it becomes more costly to NOT update it. Let’s face it, Toyota wouldn’t have even put a TSS system in it if it wasn’t compelled to from the Floormat recalls or the fact that all the other models had to have to remain competitive.

 

But you do get that Trd Pro stamped into the bedsides. Where else you gonna find that?

 

Now that I see what your needs are, I say go for a used 3/4 ton. I know some people don’t like used but there are so many good used vehicles out there due to leases, it’s a no brainer to buy used. Just don’t get one that has been used for plowing snow.

As for your 1/2 ton choices here is my two cents:

Toyota - reliability but old and terrible mpg
Ford - decent mpg
Chevy - could take it or leave it
Dodge - hell no, piece of crap regardless of how “good” it looks inside or out

 

Just buy a slightly used(20k miles give or take) 3.5-2.7 F150.

You can easily get it for 5k+ less and it has the best combination of reliability, interior and most importantly performance.

The tundra is awesome due to it's reliability but sadly it is too outdated. Sad that it used to be class leader in multiple aspects back when it released so hopefully 2021 tundra is as well.

 

Just get what you want.

 

Nicely done.

 

You guys are silly. My 2.7L F150 is getting a consistent 19 city 22-23 highway, about the same as my 4 cylinder Tacoma. I hand-calculate my mileage at most fill ups and the MPG readout is usually dead on or slightly lower than the actual MPG. I live close to work so I'm in stop and go traffic a lot and I stomp on the gas all the time because I'm not over the novelty of twin turbos. I use 4WD a lot in winter and A/C a lot in summer.

I'm no Ford fanboy, I've owned more Toyotas than any other make. But that's just plain untrue. The heavy payload F150's have a thicker chassis, bigger rear differential, 36 gal. fuel tank, LT-rated tires, upgraded suspension and wheels.

I'm a dedicated truck owner. I wanted 4X4, a locking rear diff, trailer tow package, vinyl flooring, no frilly shit like a touch screen or (cough) dampened tailgate. I also wanted a good payload, good power to weight ratio and decent fuel economy. You can't get all of that in a Tundra. Toyota's just coasting on their reputation now, but I'll come back if they make 1st gen Tacomas again or an FJ with solid axles and a removable top.

 

i agree.. i think if toyota geard the tundra towards a "dedicated" truck owner it would have better payload. if what i've seen as the payload of the tundra is correct at 1500 pounds its just a joke.. i hear it can tow a house but what good is that if you can't put anything in the bed while doing so? personally i like the looks of the tundra. i don't want all the tech crap in one though, bluetooth and usb ports is about all i really need.the wife wants a rubber floor mat instead of carpet too. if hey offered something with good payload i'd already havea tundra in the driveway..

 

im thinking of trading in my 2015 tacoma for a tundra too i need more room in back seat my wife is kinda big and her n my son n my mother in law in back seat they are crowded.

 

Yes, the Ford will get better mpg for sure. I priced one out and liked that you can get an XL work truck with locking diff, 36 gal tank, manual windows, etc. Or an XLT or Lariat comes nicely equipped with tech gizmos for those that want it.

But having said that. Three guys in my family have Tundras. 5.7L 4WD. Owned since new and beat on like they hate em. All in construction. Bed rails dented in, plastic bits torn off, carpet is now the color of mud. One is over 200k and others are approaching that. Not one issue. And these are 07-08 models so first model years. Yeah, everyone complains nothing’s changed on these unlike the Big 3, which switches it up every 4-5 years. But why mess with something that works? Toyota never has claimed they’re best in fuel efficiency. Or power. But reliable workhorses. Which the Tundra is exactly that.

My next full size will most likely be the Tundra. Ford will be considered, but given I only drive 8K miles a year, there is negligible difference in gas costs. So I’m not really seeing a reason to get one over the Tundra.

Now, if they’d offer one with a manual transmission, I’d run out and buy one today!

 

Unlike the Wranglers I have owned, the Ram 1500 with the 5.7L was pretty much trouble free, short of a few minor recalls. Mileage on trips was actually better than my Tacoma and towing is no comparison. Thinking about a MT 2500 Ram but not so eager to part with $48K for one. Just don't like automatics.

 

IMO Toyota “reliability” tends to get overused as an excuse:

Archaic 6-speed automatic? —That’s because it is reliable!​

Gutless motor? —It isn’t underpowered; it is reliable!

Can’t tow squat? —Who cares; it is reliable!​

Uncomfortable driving position? —Who buys a Toyota for comfort anyway? They are reliable!​

Shudders and vibrations? —That’s how a really reliable truck feels like...!

Poor MPG? —you don't know how to drive a reliable car!​

Sucky navigation? —if you need navigation you know nothing about reliability!​

 

That's great for you...most F-150 owners ARE NOT averaging 20mpg. Plenty of magazine reviews and fuelly results bare that out.

The heavy payload F-150 has some slight frame reinforcements (though oddly Ford moved away from hydroformed frames for their 1/2 tons). The F-150's differential and brakes are still smaller compared to what's on the Tundra. Tundra has 38 gallon tank vs F-150's 36 gallon. Suspension is an easy upgrade via the aftermarket...the true engineering goes into reinforcing the rest of the chassis and platform, which Ford does very little of despite the high payload/towing ratings.

You know what else is interesting? Ford has to do a total revamp of the F-150 (Raptor) to race it offroad, whereas Toyota simply takes a stock Tundra, reworks the suspension, and uses/abuses it. That alone tells you which company has more confidence in its underlying design.

The only real offroad benefit the Tundra is missing is the locking rear differential. That aside, the Tundra's chassis is a much better design for offroad use (in terms of approach/departure and shock placement on the axles).

Also, I've never heard anyone complain about the Tunra's dampened tail gate as being "frilly shit." Personally, I find Toyota's design choices (dampened tail gates, adjustable headlights, integrated trailer brake controllers) to be very logical for the average truck owner.

 

The payload/tow ratings are marketing boasts.

Ford offers what? +2k payloads and 11k-12k towing?

The differential and brakes, and arguably other chassis components, are arguably inferior to those used on the Tundra. Also, try towing to those max limits...it's not fun. The F-150 is getting well into 3/4 capabilities despite being a 1/2 ton platform....Ford tweaked the engineering just enough to get SAE ratings. That doesn't mean the truck is ideal for such duties.

Personally, I would like to see a 2k payload on the Tundra. But I'm also totally fine with Toyota over-engineering and under-rating their vehicles...it's a much better approach than over-rating and under-engineering trucks which is what most of the 1/2 ton OEM's do.