Looking to purchase Tundra

Hi all -

I currently have a 2011 Tacoma and am looking to pull a larger travel trailer. I'm a Toyota guy so I am looking at the Tundra.

Specifically, I am looking at a pre-owned 2012 Crewmax, 4WD, TRD Off-Road with 62k miles - VIN 5TFDY5F17CX212803. As I do not know Tundra's all that well yet, I wanted to see if you guys can help me make sure what the dealer claims is true.

1) What features am I looking for to verify the vehicle actually has the TRD Off-road package? It has a skid plate and stickers on the bed but those can be added easily. I don't need the TRD Off-road package, I just don't want to pay any more for it if it does not have it.

2) How can I identify a factory tow package? The Tacoma's have a heavy duty alternator and battery, engine oil cooler and an external transmission cooler. Or do all US made Tundra's have the tow package from the factory?

3) This vehicle was assembled in Texas, however, has spent its entire life in Alberta, Canada. Is it possible to determine whether the truck was made for Canada or if it was made for the US and taken to Canada? My concern is whether or not it conforms to US safety specs and if I will have difficulty licensing/registering it here in the US.

4) The Carfax comes back "clean", since the truck was in Canada, would everything show up the same on the Carfax as it would if it had been here in the US?

5) Anything else I should look for such as hidden rust?

Thanks so much!

Lane

 

1) TRD will have bilstein shocks, so look behind the front wheel and look for shock absorbers that have Bilstein on them
2) Factory tow package will have the integrated trailer plugs on the rear and there should be an extra small radiator in front of the main radiator.
3) Not sure, if you've got the Carfax it should show you where it was first sold. I wouldn't be too worried about this though, the Tundra was built for cold weather... hence the name.
4) Not sure
5) Look for signs of modifications that previous owner took off. Also check top of the wheel wells, look for scratches or rust where someone took it off road to the extreme and smashed the tires up into the wheel well.

 

Thanks Nor7! It has the integrated trailer plugs and I believe it has the Bilstein shocks. There is also a smaller radiator in front of the main one.

 

Easiest way to tell what country it was made for is to look at the speedo. A Canadian truck will have km/h on the outside.

 

^Thats about all I can help with.

 

Great point StevoNB!

 

How large of a trailer are you trying to pull? Tundra's aren't the best tow rigs...

 

Looking at a 28' bumper pull. It weighs just over 6k lbs. dry.

 

Tundras are great at pulling but I'd have to agree with previous poster, once you start loading up you're going to be pushing the limits of the towing capacity. Definitely do your homework and don't forget to consider the weight of the people in the truck and the gear in your cab/bed when you calculate towing capacity.

Are you talking about a travel trailer or a trailer for hauling freight?

 

Yes, a travel trailer with a GVWR of 7,500lbs.

 

that tundra will pull it but wont like it very much

 

?

I tow a trailer dual axle, bobcat and skid steer attachment totalling just over 10,750 and does just fine. Around town and on higway it does just fine. The brakes on it didnt work one trip and the tundra itself broke very well coming from freeway speeds. Instant stops were harder because the tires couldnt get enough stopping traction.

Also pulled a vehicle trailer with a tacoma in it as well with no problem.

 

Just have the dealer run the VIN and print out the original window sticker.