2020 Gear Hunting Like CRAZY!

I couldn't get anywhere near that with my 2019 Tundra. I averaged about 14 mpg or so while I had it. In town was about 13 and the best I could get on the highway was 15. I might could've gotten 16-17 going downhill with a tailwind lol.

 

Not sure if anyone diagnosed your problem yet, but this account has all the telltale signs of strong westerly winds the day of your roadtrip. Your milage and shifting patterns going east would not be odd if driving into a sustained 25 mph headwind with gusts up to say 40-50 (i.e., a normal day on the high plains). The mileage back should have been lower, seen accounts of 4 to 9 mpg when towing being normal going up hill (atkinson cycle doesn't ever kick in as engine is a always under load), so the wind was helping you get to 12 mpg.

Fuel economy on this engine requires the engine to not be under load, so when your are coasting and feathering the throttle, mpg is over 30. When under load, it is less than 10 mpg. That very wide differential explains all the variations in user experiences.

 

I don't need a Tundra, I'm happy with my Tacoma.

I knew mpgs would take a hit with the upsized tires, sliders and a loaded toolbox.

 

Yeah but just think ...you could put even bigger tires on the tundra and still get the same gas mileage plus you have a full-size truck with way more torque.

 

Sorry OP... but a quick dip into TW before pulling the trigger on the 2020 would have sent you straight for a new Ranger or ZR2

 

Not necessarily so, I came from a Canyon after 5 years of frustration that are Also well documented by many on the Colorado Fans and other similar forums. I can’t speak for the Ranger, however I did check it out, and test drove it, I was not too impressed overall, however, the 4 cyl motor seemed very responsive with the 10 speed transmission, but man, talk about constant shifting! A similarly equipped Colorado or Ranger was also quite a bit more expensive than the TRD OR. Price, along with long term reliability, brought me to Toyota.

 

Good! I love my truck... Yeah it has its quirks, but the constant shifting IS something i wish would be better... everything else is workable... I just a read a post from a guy who went 5.29's and his truck is STILL trash in the constant shift department... Hope its just a computer-needs-to-relearn type deal.... but yeah, i get what you mean

 

Tacoma is paid for....
I'm happy with it....
I came from a 1st gen that was even less efficient...

I don't WANT a Tundra.