TRD Sport / OR 6 MT or Tundra SR?

Just took a ride to a Toyota dealer that’s had a stick sport sitting on the lot for months, really wanted a OR in red / blue / bronze with a stick but no luck on ANY OR manuals around me besides white (can’t do another white vehicle) and I’m walking the lot and see a plain Jane gray Tundra SR with the smaller rear doors. Gray, steelies, 4x4 and ZERO options but the tow package

it is possible I could be towing a car and a single car trailer 1-3x per month in the near future if my business keeps getting busier , and I was hoping the Tacoma fits the bill. I really want a stick, but man is that tundra strip model for $43k msrp before discounts intriguing. Wondering what people think?

 

95% of the time I’m going to be using it as a “work truck” and DD, 5% towing potentially 500+ miles round trip on a monthly basis

 

Any time you anticipate towing, and are considering the bigger truck as a possibility, go with the bigger truck.

This is not shade against the Tacoma. Bigger, heavier trucks just handle towing better, especially an enclosed car trailer.

However, I still don't trust the Tundra. I was dead set on getting a 2024 Tundra, but the engine issue is real. Still TBD if Toyota got this under control.

I test drove a Titan against the Tundra, and it was immediately apparent that the Titan was a better truck. Y'all may scoff at that as Nissan has a bad reputation, but to me, that's how bad the new Tundra is.

If you can just tow cars on a lightweight flatbed car trailer occasionally, maybe a Tacoma will work. If you still choose Tacoma, get the longest wheelbase version, crew cab 6' bed for best directional stability.

If the 2025+ Tundra resolves the engine and interior quality issues, that would be a better truck for towing, especially an enclosed trailer.

Unfortunately for me, when I needed a new truck, the Tacoma was still about 6 months from release and the Tundra was still in trouble with the engine.

 

5% towing 500 miles per month. So, 95% work truck 9500 miles per month?!

 

Towing or Rowing...which one is going to help your business grow?...Happy Hunting

 

The only thing you're "losing" with the Sport instead of the OR is the factory Bilsteins and a locking rear diff. The 4.30 rear end of the 6MT will tow a little easier.

If it doesn't have the integrated brake controller, you'll have to tap into the harness to make an aftermarket one work - or use bluetooth.

You're going to get 18-20mpg without a trailer.

The Tundra will give you similar MPG, would be better for towing, and (seems to) have a connector for a plug and play brake controller option if there isn't one in the truck.

If your towed load is more than about 4500 lbs, the Tundra is a better option.

 

Just as an fyi, my brother has a ‘25 tundra and he loves it. I tried for one but couldn’t get it into my price range. I do have a TRD Sport and I really like it. But my vote would be the Tundra.

 

I enjoy towing with a manual and a turbo. Let's me live out my big rig dreams.

But seriously, if you want a manual, just get it. It adds a lot of fun if you are so inclined. I've never been one of those "manuals only belong in sports cars" sort of guys. Every car and truck I've owned over the last 25 years has been a manual. I even taught my wife how to drive stick and then she wanted a manual so I got her one.

 

Sorry, stupid # breakdown I gave. Probably will drive it 1500 miles / month , and of that 250-500 will be towing. Really only would be towing during May to September

 

I just can't stand the look of the tundra. Weirdly enough the Strippy sr model with steelies looks best. On the flip side I love the Tacoma and only dislike the stupid digital tach

 

I've seen people swap the Sequoia front end onto the Tundra, looks proper

 

Having just bought a 4G, I'd say get a Tundra over a Tacoma if you need the backseat room. Otherwise, get the Tacoma and save the money.

 

Dont need the space just the ability to tow a light trailer and sub 3500 pound car from now and then

 

Then Tacoma it is.