Who’s switched from Tacoma to Tundra?

Looking at a new Tundra Crewmax. But I’m having a hard time making the switch. I love the size of the Tacoma. I love the manual transmission. Love the off-road prowess, even nearly stock.

However, I’ve got 3 kids. It’s a tight squeeze back there. Not that great for extended travels. Usually, we are in the wife’s CUV, so space isn’t a problem if we’re on-road trips. This probably makes up 70% of our outings.

But other 30% of the time, we go in my truck. And because of its size, we’ve limited the destinations to <2hrs from the house. Which is a shame because there are so many places I’d like to take them (quite) a bit further away.

Now, those outings make up maybe 5% of my seat time in the truck. Daily commutes, errands, and etc., the Tacoma is perfect for. I hated driving a full-size truck in the past because parking was a nuisance and it wouldn’t fit well on some of the trails.

I’m waffling back and forth of trading in the Tacoma for a Tundra. On one hand, my kids would love the extra space. On the other hand, it would be too much truck the majority of the time. What to do.....

Not looking for answers here. Just typing out my thoughts. Maybe some of you went through the same.

 

Do it. I did. Never lookin back. Never gonna own a Tacoma. Small and weak..and I only say it like this because I thought I loved my my old truck, but now that I have a 5.7 V8 and room, I hate the idea of owning a Tacoma. Gas mileage is what it is, but I have 2 kids and life got a whole lot better with my new Crewmax.
My old truck:


New Truck:

 

Yeah, I test drove one. It’s definitely nice. Size will take some getting used to. I looked at a Ford as well. But not really considering it, even though it was nice as well. I just can’t get over the issues with their engines. I know some people loathe Toyota for not changing the Tundra much since 07, but I LOVE the fact it’s the same engine and transmission, actual key (no smart key), etc. I want to buy one before they completely overhaul it. I have friends that have beat on that 5.7, and put a collective 500k miles and zero issues on any of them.

What size tire do you have? Do you have a lift? What you’ve got it pretty much all I’d want to do to it. Slightly bigger AT tires and a shell. Looks great!

 

Thanks, and I feel the same way about the engine and reliability. Tested a F150 and just couldn’t do it. No lift. I put the largest tire I could fit without a lift (275/70/18). Wheelset swap and cap and good to go. I have had mine 3 weeks (although I had a tundra in 2011) but I am already used to it. Parking farther away at stores is about it. I leave my truck loaded with gear for camping and fishing trips and it’s really the truck I should have had all along. Good luck and like I said, Go for it!!

 

I've had my first gen Taco since '08, and still have it! Love the thing to death but with age comes different requirements. I bought a '17 Tundra CM brand new two years ago and absolutely love driving the thing. I wanted something stock, could tow, and extra space of the crew max was a no brainer. I love everything about it EXCEPT the MPG but it is what it is. The Taco is my daily driver (surprisingly) due to driving 40+ miles a day for work, but the comfort of the Tundra is A+.

 

I had a 2009 Tacoma for 6 years, dog plus two kids changed the way we could travel with it though, plus we decided to buy a small camper which the Tacoma struggled with on long distances. I just picked up a used 2014 Tundra crewmax a week ago, best vehicle decision I could’ve made. Interior is roomy, and the truck really moves. Honestly gas mileage wise I haven’t noticed much of a difference yet, but I don’t travel far for work or errands anyway. My only complaint is the lack of under/behind seat storage in the back seat.

 

If you have to up size I would definitely go with the Tundra .

 

Titan Pro-4x is what I'd get these days.

 

I made the switch for the same reason as you. I love it. The space and power increase was well worth it for the offroading I do which is more akin to overlanding. Ive also wheeled the piss out of it and haven't found it to lack anything compared to my previous 2 Tacomas and 4runner. Its a little sketchy feeling in deep sand but still gets through. If you embrace the pin strips and trail damage it can be made to fit down atv trails.

 

I had a 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro (profile pic) and absolutely loved it! I still wound up trading it in for a 2019 Tundra TRD Pro for 2 reasons: I am not a big guy at all (5'8 180) and I felt cramped even in the front seat and secondly I have an aluminum boat and the Tacoma just did not handle towing it very well at all. If it wasn't for those two reasons I would definitely still own my Tacoma. Some day I would like to buy another Tacoma, or get my wife into a 4Runner.

 

Would any of you sway away from getting the Flex Fuel 5.7 vs regular 5.7, if you got a better deal on the flex fuel?
Any thoughts or hear much bad on the flex?

 

I'm working on a deal on a 2019 right now, only because we are looking at travel trailers. The biggest problem is finding a DC with the options we want. The idea of going to a short bed is killing me.

 

I’m seriously considering a Tundra. I just like the way it drives so much better than the Tacoma. Plus I have three kids so we never use my truck if it’s the whole family.

 

Are the parts/materials on the Tundra any stouter than on the Tacoma?

On my 2015 Tacoma, the front cloth seats already have abrasion wear at 30K miles and the OEM windshield cracked way too easily. Some interior plastics also scuffed up a lot quicker than I thought they would.

Tempted to go Tundra myself.

 

I switched. you get used to the size fairly quickly. I don't regret a thing!. so much more room, smooth ride, plenty of get up and go. I needed to upsize from my access cab taco since we had a baby and the taco just didn't have enough space. now I can fit a baby and 2 full size adults in the backseat and it still not be too cramped. I was really worried that it would be too big, but its not. you get used to it. promise.

 

Wife and I just test drove a 2016 Tundra crew max today. Really considering taking the leap

 

I’m most likely getting one very soon. I’ve owned my ‘19 Taco since May and have had it I for two separate brake problems already. Plus the well-known transmission hunting/vibration that’s mostly just annoying.

 

I loved my Tacoma. But I love my Tundra as well. Tacoma better off road by a mile. Gas mileage sucks in the Tundra - but for space and comfort, it is a dream!

 

The only negative on the flex fuel is that adding a supercharger voids the warranty. Get the non flex if you plan to add a Magnuson SC. Beyond that there is no difference.

 

So it doesn't void on a non flex?