08 Tundra 5.7 ????

[Beels]

Well, I live in the West Kootenay's of BC, so I highly doubt your roads are any more mountainous than mine. My old POS 98 1/4 ton Tacoma with a single sled in the back drove right past EVERY 3/4 and 1-ton with a sled deck for 2 springs. Locked in the diff, hit the gas, and drove right past. As far as guys without chains, me and my friend (also driving a Tacoma) unloaded farther up the road than any 1/2, 3/4, or 1-ton ever did in the spring....so if that's the game, I guess the way to win it is with a Tacoma

Why not buy a 3/4 or 1-ton?
- They're slow as arse with the gas motors
- The diesels are nice, but the price premium is quite large IMO....too large if I don't need it
- Once you get that diesel, the maintenence is much more expensive, and the US stuff wears out parts at rates I've never seen Toyotas go through
- Ride quality, turning circle, interior refinement, bells and wistles are very nice in 1/2 tons.....sled on the weekend, drive business associates around during the week kinda thing.
- Don't pull over 10,000lbs
- Don't haul more than 2 sleds + deck, which a Tundra will do very easily...

Again, if I want to haul a sled in the back and an open 3 place, which I've done almost every weekend since november.....what part of that is not working fine with a 1/2 ton? I've got a 4500lb boat, a sled, a dirtbike, and friends with all the same crap that like to come along. Ya I need a truck, but none of that stuff is heavy enough that a 300hp+ 1/2 ton can't still get it there at twice the speed limit.

I think it's hilarious that guys are SOOOO scared of the new Tundra that they have to come out of the woodwork to justify their brand X. That right there shows you the impact this truck has....

I don't want to get into the pissing match, but legally, there's no way in hell you can haul 2 sleds on a deck in a Tundra. Take a look at the payload specs on Toyota's website. Their definition of payload is "Payload = Cargo + Optional Equipment + Passengers + Tongue Weight (if towing)" The heaviest max payload listed on the 5.7L Crew Max is 1325lbs. Your average sled is going to weight 600lbs ready to ride, so you're at 1200 already, forget the weight of the deck or the driver or passengers.

Just to add, I've been taking a close look at the Toyotas. Looks like a great truck for people who are going to tow occasionally and don't need a 3/4 ton. I do for work, so this eliminated the Tundra (for me).

 

[pura vida]

what about adding airbags to the back? would that help with towing characteristics? would that improve the hauling total? that wouldn't have any effect on towing totals, right?

so, not considering a diesel, would there be a noticeable difference in towing ability between the 5.7 tundra and a 3/4 6.0 chevy with a 26 foot 7K lbs boat?

pv

 

[Jaynelson]

I don't want to get into the pissing match, but legally, there's no way in hell you can haul 2 sleds on a deck in a Tundra. Take a look at the payload specs on Toyota's website. Their definition of payload is "Payload = Cargo + Optional Equipment + Passengers + Tongue Weight (if towing)" The heaviest max payload listed on the 5.7L Crew Max is 1325lbs.

Fair enough....I guess we get away with a lot of that stuff in BC here, because there's 1/2ers running around everywhere with decks. The new Tundra's don't even squat with a deck and 2 sleds, the brakes and driveline are beefier than most 1-tons, so I have no doubt that it's safe. But if you're in an area where they enforce such things, then you could be screwed.

 

[Beels]

what about adding airbags to the back? would that help with towing characteristics? would that improve the hauling total? that wouldn't have any effect on towing totals, right?

so, not considering a diesel, would there be a noticeable difference in towing ability between the 5.7 tundra and a 3/4 6.0 chevy with a 26 foot 7K lbs boat?

pv

Airbags would help, but legally, it doesn't boost your payload total. I'm not saying it can't be done. I'm sure it would work, but your local law enforcement agency, or your insurance company might think differently if you happened to be stopped, or got into an accident.

As for the 6.0L Chev, the only one I have any first hand experience with is my old man's '00 6.0L 2500. I have an '01 8.1L 2500 HD and get similar fuel mileage, 1 mpg either way. (I've got 2 years of fuel records to prove it, so anyone who tries to tell me different can eat it). There seems to be a gap in the market right now. The only reason that GM dropped the 8.1 after '07 was to appease the EPA (that anyone can figure out, that I've read). I'm not a fan of their 6.0L, and a diesel doesn't pencil out for me. Not many options out there. If Toyota would build a bit heavier truck with a higher payload, they'd give the big 3 major fits for that market.

 

[Beels]

Fair enough....I guess we get away with a lot of that stuff in BC here, because there's 1/2ers running around everywhere with decks. The new Tundra's don't even squat with a deck and 2 sleds, the brakes and driveline are beefier than most 1-tons, so I have no doubt that it's safe. But if you're in an area where they enforce such things, then you could be screwed.

All it takes is one cop or DOT officer that goes by the letter of the law and you could be dropping a sled or two on the side of the road. I've seen lots of 1/2 tons running around with decks too, and often wondered what would happen if one of them got into an accident and their vehicle was deemed as overloaded and were denied insurance. I know my wallet couldn't take it.

Like I said earlier, don't want to get into the brand bashing. Just want to point out a few facts so people can make informed decisions.

 

[pura vida]

thanks beels. thats is pretty much what i was thinking about the airbags. so not considering the legale aspects, the airbags might make up for the tundra "only" being a 1/2 ton.?

i'm surprised to hear the 8.1 gets the same mpg as the 6.0. i have a 99 6.0 and get about 12. my mom has an 04 6.0 and gets about 14. what does your 8.1 get? is there a big difference in mpg when you are towing? btw, i just asked the other day and you can still get the 8.1 but you have to order it specifically. the dealer also told me they only get about 8-10 mpg towing or not (i found that a little hard to believe).

 

[mod03rmk800]

Air bags/helper springs assist in getting the ride height back. Not suppose to exceed the tire ratings and/or the axle rating. Most truck stops have scales that cost @10 bucks to see where your axles are weighing. If your combination of weights are exceeding 14,000# in montana the dot can pull you over for not following the posted truck speed limit which is all your allowed anyways.

 

[Beels]

thanks beels. thats is pretty much what i was thinking about the airbags. so not considering the legale aspects, the airbags might make up for the tundra "only" being a 1/2 ton.?

i'm surprised to hear the 8.1 gets the same mpg as the 6.0. i have a 99 6.0 and get about 12. my mom has an 04 6.0 and gets about 14. what does your 8.1 get? is there a big difference in mpg when you are towing? btw, i just asked the other day and you can still get the 8.1 but you have to order it specifically. the dealer also told me they only get about 8-10 mpg towing or not (i found that a little hard to believe).

Towing all depends on load and speed. 8 to 10 isn't far off. Empty around town just going to work and back, it sucks. On the highway as long as you're easy with the foot, 13 to 14 depending on conditions. I've seen as high as 16.5 in good conditions (4 lane highway, cruise set, little traffic, tailwind).

 

[masneri]

I love my 06 6.0, i get 10 in town and 14 on the highway towing. The tundras sound like a sick truck but i think they are ugly as hell and thats why i would never own one.

 

[Jaynelson]

All it takes is one cop or DOT officer that goes by the letter of the law and you could be dropping a sled or two on the side of the road. I've seen lots of 1/2 tons running around with decks too, and often wondered what would happen if one of them got into an accident and their vehicle was deemed as overloaded and were denied insurance. I know my wallet couldn't take it.

Probably the same thing that would happen if one of the many tractor trailors that drive around overloaded everyday got in one, or the people driving around on their tire's wear bars, or on all-seasons in the winter, or with their trunks open hauling a large box home from home depot, or who didn't scrape all their windows 100% frost-free, or have a windshield cracked in their line of sight. There's a lot of stuff going on out there that's not ideal and can "void" your insurance by the letter.....a driver's seat with a ripped seam can make a car fail a safety inspection.

 

[Jaynelson]

I love my 06 6.0, i get 10 in town and 14 on the highway towing. The tundras sound like a sick truck but i think they are ugly as hell and thats why i would never own one.

14 on the highway towing? I had one for a summer and that was all I ever got NOT towing...

 

[masneri]

crazy did you have a6.0 1/2 ton or a 3/4 ton? I have a buddy with an 04 like mine and he gets 7.8 mpg average in town.

 

[skibreeze]

Like you said should be good you dont have one !!so your info is useless yes with gas prices up. it takes 45.00 to 55.00 to fill. Like you said my guess is!
you have no clue let alone afford to buy a new truck.

Dude, you are so clueless. You don't know anything about me to make those assumptions. I have worked at a Toyota store for 2 years and a Dodge store for 8, so I think that I'm qualified to talk about the 2 brands. As far as affording a new truck, I think that I can afford one. In fact, I just bought one in December, I also bought my wife a new car last summer, and a new sled this year. Oh by the way, 2 of the 3 are paid for. What will come out of your azz now?

 

[wideopenlemans]

sounds like a car salesmans to full of ----

once again no info on tundra post hog and you work at a dealership?
thanx for the info on you wife maybe she can pick me up?

 

[skibreeze]

Fair enough....I guess we get away with a lot of that stuff in BC here, because there's 1/2ers running around everywhere with decks. The new Tundra's don't even squat with a deck and 2 sleds, the brakes and driveline are beefier than most 1-tons, so I have no doubt that it's safe. But if you're in an area where they enforce such things, then you could be screwed.

You are right, there is what might be safe and what is actually legal. I had a customer who hauled loads cross country with his cummins dually that were grossly illegal. On average D.O.T. would pop him once a year and slap him with a $4,000 fine each time.

 

[skibreeze]

once again no info on tundra post hog and you work at a dealership?
thanx for the info on you wife maybe she can pick me up?

WTF is your problem?

 

[Jaynelson]

crazy did you have a6.0 1/2 ton or a 3/4 ton? I have a buddy with an 04 like mine and he gets 7.8 mpg average in town.

3/4, ex-cab longbox 4x4 that I demo'd for like 3 or 4 months. Pretty sure it was an 01, if not an 02.

Overall I enjoy DD'ing my 5.3L as it feels snappier around town....get 12mpg city and about 17hwy. If the planets align I can hit 18, but sled in the back and some headwind back down to 15-16. If you want the power of any of these V8's tho, you're locked somewhere in those mid teens any way you slice it....doesn't seem to matter who's sticker's in the grille.

 

[theultrarider]

I had a 2000 2500 with a 6.0. I got about 14 empty but only ran it like that mon-fri to work and back. Weekends it always had a trailer and/or cabover camper. Summer it is 6000lb boat, winter open 4 place 4 sleds and 55gal drum. I would get 9-10 mpg with either setup. I love guys that consider pulling an aluminum 2 place (open) with 1 or 2 sleds towing! My dad still has an 03 2500hd with the 8.1...He is a snowbird that pulls a 25ft 5th wheel, with 20ft boat with a 150 on the back of it!!! Now that is pulling a load. He gets 13-14 empty and 7-8 pulling the triple rig. That beats most diesels that are stock and that motor just flat pulls. I have a 7.3 powerstroke and actually prefer the 6.0 gas...As good of milage loaded but not empty and more power than the powerstroke. Then there is the fuel prices, the stick of the diesel, wondering if the deisel will start when you come out from 3 days at the cabin in -20 and the $100 oil changes....The list goes on. The modern gas engines are hard to beat. I have not driven the new toy but have a friend with one that is total impressed.

 

[G-Force]

3/4, ex-cab longbox 4x4 that I demo'd for like 3 or 4 months. Pretty sure it was an 01, if not an 02.

Overall I enjoy DD'ing my 5.3L as it feels snappier around town....get 12mpg city and about 17hwy. If the planets align I can hit 18, but sled in the back and some headwind back down to 15-16. If you want the power of any of these V8's tho, you're locked somewhere in those mid teens any way you slice it....doesn't seem to matter who's sticker's in the grille.

I dunno, I've put over 64,000 km on my dodge with the 5.7 in it and empty I consistently get over 20 empty, usually closer to 22 with speeds about 110-115 km/h. When towing it's a different story. Usually pulling over 7000 lbs, speeds about 100 km/h (tow for work, not going to race around with a load and hurt my truck lol) I only get about 13 mpg. this is a quad cab deal, great rig so far.
Next one though will be the 'yota I think with the crewmax. Most of my driving is empty, but when I do need it, noce to have the extra oomph the yota seems to have over any other gasser.
G.

 

[007]

No one seams to remember "Pearl Harbor"? HMMM.


How about a happy medium like the 1/2ton chevy with the max package that they say will get 17mpg? The truck has a heavier trans and rear end package.


KJP