Work or Play?? Informal poll

TetTundra · #1 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005, 06:29 PM

Hey Out There. Just asking. Are you using your Tundra for work or play? I'm a contractor, and use my Tundra 4x4 SR5 mostly for work and traveling. It's quiet, comfortable, and my dealer is tops. In fact, my dealer is so good that I would hate to crossover brands......the local Ford dealer is terrible. BUT, for all the great things my Tundra is, it's barely a work truck. It can't carry a few tool boxes and make a stop at the lumber yard for a few sacks of 'crete or materials, without driving away sagging. I'd like the security of a good 3/4 ton chassis. Anyone think Toyota will offer such and animal....and do you think there are toyota buyers out there wanting a "work truck"?

CrazyNick · #2 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005, 06:47 PM

there seem to be several threads on this forum hinting at a 3/4-ton tundra coming in a few years... I'd definitely drive one. A diesel would prolly get better gas mileage, too.

Cascadia · #3 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005, 06:56 PM

I use my 05 DC to go to and from work, but not for my work itself. I do use it to haul stuff to and from my house. Found it very useful in carrying lumber. A couple of weeks ago I needed to get some 12 foot 2X4s. I was trying to figure out to carry them without them sticking out the back of the bed too far. It turned out to be really easy. I have a hard cover on the bed, so by rolling down the back window, I could stick them partially into the cab. Then I could use a tie down strap with the tow hitch. I wondered, momentarily, how I could tie them down inside. Then it dawned on me. By tumbling the rear seats foreward, I could use another tie down strap over the wood, and hook the strap to the two bars on the floor that the seats latch to. Worked absoulutely great. . . . .love my Tundra!!

jasbus · #4 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005, 07:15 PM

I use mine every day for work. I'm a plumber by trade. Most days, my bed is completely filled beyond capacity with water heaters, toilets, sinks, you name it. It's a great truck, never sags even under all the weight I throw at it every day.
As far as being a "work truck", it's far better than my previous Chevy 4x4 fullsize which broke down constantly, and sagged with just a couple hundred pounds in the back.

tripleb · #5 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005, 07:52 PM

My '05 Tundra A/C is used for play, mostly. I do tow a boat, approx. 2200lbs ..... no problem at all. Last weekend, I had the bed completely filled with cases of water for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Did not notice any sag, although I am sure there was some.

Bamataco1 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TetTundra

Hey Out There. Just asking. Are you using your Tundra for work or play? I'm a contractor, and use my Tundra 4x4 SR5 mostly for work and traveling. It's quiet, comfortable, and my dealer is tops. In fact, my dealer is so good that I would hate to crossover brands......the local Ford dealer is terrible. BUT, for all the great things my Tundra is, it's barely a work truck. It can't carry a few tool boxes and make a stop at the lumber yard for a few sacks of 'crete or materials, without driving away sagging. I'd like the security of a good 3/4 ton chassis. Anyone think Toyota will offer such and animal....and do you think there are toyota buyers out there wanting a "work truck"?

I use mine as my personal transpertation and for doing things around the house.
I think that it isn't a fair comaprison comparing the half ton Tundra to the 3/4 ton Ford. If I understand you right. One thing that might make you happier with your Tundra would be to get differant rear springs installed. You could go to a professional and tell him your requirements and let him fix you up.

42GAMI · #7 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 08:02 AM

i use mine to go to work, but i dont put anyting in it. i pretty much treat it like a car. i guess you could say im a poser, but its nice to know i can haul something if i have to.

so far:
1/2 dozen computers and monitors
several sheets of plyboard and 1/2 doz hollow tile blocks
2 xmas trees
7 weenier dogs in 3 crates.

H2O_MAN · #8 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TetTundra

Hey Out There. Just asking. Are you using your Tundra for work or play? I'm a contractor, and use my Tundra 4x4 SR5 mostly for work and traveling.

My longbed 4WD SR5 is mostly a work truck. Very comfortable and quiet.
Once a month I haul 2000 pounds of salt blocks in the bed - it does sag a bit and smack the bump stops.
If I hauled this weight more often I would install my Ride-Rite bags and motor on

gatorwire · #9 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 09:59 AM

I use my truck for half work and half play.

I buy, repair/fix, and sell houses for a living. I don't really haul heavy items, just big and awkard items. The truck has worked great for hauling lumber, sheetrock, and odd-end items. For the most part, I wanted a truck that drove like a car and was very comfortable on all sorts of trips.

The only thing I hate about the tundra, especially the DC, there is not enough aftermarket parts for the truck.

I guess I will have to save my money and spend it elsewhere

mycomik · #10 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 04:33 PM

I use mine strickly for work and am very happy with it.
I haul 6-250# gate openers as well as tools,welders,24' chunks of iron,etc.
Since I had the springs re-arched and added an additional leaf I have not had any sagging issues.
When really loaded the timbrens that replace the stock bump stops seem to do the trick.
Do not get fishtailing issues that usually occurs when overloaded.

dyogim · #11 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 04:41 PM

Play truck for me and the occasional haul to the dumps and home improvement places.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TetTundra

It can't carry a few tool boxes and make a stop at the lumber yard for a few sacks of 'crete or materials, without driving away sagging. I'd like the security of a good 3/4 ton chassis.

Look into having some heavier duty leaf springs made. USSprings.com could help you with that. Plus they are located in Emeryville. Just a hop, skip and jump through the Caldecott for you.

H2O_MAN · #12 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 08:32 PM

Nice looking work truck mycomik, did the re-arch
and AAL increase the bed height when empty?

Here is a picture of a typical workday's 900lb. load going
into my truck. It sure rides smooth with some weight in it.

MOREPOWER · #13 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 11:10 PM

just a toy for me, i dont drive it even to work, i do air conditioning repair
and drive a chevy van, i try to drive it more, well i guess winter will see more miles on it, its a 2002 and has 22k im very happy, it does sag with a load of mulch, the bed is very shallow, cant close the lid if i put something taller than a 5 gallon bucket in it, well if it had a deeper bed it would not be as sporty, if i wanted a work truck i would buy dodge its cheaper

ab · #14 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 11:18 PM

I drive my 00 Access cab for work, hauling around painting equipment. It has been so good that I bought two 05 reg cabs for a couple of our foremen. Great trucks... have a Sequoia too. Tow with the Seq and it is great.

mycomik · #15 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2O_MAN

Nice looking work truck mycomik, did the re-arch
and AAL increase the bed height when empty?

Here is a picture of a typical workday's 900lb. load going
into my truck. It sure rides smooth with some weight in it.

Thanks,
And yes it did.
The new bed dropped the rear about an inch, so I had a local spring company bring it back to stock height for about $350.00
I can load it down and be barely on the bump stops.
The extra bed weight and springs make it ride very nice.
I could not be happier,these are the best trucks money can buy these days.
That salt can get a little heavy at times I'm sure.
Good to see the Falcons play well tonight,hope they don't play that well Next sunday