Who tows with Tundra for a living? You happy?

[Firescooby]

I am a FT firefighter and have a lawncare business as a side job.

I currently tow a 5X10 open trailer that probably weighs 2000-2500lbs loaded. I currently have a 2004 Tacoma double cab 4wd that I use. It is quite a strain sometimes on hills and interstates. VERY aggravating when on the interstate. I don't use OD unless on downhills or flat ground. I'm only getting 12-15mpg while towing (depending on terrain). Once a week I have to tow about 30 miles each way over mountain.

I'm thinking about trying to buy a 2006 4wd Tundra double cab V8 when the '07's hit the ground. I'm also probably gonna upgrade trailer to either a 6x12, 6x14 open trailer or possible same size enclosed trailer.

Just wondering how many people tow frequently and if they are pleased and how the truck performs. Looking for problems had, mileage, overall performance with trailer, etc.

Any information you can provide like trailer weight, how often you tow it, terrain towed in, etc. You guys know.

Thanks in advance.

[Hugemoose]

I'm afraid I don't tow often but when I have it my truck has done very well. My exhaust is too big for towing though and it's size never affects daily driving, only towing. I don't mind it though as the higher rpms come to life with the larger exhaust.

I would imagine that an 06 DC would tow much better than what you have now. And 06 AC would probably tow even better because it has the same power but with less overall weight to pull around. I'm sure someone that actually tows with an 05 or 06 will chime in soon enough

Overall I think it would be a good idea. Glad to hear you want to stick with Toyota

[H2O_MAN]

Originally Posted by Firescooby

I am a FT firefighter and have a lawncare business as a side job.

Just wondering how many people tow frequently and if they are pleased and how the truck performs.
Looking for problems had, mileage, overall performance with trailer, etc.

Take a look in the Towing Forum

[mavsman]

I tow with my 2004 Double Cab and I have not had any problems with towing at all. I also have a 5x10 that usually has 2-3 thousand lb load. Plenty of power and you hardly realize that you are towing anything because it pulls easy and quiet.

[Bai Qui]

I have a 2005 Tundra DC and I pull a 6x12 open trailer with lawncare equipment on it 4-5 times a week. Weighs somewhere around 2000 - 2200 lbs. Usually towing in hilly terrain, mostly back roads, sometimes highways. I average around 15 mpg and that includes towing the landscaping rig and around town driving. I tow with the overdrive off and never really want for more power. Easily pulls the weight and stops it pretty well too with no trailer brakes. I pulled a 3000lb boat from Florida to Pennsylvania, and at 70 mph with the overdrive off, I averaged a little over 11 mpg. No complaints or problems thus far (except for a chirping serpentine belt), best truck I've ever owned.

[Modifier]

I pull a 6x10 open trailer about 3 times a week with my '00 Tundra Access Cab on the interstate and then up and down hills around the neighborhoods. I have a 52" Toro, 48" JD, trimmers, blowers, etc. on it and the truck pulls it just fine. I had a 4Runner and it was a huge strain. Now I can accelerate past trucks on the interstate pulling the trailer, 2 people and the A/C on! I love this truck!

Greg T

[BFH]

Modifier:

There is a TSB for the chirping serpentine belt. They will replace the belt with a tighter one. I had mine replaced in the spring and so far so good; hoever I'll know for sure this next winter.

Good Luck.

[cupidstoy]

i tow a lawn trailer on a 200 mile trip every couple of weeks. no problems with the truck handling it with o/d on. get about 15 mpg on interstate with the small, two-wheel trailer.

make sure you get the dealer towing package and keep your tires (truck and trailer) pumped up for best mileage. also, i have bearing buddies on my trailer wheels so i can pump grease in there.

i hit some pretty steep grades and the truck shifts down into third and pulls good at 70 mph. i routinely pass all sorts of vehicles going up hill and they are not pulling trailers. i'm getting the jba headers on in a couple of weeks and that should make it all even better!

buy with confidence. of course, the new tundra is an unknown. should be even better but we'll see...

[avu3]

Originally Posted by Firescooby

I am a FT firefighter and have a lawncare business as a side job.


Just wondering how many people tow frequently

60k miles in the past 2.5 years.

Originally Posted by Firescooby

and if they are pleased and how the truck performs.

I wouldn't mind if the bed were a little longer. I guess you'd get that in the QC. I'd like to have some more power (who wouldn't!) but overall I am satisified. I have a 2000 AC 2wd that I bought expressly for this purpose. I wanted Toyota reliablity, power was secondary.

Originally Posted by Firescooby

Looking for problems had, mileage, overall performance with trailer, etc.

I did the 03+ brake upgrade because the rotors warped.

In the last week the oil pressure gauge has started behaving erratically, but I'm pretty sure that's just the sending unit.

Did the timing belt at 90k, had the water pump idlers and tensioners replaced at that time.

I started towing at 60k miles and have just shy of 120k now.

I get 10mpg towing, 14mpg without the load. Remember this is Kali and as we're discussing in another thread, you lose 10-20% with kali formulation. I think your report is much more accurate for MOST states. Other than that, I've blown a lot of lamps in the rear housings.

I had a tire delaminate and spit off the tread. I don't blame the truck for that. It spit the tread and trashed some stuff underneath.
http://images.miller-motorsports.com...0104%5Ccarnage

Promptly stepped up to some E load range tires.

I added a 2nd trans cooler and a trans cooler gauge.

Since I carry a load in the bed when towing I added rear air bags. I need to replace the struts/shocks, but at 120k, again, don't blame the truck at all. Those are wear items.

Originally Posted by Firescooby

Any information you can provide like trailer weight, how often you tow it, terrain towed in, etc.

Trailer is an open 14', weights about 2k#. Add a 2400# race car and 1000# in the bed you're at about 5500# in load. Sometimes its a little more. We're a race team. Tow at least once a month this way. Terrain is a lot of flat, but I've also towed a few times over the Sierras to Reno. It does it. I can pass rigs if i want to push it. I have friends who tow 20' enclosed with 3000# race cars and have no problems with it. Also know one guy who tows a 24' enclosed, but haven't talked to him a lot about towing.

This is pre airbags.
http://images.miller-motorsports.com...y/P4300003.JPG

No car, but the rest of the setup is in the background
http://images.miller-motorsports.com...5/P6250003.JPG

I am religious about maintenance. Mobil 1 every 5k. Trans fluid every 30k. Rear end fluid (swepco) every 50k miles.

This is the best truck I've owned. I wish it was a little bigger in the cab, and I wish it had a little more power, but I'm very satisified and I'd buy another one.

Scott

[dawitner]

Scooby, I am also a full time FF who tows a 20' Lund boat for a living (not really) but I call it my "B" job. It tows the boat fine, no problems except on the hills it slows some. Gas mileage is only about 10 but that is to be expected. The only trouble I ran into is asking 2 dealers about transmission service. I did not know and the other stated it is a sealed tranny and only needed service at 100k miles. Not what I wanted to hear when I want to keep the truck for more than a couple years.

[10851]

Scooby, I have an 04 access cab 4X4 with the 4.7 V8. When I pull two large ATV's on a 14' flatbed utility trailer, (approximately 3.000 lbs) my mileage is around 10-14 mpg. When I pull a 7% up-grade @ 55 mph the transmission is in 2nd. (won't pull it in 3rd) The truck feels stable; however it is under powered. Just use your common sense when you are towing. You are a Professional Firefighter...you wouldn't expect to see a DT 466 E under the cab of a new 1500 gpm Pierce class A pumper would you? i.e. Big load = big truck, and big engine. Good Luck and be safe!

[Owyhee tundra]

Originally Posted by Bai Qui

I have a 2005 Tundra DC and I pull a 6x12 open trailer with lawncare equipment on it 4-5 times a week. Weighs somewhere around 2000 - 2200 lbs. Usually towing in hilly terrain, mostly back roads, sometimes highways. I average around 15 mpg and that includes towing the landscaping rig and around town driving. I tow with the overdrive off and never really want for more power. Easily pulls the weight and stops it pretty well too with no trailer brakes. I pulled a 3000lb boat from Florida to Pennsylvania, and at 70 mph with the overdrive off, I averaged a little over 11 mpg. No complaints or problems thus far (except for a chirping serpentine belt), best truck I've ever owned.

PLEASE GET TRAILER BREAKS FOR YOUR SAFETY AND OURS

[skinny22]

I pulled with my Tundra this weekend for the first time. Installed my brake controller and hooked up to my 18' enclosed car hauler. Weighs about 2500# empty. Ran about 30 miles empty and pulled it very easily. Pulled out onto a 2-lane uphill and shot straight upto 55mph with barely any strain. Coming back with anther 2500# loaded wasn't as easy, but still had no problems. Pulled better than I expected really. It's a little dead in the lower rpms, but the tranny keeps it where it needs to be. On the highway, it'll come out of 5th on the hills but has no problem maintaining reasonable hills and will stay in the lower gear until you top the hill. It did feel a little floaty coming back with the load, but I'm not sure i had the load on quite right. I might have been a little heavy on the tongue. Didn't squat bad at all though.

If all I was going to tow was 2500#, pretty much any V8 will handle it easily. Those smaller, V6 vehicles will struggle with that load though, even if they're rated for 5,000# or more. I've had several smaller V6 trucks/SUV's and a couple thousand pounds worked them pretty hard. You can't have too much tow rig!

[J-man]

I got rid of my 2003 tacoma dbl cab cause it was really underpowered when towing even with the supercharger and urd kit installed, and the tranny didnt like towing anything either. the temps hit 230 degrees often even with a hayden 679 trans cooler installed.

My 06 tundy pulls my 5x10 enclosed trailer without skipping a beat. Pulls amazingly welll up hill when o/d is off. This truk is built to tow unlike the ta-sloma. Go for it, youll thank yourself.

[Firescooby]

Thanks for the replies...keep them coming.

I keep my Taco maintained, but know the tranny doesn't like the load. Haven't had time to install my Hayden cooler (679 also) along with tranny temp gauge.

In one way, I feel like I should go ahead and bite the bullet and get a diesel 3/4 ton because my goals are to have a skid steer or compact tractor in a few years. Would probably go with GM/Duramax/Allison. They are just SO expensive, and it's not a Toyota. I know I could wait the "few years" and yota should have a 3/4 ton diesel. BUT, I just HATE buying a truck to get me a few years down the road. Would like to buy something that is capable for anything I would do.

Again, thanks for the help.