Fuel economy (if that's not too profane)

[bgodfrey]

Hi,
Having driven a T100, 1-Ton for the last seven years, which is capable of carrying an actual 2000lb. cargo and gets 23 MPG empty and 20 MPG loaded, you can imagine that the Tundra, which can only carry 1500 lbs. only gets about 17 MPG empty (and is as yet untested with a full load) is somewhat if a disappointment.
I am getting older and can live with the lower load capacity (one must physically lift all that stuff in and out!) But I'm wondering if anyone can suggest methods of improving fuel economy. The first 80% is what I'm looking for. (Remember the 80/20 rule: the first 80% of any improvement will cost 20% of the total while the last 20% will cost 80% of the total.)
Thanks,

--Brian

[bgodfrey]

Oops, heh heh, I now see an earlier discussion. Sorry.

[v8Toilet]

The v6 Tundra is getting about the same gas mileage that the T-100 got, after all it has the same engine. My V8 2wd Tundra gets 16.5-17 mpg on average and can carry around 1930-lbs. + or - a few pounds. One thing the Tundra can do that the T-100 could not do is tow 7200 lbs. The Tundra also rides better, stops better, is quieter, and just does everything better than the T-100 does. I know because my friend has a 4x4 T-100 and this is what he tells me after driving a Tundra.

[bgodfrey]

The Tundra has a 1930lb. gross payload. Once you've got a bedliner, canopy, fuel, luggage, and driver onboard, the net payload (actual cargo capacity in the bed) will be at or less than 1500 lbs. My T100 1-Ton has a 2480lb. gross payload, giving me just about exactly 2000 lbs. net payload. I know because I weigh in every time I go buy a load of seed. The truck sitting on the scales with me in it weighs just about exactly 4000 lbs. (varies with the fuel load and whether I've run other errands, first.) Gross vehicle weight is 6000 lbs. The V6 in the T100 is adequate for this load, but not excessive. Adequate is fine.

The T100 handled safely with that load and stopped well enough (the 1-ton has better brakes than the 1/2 ton.) A sensible person drives conservatively with a full load, so this isn't really an issue with me.

Yes, the Tundra can tow 7200 lbs., but about the heaviest trailer I've towed is a pretty heavy flatbed trailer loaded with scaffolding - probably 3-4000lbs. It is definitely a tug and will be much easier with the Tundra.

The 4x2 Tundra may ride better than the T100, but the 4x4 doesn't. And only a Cadillac can compare with the ride with about 1500 lbs in the bed. :-) The Tundra is quieter, though.
The V6, long-bed Tundra (short bed pickups might as well be cars) has a pathetic 1000 lb. (or less) net payload and is apparently available only as a stripped-down model. At least that's all I could find. To get a decent net payload in a long bed I was forced to a V8 and 4X4, and I'm not sure I'll ever be happy with the compromise. My brother keeps telling me I shoulda got a Ford, but I don't trust their reliability and that's my paramount concern because I live far from the city.

Don't get me wrong - I like the Tundra, but it is a compromise.

[hakim]

Interesting analysis. I actually considered a T100 but passed because of the power issue. I live at about 5000ft and, while I rarely carry a load or tow enough to fully use it, I appreciate the added power. Unfortunately, everything has its price, and the V8's is fuel consmption. However, for me the alternative is having a car and a truck or just one vehicle that performs adequately at both functions. I'd rather have just one vehicle because of less expense and hassle compared to owning, insuring, registering, maintaining and housing two vehicles. So, the truck sees use for: daily driving, hauling motorcycles, hauling hay, carrying refuse, extensive off road driving, and occasional trailer towing. Its tolerable for long trips but falls short of a car if all the driving is on road yet excells at trips that combine highway and offroad driving. But, a car really can't be as versatile as the truck so the choice for me was a truck that could have some of the desirable characteristics of a car: good road manners; good performance and handling; crash safety; economy. The Tundra does OK on the road manners but its still no car--the center of gravity is too high. Its got good power but not exceptional by car standards. Its safe for a truck but I'd rather be in the fiancees' 2000 Impala in a wreck. Economy? Well, you can't have it all and you certainly can't have this, either. But, hey, the search for that extra fraction of an mpg, can lead you to dump hundreds to try to save pennies!!!!! Anyway for me its a different set of criteria and the Tundra does well enough to please me even though I have a few reservatons. Namely, I've had quite a few problems, substantially more than the Impala has had. Not a good sign. But we'll see what the future brings.