Well I do lots of different work. I work for the local school dept. . I do plastering on the side and haul a loaded 5x6 trailer. Most local workman, not Owners, don't make much after paying bills so the price on the new tundra are not going to be in the price range that most workers can afford. I bought my 2003 Tundra AC for $21,000 so to replace mine with a new comparable 2007 DC it would be at least $10,000 more. I can't afford that with having to pay child support and bills. If Toyota wants to take over the truck market they will have to make them more affordable. That is my opinion.
I think you hit the nail on the head Jim. Most all of the posts reflect limited but succesful use of the Tundra as a work truck. But as you indicate a work truck must be affordable. Toyota does not appear to be totally committed to the work truck market for a number of reasons. One is limited trucks available in the work truck price range. There will always be some contractors that will purchase a luxury equiped truck as a work truck but the vast majority of work truck purchasers such as oil field service companies, phone companies, school systems, city goverments and etc. only want to purchase a bare bones work truck. Toyota can not supply this market. One small area that shows a lack of commitment or maybe understanding on Toyota's part is the ability to request a carpet delete option in a truck and replace it with rubber floor covering. Many work truck configurations require rubber floor covering. In the past only a few Tundras came with rubber floor covering and there was no option to delete in some configurations.
I think you hit the nail on the head Jim. Most all of the posts reflect limited but succesful use of the Tundra as a work truck. But as you indicate a work truck must be affordable. Toyota does not appear to be totally committed to the work truck market for a number of reasons. One is limited trucks available in the work truck price range. There will always be some contractors that will purchase a luxury equiped truck as a work truck but the vast majority of work truck purchasers such as oil field service companies, phone companies, school systems, city goverments and etc. only want to purchase a bare bones work truck. Toyota can not supply this market. One small area that shows a lack of commitment or maybe understanding on Toyota's part is the ability to request a carpet delete option in a truck and replace it with rubber floor covering. Many work truck configurations require rubber floor covering. In the past only a few Tundras came with rubber floor covering and there was no option to delete in some configurations.
Or a plow package for that matter.
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After reading many posts on this site for many years I have come to the conclusion that not many Tundra owners purchase their truck for work. Most treads concern speed, looks or mods but rarely do the treads relate to using the truck for truck work. This may be why Toyota has failed to crack into the work truck market where the American brands dominate. The Tundra appears to be a suburban step and fetch it.
I replaced my T100 work truck with a Tundra work truck.
I added performance mods to both trucks.
I see many, many Tundra work trucks in my area.
Neighbor has 4 Tundra Regular Cabs, 1 Ranger Reg. Cab, and an F-250 Extra Cab for his lawn car business. The Tundras are all either dented insanely, missing a bumper, dented beds, but they keep running strong. The Ranger is almost done and its a 2004, the F-250 is at 45,000 miles and has already had a new transmission, and the bed is starting to rust on the inside. We now have 7 Tundras on my street alone. Was 9 but the guy across the street sold his a while back and got an 300C SRT-8 and the other guy with the 4WD Extra Cab used his to tow his dirtbike and what looked like a midsize travel trailer.
PS: If you guys are on here, what have u done to ur trucks and why did you sell it?
I see T100's beaten the holy hell out of them, 200K plus miles and they look it.. but they are still driving. I see Tundras as well, used hard, and loaded down, 3 on my block alone.
These trucks can take it and when a good one comes along it sells really fast and for a lot of $$ especially a T100.. those things are GOLD!
And the immigrants in San Jose all choose Toyota when they can afford them.. These particular immigrants are notorious for never taking care of vehicle. They can't afford to change the oil or filters etc like others can, and so what do THEY choose to drive? A Toyota.. and believe me, they torture these poor trucks and they overload them and drive the ALL day long.
And the immigrants in San Jose all choose Toyota when they can afford them.. These particular immigrants are notorious for never taking care of vehicle. They can't afford to change the oil or filters etc like others can, and so what do THEY choose to drive? A Toyota.. and believe me, they torture these poor trucks and they overload them and drive the ALL day long.
And the trucks never die.
Toyota is GOLD in San Jose.
I dona speeka ingles but I beat-a el crappo outta tundra
I think you hit the nail on the head Jim. Most all of the posts reflect limited but succesful use of the Tundra as a work truck. But as you indicate a work truck must be affordable. Toyota does not appear to be totally committed to the work truck market for a number of reasons. One is limited trucks available in the work truck price range. There will always be some contractors that will purchase a luxury equiped truck as a work truck but the vast majority of work truck purchasers such as oil field service companies, phone companies, school systems, city goverments and etc. only want to purchase a bare bones work truck. Toyota can not supply this market. One small area that shows a lack of commitment or maybe understanding on Toyota's part is the ability to request a carpet delete option in a truck and replace it with rubber floor covering. Many work truck configurations require rubber floor covering. In the past only a few Tundras came with rubber floor covering and there was no option to delete in some configurations.
seems your talking about fleet sales and I believe Toyota is doing fleet sales for these truck just like ford and dodge and Chevy. The base regular cab comes with vinyl flooring.
After reading many posts on this site for many years I have come to the conclusion that not many Tundra owners purchase their truck for work. Most treads concern speed, looks or mods but rarely do the treads relate to using the truck for truck work. This may be why Toyota has failed to crack into the work truck market where the American brands dominate. The Tundra appears to be a suburban step and fetch it.
I've used my tundra for lots of work. I'll bet after a few drinks you'd call me a NAZI for drivin a toy...
I've worked out of base level Toyota mini trucks since the early 80s. They were great for dependability, maneuverability, and occasional heavy loads, but especially dependability. I watched the intro. of the T-100, and then the Tundra without buying: no need. There's still no need. I can keep the mini 1-ton going if I want, but after 14 years a certain familiarity sets in, and ... The Tundra handles a 750 LB tool load much better than the mini trucks did: 2 more cylinders and another 1.7 liters make a huge difference. I'm getting used to the increased size, but it's still a novelty. I haven't hauled more than 1300 LB so far, but that was easy for the 4.7. It squatted a bit. I looked at the contractor level 06 Tundra (regular cab, white with gray grill, vinyl floor, towing) but the lack of cruise killed the deal although the sticker price was only $14.9 K new.
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Spray-On bedliner :: Century commercial cap :: Replaced ball joints (recall) :: Replaced RR fender molding (damaged) :: Hellwig anti-sway bar :: Plugged the piezo :: Gentex compass/temp. rearview mirror :: 56 LED center brake light in cap :: Scangauge II :: Back up camera ::: Someday: Mr. Fusion :: Flux Capacitor ...
"Muhammad Ali [...] had a way with words, but it helped enormously that he could also punch guys in the face." - Maher
Maybe the people that do real work with their tundras are really working and don't have time to be here typing and reading good posts.
In my country the best trucks are the tundras, all of them were imported salvage from your country, some with minor damage others with major work, but the real thing is that people here use them for work I mean real work; construction (myself), farm truck, cargo delivery, etc. The roads outside our cities are full with mud and dirt, and the tundras has now a reputation of the best truck down here. You can see a few dodges here, but they spend more time in repair shops than working. I'm not saying that dodges are bad, just can't keep up with tundras in my country.
This are the things that a 4x4 face in my country, this was taken last year, I was driving (amazing little Suzuqui truck 1600CC).
I've taken my Tundra to many places like the one in my picture and never had a problem.
This are the things that a 4x4 face in my country, this was taken last year, I was driving (amazing little Suzuqui truck 1600CC).
I've taken my Tundra to many places like the one in my picture and never had a problem.
Those are some rough looking roads Francachela. I am sure the Tundra can handle them as well as most 4WD vehicles. The Tundra can be a good work truck. But the point of my original post has been that the Tundra has not been accepted universally as a work truck in the U.S. because of the way Toyota has choosen to equip and market the vehicle.
I've used my tundra for lots of work. I'll bet after a few drinks you'd call me a NAZI for drivin a toy...
Was it over when the germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Anyway I just got rid of an F-150 and got a Base level Tundra to work out of.
I have nothing bad to say about the Ford at all,in fact I was pleasently surprised by the quality and reliability it gave me. On the other hand.....The Tundra is just a much better vehicle from almost every perspective.
Fit and Finish are in a different range to me and the ride quality is very good.
Not every one who works from a truck beats the crap out of them or has to haul heavy loads. I am a Low-Voltage contracter and need to have a lot of stuff with me and organized and accessable but I rarely haul .I do tow a small Travel Trailer but have not used the Tundra yet for that.
I work on construction sites and in residential neighborhoods and I do get teased about driving "Rice" fairly regularly but they are also really curious and usually ask about the truck in private. On commercial sites I sometimes get more trouble from union tradesmen but I look at it as it is their problem.
I also have a Previa and an Odyssey that I use for work and compared to them(especially the Previa) the Tundra is normal.
My favorite story is when it snowed about 8 inchs one morning and as people tried to leave the jobsite having varying degrees of difficulty I just pulled straight out without incident in the Previa. The All-Trac is amazing!
I am on my 4th Previa and they go for ever(300-400,000) miles if maintained.
Re: Tundra is Not Accepted as a Work Truck
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