[marta]

all i have ever owned were ford pickups but now that we may be in the market for a brandy new one, i wonder if we should consider the tundra? we're only looking for a 1/2 ton but one that can haul a light two horse trailer (my trailer is aluminum with fiberglass, weighs less than 2000 lbs).


my preliminary research suggests that the tundra would be more expensive. is it worth paying extra for the toyota name (especially since that name seems to have lost something during that recent recall affecting their vehicles)?

thoughts? experiences? warnings?

[farmgirl598]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, as towing vehicles are not my "forte". I LOVE a toyota. THey last forever, and are just good quality vehicles. But i think you'll get more towing capacity and stability out of the Ford.

[ESG]

Maybe it's a silly prejudice inherited from my spouse ( because I love the Tundras, too ), but I think I'd stick with a Ford. Says she who just purchased an F-250.

[horsechick]

I have the Tundra and I LOVE it for towing. I tried the Ford and hated it. Granted, that was a few years ago and I think they have made some changes to the Ford. The Ford F 150 felt like it couldn't pull a radio flyer wagon and the Tundra is a beast. Terrible gas mileage, of course.

[GrayCatFarm]

Okay, gotta stick up for the Tundra here. I have 2007 model SR5 4WD biggest engine and 8 foot bed. I haul a Featherlite 2horse straightload trailer (WB size with tackroom) and a 17.2 1600 lb WB. Mileage is about 10 mph with horse and better if I drive the speed limit. 14 mph without trailer (and a lead foot). Love, love, love the truck. Lots of interior space (two glove compartments), center console folds up for bucket seats or down to seat 3, below it is further storage for things like lap top computer (with power). Lots of room behind seats (I did not buy crew cab) for storage, including saddle, tack, you name it. Power galore, smooth acceleration in bright blue!. 4WD low has gotten me outta some sticky situations with trailer. But, then, we're a Toyota family.

[farmgirl598]

Well now that IS good news! I LOVE a Toyota....I'll keep the Tundra in mind for the future

[schneidepc]

I love my Tundra! Check the specifications and you will see that it has the same or higher towing capacity the Ford 150 and you get Toyota quality. I tow in upstate NY and the truck handles hilly terrain just fine. Engine is very powerful. The constraint is payload if you have a gooseneck but for an aluminum BP I think the Tundra will do great. But it's all in the numbers, be sure you know the weights and the specs.

[Chaila]

My barnmates haul with a heavy duty Tundra and you'd never know it had a trailer behind it. It has a GREAT turning radius and drives really well. If I didn't share a truck with my Chevy loving dad, this would have been my first choice. Make sure you get the 5.7 liter one though.

[Sempiternal]

I would do some research on where the steel for the frame ect came from. Toyota had some issues with poor quality steel being used in their frames and a few year back had to recall a lot of Tundra's because the frames were rusting out.

Basically, if the frame was made in China or a another country where there is little to no quality control, this could easily happen:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/10/r...go-nationwide/

http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/bl...e-rust-photos/

I haven't been following up on this lately, but hopefully the issue has been addressed for the newer models.

[lilitiger2]

If you are buying a brand new toyota could you have it undercoated, to prevent rust? I would totally go toyota tundra over the ford and I think you will be very happy with the performance.

[PonyPenny]

I have an older 2002 Toyota Tundra V-8 and haul a Featherlite straight load with a dressing room. I have hauled that trailer all over Socal. I have never had a problem with the truck. The only real work done on it is new brakes, new tires, and regular oil changes. It has 159,000 miles on it and it has never ever given me any trouble. It hauls like a dream. I would love a newer one, but this one is paid for. I will probably drive it until it croaks.

[Sempiternal]

As far as undercoating goes I would read this thread:
http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/sho...#axzz1tCtGISzq

From what I have heard from family (all my uncles, grandfather and my father are/were mechanics) is that is a bad idea. When the undercoating chips, etc salt can get trapped and do more damage than having just leaving it bare.

And as someone pointed out in the link, it may void your corrosion warranty.

[Sparky Boy]

Another Tundra vote here. I'm on my second one.

Edited to add - I had an 03' F150 that I loved (totalled) before I switched to the Tundra. That was 2008. I test drove all the half tons, Ford, Chevy, Dodge & Toyota. At that time the Toyota IMO was the best for the money. Totalled that one and bought an 11' Tundra.

So far, the 11' Tundra remains unharmed

[lilitiger2]

thats an interesting link. If someone has a corrosion warranty I would think they probably wouldn't need undercoating. I also agree with whoever pointed out that washing off the salt helps a lot! and all undercoating is not created equal. I don't know which is better or worse but I would avoid the rhino stuff. I would definitely consider the rust inhibitor stuff though. Still vote toyota!

[Bluey]

Of course, you realize they are as many that have had good luck with Fords or any other brand for many years.

I would not go by brands, just try different ones and buy the one you like driving best.

Most everyone ranching around here happens to drive Fords for the smaller pickups, farmers Chevys and bigger pickups GMCs.
I have only seen Tundras as shiny, not country muddy, pickups in store parking lots in town.
That could be because people here are more traditional and keep using the same brand their family has used for years and that happens to be xyz, not necessarily one better than the other.
I am not even sure there is a Tundra dealer around here.

http://www.treehugger.com/cars/toyot...ra-pickup.html

[SuckerForHorses]

I have a 2008 5.4L F-150 FX4, and while I love the truck's towing capacity, I seem to have a lot of U-joint and front end issues (sway bar links, wheel bearings, etc). and my local dealership seems to think because I'm a woman, that those noises are "not unusual." So, in my experience, I wouldn't go with Ford again mostly because the dealership is the only one local, and I don't like them. If they just fixed the truck and didn't treat me like an idiot, I would feel differently even with those issues with the vehicle.

I know a few people who have the Tundra (both newer than my Ford), both of them tow with it (boats, race car trailers, etc) and they both absolutely love it, and say that it doesn't get terrible fuel mileage. They also seem to have more room in the vehicle.

[SuckerForHorses]

You can also see real-people reviews on www.edmunds.com

[HydroPHILE]

A few years ago Toyota announced plans to create a diesel dually Tundra to be used as a hardcore towing truck, etc. In 2007/2008, it was confirmed that it would be created, but as you can see...it's now 2012, and nothing. I would not tow larger hauls with a Tundra. Mr. HydroPHILE can give you all the specs and details why. I just listen

[Jim_in_PA]

I owned a 2000 Tundra and would purchase a new one without question if I ever decided to buy another pickup truck. It was excellent and the current ones are even better. I'm not saying I wouldn't consider a Ford...they really do rock in trucks...but the great experience I had with the Tundra would be a factor in the end-choice.

Obviously, the towing requirements would enter into this. As someone already pointed out, the Tundra would not be appropriate for larger towing situations since it's a 1/2 ton truck. But within it's capabilities...no problema.

[jn4jenny]

all i have ever owned were ford pickups but now that we may be in the market for a brandy new one, i wonder if we should consider the tundra? we're only looking for a 1/2 ton but one that can haul a light two horse trailer (my trailer is aluminum with fiberglass, weighs less than 2000 lbs).

They can both handle that kind of sub-5000-lb towing weight, but they are are totally different in their interiors and drive experiences. I suggest you test drive them both. If you dislike the drive experience on one of them, then your decision has basically made itself. Even if you can't find one locally with exactly the options you want, find one that's close enough to "get the feel" and test drive it.

my preliminary research suggests that the tundra would be more expensive. is it worth paying extra for the toyota name (especially since that name seems to have lost something during that recent recall affecting their vehicles)?

thoughts? experiences? warnings?

The rust recalls mentioned in this thread apply to the old Tundra, before the total redesign that debuted in 2007. If you are buying 2007 or later, it's not a concern AFAIK.

Just about every vehicle is going to experience recalls. Even the mighty F-150, and the Tundra.
http://www.motortrend.com/used_cars/...f_150/recalls/
http://www.motortrend.com/used_cars/...undra/recalls/