Considering the purchase...

Of a used 2018 Tundra SR5 4WD with 20k miles. Been reading reviews critical of the old engine/drivetrain technology. To me, old tech is proven tech. Any thoughts?

 

There's no negative to buying that truck based upon the concern you listed. 20K is nothing too ...

 

The only legitimate issues with a 2018 Tundra are going to be the lower payload numbers restrict your towing a bit, and it'd be nice to have a locking rear diff. Other than that, its like you said: proven tech.

 

I am sure for what they are asking you might as well buy a new one...they hold their value.

 

$38,500. Seems to be in pristine condition. Need to tow my horse trailer at ~6500lbs. Not sure how to interpret all the comments about Tundra’s mediocre payload.

 

I think you can get into a 21 for that price

 

That is a stout trailer. Depending on options and cab the Tundra has a lower payload than other 1/2 ton trucks on the market. Payload is the amount of weight that can be added to the vehicle, including passengers, gear, optional equipment, and whatever you put in the bed. You're tongue weight comes out of payload, too.

 

This is probably true... Figure MSRP on a new SR5 is is around $45K. Currently a 2K rebate / incentive. Could probably get one for $38K with some good negotiations.

 

Here's a good towing thread and it has some videos that break it down. You just need to look at the door sticker on the truck, assuming it is still stock. If it has added accessories or upgrades you have to deduct the added weight too. Anyway, https://www.tundras.com/threads/tow-ratings-guide-how-to-be-safe.39211/ there's the link.

The Tundra is a great truck if you are willing to work within it's limits.

 

Trailer is 6,500lbs fully loaded, 3,400lbs empty.

 

Right, but what is the tongue weight?

 

https://www.readingbody.com/calculating-your-trucks-maximum-payload-and-towing-capacity/

Here is a good read on capacities.

 

That's a big part of the reason I bought mine.

No direct injection. Reliable, proven multiport fuel injection.
No 4 cylinder or V6 engine with turbos. Just 380 horsepower V8.
No cylinder deactivation or stop-start. The variable valve timing actually works.
No problematic 10 speed transmission. 6 speeds are plenty.
No electric power steering that will fail. Hydraulic rack with a pump.

I bought one with column shift, bench seat, and you still have to put the key in the ignition to start it. I wish it had manual shift 4wd though.

I wanted to find a 99-06 Chevy but i liked the extra room in the Tundra single cab. Plus the drivetrain, brakes, and steering are beefier on the tundra vs. a half ton GM.

I guess the air injection system is a downside, but that can be bypassed.

I dont need any of the interior features that you can get from other brands like adaptive cruise and apple carplay. The tundra design is stuck in 2007 and IMO thats a good thing. It's the last good half ton truck available.

It will have no problem towing your trailer.

 

Azurenightmare, my tongue weight is 650lbs.
Half-Assed, you sorta read my mind. Keep reading about problems with 8-speed transmissions, 10-speed transmissions, cylinder deactivation, stop-start, blah, blah,blah. I’m retiring my 2000 3/4-ton Chevy Suburban that’s rusted out pretty badly. Wife refuses to be seen riding in it anymore. (Is that a bad thing?). Legendary Toyota reliability had me thinking this is the way to go.

 

A dead on 10% tongue weight of 650 could be doable in the Tundra, depending on how the truck is loaded and equipped. Is that a tongue weight from scaling it, or is that just what's on the sticker for the trailer? I ask because a tongue weight listed on the sticker is going to be the unloaded tongue weight.

As for the truck, Double Cabs have a little higher payload rating than the Crewmax but then accessories start taking bites out. Does it have the all weather floor mats? That's a hit to payload. Does it have a bed liner? Another hit. Aftermarket wheels and bigger tires? Another potential hit. Bed cover or bed cap? You guessed it, more payload gone. Steps/running boards? More capacity lost. Your WDH is going to come out of it too.

With all that and passengers and gear factored in, you just need to make sure you still have room for your tongue weight.

 

AN, thank you for responding. 650 tongue weight is from the manufacturer. I will need to be careful with the add-ons. Tires and wheels are stock as of now.

 

Also forgot about the hitch. That sucker is heavy.

 

I'm at 273k miles on my 2016. They're good trucks I pull my dump trailer (4k empty) atleast once a week without issues. Also pull my equipment trailer around (3600 empty). I've also got over sized tires 295/70r18. It's slower but she gets the job done..I've had no issues pulling just change the brake controller the stock one is junk. I'm not sure if they addressed that in 2018 but the 2016 brake controller sucked I put a prodigy p3 in. I pulled this around 200 miles lol The 5.7 is a proven engine I abuse mine daily. The tundra might not.have that fancy trailer backing thing or cameras everywhere but it sure as hell won't leave you on the side of the road.

 

There's no question or doubt about the Tundra pulling things. It's the ratings and legality of things that get dicey with heavy loads. The big weakness of the tundra is the leaf springs. They are skinny and just can't handle a huge payload, per the manufacturer. I do know that a couple members collaborated to make some wider ones to help with the spring flattening and such, but it's a mod I am just not comfortable with.

 

I run airbags. I totally agree with the weak springs. I've been running airbags since 100k miles. I saw that thread a bit to big of a mod for me too.

 

I’ll have to solicit views on the 2018 controller. I won’t swap it out right away.
Picking the truck up tomorrow.

 

Airbags only help to level the truck out. They don't actually increase the towing capability of the vehicle the way a wider spring would. Still, even if you go the wider springs, the truck is still legally bound by it's ratings. Payload is just the one thing the Tundra is really far behind on at this point.

 

Biggest problem with the old engine technology is the worst in class fuel mileage. Pick your poison.

 

Yeah that's pretty well known. I never intended for anyone to think adding airbags adds towing capacity. I agree but it's still enough people who buy a half ton.

 

Unless you are talking major gaps in MPG, even that isn't too bad. People go on and on about saving 3 MPG... I've done some basic math on that more than once on the forum and it equated to about 50 bucks a month if gas prices were at $3.00 per gallon. I'll take the stellar reliability of that old engine tech and the fact that there are mechanics that know them inside and out over $50 per month in fuel savings. One computer glitch, electrical gremlin, transmission hiccup, or blown seal is going to eat all those fuel savings really damn fast.

 

I don't worry about it, but it's a big deal for selling trucks. That's why I said pick your poison. The Tundra is obviously rated very well in reliability.

My experience has been somewhat disappointing in that regard, but I'm trying hard not to be a whiner and throw cold water on every thread, lol.

 

yeah, I think I remember you having some difficulties. Have you considered trying to make a lateral move into a different truck with similar mileage?

 

I added the sumo springs in the rear to keep the ass end level when I tow.

 

I wouldn't trade it due to any reliability concerns. The problems have been irritations, for the most part, rather than major stuff. I was just spoiled rotten by my previous two Tacomas. They set a high bar. Plus, I have a 5 year btb warranty so not concerned about out of pocket for a long time.

I second guess cutting payload so close, and I miss the OR capabilities of the Tacomas way more than I thought I would. The Platinum trim really sucks OR. Those would be the reasons I would trade, but I'll hang with this truck for now.

I got my DL in 1973 and vehicles of that era required a lot of maintenance. It makes me feel pretty silly complaining about rattles, vibrations and recalls.