May go back to the 5.7

I didnt miss anything. I said people buy new trucks and the benefit is improved mpg. If it doesn't work for you then it doesnt work.

 

Yes and if you’re looking at saving $15k for a used truck vs. a new one, plus probably less annually for insurance and maintenance, vs. saving a few hundred bucks a year on gas, it’s a no brainer…

What other reason is there to get a new truck? You said you could think of 50.

If someone wants the newest tech/advancements/etc. and has disposable income I completely get that. Don’t know of another off the top of my head.

 

The first gen DC was the perfect size inside

 

I have a 2007, so we can say I have an old truck.

I very specifically do not want a 2.5 Gen Tundra as a replacement or addition because of the fact it is outdated, gets poor fuel economy for a 1/2 ton, rides poorly by current standards, and is generally not a competitive offering.

Should I choose to buy a new truck fuel efficiency will be a factor considered in the decision.

 

I can’t argue with these sentiments. That said I’d still buy one again and again over the current truck market options in the 1/2 ton segment. It will do most anything any of the new 1/2 ton offerings will do no problem. My favorite part is the utmost confidence I have in it to get me there and back towing my camper on vacations. They way I use it, that warm fuzzy feeling is superior to everything else. No, it’s not 100% guaranteed to not have an issue along my journey. Nor are the other trucks guaranteed to have an issue. That said, going off the hard data from resources like consumer reports and the many testimonials of owners, It’s got a better shot at being catastrophic problem free than the competition by a mile.

 

Agreed. I needed a truck to

• go to any remote location I want and come home every time
• occasionally haul loads ≤1500 lb
• pull ≤8000 lb
• never go to the dealer even a second time

This is still the best half ton truck for meeting all those needs.

 

Bingo. We go to remote places for extended times. Not trying to get stranded.

Never seeing a dealer, huge bonus!

 

I can guarantee you the 3.5L/10 speed tows like a locomotive compared to the 5.7. Thats a great reason. 480 ft-lbs at 2400 rpm sure is nice.

 

What do you need that for? The payload is still like 1,200-1,600 lbs

 

I guess you don’t need it then?

The payload is pretty similar to every other 1/2 ton you will find with similar equipment unless you special order a Ford with the payload package.

 

I will say even before adding my blower, I never truly needed more towing power. I could maintain speed on any hill with my 6200# dry 32’ camper with just part throttle. Even the 5.7 has 20 more HP and lb/ft of torque than my brothers 2018 6.0 2500HD rated to pull several thousand pounds more. Throttle input and RPM required pulling hills now is very minimal which is fun and impressive, but obviously isn’t necessary and does not increase my towing capacity. Pulling over 8k on a regular basis is probably best served by a HD truck anyway.

 

People want more effortless power in their trucks. All the 2.5 Gen owners can bitch and moan all they want to, but the full size truck market is what it is. If Toyota wants to actually compete they have to offer what more people want.

 

Like tow hooks?

sorry that was off the cuff. I couldn’t resist but to further expose the tow hooks conspiracy. It’s not my fault, it’s @Outbound

 

I want reliable.

 

Do tow hooks sell a lot of trucks?

I know a lot of people who never actually off road sure bitch about them an awful lot.

I guess the vastly inferior Gen 2 and Gen 2.5 needed the tow hooks on account of not having a locking rear differential?

 

Then wait a few years. Let the guys who just have to have the new truck be the Guinea pigs.

Hate to tell you this but EPA regulations going forward are going to kill off the naturally aspirated V8. Especially those without variable displacement systems that are far more problematic than turbochargers.

 

You’ve never had to use tow hooks before and it shows. Lucky you I guess, I suppose you could have gotten away with a Camry. They might not sell many, but I know of one sale the lack of them will forever prevent.

 

Man, the new truck is great. Love to see the innovation, changes, etc that Toyota is making. Would be cool to have the new frame and coil rear suspension, etc. I even dig the idea of a hybrid and better transmission IF reliable.

Would love to see it with a V8, no turbos, a manual transmission option, regular sized back seats in the double cab, and a VASTLY improved payload because you literally can’t tow a 12,000 lb trailer if the tongue weight is already over max payload before you even put people or gear or mods/upgrades onto the weight of the truck…

But at the end of the day OP mentioned small rear seat (real thing), lack of confidence in reliability (first year real thing, hopefully gets ironed out), and gas mileage isn’t much better at all in the real world (also real thing), and asked what people think of jumping back to a 5.7.

The main response was, yeah, that makes sense, because saving a couple/few mpg doesn’t make up for the cost of a much more expensive truck, financially speaking, and it would address all of your other concerns.

Super great answers. Then comes the “gas mileage is important too” responses which doesn’t acknowledge what everyone said about the cost to purchase and cost to own difference. We’re talking math here, not feelings. ✌

 

Camry/RAV4 probably have the same 1,200 lb payload as the new tundra

 

I have used the tow hooks exactly twice in 15 years. Plenty of off road use, and use in bad winter storms because they don’t plow much in western South Dakota.

So needing them so infrequently has made me understand they are not the number 1 priority on the vehicle. There are aftermarket solutions to the issue if you’re a true off road enthusiast. In which case you’re going replace the front bumper anyway so who cares if there are stock tow hooks in that case?

 

So what is the payload on your 2006?

 

Oh I plan on it. Was forced to upgrade my 06 early with only a baby amount of 285k miles on it.

The 2016 I just got only has 150k miles on it. I traded or sold all my other Toyotas at 350k-450k miles, all problem free, all still reliable as can be, finally got tired of waiting for them to die…
So it’ll be a bit before I’m forced to look at the new ones, thanks

 

Same as the 2016 and the 2022…. Not enough.

Hence that I own two 1 ton work trucks for real work (over 4k payload).

 

I’m with you on this one. I tow people out of the snow all 7 months of winter and off road all summer and don’t really use the tow hooks… not to mention that’s a pretty easy aftermarket fix. Wouldn’t be a deal maker or breaker or even consideration when buying a truck at all ha.

 

That is the correct answer.

I still chuckle at all the wailing and gnashing of teeth about payload. They’re 1/2 ton trucks, so technically if they can haul 1,000lbs they’re in spec….

Buy a bigger truck if you need more. Pretty simple concept but some guys just can’t grasp it.

 

Installing a 1500 dollar bumper on my brand new truck, which involves cutting the front body panels beyond repair isn’t up my alley. It’s truly not the extreme off-road environment you portray as the must have scenario for them. Loading a truck on a roll-back, pulling out a vehicle stuck in snow while keep a visual, or getting pulled out when I inevitably get stuck in snow of the Northeast winters are all frequent occurrences. Sometimes the only/best way out or accessible recovery point is from the front. Anyway, I digress. A man can only take so much tow hook banter before bed. Good evening to you sir.

 

In both instances if I could have positioned the truck to pull from the rear bumper/hitch to drag people out I would have. Really not a fan of putting a lot of ugga-Duggas on the coasting side of ring and pinion gears.

 

I tow 7,500 lbs pretty regular with the two 1/2 tons we own (Chevy and Toyota) and honestly wouldn’t even consider towing more regularly. Not that it couldn’t, but it’s just easier with a real work truck rather than a passenger vehicle.

 

A set of AFE front tow hooks is about $160, not perfect but will work in many circumstances.

 

I’m not sure people understand this. When I yank people out of a ditch with snow over their hood with a snatch strap I like to be driving forward ha.

Where in SD are you. I just spent the last 4 days in the Hills.