Thinking about coming back

Long story short, I had a 2018 SR5 Tundra CrewMax 4x4 and traded it in for a 2019 F150 2.7 XLT 4x4 when gas was $5.00 a gallon. I loved the truck but traded it in because I was able to do an even trade for the F150 with less miles on it with. While I have saved a significant amount of money on fuel (I averaged closed to 21 mpg), I do not enjoy the truck. There have been several issues with parts wearing out much sooner than I expect them too and Catalytic converter issues. Inside is not much better, while I was initially impressed with the tech in it (Carplay, remote start, heated seats) the fit and finish inside leaves a lot to be desired. I am driving less than I was before and really just miss my Tundra.

I am considering trading my F150 in for a 2018 or new Tundra Limited Crewmax (Heated Seats, leather and LED Lights). For the same price I can get a 2020 or newer Ram Laramie Crew Cab 4x4. Before my Tundra I had a 2010 Ram Laramie and drove that for 100k.

I'm looking for opinions and any real world comparisons from everyone here. I know it will be biased towards the Tundra but any pro's and con's would be helpful.

 

Sounds to me like you want another Tundra. I sure as hell wouldn't own a Ford, or even a Dodge.

 

FIFY

 

Except for my wifes little Mazda CX-5 I haven't owned anything other than Toyotas in quite some time because of their amazing reliability.

'01 4Runner bought with 111K and sold with 200K for darn near what I paid for it
'00 Tacoma bought with 77K and sold with 120K for darn near what I paid for it.
'00 Tundra bought with 155K and sold with 205K for MORE than what I paid for it. (Bought from FIL)
And just bought the '19 with 20K (When it has 200K miles it may sell for HUGE $$ 'cuz ICE trucks will be a collector's item)

I briefly considered RAM 'cuz I thought I might want a 3/4T, but it's hard to think about going to something else when you've had such good luck with something for so long.

I can buy a whole lotta' gas with what I'm not spending on car repairs.

 

Had a 11’ Sierra before my tundra …put almost 100k on it and had avoided the notorious valve issue but also was diligent about oil changes and drive it like it was on fire!
Got the tundra because I was tired of worrying about what was next…
I work on em for a living (window tinter) ….and I’m Toyota for the dependability …I also like the 3rd gen a lot!

 

Good post until you mentioned the 3rd gen lol.

 

Tundra

 

The only real con of the Tundra is fuel economy. And if you’re often towing heavy, then don’t buy a half ton. I know LOADS of people who drive Fords. The more common issues are cam phasers and transmission shifting. Frequent software bugs. There has been some eye-opening recent info in the 2022 Tundra vs 2022 F150 thread (search for it). It’s not like every one of them is going to strand you on the side of the road; it’s just that you’re going to have a more regular relationship with the dealer, and these days that means your truck could sit for weeks.

Contrast that with owning a Tundra: I forgot my salesperson’s name and face. Same with the manager and finance guys. Over 2.5 years and 45k miles, and I’ve never been back to the dealer for anything.

 

Welcome Back ….You should’ve never left lol

I like the ford f150 but work with a few trades and most have had several issues with their newer trucks but overall they like them

I have owned all of the big3 and the
Ram was by far the cheapest made truck of them all and will never buy another one !!!
Got to know the service advisor really well every year it was in the dealer a few times for something…all covered under warranty fortunately.

What a treat since getting my first Tundra in 2016 …it’s only been regular maintenance. Not one of my other trucks held out like this Tundra has and most of the other trucks I kept for only 3 years.
The Tundra runs ad drives like the day I bought it 7 years ago so planning to keep it for a bit longer.

 

You know what needs to be done.

 

Sounds like you should go w/a Laramie Crew Cab

 

I was in the same boat. I had a 2014 DC but wanted and needed a CM since kids got bigger and hauling them and their friends around. I purchased the 2021 Nissan Titan Pro 4X. Not gonna bash the Titan because it was nice (seats were extremely comfortable) but I was having problems with it, emoji lights coming on all the time and Nissan was no help and not going to try to fix anything. Long story short when Nissan said what they did I decided to leave. Narrowed it down to the Chevy and Ram. A used Ram had 18K miles on it and ticked till it warmed when i went to look at it and had a mildew odor. Well that was a quick decision, people said it was the hemi or hemi exhaust tick and the odor was because the rear window probably leaked until it was found and fixed. The Chevy was transmission worries/issues along with the lifter ticks. Realizing I had my 2014 for yrs without any real issues except rotors, tires and gas mileage, I am so glad I went back. The Tundra and Titan were pretty much matched except the Titan had diff lock, rear bed step, comfortable seats and a much better stereo. There was no MODing a Titan. No resources or anything, not like this place. You can definitely customize a Tundra.

 

Please don't go with a Dodge.

 

Welcome back!
What are you using the truck for?

 

A little bit of everything. I need a full size truck to fit three car seats across. I also regularly have a few hundred pounds of something in the bed, from beach stuff to a bed of firewood. I also occasionally tow a flatbed loaded with 4wheelers or a rzr. I need 4x4 because the off-road parks get pretty messy during events as well as exploring off the beaten path.

 

Perfection has been frozen in time, in my opinion. Get yourself a used 2.5 Gen and, do yourself the favor of the best hidden truck mod you’ll ever do:
https://highwayproducts.com/truck-a...MI4cKSl7ud_wIVnDrUAR3SnwTCEAAYASACEgL6QvD_BwE

 

If you don't need a truck for towing, get a 4Runner and a little trailer for when you need a bed. Even a nice hitch cargo basket works pretty good. Throw in a airbag set for the squat issue and if you want a Drawtite hitch for the Lexus version gives you a frame mount weight distribution hitch. After that add a auxiliary tranny cooler and by pass the radiator for no chance of strawberry milkshake and you'll have a great all around ride that is better in quality and workmanship than a Tundra.
Edit: just saw your post, 3rd row work?

 

My personal truck is a 2018 Platinum w/ TRD Pro shocks, and about 85K miles. Been driving Tundras as my personal trucks for over 20 years (01 / 2010 / 2018).

My work truck is a 2020 Ram BigHorn w/ 60K miles. Work in Heavy Civil Construction Management, the truck lives on construction sites and gets treated like a rented mule.

Things the Ram does better:

Interior - the layout and materials are fantastic for a base model, and the flat floor is much appreciated. Quieter with less rattles and squeaks. Great stock stereo blew my Platinums supposed JBL Premium out of the water.

Drivetrain - Gets 19’ish mpg vs 15’ish mpg on my Tundra (same driver, same roads, same 33” tires), Hemi has more power (have raced them), and the ZF8 transmission is simply perfect and extremely reliable. The 4-Auto function works great, and is greatly appreciated since I live in Alaska and drive on snow / ice for over half the year.

Ride - The Ram rides like a dream, and considerably nicer / easier / smoother than my Tundra (before and after the Pro shocks).

Misc - Old school twist gas cap on Tundra is annoying compared to the quick fuel on the Ram. Rear camera on the Ram stays much cleaner for longer.

Things the Tundra does better:

Reliability - I have had ZERO issues with the Ram, and I treat it FAR worse than my Tundra. But no half ton trucks beats the Gen 2 Tundras for overall reliability.

Misc - Roll down rear window is about it.

The 5th Gen Rams (2019+) are truly fantastic trucks, and are not the old Dodge / FCA trucks of before. If I had to buy a new truck tomorrow, it would a Ram, no doubt.

Good luck in your decision.

 

I wouldn’t buy a big three half ton vs a gen 2.5 tundra, the gen three is a different story. Get the crewmax limited, it’s the happy medium trim. I’ve had three tundras and wish I still had my 19 dc limited.

 

In the words of Master Yoda........... Think Not.... DO.......