3.4 or 3.4 Hybrid?

Hello,
It's been awhile since I hung around here. Just, busy.
Anyway, I have a couple questions and figured I'd get more views here than in the towing forum.
Long post so bear with me.

Currently have a '18 Double Cab 4wd 5.7 w/ 90k. Kids are past the point of being too big and uncomfortable for the DC and I'm looking to get a Crew Max.
My options are 2.5 Gen, 3rd Gen, 3rd Gen Hybrid.

My camper isn't overly heavy, 4500 dry weight, probably 5k loaded, maybe a tad more, plus whatever ends up in the bed, which is probably 200 lbs after the extra gas, gen, tools, jack, etc.
The truck does fine down here in Texas and on flat ground but we don't do short trips very often. We usually go to NM, CO, UT and are considering trips to TN and Yellowstone.

Biggest complaint with the truck is how easily it's affected by wind and hills/mountains and how quickly it loses speed. On two recent trips to NM, facing a headwind and slights hills, not mountains, it was all I could do to maintain 60-62 mph, and that was at 3k-4k RPM.

I read this thread Unexpected Fuel Economy and Max Range | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com) and it answers some questions about fuel economy. I'm not expecting great fuel mileage while towing but more interested in maintaining speed.

As mentioned, we don't do many short trips. On a 10 hour trip, with no trailer and driving 75-80, that same trip will be about 2 hours longer, or more, with the camper simply due to driving 10-15 mph slower. Two hours doesn't sound like much but it is a lot when you've been driving all day. That can mean the difference in setting up camp in the dark or not.

So here's the question, especially for you gen 3 guys who have also owned the 5.7:
Is the TTV6 enough of a difference in capability to not be affected by the wind and hills as much as the 5.7? Will it maintain speed better?
What about the hybrid, which, according to the video in that other thread, only kicks in at take off and when you get into it.
I'm not expecting it tow like a diesel but isn't that what the turbos help with, torque at lower RPM?
If the TTV6, even the hybrid, are marginally better at this than the 5.7, I'll just get a 2.5 Gen Crew Max and save a pile of money.
(Or a 3/4 with a diesel.)
Thanks

 

yes , the 3.4 tt and also important 10-speed is a big improvement over the powertrain in the last gen towing , especially at altitude.

it peaks at 2,500 rpm and it shows.

With that light of a trailer you won’t even need the hybrid , in this application it only going to cost more and lose your underseat storage , imo

also this gen platform is more stable towing with the fully boxed frame and rails are like 6-9” wider in the rear and shocks are further outside , it’s much more stable pretty much always is said by those of us
Who have towed with both

not knocking the last gen at all, but Toyota did make a significant improvement in towing performance and stability with this one

good luck in your decision, I highly recommend the load leveling rear option for towing , it’s fantastic

 

I second this

 

Tow pkg with advanced options is definitely what you want the tow mirrors are a plus 100% & they also extend out an additional 5" with a push of a button.
I will also add that I'm biased toward the hybrid and will recommend the hybrid.

 

Hybrid

 

I’ve towed a 7k+ Camper extensively with both 2008 & 2022 hybrid. The old 5.7L did fine. The 2022 is better in so many areas to include brakes, gas tank size, handling & me not being tired at the end of a long day towing. Did I mention brakes. It pulls effortlessly. You will get the same mileage as the 5.7L.
If you find a 2.5gen, you will save $. The auto leveling air suspension is a must IMO as your camper may get bigger as your family grows. I see many 3rd gen owners unable to move weight forward to the front axles via their WD hitch.
I have a feeling your camper is the problem with the wind, not the Tundra. Safe travels!

 

Yeah, I've got hybrid in the back of my mind in case we get a slightly larger camper.
Is there a ballpark for what the hybrid adds to the cost on identical trims? Say, Limited vs Limited hybrid.
Is the auto leveling air suspension an option on any trim or just higher trims?
What I would really like is the SR5 Crew Max TRD Offroad hybrid with a 6.5' bed. I need the bigger gas tank for towing and bed space for coolers and gear when I don't have the trailer. That's the reason I got the Double Cab in the first place.
Does that configuration exist?

 

hybrid about 3500 more (ish).

I think the load leveling option starts on the SR5, but I could be wrong. if you tow and are going to go even heavier possibly in the future, get this

make the load leveling rear a must have, you will be so glad you did

 

Yes, you can get a crewmax with a 6.5' bed!

 

Hybrid with the load levelling ( was called the advance pack in 2022).

 

I know you can get a Crew Max with the 6.5 bed.
And a dealer told me I can get that in a SR5.
And I've seen one on here in a Platinum hybrid.
I want it in a SR5 TRD OR hybrid and I'm not sure that's an option.

 

So I just did some research on the Toyota website and here's a few things I found.

Hybrid starts with Limited trim.
Load leveling rear end is optional starting with Platinum trim.
6.5' bed or hybrid, gets the 32 gal tank standard. Optional with a package on non hybrid 5.5' bed.

The combo I wanted of a SR5 TRD Offroad hybrid with 6.5' bed is not offered.
I'd have to go Limited TRD hybrid 6.5'. That's about a $10k difference and puts it in the mid $60ks. That ain't happening. I'd go 3/4T diesel at that point.
Or just stick with the non hybrid.
I work remote so this isn't a daily driver.

 

that isnt right, you can get the load leveling rear below the platinum

are you sure your not looking at AVS? thats not what we are talking about or recommending

the load level rear is not AVS, AVS is the top of the line suspension and is only Platinum/1794/Capstone

also, take the load leaving rear over the hybrid for what you are trying to do, it way more worth it, power is not a problem.

 

This is what I was looking at. Says available on Platinum but not Limited. Maybe there's another package.

 

ya, thats load level AND AVS, only the top dogs get that

there is only a load level system that doesnt have to have AVS

 

Ok I thought I saw that option earlier when I was building one but it made me select another package or something.
This will make your head spin.

 

sure will, plus that web builder thing is notoriously filled with errors.

I would recommend talking to the dealer if you have a decent one and tell them what you want and they can check allocations and/or dealer trades to get what you want.

I can't recommend that load leveling rear enough for towing, you can lower it down to hitch up or load, etc and it rides perfectly level and stable. I would put that over most things on the truck if your going lower than platinum and going to haul or tow

 

towing is part of it, but if you want to fill like the King of the trucks with the exception of the Raptor R or the TRX- then get the Hybrid. You will love the power and it rips.