1st gen. Tundra is top of my search.

My wife and I are 65 and recently retired. We have a 13' Scamp fiberglass trailer, perhaps 2000# fully loaded. The tundra would be our tow vehicle. We may be on the road 80 days a year and hope to get a lot of mileage on our next vehicle. Currently we have a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with 207,000 miles on it. The transmission is going out for a 2nd time so it's time to sell it and move on. The Silverado has the extended cab seating and a bed cap. This has been a great touring vehicle, but it must go and a 1st gen. Tundra may be the ticket. What do you think? BTW we live east of Pueblo, CO.

 

Sounds like a great plan! If you can find a low mileage 1st gen, you should get many years and miles out of it. East of Pueblo... so, not too humid and they don't salt the roads in winter? Should be able to find one without rust underneath. The other thing to look for is, 1st gens have a timing belt that typically needs replacing about 90k or 100k miles. Try to get one with full service records so you can see this has been done. Worth it though because, by almost all accounts, its about the only thing that fails.

Now that Chevy on the other hand, has probably given you its best years. I think where you are, people still believe in the big 3; I hope that means you can easily offload your Silverado. And best wishes finding a 1st gen Tundra near you. If you have to go out of the area, try west of you (dryer climate, less snow and salt, less chance it's been flooded or has rust).

Post a pic when you find It.

 

Welcome from Parker, CO.

 

Welcome!

My parents drove across Canada and back last year towing a similar sized trailer behind a 2005 double cab Tundra. They said it towed like a dream. I don't think you can go wrong!

 

Welcome from NC! As Sunnier mentioned....two items to look for: timing belt change and check for rust. Other than that you should be good. I know how you feel about the GM transmissions. Had a GM vehicle and after the second transmission replacement I was done.

 

Your gonna love a 1st gen Tundra after driving that Chevy. I had both as delivery vehicles when I pulled a trailer for work.

 

Years 05 and 06 have the better transmission for towing. Double or extra cab, your call.

 

I'm just learning about the Tundra. Good to know. My wife has a 2004 Honda Odyssey and I researched problems and then waited for a 2004.

Extra cab is first choice and similar to the Silverado. I would take either.

 

Welcome from CA. I would recommend a 05/06 double cab. Same size bed but much more interior space in the back seat. Plus the added length will help in towing. And as @Rex Kramer said, the 5 speed trans helps but you should tow is 4th gear. Good luck in your search!

 

I have been using this 4WD 2002 as my work truck since 2004, it's reliable and comfortable. It's also easy to get in & out of, and park.

 

Thanks. Given the bed is the same length I would prefer the double cab and longer wheel base. I'm never had a Toyota but I think the time has come. Why 05/06?

 

Nice truck. We travel with 2 small dogs and will require an access or double cab.

 

Double cabs were introduced in 04. The new 5 speed trans became available in 05 as well as VVT-i and the electronic throttle. 05 had a bit more power than 06 but nothing noticeable.

 

'04 and up didn't have a problem with the Overdrive planetary gears like the earlier models, towing is what revealed the problem in the earlier models, but there is no recall that I know of. I didn't think you wanted a regular cab like mine, my buddy has an extra cab that he loves.

 

Welcome from Ohio!

 

Welcome to the party!!

 

Welcome from AZ

 

Welcome Craig! All good advice here.
@Casper421 11 horsepower is a lot!
Also I believe the bed is a little deeper on the DC vs. AC. But then again the DC is physically larger than an AC or RC.

 

Welcome from Texas

 

Sounds good, I've started a search for 05 or 06 double cab.

 

Good luck with your search.

 

https://jalopnik.com/most-underrated-cheap-truck-right-now-the-original-toy-1744623089

 

Welcome from Obx

 

WELCOME

 

I've owned 1st and 2nd Gen Tundras. You get 1 mpg better running a 1st Gen. I won't go back to a 1 St Gen.

My 2nd Gen with the 5.7 is a towing dream. Less maintenance on the 2nd Gen Tundras as well.

Consider a 2nd Gen.

 

My budget is up to 15k. I will look at 2nd Gen., but I didn't think I could afford a nice one.

 

15k would buy a nice 2007 to 2010 second Gen Tundra in my area. Expect it to have around 200k on it at that price