Possible new buyer. Please educate me.

I’m new to Tundra. Have been looking for a Ram because of the Interior but I can’t find one optioned the way I want and I think I’ve decided on TRD Pro.
What are some things I should know or be aware of?

does the bed lock? I know there are no parking sensors in the states. People seem to complain about the JBL system. No rear seat storage underneath. I know it has remote start

love the window in back going down, love the sound of the truck. Love the space.


anything else you can educate me on? Thanks.

 

Hey Matt, some of the packages come with the tail gate lock or it's an options. I'd recommend getting that and then a bed cover (another possible options from dealer or buy it after to get what you want). Tons of options on bed covers so that's really a personal preference. The sound system is all based on the individual, it's not a bad system but if you are really into your music get the basic audio and just upgrade it yourself. Plenty of info on here about that.
What is your rough location? People might have specific comments based on weather and location. They might also have dealerships they recommend

 

Thanks Robert. I’m in Nashville.

 

The bed lock was very important to me so thanks for answering. I will def be getting a tonneau cover of I get a Tundra but needed to feel confident it locks. I know anyone can get in a bed but one that doesn’t lock would effect the golf clubs situation. Does it lock with the key fob? Or ok’d school key?

 

Pay close attention to the payload vs. other brands if you are going to tow/haul.

Also, thoroughly test drive at varying speeds and road conditions. If the front end vibrates, make sure it's fixed before you sign.

My tailgate locks when I lock the doors. Press fob unlock button twice unlocks the tailgate.

And welcome to the forum.

 

There's no question that TUNDRA is an acquired taste, with a dominant following. Hard for me to see myself driving anything else. Been driving Toyota's since 1988, and never looked back.

 

I am a new Tundra owner and can honestly can say I really like my truck. I owned 3 Rams prior to me buying the Tundra. IMHO Tundra has the best overall execution from design to build. Engineering on pickups have been amazing from all of the companies, but Ford seems to have a new recall every week. Chevy has a class action lawsuit on premature engine failure.

 

Under the rear seat storage you can address yourself - whether its the ESP storage or a custom box you make. The hump under the seat is just foam with the keyless entry unit in the center - so beware if cutting in that spot.

 

I had a 18 1500 ram laramie. Very nice tech, about the same amount of internal cab tech as a model 3 which is to say in my opinion the tech on the rams is top of the line. My laramie also had the upgraded alpine premium sound. The tech and sound system on that ram were outstanding and I probably wouldn't beat it. Quality is a completely different story. My brand new ram missed california lemon law by about 5 days of shop time in the first 3 months. It was in the shop for a almost a full week first month I had it.

Now I have a 20 trd pro and I wouldn't change it. Yes the tech and the sound system suck for a $54k truck but I'll take the peace of mind.

 

At risk of starting a debate on the site it seems the transmission cooler was omitted on the 19+. My bias would be to say no concerns or Toyota wouldnt have done it. But I have an 18. Check threads on this and you can see what you think. If you dont really tow significantly it may be a moot consideration.

 

i do not tow. my truck is more or less my mobile office, kid hauler and to and from the golf course. i work in construction, so a jobsite or two gets visited, but i am overall, pretty easy on my truck. i drive about 40k miles a year for my job so thats the main reason why im considering a Tundra.

 

The tailgate can be locked with a physical key thats in the key fob, you would need to buy a electronic tailgate lock unless the dealer (option) is willing to install it for you. ESP storage has a few options for underseat storage that you can install yourself. The JBL system is OK for a regular listener, if you're an audiophile it sucks.

 

If you’re not towing or hauling heavy loads then the Tundra would be fine for you . I recommend MGM LOL

 

I had a 14 year old Nissan Titan that served me well before I bought my Tundra last May. I had about two years worth of intermittent research on trucks to base my decision on. This is how my decision went:
Ram? No way - EVER. I've been bitten by Dodge/Chrysler/etc. before - NEVER AGAIN. I have also continued to see that company at the bottom of pretty much every reliability rating list.

Ford 150? I know these are popular, and I have ridden in them with friends/coworkers, but I kept hearing about various issues resulting in them being in the shop way too much for a new vehicle. I also have a friend in the wheel/suspension business and he had unflattering things to say about Ford front ends.

Silverado? Reliability is better than the past, but still nowhere near the Tundra. And I don't particularly like the look of the newer ones.

Sierra? GMC used to be the "higher end" of Chevy. The features may still be better but the rated reliability is actually worse than the Silverado. I hated that because I really did like the Sierras.

Then I started comparing available features/options, and while I found that the Tundra does not have as many bells and whistles as other brands, it had just about everything that was important to me. About the only thing I really wish the Tundra had, that it doesn't, is a 120V outlet in the bed. And that is something I can easily work around.

THEN, I started reading more reports comparing reliability and found several of the reports to say something like, "Tundras just don't break down!" Obviously an exaggeration, but not by much! It was about this time when my wife pushed me hard to replace my old Titan.

So the Tundra won out, and I have ABSOLUTELY ZERO regrets!

And yes, the bed locks, either by key or with the fob if you get that option, or it can be added pretty easily after the purchase. And I have front (corner) and rear parking sensors as well as a backup camera. I added a front camera to help when I don't back in to a parking space. The JBL system is acceptable, but as others have stated, if you want higher end audio, there are systems available that you can upgrade to. It sounds fine to my old ears. And again, as others have stated, there are after-market rear storage options as well, that I like better than what would probably be OEM if they offered under-seat storage.

Your use of the truck is not very different from mine. Since you are a high mileage driver, you might want to know about the two (at least) Million Mile Tundras that have been reported on. If you take care of it, it will take care of you for a LOOONG time.

EDIT: All of my comparisons were of 1/2T trucks. I know that some 3/4T trucks have higher reliability from the Big 3, but that wasn't the market I was shopping.

I hope this helps some, and welcome to the forum from LA (Lower Alabama)!

Acquired taste? Only in the sense of people actually trying it as opposed to listening to owners of Big 3 makes trash this "foreign" truck that is actually more American than their trucks are - while complaining about when they'll be getting their trucks back from the shop.

^^^^^This^^^^^

See my earlier statements about the Million Mile Tundras. I haven't heard of any Million Mile F-150's, Silverados, Sierras, or Rams.

 

You are singing to the choir brother.

 

Thanks! Just summarizing for the OP!

 

That's about what I use my truck for; I am a construction project manager. I have mentioned this many times here on the site so I don't want to repeat the same old story every time, but at our office we have about equal number of Tundra, Ford, Chevy and RAM - about 3 or 4 of each. None of the Tundras have had any issues, one of them had 297,000 miles when the owner traded it for a new one. Chevies and Fords all had their share of engine, transmission and electrical problems. RAMs spend about 4 to 6 weeks per year average in the shop - all of them consistently.
No biased opinion - just real world experience.

 

What I meant by "Acquired Taste" is that not everyone that drives a Tundra loves it. I drove Tacoma's for many years because I just never could warm up to the Tundra. Then when I saw the TRD Pro's, I knew that was the one for me. Drove it and fell in love. Built like a tank, yet drives and rides like a Cadillac. And, they just don't break like the other guys. Peace out, stay safe and healthy.

 

WAR DAMN EAGLE

 

As my avatar indicates, I have to say WAR TIDE! Or ROLL EAGLE! But pulling for the state, as I do, this year it's ROLL TIDE all the way!

 

I’ve owned numerous Toyota 4x4’s, and when I was in the market for a full sized truck, I was initially looking at the Ford Raptor. This was the first time I steered away from Toyota. What deterred me away from the Raptor was the amount of issues Raptor owners have run into...some unresolved to this day. I know what you mean by the RAM’s beautiful interior, and other trucks have much nicer more “luxurious” interiors with huge iPad displays. However, reliability and durability should be on top of your list when shopping for a truck, and in that category NOTHING beats a Toyota. If you can put up with minor things like cheap plastics and not so flashy interiors, the Tundra is the way to go. Also, the resale value on these trucks is really really good. My buddy who works for TRD USA advised me to get a 5.7 TRD Pro as they will be in big demand after the refresh. Good luck on the purchase, and take your time. Alot of neat combinations out there, you may have to travel far to get the one you want in some cases.

 

I went away from Toyota for some years. Every other brand I got -- including Honda -- was bad (both Hondas needed oil-related repairs worth more than the vehicle at 150K or less). But then we drive them til they are done. Now the fam is back to 3 Toyotas.

Tundra to me looks coolest or maybe 2nd-coolest of the pickups and by far has the least amount of mechanical issues. If I'm going to spend stupid $ on a vehicle, it better stay out of the shop! OP you have IDd the biggest issues vs other trucks in my experience -- storage and head unit/sound -- which really aren't huge ones and fixable. Easy tradeoff for me for the mechanical peace of mind.

I am mostly a high-mileage driver. Tundra tows a bass boat with a 150 hp outboard fine.

Get the TRD exhaust or another one that growls

 

I found a Lunar Rock for $1k under MSRP. just put $1k down to hold. Keeping fingers crossed. Not sure I’ll be able to pick it up before Christmas. It’s a few hours from here

yeah a Raptor is still my dream truck. I don’t want to own one and still in sales though. I don’t want customers thinking that’s where all their money goes. Ram interior is just perfect. GM 6.2L are pretty perfect buy their interior lags behind too. They are supposedly refreshing their 2022 models with updated interior. The Titan I had was great for what I needed it for. The new ones are so much better. I had a 2017. Had a loaner the other day and their 9” screen, and Fender system sounds great and the pano sunroof and can’t beat their warranty of 5 year/100k bumper to bumper. It’s just a jack of all trades, master of none kinda truck.
The tundra, reliability, re-sell value and rear window (lol. Love that) and the sound of the engine all kinda have me smitten. Think it looks real good too. The interior may take some getting used to tho.

 

I test drove a 2021 Titan the other day and it was really nice. Smooth, powerful acceleration and a nice interior. You really get a lot with the Titan for the money! BUT, I'm a Toyota guy so I probably will stick with what I know and the Tundra is a solid truck.

 

I don't trust Nissan to be around long enough for me to have bought another Titan. They are screwing up left and right as a company. That's why I didn't go with another Titan (even though they had the 120V outlet in the truck bed!).

 

My co-worker just bought a brand new 2020 Titan a week ago and already has warning lights going off. One was for low oil levels and a malfunction on his pre-collision senso, so he has to take it back to the dealer to get it looked at lol.

 

Had one as a rental for a week a couple years back - and outside the steering I would have had no problem seriously thinking about buying one. But the steering is just too stiff for my liking, love the Tundra and how easy but precise it is.

 

Well, that's what I'd be scared would happen to me if I went down that path. Luckily there's a new TRD Pro arriving at the local dealership next week thats mine if I want it. I don't know, maybe its a no-brainer to get the Pro just trying to weigh my options.

 

If you don't plan to tow, then I wouldn't even consider any of the other 1/2 ton trucks. The Crewmax is cavernous inside, the roll down rear window lovely, there's a solid aftermarket for any customization, and NONE of the competition is as reliable as the Tundra. It's only short comings are the low payload capacity and the lack of a locking rear diff. and neither of those sound like an issue for you.