Considering replacing Expedition with reliable 5.7L tow-capable option for trips

It's RWD. You perhaps want 4WD on the steep wet boat launch. Otherwise Double Cab SR5 + SR5Upgrade pkg is the best value.

 

Sorry, I guess I was only looking at the v4 turbos- looks like the 2024-2025 v6 turbos have a much higher tow capacity.

Still, I'm leery of turbos these days.

 

The vast majority of ramps I use or plan to use are nice and don't require 4wd. To me its almost like "something else that can go wrong" - LOL. But I have no experience with Toyota 4wd, only Ford. Are they pretty reliable and easy to maintain?

 

I would still get a 4WD. You never know what you do in a couple of years. Maybe you fall in love with Tundra so much that you decide to do overlanding or offroading. Also when sh!t happens, you want to be in a "go anywhere" vehicle, which RWD one is certainly not.

2014+ with BorgWarner transfer case is pretty reliable. 2007-2013 use Aisin transfer case, they seize actuators as I've heard. Both are good in general, just switch to 4WD and 4LO once a month to lubricate actuators. Maintenance is easy on both.

I would also extend your mileage criteria. These engines are known to get to 1 million miles with nothing beyond basic maintenance. Transmission is very reliable, too. Avoid funky builds with two feet of lift and wheels sticking far out almost to the other side of the road, and you'll be fine. You still want a Tundra expert to inspect your potential new truck, of course.

 

The link to you posted to Edmunds did not have any vehicle photos, I would not just buy some random truck without being able to see it.

If you have no use for 4WD, skip it. I rarely need 4WD, until I do, then I'm glad I have it. I won't buy a truck without it. But you can likely avoid most of those situations. Aside from needing it, it adds to resale if you are a frequent vehicle swapper (doesn't seem so).

The new Tundras are only offered with turbocharged V6 engines that are currently under a recall campaign for a still undetermined malady. They are replacing every engine in every Tundra made from MY22- Feb 23. The towing capacities however are 10k+ for most models, so plenty of capacity there. The hybrid models have not been recalled and add some low end torque for towing, not meant to be fuel efficient like the prius. The hybrids may eventually get included in the recall as well since they share the same V6 engine.

 

Welcome to the forum.

I bought my '18 Sport CM last year knowing nothing about Tundra's and came to find out from this forum that '18 is the sweet spot IMO. '18 is the year they started to come with factory installed LED headlights which is highly sought after. Also it's the last year the trans cooler came installed(as you've already found out). Me personally, I don't care too much for the electronic add-ons such as parking sensors, lane assist, TSS sensor and all the features it comes with. It just means more things that can go wrong with the vehicle. My '18 has TSS sensor but honestly I'm happy with just that.
As for the uncomfortable seats, look into Seat Jackers. Those have been said to really make a difference especially for long trips. I installed them on my truck just before a road trip from SoCal to Texas and back and had zero issues with discomfort and I'm a big dude.
Also if you go one year earlier to a '17 then you won't have the TSS to deal with should you ever want to upgrade your grille.
So really it just comes down to if you want a double cab or a CrewMax. If you're able to just find a CrewMax to sit in the back of it, you'll be amazed at the amount of space u you have back there.
Good luck and we can't wait to see what you end up with.

 

Grab a low mileage unmolested 2021. The original transmission was designed with a cooler for a reason, so add one if not already done. Seat jackers from Desert Does It and quality seat covers combined are under $500, again if not done, get them. Replace all the fluids, filters, radiator cap, swap to Stoptech cryo treated slotted rotors and EBC yellow stuff pads. Add a HD Roadmaster Active Suspension kit to supplement the leaf packs or replace them with some quality springs. If not already done, screen the HVAC fresh air intakes under the cowling to prevent rodents from getting inside the dash vents and cab. All of that will get you a decent start on a decent truck.

 

I've got 'em. A necessity for long legged/taller folks.

 

Now the question is whether to get a Toyota Certified that comes with their warranty or get one without and add something like Endurance or autopom, CarShield, etc. warranty. There's a bit of a premium on the Toyota Certified Pre-owned, though.

 

Toyota CP will be worth it.
Cause if anything craps itself during the warranty time, they have to make it right.
Buy outside, even if same MY and all that, you are on your own.

 

I have no other Tundra to compare it to, but I really like my '21.

Cloth seats are never too hot or cold and very comfy (I have never found a vehicle seat to be uncomfortable though...)

Toyota Safety Sense is good for long trips (I use lane change alert when on 9+hr drives)

CarPlay is awesome and my preferred way to navigate/listen to music and podcasts

Added a cooler immediately. 1-banana job. I just wanted it to operate as originally designed. If you tow in S4 to help keep the torque converter locked up and do a drain & fill every 20k, you're probably fine for as long as you care to own it, especially if towing on extremely flat terrain.

Non-cooler'd Tundra tranny failures are very rare at this point. Here is a link to a few of them if you'd like to read (click the little arrow pointing up):

4wd is just added weight until you need it. Then it's everything. I won't buy a truck or SUV without it.

 

So, found a nice 2019 certified pre-owned Tundra in my area, SR, not 4wd, but with the 4.6L engine.

My travel trailer loaded (total length from hitch to back end is 23') is 5500 pounds.

My boat (23' as well total from hitch to stern) is about 4000 pounds loaded.

Chances are I will never go outside the state of Florida.

My Expedition can tow around 9000 pounds with WDH, which I will use if I tow the travel trailer with the Tundra.

Given that the closest I can find in a similar model year, mileage, and Certified pre-owned in a 5.7L is about $12000-$14000 more, is it possible I might be good-to-go with the 4.6l ?

 

Does it have a tow package? I think tow package dictates a 5.7 engine.

Otherwise 1UR-FE (4.6) is as good as 3UR-FE (5.7).

 

Good question - I'll have to check. What are these codes you mention, the VIN or the engine?

 

The engine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_UR_engine

 

Get the 5.7. Life can change and it's better to have it and not need it vs. needing it and not having it. Guessing you gain 4x4 as well with the 5.7 model.

 

Found a
2021 Tundra SR5 4x2

Looks like a lease turn in. Gold certified, only 12,600 miles. $34,000

No accident reports, but my only concern is location (Port Charlotte) and flood damage, but it IS Gold certified.

 

Skip flood damage. Don't look at miles much. 12,600 or 126,000 does not matter much.

I have many accidents (in boonies, without reports), my truck is still solid and in fact is in a better mechanical shape than the rest of similar trucks I.e. what kind of accident was reported? Bumper scratch and T-boned are two big differences.

 

Can't shout this enough from the rooftops. best mod on my truck by far. The comfort difference is insane