Need some advice: Taco to Tundra

hi!
long time toyota owner here (89 pickup, 03 sequoia, and currently a 19 tacoma trd)

i am about to buy an off road trailer to live in for the next couple of years, while working and traveling. I will be staying primarily on blm, off grid, friends' land, driving moderately rough roads etc. goin to trade-in the taco for a tundra and want to build an ideal truck to handle the next few years of travel...

the trailer i'm purchasing will be roughly 8300 lbs loaded.

what year/trim Tundra is best for towing? any to avoid?

recs on upgrades/mods to make? (suspension, brakes, transmission, tires/wheel size)

what's the best mileage (range) i can expect towing that much? what are yall getting in your tundras with sim towing setup?

 

What is your budget for a truck? Have to start there as it will depend on which years/models might be possible.

 

$40-47 for newer used truck. 10-15 for mods Including tires

 

That budget will get you a nice 2.5 gen or even a 3rd gen, used. 3rd gen is the turbo v6, 2.5 gen is the v8. They are vastly different trucks so I suggest you look over 2016-2021 models and then the 2023 model and review what might fit your needs. 2.5 gen is a bulletproof v8, loves gas, reliable. New gen is a great truck but can have some issues, as in any new design. Plenty to read about all that here on this webiste.

You will find plenty of trucks at or under your price range used. Someone was looking for a nice low mileage trd PRO with under 30k miles just this week, prices were low 40s. 3rd gen trucks used with ok miles will be mid 40s to mid 50 depending on trim.

 

Just out of curiosity, what's the trailer you're getting?

Part 2 of that question is are you absolutely sure you want that much trailer?

If it's 8,300 lbs. you're probably looking at a hitch weight of 1K lbs. or more. Most Tundras have a payload capacity in the 1,200-1,350 lb. range. That doesn't leave much room for people, pets, gear, etc.

Check the yellow sticker in the driver's door of any truck you're considering to see what the payload is for THAT SPECIFIC TRUCK, don't trust salesmen or brochures. These trucks run out of payload long before they hit the published tow rating.

90% of my camping is boondocking... Not necessarily "Off Roading" but definitely off the road. I like having a trailer that is comfortable but on the smaller side. Many of the places I camp I wouldn't be able to get to in a longer trailer.
I probably wouldn't want to live in mine, but the next size up would be do-able, and still be small and light enough to get into those BLM spots you're talking about.

I'm not saying you shouldn't go with your plan, just food for thought. Towing at or near (or over) your capacity is no fun... it's hard work and stressful for both truck and driver at best, and can go south in a hurry and be dangerous at worst.

With a good floorplan you don't need a huge trailer to be very comfortable.

My Lance is only 16' 6" box, 21' bumper to hitch, 5,500 lbs. wet and loaded to camp, and is plenty comfortable for me, my wife, and our pack. Again, I wouldn't want to full time in mine (maybe solo) but 3 dogs kinda' clogs things up. Especially when I'm cookin' bacon.

 

The Wife and I have the same model Lance.
We Love it!!
It's just the right size,not to big and not to small.
And Lance is considered to one of the best brands out there!!

 

November was 8 years we've had it, and it's been amazingly problem free!

I put together a trailer tool kit 'cuz I expected to be fixing things that rattle loose, and so far that's just been dead weight. And you can see from the photos, my trailer spends a good portion of it's travels bouncing down dirt roads.

 

Yep.
We havent had a single problem with ours.
And it spends a lot of time on the beach on South Padre Island.
Very impressed with the quality.
These days it sits on our deer lease almost permanently for the most part.
I did build a cover for it to keep the pine needles off the roof and to shade it from the Hot Texas Sun.
It also made a huge difference on our propane consumption.
All and all were really happy with it.
Of course going from a pop-up to a hard shell made a huge difference!!
Kinda like going from Motel 6 to the Four Seasons.