New to me 2019 TRD Off Road.

Howdy folks, just took possession of my Tundra Saturday. My priorities have shifted. I need to be more practical. This tundra will replace 2 rigs, my 2000 Ram diesel and my 2004 Jeep Rubicon. It certainly won't allow me to off road like I have with the Rubicon, however it should tow my camper fine and is a much better ride empty than the Ram. This is the first rig I have ever had with modern electronics. Still poking at buttons to figure everything out. It is the most expensive rig I have ever bought. That's why I have to sell both the others. It will be my daily driver as well as my camper hauler. It has 92k on it and is very well equipped. It is the Crew Max cab. I know the gas mileage is quite poor, I accept that. That Dodge was just too harsh riding for the wife and I both. I'll miss that diesel engine though. And my jeep was fantastic on the trails here in Colorado. But like I said, time to be a little more practical. Anyway, I look forward to learning and understanding this rig from you folks.

 

Welcome to the forum! Congrats on the truck. I'd recommend you change all the fluids and do a drain and fill on the transmission, but it should serve you well!

A couple things to watch for, especially if you tow:

1. 2019 Toyota removed the external auxiliary transmission cooler. You may want to install one. There are lots of options but @Genuine Cooling Systems is a common resource.
2. Check the payload on your door. Tundras have low payload and you have to be cautious to not overload. Make sure you understand how payload works as well. All too many people think that airbags solve the payload problem, but that's not how it works at all.

 

Welcome from South Central Tennessee!

Nice truck, you'll find a lot of information about it from the folks here.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Appreciate the input. My initial research informed me about Toyota's wise decision to remove the trans cooler. Fortunately the PO didn't your heavy. He was also told by a "Toyota Mechanic" to never touch the trans fluid. My research also tells me the same thing you said, change it. Every 30k according to some. But really, never change it?

I have a good equalizer hitch on the camper, empty it weighs 4700lbs. I haven't hitched it up yet. 7k max camper weight. I know your talking about the payload, I will have to look closer at that. Not sure if I will have to carry much more than a choker and my generator in the truck. I'm fixing to find out.

Would you embellish a bit on your payload concern?

Thanks again for the input.
Jeff

 

Yeah, Toyota pushes that the transmission fluid is lifetime fluid. It is not. Don't do a flush, but a drain and fill is a good idea.

Payload on tundras are low compared to ther 1/2 tons. For example, I had a 2025 F150 well equipped (which always means less payload) with a rating of 1824 lbs. My 2025 Tundra, also well equipped) has a payload of 1390 lbs. My 2019 Tundra (less well equipped than either of the others) had a rating of 1265 lbs.

Payload is how much weight you can add to the truck. This includes EVERYTHING.

• You
• Your passengers
• Your equalizer hitch
• Any wheels or tires heavier than stock
• Any and all mods
• Anything you put in the bed
• Bedliner if you have it
• Steps/running boards
• The tongue weight of your trailer
• All the stuff you put in the cab, from floor mats, tools, straps, and your cup of coffee to the spare change and stick of gum in the console

All of it counts against payload.

I found that my 2019 Tundra would be out of payload if I tried to tow a trailer in the 6000-6800 lbs. range.


1/2 ton trucks are light duty. Just have to work within the limits.


May want to look into a Trailer Toad.

 

Very interesting, I have never seen that tow system. (I did just go to the Web site.)

 

Hi Swath, welcome from San Diego.

Good looking truck! It should serve you well.

I have essentially the same Tundra, 2019 TRD OR, even down to the racks if I'm seeing the picture correctly... Elevate Racks?

So I found out about the trans cooler delete shortly AFTER buying my '19... DOH!

Mine was a lease turn-in CPO w/20K miles. I did the first drain 'n fill at 30K and my mechanic said the fluid was fine - discolored some but not burnt by any means.

I installed a head unit that gives me the ability to monitor trans temps, and (at least for now) I've decided that I'll continue to monitor temps and do severe duty interval drain/fills every 30K.

My trailer is pretty light @ 5,500 lbs. and with these pesky FT jobs we don't get to go as often or as far as we'd like.

I pay close attention to TC lockup, Tow/Haul in S4 @ about 62 mph, limit any unnecessary shifting, so far the temps haven't been too alarming. Temporary spikes when climbing that cool right back down upon cresting, and she settles in at about 207-210º on the flats even with ambient temps in the high 80's. I can live with that.

There's a few different ways you can read/monitor trans temps from "cheap" (OBD reader and phone app) to "moderate" (Scangauge) to "don't tell my wife how much it ended up costing" (Big bitchen new head unit) but it would be wise to get some method to see trans temps.

My payload door sticker is 1,280 lbs. and I'm guessing yours will be pretty close to that. My trailer is a bit lighter than yours and my tongue weight in camping trim is typically a little over 700 lbs. (We boondock so I travel with full fresh tank.
Payload is a challenge on these trucks but it can be dealt with. I'm usually bumping up against it when towing and I'd be lying if I said I haven't probably gone over by a ham sandwich or two on occasion.

They're overbuilt, and won't disintegrate if you go a little over now and then, just don't be stupid.

Yeah, it might not wheel like your Jeep, and they're a little fat for some trails, but with the light level of wheeling I've done so far I've been impressed with what it does even in stock trim.

I think you've made a good decision, even if it is "practical" (ICK)

Enjoy!

 

You do not need a trailer toad for your camper OP. Just be smart when packing.

 

Yeah, I was contemplating one when I was shopping trailers.