Ram Sales UP! Tundra Down :(

2.2 million sold from the big 3 half tons in 2018 vs 118k tundras. Yeah it’s a numbers game like the guy above stated.

 

I think that’s true to an extent. But if sales were equivalent, we would still see Tundra on top. They don’t change things up radically, play the safe game because they basically see unreliability as dishonorable.

 

Toyota had a problem with 3rd brake light gaskets in Tacomas at one time

 

I'm looking for a full size to tow a TT and the one thing you hear over and over is Tundra is the most reliable. But, accepting this as truth, I'm struggling with buying reliability over buying a truck that I prefer in other ways.

 

Sure. Toyota reliability is the only objective advantage the Tundra has over other trucks. This is a 2007 truck, after all. Since I bought my Tundra in 2017, Ram and Chevy have new designs. Ford changed the ugly grill making the F150 better looking now, and I think solved the ecoboost issues. I’d certainly give those other trucks a look. Or maybe wait for the new Tundra—but who knows when/what that’ll be.

 

That is what I ended up doing. I "settled" for less truck, and a truck I didn't think looked that great because I wanted reliability. I should have just got the truck I wanted in the first place, as my Tundra has given me more problems than I was expecting from Toyota - the legendary reliability didn't show up with my rig. I say: get the truck that you really want. If it turns out to be a lemon, that sucks - but at least you will have a smile on your face for a while.

 

If you don’t need a diesel, the Chevy 6.0 gas is about as reliable as you can get. Assuming you need 3/4 ton

 

This is exactly why I chose Tundra, I want to minimize stranding our family somewhere. As long as you buy a TT less than 6-7K lbs, and keep payload less than 1.4K (passengers + gear in truck + hitch weight), those are the comfortable and within limits of most 5.7 trims. Or you need more truck. Note some Tundras are rated up to 10K but it won’t be fun towing and you’ll likely exceed payload.

I’ve seen all other truck brands at campsites and you may never have a serious problem with a non-Tundra.

Old reliable stuff in the Tundra, all other Toyota made vehicles reliable, the track record is there. Or get new designs with subjectivity better interiors and “possibly” have issues, how exactly more probable is unknown. It’s ultimately your personal decision.

 

No, 1/2 ton. The TT will only be in the 4k lb range and I've been driving a small truck for the last 20 years so it's killing me just to go full size.

I haven't completely ruled out getting a motor home and small car to tow and keeping my Tacoma but $$$$ lol.

 

Man, I didn’t even notice your sig and Taco, you already know Yota! Most people here love the extra power and space going full size. mpg won’t be much less iirc.

 

I care pretty much close to zero about styling, infotainment, etc. I just preferred how the other brands drove. And better MPG is a plus. I do like the Tundras 36 gal tank option.

 

What’s different in your opinion? I often hear contrasting preferences, some prefer how Tundras drive, some prefer Ram/Ford. Real world mpg isn’t a lot better I’ve read too, 2-3 max, full size trucks bad all around.

 

I have only driven the F150 and Titan so far. They just seemed more responsive and less "tankish" to me. Up the on ramp the Tundra actually felt kind of like my Tacoma. It felt sluggish until I really put my foot in it and then it would go. I plan to drive it more to see if my impressions change. The reviewers criticize the Titan's driving characteristics, which surprises me.

 

Bit too many times with Nissans/Infinity, had an Xterra and G35, my dad had a Nissan sedan, forget which, all had ongoing issues after a few years, they’re good as lease vehicles. My friend has a 2018 Titan, drove it around, definitely prefer all other trucks to it. Adding TRD sway bar to my Tundra removed that rolly feeling. Yes I’ve heard that, Tundras feel more truck’ish like a tank I guess.

 

I was browsing Craigslist yesterday and came across a late 80's Class C motorhome in nice shape for $5k. Light went on and I realized that I could buy it, tow my UTV behind it on weekends to head into the mountains for camping, and keep my Yukon for daily driving. I didn't need to buy a giant pickup to haul the UTV and pull a TT. Then I realized that since I still needed something to haul the utility trailer and building supplies with, that I could get a 4Runner or Tacoma and they would be just fine.

Was looking at the local Toyota dealer and they have 13 Tundras, 20+ Tacomas, and only 3 4Runners. The SR5 4x4 shortbed Tundras were discounted to $34k. Cheaper than the Tacoma or 4Runners. Who knows what I'll end up with, but I'll probably buy that motorhome next week if it is still available when my home equity loan is finalized.

 

Bottom line is that 13 years is too long to wait for an upgraded Tundra. In the 1970's and 1980's trucks were reliable but then the manufacturers started adding "extras" to jack up the prices by $5000 per unit and these resulted in more trips to the dealers for repairs. It might be a faulty brake pedal sensor or ABS sensor or toggle switch or a LCD display or its controller, but it still required taking the vehicle to the dealer.

I have owned 5 Toyota 4WD pickups as well as a Celica and I currently own a 2007 Prius. But I have lost patience with the "maybe next year" or the year after that with a Toyota that provides the same level of crash protection and off-road performance and safety features and fuel economy as I can get from Ford, Chevy, and Ram. I wanted to buy a new gas pickup in 2018 but also wanted it to be a Tundra. Now it is mid 2019 and no word on when the new Tundras will arrive or even what they will have for their frame and body and powertrains, and so I will be buying a Ram Rebel pickup truck instead.

Loyalty to a brand is foolish and without justification as it will never be reciprocated by the company. I bought Toyota vehicles because they are the best available at the time. That is no longer the case with full size pickups.

It is also not the case with electric vehicles where none will be coming from Toyota and so the 2007 Prius will be replaced with a Tesla or a Hyundai Kona but not a Toyota sedan. Ford is coming out with a full electric version of its F-150 and also a hybrid version and Ram has its mini hybrid eTorque engines but nothing from Toyota has been mentioned.

My current truck has a diesel engine and has been great when towing 13,000 lb trailer loads through the mountains but I no longer have need of such a powerful truck and I know first hand how unreliable and how costly to maintain a diesel engine is for its owner. Diesels were more durable in the days of leaded gasoline but that was 45 years ago and times have changed. With diesel I get 25% more range on a tank of fuel but I also pay 25% more for diesel and need the oil changed twice as often and twice as much oil to replace and fuel filters that last 20% as long as diesel fuel is inherently very dirty, and two batteries to replace, and a less reliable and more complicated emissions control system. But if manufacturers can improve their CAFE numbers for the feds and get their customers to cover the added cost of the vehicle and the higher costs for its maintenance, operation, and repairs, then they are happy to sell diesel powered cars and trucks to a gullible public.

 

^ Appreciate the candidness as a new forum member.

I think it’s inevitable the Tundra will have a hybrid variant if other 1/2 ton brands already announced electric. Whether some of us care for it or not, there’s already a lot of convenience tech currently in other Toyota models. Sooner or later a Tundra trim will have buttonless entry, push button start, heated wheel etc.

I don’t mind waiting, I bought mine for reliability and we keep our vehicles at least 7y unless they’re lemons, get written off, or needs change. That puts me ready to buy at least 2023 by which any 1st gen hybrid problems will have had a good run. I currently don’t have to drive far for work and use it to pull a TT. So I think it has to do also with when people are ready to buy and their circumstances, because some of us aren’t doing any waiting perse and I love what I’ve done to my Tundra.

We’ve had a lot of brands and only Honda/Acura and Toyota/Lexus were pleasures to keep from the reliability standpoint and resulted in great resale years later.

 

The fancier the model with Ram, the higher the likelihood that you will have issues.

At least go to a Ram forum and do a few minutes of reading about the problems new owners are having...

https://www.ramforum.com/forums/general-discussions.180/

 

i took a few minutes to visit the Ram forum, you're not kidding, some pretty serious issues happening on 2019's. Even on test drives.

 

This just doesnt happen to Tundras--

From the Ram Forum:

"I have a new 2019 1500 Limited and have had nothing but problems. They finally said they can't fix it and the problems I am having are normal. The feeling you get when you think about the money you spent is anger and sadness. I would not recommend anyone buy one of these. The headaches are not worth it. I have started truck shopping again. I really wanted to love this truck. There are so many nice features and the looks are great too but I am tired of having to drop this thing off all the time. If you do get one, the only thing I can say is I warned you!"

 

Toyota sells the least 1/2 tons but just noticed they have the highest market cap (Dec'18)

 

I like how the Tundras drive, but I cant agree with the MPG comment. I drove my buddies F150 with the 5.0 for 8 hours last weekend and hand calculated 23 MPGs. I know a few ecoboost owners that get 25 on the highway no problem.

No doubt the Tundra is more reliable, but giving up 5+ MPG's definitely impacts the checkbook.

 

Could be a factor if owners do mostly long highway drives. I have short work commutes so it doesn't really affect me, and we only tow 3x during RV season. Maybe you or someone can help me narrow it down properly in the link, I'm not familiar with all the Ford engines and whether the most fuel efficient are also reliable and can tow comparatively so those are variables too comparing to the tried/true 5.7: http://www.fuelly.com/car/ford/f-150

This is what I see for all F150's vs all Tundras:

Edit: see comparo below

 

Agree, very rarely, the number of Toyotas in general out there speak it. I'm sure there are big 3 owners with little or no problems, I'd just hate to be one with the lemon, and as ownership time increases so does probability. It's been said many times and in this thread. You possibly want to own it a long time, get the one with the lowest risk. We all have different needs. If mpg is top priority and you still need a 1/2 ton, then get the one with the best mpg.

 

Fuelly let's you get pretty specific. Go to research vehicles and you can select engine types, submodels, etc.

 

Thanks! But I don’t know which one is the ecoboost that gives >5mpg difference mixed. And if he means hwy only, that’s specific case usage. I trust Fuelly more as it’s randomized user generated.

 

Where you see the button "any engine types" click on it and select 3.5L V6 Gas..

 

Ok thx, then it's not much better mixed every day usage 2-3mpg at best as I said, not >5mpg

Ford Ecoboost 3.5L V6 Gas vs Tundra 5.7L V8 Gas...

 

3 MPG during mixed usage is a decent fractional change with the fuel economies we're talking about and adds up pretty quickly.

 

Looks like this morphed to a MPG thread lol. My Tacoma gets about 19MPG mixed. If I get a Tundra I expect about 14. Based on 10k miles/yr and $2.50 gas I'll spend about $30 more per month. I think I can swing it lol.