Suggestions for pulling food trailer

I’ve got a food trailer that’s 7000lbs gvwr. I’m looking for a used 2nd gen tundra. There is one locally for sale. It’s a 2012, 5.7L, 4wd, double cab, 8ft bed. 254,000 miles. Asking $8500.

I live in a no snow area. I’m wondering if the 5.7L and 4wd is overkill. Also should I steer away from it having so many miles. Of course I like the price but don’t want to waste my money if I would be better off spending more for something with less miles.

I’ve had great luck taking chances on Toyotas. Bought a 2000 Sienna with 175k miles for $1500 and it’s still going with about 250k miles. My main vehicle is a 2017 Sienna I got with 120k miles on it for $17,000 and it drives like a dream even with 170k miles on it now

 

If you have absolutely no need for 4wd then id get a 2wd. A truck that age you dont really care about resale youre just buying what you need

 

That’s a lot of miles but provided it has service records and you check the frame for rust I wouldn’t be scared off. I always prefer 4am for resale value if nothing else, even if you don’t need it. That sounds like a pretty good deal provided everything checks out

 

The listing shows a lengthy maintenance history. Looks like the biggest gap with no maintenance listed is about 18 months. Looks like it also has lots of highway miles. It spent about 2 years in Wyoming, a lot of time back and forth between Texas and North Carolina and Iowa the rest of the time. What is a bit concerning is owner 2 got it this past January and is selling it now. Maybe an issue or maybe not. Maybe he just needed something to get by and found something better ‍♂️

 

Here’s a couple pics from the underside

 

Personally nothing wrong with having 4wd. Pro. It will get you out of slippery situations easier. Con. More parts to break down and maintain compared to 2nd. But overall I personally don’t see anything wrong with having the 4wd. It’s not a deal breaker. Even with the high miles.

 

I don't think either of those things are overkill. If it has excellent maintenance records and looks like it was really well taken care of, that's enough for me. You'll appreciate the 5.7L pulling 7k. And 4wd is one of those things you don't need until you do, and when you do, you REALLY need it. I mean, will you ever pull your food trailer to an event (local fair, festival, concert, etc) that requires you to drive off pavement? I'd hate to turn those gigs down because I didn't get a 4wd truck.

You might also grow to really like the truck and want to see what it offers off-pavement. Too many people start building out a 2wd and then get into the problem of needing to sell it to fund a 4wd truck. Maybe that won't be you, but to me 4wd is well worth lugging around as excess weight all the times I'm not using it. And I don't even use it for snow.

 

Have you thought about taking it in and getting it looked at by the dealer?
Thats not uncommon when buying a used vehicle.
Tell the guy if everything comes back clean you'll pay for the inspection.
If not it's on him.
That'll at least make him think if he's trying to screw you.
Of course they may find some small things wrong but ya kinda gotta expect that with a truck with so many miles.
I'd be mostly concerned about the engine.
Most Auto parts stores will rent out tools like a compression gauge to make sure everything's good there.