Towing Comparison Help

Hi Everyone,

I recently had to part with my 2017 Tundra 5.7V8 crew max. Hurt like hell to do it, but the home repairs had to be made.

I used to tow my bass boat with a 2010 Tacoma TRD Off-Road with the 4.0 V6. It labored on hills and I had to leave plenty of stopping distance.

I'm currently considering a 2005 Tundra 4.7L V8. It is a full double cab and is listed as having the 3.91 axle ratio.

My question is how will that 2005 Tundra compare to my 2010 Tacoma? For pulling I'm guessing it will be better since it's got the bigger V8, but what about stopping? Any help would be appreciated!

- Jim

 

I cant think of a reason it would be worse than your Tacoma and are you sure thats the axle ratio?

 

That's what is listed on the dealer website. I'm assuming that's correct.

 

My bet is that it will work well.
I just got an ‘03 Tundra V8 4x4 to replace my ‘96 T100 V6 2x4.
I tow my dad’s boat, a 25’ displacement hull inboard diesel with a large dual axle trailer (Albin 25, if you’re familiar with them), not sure of actual weight, probably over 7000# combined.
The T100 could do it, barely, the Tundra was no problem, we’ve got poorly banked corners, steep hills and loose rock boat ramps here and it was just fine.
Now, it’s probably nothing like your ‘15 5.7 was, but it shouldn’t be a problem, especially if your Tacoma did it.
Any idea how much you boat setup weighs?

 

The tundra is a bit bigger and heavier, so it will handle the weight better. brakes are okay, but if it's a heavy load make sure you have trailer brakes.

 

I have no idea but I am actually quite interested to see some opinions on the comparison. On paper that 4.0 is pushing less weight with close to the same hp and tq as the 4.7.

I'd love to see a tfl gauntlet run with both weighed down to maybe 3,000lbs.

As posted above I think the extra weight and possibly length of the tundra will help control the trailer more.

 

I towed a boat a jet boat a few times with my 4.7. Did great. I left it in 4th gear on freeway (5 spd auto). So it stayed in powerband the whole time

 

The 4.0 per Wiki is 270 hp at 5600 rpm and 278 lb⋅ft at 4400 rpm. The 4.7 (with VVT-i as the 2005 has) is 271 hp at 4800 rpm and 315 lb⋅ft of torque at 3400 rpm. The 4.7 in the Tundra produces a good bit more power at lower RPMs and should tow much better than the Tacoma given the power, weight, and longer wheelbase.

I towed right around the max (6700 lbs) for a 7-hour trip last year and while I wished it had the power of the 5.7, it did great (left OD off), even on pretty fast and long hills. It'll eat some gas though (I averaged 9mpg).

 

To make sure everyone is clear on the power ratings of the V6, it doesn't appear that the 270 hp V6 showed until 2014. From 2007 to 2013, the 1GR-FE V6 (without Dual-VVI) was rated at 236 hp. That means this 2005 4.7L Tundra actually has 34 hp more than @JimHaney08 2010 Taco. But, it is also pushing a bigger, heavier truck. The bigger truck will have better stability with the trailer, but because of the truck's size, the 4.7L (on paper) may struggle just like the V6 Taco.

@JimHaney08 This 2005 appears to be a "truck of opportunity". I have little recent towing experience and none in a Tundra, but based on the power ratings and the size of the two trucks, my decision would be to save my money to try at least for a 4.6L. The 1UR-FE (4.6L) actually has slightly less displacement, but is rated at 310 hp...74 hp more than your Taco.

At a minimum, if the 2005 is set up for towing, I would explain my reservations to the owner and insist he allow a "towing test drive". Hitch up your boat to it and see what you think.

 

I agree that a towing test would be a good idea. I have no idea how much a bass boat weighs but I wouldn't shy away from a first gen 05 or 06 tundra for towing lighter loads. It's about a 3/8 ton truck in many ways and for some people that's more than enough. No need for a bigger vehicle with a possible bigger payment if you don't what it and know the limitations.
My truck with 35s wouldn't tow much more than a 2,000lb teradrop trailer to my liking, but we all have different needs and I don't really town anything besides those damn 35s.

 

HP matters very little in towing. Torque is what matters. HP is just a made up number that takes torque at a given RPM multiplied by that rpm, divided by 5252.

eg. 311lb of torque * 3400rpm / 5252 = 201.33HP at peak torque for the 2UZ non-VVT.
eg2. 278lb of torque * 4400rpm / 5252 = 232.9HP at that peak torque number. (1GR-FE)

now this does not mean that the 1GR is a better-towing engine. these numbers are 1000RPM apart (20% given a 5000RPM redline), yet HP is relatively close (within 15%). Low end torque is far superior for towing applications; that's why diesel engines tow best, and they make very little HP and very much torque at the low end.

 

My first tow vehicle was powered by a 22RE...105 hp @ 4800 rpm, 137 ft-lb torque @ 2800 rpm. It seemed to do alright...but it did have a 5 speed manual transmission that had to be in 2nd gear to tow up mountains at 25 mph (how's that for keeping in the torque band). Maybe I should have run the numbers.

The question to be answered here is not which of those two engines, 1GR or 2UZ, would be best for this tow, but whether the 2UZ (4.7L) being considered has enough grunt to get the job done to the OP's satisfaction. If he can wrangle a "tow test drive", then that would be the best way for him to decide.

 

I understand that, I was just trying to clarify the "high horsepower is great for towing" misconception.

 

Tows fine but a lot of weight puts a bad strain on the carrier bearing. It is a must replace with oem (spicer) part.. I learned that the hard way. My 4.7 dbl cab pulls my 6200# camper well with some bags on the back