Towing questions...

[chpthril]

Thanks.

[Carter13]

My wife and I just picked up a new 2006 Dodge 2500 Laramie Quad Cab Cummins. We had an 05 Toyota Tundra and I was concerned with the 7000 tow rating. I also felt the brakes were inadequate because they were discs up front and drums out back, not to mention I felt I was going to have *** drag and have to install air bags to try to remedy this problem. We are picking up our 06 22v on Saturday and now I have complete confidence pulling our boat anywhere and I'm ready to take on any grade

[raythompson]

Your Tundra would have been fine. The brakes should not be an issue as the trailer brakes will be applied when you apply the truck brakes and provide most of the stopping force for the trailer. I have brakes on both axles on my trailer and the stopping force on my truck (F-150) is not much more than without the trailer. You should only have 200 to 300 pounds of tongue weight which should not affect the ride height on the Tundra. The tow weight of the entire rig was well within the tow limits of your Tundra. And before you become too down on drum brakes consider that all dump trucks, tractor trailers, etc. continue to use drum brakes. They are effective.

One of the bigger issues is the transmission and engine oil cooling. A transmission cooler is mandatory and an engine oil cooler is highly desireable. The transmission cooler needs to be a seperate unit and not integrated into the radiator. And change the transmission fluid every 25K miles. It is cheap maintenance and will extend the life of the transmission.

[teachercop]

Been keeping an eye on the Toyota Tundra, for 2007 Toyota is hinting of a new power plant for the I Force, 5.7 L with a 10,000 lb towing capacity, 4 wheel disc, and dimensions exceeding Ford's F150. There has also been rumors of a diesel power plant. Supposed to be introduced in Early 2007. I miss the reliability of the Toyota.

[raythompson]

There is also supposed to be a hybrid version with significant low end torgue.

[Carter13]

Hey Ray I appreciate the info but I gotta tell you that after driving my Tundra for a year there were times I had to make a sudden stop and I gotta tell you that it had very poor brakes IMO. And when I was towing our four winns 170 horizon you could feel it back there not to mention pulling up hills sucked. My father in law has a Nissan Titan and it by far pulls stronger and brakes better than the Tundra. Don't get me wrong I loved my tundra for everyday driving and light towing but to try and get by towing our 22v was just asking too much, especially on long trips and long grades. We are also looking to possibly purchase a camper and that isn't and option with a 1/2 ton. Besides a local Dodge dealer gave us a smokin deal on our 2500 Laramie Quad 4x4 out the door $36,480 and i got $23,500 for our bare bones axcess cab 4x4, it was too good to pass up.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by Carter13
Hey Ray I appreciate the info but I gotta tell you that after driving my Tundra for a year there were times I had to make a sudden stop and I gotta tell you that it had very poor brakes IMO.

Interesting comment about the Tundra. The brakes on my F-150 work very well in conjuction with the brakes on my trailer. Now I do have brakes on all four wheels of the trailer. I also have the towing package on my F-150 which includes upgraded brakes. Maybe that is the difference.

Yeh, hills are not going to be traversed at a high rate of speed but the F-150 does OK. 4.55 rear end (part of the towing package) may be part of that difference.

I would have thought the Tundra with a larger towing rating would have brakes that are as capable. Perhaps not.

I had considered a Tundra at one time and your experience will make me do some serious thinking about that prospect. Thanks for the info.

You did get a good deal on your vehicle. Enjoy it.

[TeamAllen]

I have towed my 22i with my 03 Tundra before. In fact I used it on a trip from So. Cal. to Lake Powell. That has to be one of the toughest tows in the country. The bed was loaded for the week at the lake too. I thought it did great! I did not have to do an abrupt stop with it though. You can probably get the rear disc brakes as an option or as a TRD upgrade.

My prior tow vehicle was a 88 GMC Suburban 4X4 3/4 ton. I now use a 04 Sequoia. It has 4 wheel disc brakes. Same engine as the Tundra. I am happy with my Toyota products. I am also excited to hear of the new products coming out.

Carter13 congratulations on your new tow rig. Post a picture for us. Your Dodge will do the job nicely.

[Carter13]

We picked up our new 22v today and I had to comment on our Dodge 2500 Cummins towing capability. WOW about sums it up, talk about pure torque, 610 to be exact. If I didn't look in the mirror I wouldn't know I was towing anything back there. The 4 - 17" disc brakes are rock solid as well as the suspension. All in all we are stoked with our truck and boat setup.

[Sandmoose]

I just picked up a 2004 24V last week. We did a test run at a local lake. I towed it with my 2004 Durango with the Hemi and it did very well. The Tige towed easier than my previous Regal. I think there is a quality difference in the trailers. The Tige has a Dorsey trailer and the Regal had an Eagle trailer.

[TeamAllen]

The new Tundra does not disappoint. It can tow over 10,000 pounds! To achieve this towing capacity every major component was designed for maximum strength, durability and reliability over the long haul. This will be accomplished with an all-new 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine manufactured at Toyota's Alabama engine plant. For even more durability, the V8 will be mated to a new six-speed, automatic transmission. Tundra will also come equipped with heavy-duty front disc brakes with four-piston calipers and vented rotors increased by nearly one and one-half inches, and standard rear disc brakes. Plus, high capacity cooling and electrical systems will help Tundra tow heavy loads through the toughest weather. Finally, Tundra will ride on a new rock-solid chassis platform with 30 percent higher tensile strength steel.

Additionally, a trailer hitch will be integrated into the Tundra's frame for better stability when handling heavy loads.

2007 Toyota Tundra

[lee]

I have heard that Fords tow ok.

[Tequilasun]

Originally posted by lee
I have heard that Fords tow ok.

Sure, if your towing with a Semi!

Good looking rig.

[NICKYPOO]

Toyota is off the hook right now. What they are doing to NASCAR Craftsman Truck series is nothing short of pure dominance. Last week the top 5 trucks were all Toyota. It's like that every week. Their performance division (TRD), as a whole, is one of the best in the business. They continue to put out quality products and inovations. That being said, that is the ugliest damn truck I have ever seen. It looks like a Ford and a Dodge mated.

[wrangler]

Is Toyota going to put that technology into their larger SUV so those of us with families etc. can get all that towing capability and reliability? I would consider that...although I still have a hard time not buying and Amercian brand... That would be the first non-US car manufacturer brand vehicle I would buy since before college... I might have to wait until my card carrying UAW member uncle gets old enough that he can't see what I'm driving!!! I'll never forget that discussion...let's see, was it a discussion or a whoopin' when I drove into his driveway in Illinois with my new Subaru when I was a freshman in college... I may still have a welt all these many years later...