Tundra Towing Experience

[Trawlerphil]

My 2012 Tundra 5.7 4X4 closed the year with 13,889.5 miles travelled, 1,328.062 gallons of gas consumed, $3,817.14 spent on gasoline, and an average of 10.46 miles per gallon. Not bad considering 9,992.73 miles was towing a 9,000 lb. 5th wheel on our "west coast walk-about". Our highest altitude was 12,126 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park. The only problem we had was a window in the 5er that broke while leaving Denver's horrible roads. Our 2014 Forest River Flagstaff Classic 8528RKWS performed flawlessly and the Tundra handled grades up to 10% without problems. Actually, we found the east coast mountain ranges to be more difficult than the rockies, but all were doable without any "white knuckle" adventures.

[timfromma]

I have a 10k lb TT that I towed with a Tundra for a year before crunching my numbers and seeing that I was overweight by a large margin. Traded for a Chevy 2500HD diesel. Much better now.

[ronheater70]

Thats good performance out of your Tundra.. I always Wonder about the West Coast VS East Coast. While the West coast are longer and higher, Many of the East Coast stuff I Drive in from WV to NC contains alot of those hairpin switch backs that you need to slow to 25 MPH for and then try to get moving again. Can be a workout.

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by ronheater70

I always Wonder about the West Coast VS East Coast.

While the West coast are longer and higher, Many of the East Coast stuff I Drive in from WV to NC contains a lot of those hairpin switch backs that you need to slow to 25 MPH for and then try to get moving again.

Can be a workout.

Same is true out west...those hairpin curves are hairy!

And those drop-offs are a lot higher!

[CurtPutnam]

Really liked our '14 Tundra. Pulled our 9000 ob trailer around the local mountains without issue. But one day, the rear end sag was pointed out to us and we started reading the forums and found out that ours had only a 1400 lb payload. We couldn't get in the truck without being overweight. Now we have an '18 Chevy 2500HD with a 3300 lb payload, Much safer and the headlights stay on the road.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

Really liked our '14 Tundra. Pulled our 9000 ob trailer around the local mountains without issue. But one day, the rear end sag was pointed out to us and we started reading the forums and found out that ours had only a 1400 lb payload. We couldn't get in the truck without being overweight. Now we have an '18 Chevy 2500HD with a 3300 lb payload, Much safer and the headlights stay on the road.

Your Chevy must be a gasser. My payload is only 2400lbs but diesel engines are alot heavier.

[CurtPutnam]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Your Chevy must be a gasser. My payload is only 2400lbs but diesel engines are alot heavier.

Yup! Did not want diesel expense or operating hassles. The 6.0 pulled our TT up & down the hills from the Inland Empire to Sedona, Az to Williams to Quartzite without straining. We travel right around 62 mph and, although have not had to, we do not mind slowing down to climb a hill. OTOH, mpg is only about 8.5 when towing.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by Trawlerphil

My 2012 Tundra 5.7 4X4 closed the year with 13,889.5 miles travelled, 1,328.062 gallons of gas consumed, $3,817.14 spent on gasoline, and an average of 10.46 miles per gallon. Not bad considering 9,992.73 miles was towing a 9,000 lb. 5th wheel on our "west coast walk-about". Our highest altitude was 12,126 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park. The only problem we had was a window in the 5er that broke while leaving Denver's horrible roads. Our 2014 Forest River Flagstaff Classic 8528RKWS performed flawlessly and the Tundra handled grades up to 10% without problems. Actually, we found the east coast mountain ranges to be more difficult than the rockies, but all were doable without any "white knuckle" adventures.

So In general has your Tundra proven to be pretty reliable towing that weight?
Any accelerated wear on anything? I like the Tundra, If I had a 1/2 Ton Again it would sure be on my list.

[Chief T]

Originally Posted by ronheater70

Thats good performance out of your Tundra.. I always Wonder about the West Coast VS East Coast. While the West coast are longer and higher, Many of the East Coast stuff I Drive in from WV to NC contains alot of those hairpin switch backs that you need to slow to 25 MPH for and then try to get moving again. Can be a workout.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and may get some kickback, but the thinner air in the higher elevations increases your MPG. I had lived at sea level in California and now in the SW, and I've always had better MPG in the mountainous/high desert regions.

Safe and happy travels.

[timfromma]

I went with diesel mostly for the ease of fueling up. Finding suitable gas pumps that I could navigate through while pulling a 36' TT was a major PITA. I can now fuel up in the truck lanes.

[CurtPutnam]

Originally Posted by timfromma

I went with diesel mostly for the ease of fueling up. Finding suitable gas pumps that I could navigate through while pulling a 36' TT was a major PITA. I can now fuel up in the truck lanes.

That was a real consideration. Right now our travel time is limited so we plan it in detail. Have all the major fuel stop apps and go in 200 mile increments. The extra PITA level involved does not seem so bad when we consider $$$ saved.

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by Trawlerphil

My 2012 Tundra 5.7 4X4 closed the year with 13,889.5 miles travelled, 1,328.062 gallons of gas consumed, $3,817.14 spent on gasoline, and an average of 10.46 miles per gallon. Not bad considering 9,992.73 miles was towing a 9,000 lb. 5th wheel on our "west coast walk-about". Our highest altitude was 12,126 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park. The only problem we had was a window in the 5er that broke while leaving Denver's horrible roads. Our 2014 Forest River Flagstaff Classic 8528RKWS performed flawlessly and the Tundra handled grades up to 10% without problems. Actually, we found the east coast mountain ranges to be more difficult than the rockies, but all were doable without any "white knuckle" adventures.

That was my experience with my 08 tundra 2wd from 05-18. Never had a problem pulling Rockies, smokies or Ozarks. One tt and 2 fivers.

[Ejs4029]

Originally Posted by Trawlerphil

My 2012 Tundra 5.7 4X4 closed the year with 13,889.5 miles travelled, 1,328.062 gallons of gas consumed, $3,817.14 spent on gasoline, and an average of 10.46 miles per gallon. Not bad considering 9,992.73 miles was towing a 9,000 lb. 5th wheel on our "west coast walk-about". Our highest altitude was 12,126 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park. The only problem we had was a window in the 5er that broke while leaving Denver's horrible roads. Our 2014 Forest River Flagstaff Classic 8528RKWS performed flawlessly and the Tundra handled grades up to 10% without problems. Actually, we found the east coast mountain ranges to be more difficult than the rockies, but all were doable without any "white knuckle" adventures.

Curious what kind of payload to the Tundra's have ? 10.46 MPG for a gasser is pretty darn good pulling 9K around

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by Ejs4029

Curious what kind of payload to the Tundra's have ? 10.46 MPG for a gasser is pretty darn good pulling 9K around

My 2015 had 1700lbs

[banda]

Mine has just over 1400.

[banda]

And I get 8.5 mpg towing.