Which truck

[jjrgr21]

Hi all

I'm looking for advice on a newer truck for making the cross country trip hunting every year. Sometimes I get lucky and make a couple trips.

I've had a 2012 tacoma 4x4 trd for a while and have made the trip a few times in it. There's only been me and a friend so far driving from Virginia to Colorado and arizona. But many more trips are on the horizon. Caribou way up north in 2022 hopefully.

Last year we used a 7cuft freezer to keep the meat ran by a small Genny.

The fact is, the taco isn't cutting it, but will still drive and keep for my son when he starts driving.

The freezer became our go to and takes up a lot of bed space.

I was hell bent on getting an 06 tundra crew cab, but they seem few and far between with low miles.

So what say you?

It must be 4x4, preferably with a locker or lsd, crew cab, min 6' bed.

And reliability is paramount obviously

Is 18-20mpg doable?

 

[86scotty]

I doubt 18-20 is doable. I had a 4.7l in a LC and got nowhere near that. I have a 2012 with the 5.7 now and I wouldn't even consider a second gen Tundra if MPG is important. I get about 13.

If you can find a first gen Tundra crew I would buy it though. They are great trucks.

 

[jjrgr21]

So the 1st gen tundra may be the better option for what I want

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Tundra.. nothing better

 

[phsycle]

1) Tundra ain’t getting anywhere near 18-20mpg. Whether you’re talking 1st or 2nd Gen. Fuel efficiency is not its strong point.

2) Honestly, if you want better mpg, get a domestic 1/2 ton. 20+ mpg. Reliability is very good.

 

[tennesseewj]

Your wants include "newer truck" and "18-20 mpg", so first gen Tundra doesn't need to be on your list. I say this as the owner of a 2006 Tundra with 105k on it that's in excellent condition. It's a great truck, but it's well over a decade old and wouldn't get 20 mpg downhill with a tailwind.

F-150 with a 2.7L is probably a better bet.

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[rruff]

Tundra ain’t getting anywhere near 18-20mpg.

I do on the hwy. Not at 85 though. F150 with the 2.7l turbo will have plenty of power and get ~25-30% better mpg vs the Tundra.

It must be 4x4, preferably with a locker or lsd, crew cab, min 6' bed.
And reliability is paramount obviously
Is 18-20mpg doable?

The Tundra is the cheapest truck to own if you drive <15k miles/yr, inspite of the crappy mpgs. Reliability is clearly the best as well.

They don't come with lockers though... just traction control. And the only option with a 6.5' or 8' bed is the double cab, although the back seat is pretty big. The crew is 5.5'.

 

[Toyaddict]

If my 1st gen Tundra needed replaced tomorrow I'm pretty certain I'd be getting a ~2016 F-150 with the 5.0. Seems like the best compromise between mpg /power/reliability for my needs anyway. That said my truck only has 125k on it so I hope to drive it awhile longer, being an 03 with the 4 speed I'm seeing 13-14mpg, could probably squeak 15-16 if I really tried but I've yet to see that.

 

[jjrgr21]

I care more about the bed being 6'+ than the crew cab, I use crew cab to cover double cab as well but realize they are quite different.

A buddy of mine has an 07 dblcab tundra 4x4 and he said 17/18 is about the best he can get

 

[rruff]

Ya, 18 is about what I get at modest speeds (< 70 mph). Tires can make a significant difference too. Even though I have fat 35 ATs (Hankook ATMs) they seem to roll very well, and overall mpg is slightly better than the stock Bridgestones. Some ATs are a big drag, though they may be more durable.

If you aren't driving a lot of miles/year a 07+ Tundra is a good bet, I think. They hold their value so well I didn't think it made sense to buy used.

Besides mpg another advantage for Ford is the ability to order it just how you want. 4 engine options, lockers, skids, gear ratio, heavy payload, etc.

 

[jjrgr21]

The ford's just seem like they're built like ********.
I only know one person with the turbo ford and it's had 3 turbos replaced

But I won't own a turbo anything unless it's a diesel.

 

[Series1Rangie]

Agree with above. As the owner of an 06 dbl can tundra I cannot imagine getting the mpg you want and it’s 15 years young. I have 185k on the clock and expect another 100, but for what you’re describing is get a domestic 1/2 ton for sure. I have friends with the turbo’d Ford and they have had no issues.


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[phsycle]

I do on the hwy. Not at 85 though. F150 with the 2.7l turbo will have plenty of power and get ~25-30% better mpg vs the Tundra.

If I remember, yours is the lightest trim as well (SR), which I’m sure helps.

 

[bkg]

The ford's just seem like they're built like ********.
I only know one person with the turbo ford and it's had 3 turbos replaced

But I won't own a turbo anything unless it's a diesel.

Why not? Turbos are awesome...

 

[rruff]

If I remember, yours is the lightest trim as well (SR), which I’m sure helps.

8' bed though...