07+ Tundra, too BIG? Advice

[Grover]

Hello all,
My basic question: Do you feel a 2007+ Tundra Dbl cab. 6' bed would work in most overland situations, I dream of, the Mojave Trail, Arkansas, Big Bend, Colorado, maybe a little Moab.

Background: Family man, 3 kids, 2 dogs, would need to be a daily driver. I am pretty much a overland novice, I have taken my GX470 to Colorado a couple of times and did the passes and some camping but I am looking to replace it for something that might be more "camping friendly". A mid height shell or a used FWC.

Other considerations: 2005+ Tacoma Dbl cab LB, keep my GX470, put my 91 Range Rover on the road, or restore my 65 Land Rover Series IIA. Living in Texas unfortunetly, A/C and a vehicle that is high speed road worth is important, Ouray, CO is a 16 hr. drive at 80.

I realize after searching that the new Tundra isn't used frequently so I am mainly looking for your experience and adventures then ask you if you think the new Tundra is "too big".

Thanks,
Erik

 

[AKRover]

We have been tossing around the idea of selling our RRC and getting a double cab truck since our family has grown and we would like to be able to comfortably take longer trips. We looked at the new tundras and decided that they are too big for us. We have settled on either a new Tacoma or a new Frontier. I wish they offered a mid sized truck with a v8 but I guess going from a rover to something that can at least get out of it's own way will be good enough.

I guess you have to ask yourself a few questions. Will the type of trails you want to drive on be able to accommodate a full size truck? How long do you plan on living out of the truck and how much stuff do you need? What does the family need to be comfortable on long drives?

For us the full sized truck dosent fit well on some of the narrower overgrown trails that we have and it's added weight would be harder to extract from the mud if it did get stuck. Since you are in the land of desert and rocks you may not have the same problem.

 

[007]

The Tundra is too big by day, and too small by night Its an enormous whale out of water once you turn off the pavement. Plus, you are stuck to ground camping unless you mount two tents on it!

I would trade the GX in for an LX or Land Cruiser, sell all the other vehicles, and get an adventure trailer so you can seat everybody and the gear as needed. A tent on the truck and trailer would be perfect.

The other rigs, should be economic commuters for the other drivers in the family I would think.

 

[bjowett]

Great trucks. I'm surprised what it can be squeezed through. You will have plenty of pinstriping, though.

 

[zidaro]

I absolutely love mine! I was gonna get a Tacoma DC, but once i set eyes on the Crewmax- I was smitten.
Yes, it is definitely not a Rockcrawler and may not fit on the tightest of trails, but it sure is great for cruzing around on mountain and desert fireroads and 2track, desert trips are much more comfortable, and when it is wet out- i have plenty of room for everything inside. Great in the snow and hwy miles fly by. My wife and 5yo love the room and reclining back seats.
My last DD was an '87 4runner. the Tundra is a dream. (still have my 87 for whomping on). Its biggest limitation is the halfton rating.
BTW- I have a slide-in poptop with a queenbed for my wife and i, daughter on dinette twin (we still love tents, just better if they are on your back during the day)

All depends on what you have in mind as a great trip vehicle. Tundra with the 5.7 is a great platform to build whatever direction you see fit.
GX470's have tons of potential too, though they are small given your family size.

 

[zidaro]

Great trucks. I'm surprised what it can be squeezed through. You will have plenty of pinstriping, though.

Pinstriping is COOL:costumed-smiley-007

 

[007]

Ok, so they are good trucks....Its just not fair you get all that power!

 

[suntinez]

I have an 07 doublecab, longbox with a flippac setup on it. It is definitely BIG, but very capable. Mine is stock except for the tires and camper changes, and it's impressed me on roads I really thought I couldn't do. Highway driving is a dream, very comfortable. Towing with all that power is simple, in case you're considering a trailer.

I don't do squeezes in it, but mountains, rocks and desert roads it does fine. Pinstriping is a given, doesn't bother me a bit. Hairpin turns sometimes mean going slow and backing up, but I haven't found one yet that I can't navigate. I'm sure they're out there though!

I've slept four adults + 1 dog in the flippac in a "must do" situation, wouldn't want to make that a habit though. I don't know about 5 + 2 dogs in any situation, unless some folks sleep in the cab.

My biggest problem with the size is snow! Not driving in it, that's great. But having to shovel out a spot 2x as wide as the truck to swing it into the driveway. Probably not a problem in Texas ...

 

[OTR]

I have the same exact set-up as Zidaro (camper and truck) but two adults and two dogs and zero kids. The truck is very capable for its size (not much different than any other full size truck), very comfortable for driving, and has been very reliable for me. I love this truck and wish they would make a 1-ton Tundra with a Hino diesel and a Solid front axle while I'm dreaming.

 

[bjowett]

Pinstriping is COOL:costumed-smiley-007

Agreed, my Tundra has tons of it.

As mentioned, you will be doing plenty of forward/back on tighter turns.... But then that same too long wheelbase is awesome for climbs/descents, and ledges that defeat short wheelbase vehicles...

 

[Mr. Leary]

For the trails you have described, the Tundra should be an excellent platform, provided you do some modifications. A lift is in order, along with bigger tires. Your breakover and turning radius will be the biggest negatives. The Tundra's are heavy duty trucks, and I have been amazed time and time again by the power and capability of a friend's truck (BattleWagon). Surprisingly good fuel economy, and lots of cargo and towing capacity.

It is a full sized truck, and will have all the quirks to deal with... like all full sized trucks, you will not fit as easily down the trails, have more pinstriping, and have more trouble making the tight turns. As far as full sized trucks go, I would put it right up there with the Power Wagon. Power Wagon has F/R diff lockers, disconnecting sway bar, SFA, and plenty of ponies. The Tundra will soon have an available rear locker from ARB, has superior cargo and towing capacity, and has planty of ponies as well. Time will tell if Toyota reliability rings true with the new Tundras, but my hunch is it will.

For mild trails, and especially if you tow regularly, it should work well for you.

 

[jim65wagon]

Hello all,

Background: Family man, 3 kids, 2 dogs, would need to be a daily driver. I am pretty much a overland novice, I have taken my GX470 to Colorado a couple of times and did the passes and some camping but I am looking to replace it for something that might be more "camping friendly". A mid height shell or a used FWC.

Thanks,
Erik

To me this bit says it all. Family man, 3 kids, 2 dogs, daily driver.....you want to be camping friendly, and I don't read into anything you posted that you would even consider rock-crawling rubiconesque adventures in your daily driver.

Given that, the big T would fit the bill fine, sure you could find better off-roaders,or better daily drivers, but...and this is my opinion....nothing beats a full size truck for flexibilty in use. Other peeps will nit-pick at the details, but the fullsize truck will do everything from haul groceries, to drywall, lumber, stone, mulch, camping gear, etc and do it without drama, or the need to store the trailer you would need when you have a smaller vehicle.

You can fit a ton of gear when you're camping (and unless you all are avid "rough-its") you'll need enough to keep everyone aboard happy. That may mean carrying more kit than someone else might deem necessary, but if someone in your crew is uncomfortable and miserable - everyone will be miserable.

Being the owner of a pinstriped daily driven Tundra (albeit the earlier, more petite version), that hauls anything we need, when we need including camping gear for 4 for a week; I say it would be a fine choice for your family adventure vehicle....

 

[bcrez]

Tundra

I had an '07 F-150 Super-crew with short-bed, living in Colorado I got the squeeze WAY too often. Pin striping is a laughable understatement. I downsized to a Tacoma and I think it is the perfect dimension. So in reference to your interest in CO, especially with family in the car you may be a little too white-knuckled during those tight squeezes on forest roads, or sheer mountain passes to really enjoy the drive. I would not take a full-size if you really want to get out there in the mountains. The roads are too thin and the truck too heavy. This is especially true in snow.

 

[Grover]

Thank you for the advice

Thank you for the responses, the advice is appreciated. It sounds as though the Tundra might be the best overall solution for our family, as much as I would prefer a Tacoma. Recognizing that the truck is full sized and that I will be challenged on narrower trails I feel the on road benefits getting to locations will out weigh the limits when offroad, especially after a OME lift, tires, sliders and ARB bumper. Mild build to start in the future, after I sell the fleet.

Thanks.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Great choice. A friend of mine bought a new Crewmax when they first came out and we took a 600 mile trip that week, with 2 other friends. 4 full grown men in that truck (I was the shortest at 5'11") and we had space upon space to spare. No fighting for shotgun, as all four seats reclined and had uber amount of room. Best road tripping machine I've ridden in (my LC comes in second). My father also ended up buying one a couple years ago and love it. He's out in the country and flogs on it daily on fireroads. Not one complaint. It would be just an awesome family camper.

You can always get a Rhino or Sami to pull behind it if you want to get into tighter trails.