2007+ Toyota Tundra long bed vs short bed for overlanding

[rruff]

Even at 1200 wet, doesn't that only leave a couple hundred pounds at best for DC/CM Tundra's? Add in passengers and other cargo, and you're over GVWR. To me, GVWR is like towing capacity. I never want to test out its limits--I stay well below. I agree with most here. Get a 2/3500. I get a kick out of people claiming their overloaded rig handles better than stock. Like Toyota engineers are clueless idiots.

The truck has been out for 10 years now and there are several testimonials from guys putting a 2500lb permanent load on them with no issues, and I haven't heard of anyone with problems. Many have commented that the Tundra is overbuilt compared to domestic 1/2 tons (someone commented that everything is twice as beefy compared to a F150) and Toyota designed it to be easily upgraded to 3/4 with stiffer springs and shocks and maybe rear axle, but the sales numbers and potential market for that configuration never warranted it. So people just make the suspension mods themselves, and go.

I'm building my own camper on one (bed removed) and I might be a little over GVWR, but I'm certainly not worried about it. On a truck that already weighs 5700lb, 1500lb isn't a lot.

 

[rruff]

Tundra weight rating is low from the factory with passenger rated tires and soft suspension. It has no issue handling much more weight with proper suspension, shocks and tires. Mine handles as good or better than stock with about 2,500lbs or more on trips. It has deaver springs, sway bar, icon 2.5 resi. You can drive as fast as you want on the roughest roads. Motor has plenty of power. Brakes are massive. Any rig pulling similar weight will get similar mpg. I'm at 14mpg consistently loaded on trips. Have over 30k miles so far... no issues.

I'm interested in your suspension thoughts since I've been researching that a lot lately. I want ~2" lift with larger tires (34" vs 32"), and preload adjustable front struts. I'm debating whether to go the cheaper route with Fat Bob's coilovers (~$500) and Bilstein 5100s rear (~$230) or get King, ADS, Fox, or Icon 2.5s front and rear for $2500+ total.

Are your Deavers the usual ones made for onloaded offroad, with airbags in addition, or are they custom to take your camper weight?

I'd get the DC short bed or Standard Cab Long Bed. For one reason: turning radius. Tundra has the best turning circle of any full size. It's the same as the Taco DC with 6ft bed. Rather impressive.

Even the DC LB has a pretty good turning radius of 24.5'. Seems way better than my tiny '86 pickup!

 

[SDDiver5]

Never heard of NW Custom Campers, so I looked them up...whew baby! That dude sounds pretty angry.

haha woah. His posts are insane!

 

[SDDiver5]

Other than being a Toyota fan, why not consider a Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

 

[Scurvy]

Never heard of NW Custom Campers, so I looked them up...whew baby! That dude sounds pretty angry.

That guy is definitely off his rocker, prob not ordering from him. God help you if you request a change with your build!

 

[rruff]

Other than being a Toyota fan, why not consider a Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

I don't know the OPs reason, but I needed to go up to a 3/4 ton in Ford or GM to get a decent rear cab and 8' bed, and they cost a lot more than I paid for the Tundra ($31,200 for a 2016 DC Long 4x4 SR). Plus when I drove them they seemed like dogs in comparison, which is weird because they should have had similar power. Maybe it had to do with economy based shift logic. One thing I liked was the firmer ride, but I was going to upgrade the suspension on anything I bought. Benefits for Ford and GM were load capacity and higher EPA MPG. But when I dug into the details it seemed the Tundra would have no problem hauling my load, and real world MPG was very close. Plus Tundras are more reliable and hold their value better.

 

[zidaro]

I absolutely love my tundra.
I wish it was a long bed, but I think a huge cab space is so much more important for traveling. Reclining back seats for passengers, and more interior space for everything. I actually removed on side of rear seat so I could put more stuff inside, and still have 3 passengers comfortable. Now my arb fridge is in front!
Crewmax rules in wet/snowy conditions.

 

[Clutch]

haha woah. His posts are insane!

That guy is definitely off his rocker, prob not ordering from him. God help you if you request a change with your build!

I know! Everyone has their own political views...probably not the best thing for a business page though. Yeow!

Other than being a Toyota fan, why not consider a Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

I don't know the OPs reason, but I needed to go up to a 3/4 ton in Ford or GM to get a decent rear cab and 8' bed, and they cost a lot more than I paid for the Tundra ($31,200 for a 2016 DC Long 4x4 SR). Plus when I drove them they seemed like dogs in comparison, which is weird because they should have had similar power. Maybe it had to do with economy based shift logic. One thing I liked was the firmer ride, but I was going to upgrade the suspension on anything I bought. Benefits for Ford and GM were load capacity and higher EPA MPG. But when I dug into the details it seemed the Tundra would have no problem hauling my load, and real world MPG was very close. Plus Tundras are more reliable and hold their value better.

OP was looking to haul an Alaskan. Might be able to get away with a F150 with the heavy duty payload package...IIRC it is close to 3000 lbs. Alaskan does have a 1/2 ton model.

 

[p nut]

The truck has been out for 10 years now and there are several testimonials from guys putting a 2500lb permanent load on them with no issues, and I haven't heard of anyone with problems. Many have commented that the Tundra is overbuilt compared to domestic 1/2 tons (someone commented that everything is twice as beefy compared to a F150) and Toyota designed it to be easily upgraded to 3/4 with stiffer springs and shocks and maybe rear axle, but the sales numbers and potential market for that configuration never warranted it. So people just make the suspension mods themselves, and go.

I'm building my own camper on one (bed removed) and I might be a little over GVWR, but I'm certainly not worried about it. On a truck that already weighs 5700lb, 1500lb isn't a lot.

I get so sick of hearing that. That's been floating around for quite a while. Yet, when it comes time to present hard facts,....crickets.
_
I'm not saying your truck will explode if you're a pound over GVWR. But I think people are overly optimistic on the cargo capacities of these rigs. Remember, every manufacturer would love to increase cargo capacity and tout a better payload than competitors. Toyota wouldn't undercut the Tundra's payload just for the sake of it.

 

[p nut]

...OP was looking to haul an Alaskan. Might be able to get away with a F150 with the heavy duty payload package...IIRC it is close to 3000 lbs. Alaskan does have a 1/2 ton model.

I'm not sure which model you've got pictured, but even the lightest cab-over campers are in the ~1,700 wet range (unless the link below is old). Too much for my pick up, but if you've got a HD Payload, then you could do it.
http://www.alaskancamper.com/pricelst.html
_
Of course, my style for mid-size or 1/2 ton would be something like a Flippac.

 

[Clutch]

I'm not sure which model you've got pictured, but even the lightest cab-over campers are in the ~1,700 wet range (unless the link below is old). Too much for my pick up, but if you've got a HD Payload, then you could do it.
http://www.alaskancamper.com/pricelst.html
_
Of course, my style for mid-size or 1/2 ton would be something like a Flippac.

I "think" that was a custom...don't see a 6' cab over on their website.

Even with a HD payload package...still might be pushing it. Nice thing about with a 3/4-1 Ton...you get better brakes, tranny...larger radiator, full floater rear diff, etc.... Hauling half of capacity is much easier on parts. (and nerves! )

___

I would do a FWC/ATC shell on a 1/2 ton, but not fully kitted one and be comfortable.

Love my Tacoma/Wildernest combo and all. But now being in cold country...looking at something more 4 season, like the Alaskan. That is going have to wait until retirement though...of course by then..just follow the warm weather.

 

[p nut]

I "think" that was a custom...don't see a 6' cab over on their website.

Even with a HD payload package...still might be pushing it. Nice thing about with a 3/4-1 Ton...you get better brakes, tranny...larger radiator, full floater rear diff, etc.... Hauling half of capacity is much easier on parts. (and nerves! )

___

I would do a FWC/ATC shell on a 1/2 ton, but not fully kitted one and be comfortable.

Love my Tacoma/Wildernest combo and all. But now being in cold country...looking at something more 4 season, like the Alaskan. That is going have to wait until retirement though...of course by then..just follow the warm weather.

Yeah, I would no doubt go at least 3/4 ton if I were getting an Alaskan. I would not want to be counting grams to make it work.
_
Of course, I've always been a ground tenter, and don't see it changing anytime soon. We've thought about an RTT or Flippac, but we like the ease/versatility of a ground tent better. For now.

 

[Clutch]

_
Of course, I've always been a ground tenter, and don't see it changing anytime soon. We've thought about an RTT or Flippac, but we like the ease/versatility of a ground tent better. For now.

I never liked ground tents....for one, can't stand putting them up, they have gotten better over the years though...and two...my bad back...have tried a bunch of different ground pads, nothing works. About the only thing that I found that worked was a futon mattress...but those things are bulky and heavy. Would just toss it the bed of the truck with a topper...what got me into a Wildernest was...tired of having to jockey everything about to sleep. Guess I could of built a sleeping platform...but that feels like you're in a coffin, can't fit a bicycle in there either. Doesn't matter though...have a Wildernest (again) now. Liked it so much... this is my second one.

That is the old futon on the hood of my '92 I had. The tent is my buddy's....we had 3 people in that truck...a buddy and I up front, the other in the back on the futon....young and dumb! Now I am just dumb.

 

[p nut]

Well, with wife and kids, the only type of mattress they'll consider is a huge air mattress. It works. Fairly cheap, easy set up. Same with tents (modern day tents, Clutch, not that archaic equivalent of a make-shift teepee you've got pictured there )--sets up in about 5-7 minutes. Although I see the merits of a RTT or Flippac, my set up is working for now, so I can't see spending all that money for new stuff. (gee, where have we heard this before )

 

[DaveInDenver]

I get so sick of hearing that. That's been floating around for quite a while. Yet, when it comes time to present hard facts,....crickets.
_
I'm not saying your truck will explode if you're a pound over GVWR. But I think people are overly optimistic on the cargo capacities of these rigs. Remember, every manufacturer would love to increase cargo capacity and tout a better payload than competitors. Toyota wouldn't undercut the Tundra's payload just for the sake of it.

I'm with you here. It seems like no one pays mind to the GVWR on their Tacomas. I'm not aware of anyone having trouble with insurance or state patrol over it, though. But Toyota isn't new to the truck rodeo and those capacities mean something.

I even worry long term about loading my Taco just at GVWR and having it be there all the time. Braking, handling, frame fatigue, I dunno what all might be ramifications. Why would any manufacturer put much margin when they don't have to? The specs say it can weigh 5,500 lbs but they supposedly really build it to be 6,500. Yeah, why then wouldn't they sell it as class 2 and charge for it? Otherwise they are grossly overbuilding 99% of the trucks that never use it. Slapping on 10 leaf dump truck springs doesn't suddenly get you +500 lbs of payload.

I dunno, maybe they really do build in some margin. Toyota of old was selling us 1/2 ton mini trucks that shared the same frame with higher rated trucks overseas. That think that was just a fluke in the way trucks are rated here vs. Australia, UK, etc. Our class 1 light duty tops at 6,000 lbs while most places seem to recognize limits such as 4,500kg (9,900 lbs) and the like as the limit of light duty. That's probably why we get a Tacoma instead of the Hilux (or derivative), since it carries a GVWR that would mean ~1,500 lbs would go unused most of the time as a class 1 truck. The Hilux would be a class 2 truck (Workmate is 3,200 kg, or 7,050 lbs) here and would kind of embarrass the Tundra's GVWR, which is the same.