Potential downsize. Tundra vs Ram 1500

[redthies]

I have been driving Cummins 3500s for over 20 years, but am finding myself at a crossroad where a 1/2 ton could do the job going forward. I may no longer be hauling a heavy truck camper, but will be towing 5-6,000 lbs and may look at a 4Wheel Camper for fishing and hunting trips in the future.

For those of you that know 1/2 tons, which would be your preference for a truck used for towing and a light camper? Specs on trucks in the mid to late 2000s (which would be my choice era) are similar. Looking to spend around $10-$15,000. I will probably throw a set of 2.5” struts and airbags on either one.

 

[tyler.armijo]

The 3rd gen rams don’t have the best interior, the paint isn’t very good and the 5 speed trans isn’t the most reliable. They will run a long time with proper maintenance and I have seen them with upwards of 300k on the original running gear but they are in fairly rough shape even when we’ll maintained. The tundras seem to hold up extremely well and really don’t have much for issues whatsoever. They also have a much larger cab because the 3rd gen dodge is only available in quad cab or mega cab if you can find a half ton one. The tundras will be much more expensive though due to the Toyota tax.


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[billiebob]

I have been driving Cummins 3500s for over 20 years, but am finding myself at a crossroad where a 1/2 ton could do the job going forward. I may no longer be hauling a heavy truck camper, but will be towing 5-6,000 lbs and may look at a 4Wheel Camper for fishing and hunting trips in the future.

For those of you that know 1/2 tons, which would be your preference for a truck used for towing and a light camper? Specs on trucks in the mid to late 2000s (which would be my choice era) are similar. Looking to spend around $10-$15,000. I will probably throw a set of 2.5” struts and airbags on either one.

Towing, I'd pick a well optioned pickup from the big three everytime. I'd not even consider a Tundra, my neighbour regretted picking the Tundra.

 

[redthies]

Towing, I'd pick a well optioned pickup from the big three everytime. I'd not even consider a Tundra, my neighbour regretted picking the Tundra.

Towing, but towing pretty light. Like 3,500 lbs most of the time, and far from daily occurrence.

 

[redthies]

The 3rd gen rams don’t have the best interior, the paint isn’t very good and the 5 speed trans isn’t the most reliable. They will run a long time with proper maintenance and I have seen them with upwards of 300k on the original running gear but they are in fairly rough shape even when we’ll maintained. The tundras seem to hold up extremely well and really don’t have much for issues whatsoever. They also have a much larger cab because the 3rd gen dodge is only available in quad cab or mega cab if you can find a half ton one. The tundras will be much more expensive though due to the Toyota tax.

I have a 560,000 mile 3rd Gen in the driveway, and it’s holding up just fine, but it’s a 3500. The lighter duty nature of the 1500 running gear is new to me, but body and interior etc are well known. I also have a 2020 Tacoma in the driveway and have owned about 25 other Toyota 4x4s in my day, so I know the Toyota tax intimately. The tax cuts both ways though. Pay it on purchase, collect it on resale

 

[tyler.armijo]

Since you are well aware of the 3rd gen body the only real concern in the half ton running gear would be the transmission and if you find one with a good trans and perform the necessary maintenance or just have it rebuilt in the beginning and maintain it properly it will run a long time. The axles don’t have much issues besides the pinon nut recall which all should be done by now and the 5.7 hemi is a stout motor that can run 500k if not more with proper maintenance. The spark plugs on the drivers side kind of suck to do but other than that everything is fairly easy to access. You really wouldn’t be wrong going with either truck a s long as you find a good one.


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[phsycle]

Thinking of a slide in camper? Forget the tundra.

 

[jadmt]

Neighbor just sold his 12 year old 1500 5.7 with over 100,000 miles for $19000 and it sold first day he had it parked on the street with a for sale sign in the window To the first person who stopped to look at it and he said while the guy was looking at it he had calls wanting to buy it, so not sure what you would reasonably find for $10000

 

[tacollie]

If you can get into a second gen Tundra with a 5.7 I would do that otherwise I would skip the Tundra for any towing. $15k will be tough in this market.

 

[redthies]

If I did put a camper in, it would be a bare bones FWC Hawk or similar, so 1200 lbs dry. Lots of Tundras running around with those in the back. I may have to push budget to $17,000 or so to get the right truck, but in my area I’m seeing nice options in that range.

 

[phsycle]

If I did put a camper in, it would be a bare bones FWC Hawk or similar, so 1200 lbs dry. Lots of Tundras running around with those in the back. I may have to push budget to $17,000 or so to get the right truck, but in my area I’m seeing nice options in that range.

Something like 90% of Tundra’s have a max payload of 1,200lbs.

Yeah, you’ll need to be in $20’s for a decent truck in this market, unfortunately. At least through 2022 and into 2023.

 

[redthies]

There is an ‘06 Tundra I might look at which has a 1580 lb payload and 6500 lb tow. That could work. There is also a 2008 with 1435 and 7800 tow. The ‘08 is $19k, but is pretty much how I’d want it as is, aside from being black. I hate black trucks. The ‘06 is $8k, but I would need to do suspension and tires. Obviously I could do that and much more with $11k. I will have to go drive a few I think, and see what I like.

 

[ITTOG]

My son has my old 07 Tundra 5.7L. We both love it. I drive an 18 F150 3.5L. I prefer to tow with the Tundra. This is towing a 5,000 pound boat and a 7,500 pound travel trailer. I don't know anything about the Ram but do know the Tundra, at least the year model I had, will make you happy.

 

[Todd n Natalie]

There is an ‘06 Tundra I might look at which has a 1580 lb payload and 6500 lb tow. That could work. There is also a 2008 with 1435 and 7800 tow.

If I did put a camper in, it would be a bare bones FWC Hawk or similar, so 1200 lbs dry. Lots of Tundras running around with those in the back.

Best case scenario with those two trucks is you'd have 380 lbs for driver any passengers and any cargo you want to bring. Is 380 lbs enough?

Not sure if you've read the below regarding payload. No sense me rehashing everything here.

Removing rear seats to increase payload capacity?

If I were to buy a 2nd gen access cab, 4x4 Tundra with a payload capacity of 1,480 lbs do you think I could get away with having it loaded down full time with around 2,000 lbs of camper + supplies by doing things like removing all the rear seats, tailgate (would have a slide in camper so no need...

expeditionportal.com

 

[redthies]

Well, again, the camper is a “maybe some day” thing. It’s not a “must have now” item. I am a “product evaluator” for Torklift, and am well versed in the payload and tow world. We build custom RVs for a living.

My main focus in this thread is to find out if there are any common or inherent design issues/problems to look for. My mentioning the uses was strictly so people could understand the intended use, and maybe say “wheel bearings die quickly with regular loads in the Ram”, or similar.

Thanks for all the input though. I am also looking at a Sequoia for my wife, and since it’s Tundra based, the info crosses over in a lot of cases.