In your opinions the best full size truck and why?

[mierdota]

I am looking at buying a truck in the near future and i cant decide what i want. I was going to buy a tacoma in a month or so and then upgrade to a full size in a year or so. I think i have decided that i would be better off just buying a full sized truck/tow rig. I cant decide what i want i really like the tundras but i heard they are horrible on gas, i also like fords with the 7.3s but if possible i would like something with a little better mpgs. I love the new dodges but they are a little out of my price range. I am looking to spend between 10k-15k depending on what it is. What do you think??? I also need room for the family so thats a factor

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Why not go back 5 or so years and buy a used Cummins?

 

[Caleb]

I love my Tundra. It's as much truck as I need. I'm getting 15ish mpg with a 6" lift and 35s (most domestics get way worse than that) for daily driving. I also always use 91 octane or greater, maybe that makes a difference, don't know. I tow my 10K pound camper without any problem. When towing I get around 9-11mpg depending on where I'm going and how much of a head wind I have. The thing I like about it, is when I'm not towing, it's still manageable with it's size. Depending on the year you get, you can get a pretty good towing capacity. The 2007-2009 with the towing package gets you 4.30 gears, huge disc brakes all around, and atleast a 10,700 towing capacity. If you get a 2wd model, it jumps to around 11,100. If you buy a 2010-current model, the capacity drops by around 1500 or so.

The Tundra won't compete with a diesel, but for me, a diesel is not needed and would just make for driving a much larger truck and a lot more for maintenance and upfront costs. I know the Tundra often gets compared against the larger trucks, which isn't right since it's still rated as a 1/2 ton truck.

 

[sixstringsteve]

There's a ton of chit-chat to wade through, but there's some good info in this thread:

http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?t=77825

 

[Greg]

GM, with a 5.3 or a 6.0 depending on your towing needs. Diesels are great, but the cost of fuel and maintenance is quite high and IMO diesels aren't needed for most people towing their crawlers.

 

[sixstringsteve]

If I were to get a full size pickup, it'd be a chevy with the 8.1L. They only get 1-2 mpg less than the 6.0s, and they tow a lot better, and the trucks come with the allison tranny.

 

[mierdota]

I love my Tundra. It's as much truck as I need. I'm getting 15ish mpg with a 6" lift and 35s (most domestics get way worse than that) for daily driving. I also always use 91 octane or greater, maybe that makes a difference, don't know. I tow my 10K pound camper without any problem. When towing I get around 9-11mpg depending on where I'm going and how much of a head wind I have. The thing I like about it, is when I'm not towing, it's still manageable with it's size. Depending on the year you get, you can get a pretty good towing capacity. The 2007-2009 with the towing package gets you 4.30 gears, huge disc brakes all around, and atleast a 10,700 towing capacity. If you get a 2wd model, it jumps to around 11,100. If you buy a 2010-current model, the capacity drops by around 1500 or so.

The Tundra won't compete with a diesel, but for me, a diesel is not needed and would just make for driving a much larger truck and a lot more for maintenance and upfront costs. I know the Tundra often gets compared against the larger trucks, which isn't right since it's still rated as a 1/2 ton truck.

what year is your tundra? i really like tundras and they would be plenty truck for me especially for now.

I just want the best truck for the money i do like the 4 door chevy trucks too.

 

[Caleb]

what year is your tundra? i really like tundras and they would be plenty truck for me especially for now.

I just want the best truck for the money i do like the 4 door chevy trucks too.

It's an 07 4x4 Crew Max with the 5.7L.

 

[Max Power]

I have a 08 Titan crew cab with the big tow package. It has a 5.6 liter v8. It pulls my crawler great. I have no problem maintaining 70mph up highway 6 with a 6500lb trailer. I love Tundras but I thought the Titan felt more solid on the road.

 

[Caleb]

I have a 08 Titan crew cab with the big tow package. It has a 5.6 liter v8. It pulls my crawler great. I have no problem maintaining 70mph up highway 6 with a 6500lb trailer. I love Tundras but I thought the Titan felt more solid on the road.

Titans are great if you don't mind exploding rear axles

 

[Cascadia]

I've got an 06 Tundra and it has towed great. I frequently pull a hydraulic dump trailer loaded and also my crawler and it also keeps up speed up Spanish Fork canyon on our way to Moab. I get about 14-15 around town, 17-18 on the road and 11-12 pulling my crawler. I was looking at the Titan and Tundra. I personally thought the Titan felt how it looks...like a box. The seats felt like a box, hard and uncomfortable, and it felt too light driving around. Hard to explain but when we were looking for a car for my wife a few years ago we were looking at an a4 or passat. The passat felt cheap and light and we didn't like it so we went with the a4. These are just my opinions though. Not saying I'm right or wrong.

 

[rholbrook]

The only agreement with this thread is everyone will disagree as to which is best. Go with what you like the best. I prefer Fords but thats just me. I saw Caleb's Tundra, really nice truck. A friend has the Titan, another really nice truck, GMs feel more comfortable in the seat and there are a ton of them out there. I love the hemi motor too.

3/4 and 1 tons...my preference is Ford again, I have driven lots of Dodges and the Cummins is a great motor but I like the way the Ford drives. Chevs and GMCs sure drive nice, more like a car than a truck.

Its all personal preferences. Good luck finding a clear winner.

 

[Max Power]

Titans are great if you don't mind exploding rear axles

I could pick your Tundra apart if I wanted too. I did my research before buying; no vehicle is perfect.

 

[chadschoon]

I also loved my Titan when I had it. 6" lift with 35's could tow like a champ. Rear end is a little guy though.

 

[Gravy]

That tiny rear end would scare me to tow with in the Titan. My wife even noticed how small it was.

Holbrook is dead right. There is no clear winner. Just whatever fits your budget and fits your personal needs is the right truck for you guay.

 

[mierdota]

I know its all personal preference I just thought I would get some feedback to see the good and bad of everything out there.

 

[Caleb]

I could pick your Tundra apart if I wanted too. I did my research before buying; no vehicle is perfect.

I wasn't picking your truck apart, I mentioned one notorious problem the Titan's have. Go ahead a google "Titan rear-end" or "Titan rear axle", etc and you'll see for yourself that there is a major problem with the rear-ends in the Titans. It may be due to it being under-sized as other guys here have noticed, or it may be due to a bad design on Nissan's part (improper lubing, etc) but it is a problem I'm sure you're already aware of since you did proper research.

Go ahead and pick the Tundra apart. You're not going to hurt my feelings and maybe it will help mierdota make an informed decision. I know exactly what I was buying when I bought it. The only argument most guys can come up with is that it's not an american made truck even though it's made entirely in the USA unlike most the other "American" made trucks

 

[Marsh99]

I wasn't picking your truck apart, I mentioned one notorious problem the Titan's have. Go ahead a google "Titan rear-end" or "Titan rear axle", etc and you'll see for yourself that there is a major problem with the rear-ends in the Titans. It may be due to it being under-sized as other guys here have noticed, or it may be due to a bad design on Nissan's part (improper lubing, etc) but it is a problem I'm sure you're already aware of since you did proper research.

Go ahead and pick the Tundra apart. You're not going to hurt my feelings and maybe it will help mierdota make an informed decision. I know exactly what I was buying when I bought it. The only argument most guys can come up with is that it's not an american made truck even though it's made entirely in the USA unlike most the other "American" made trucks

"Like"

 

[I Lean]

My wife even noticed how small it was.

Awesome!

 

[Max Power]

Most of the problems were in earlier models and were few relative to how many they sold. Tundras have problems with the torque converters failing. Go ahead and google search Tundra transmission problems. Also I wouldn't stand on your tail gate because it will most likely bend. You can google that too if you want.