Pick my next 1/2 ton pickup

[rootacres]

I would argue that the majority of people that own a diesel don’t actually need it. They buy it because they like the sound, torque, etc and that’s okay!

I stepped down to a 1/2 ton from a 3500 6.7 diesel this year. The ride quality is much better and I find myself often surprised by all the things I can still do with it before I have to grab a bigger truck. I do about 50k miles a year.

I own a business with fleet of around a dozen trucks. We have half tons, 2500s, 3500s and one 6500. All used for different things. We used to run a lot of diesels. But now that heavy duty’s come with bigger direct injected gassers and with 8-10 speeds they come very close to the same cost per mile to run. Resale on diesels isn’t what it used to be either.

Yeah, I’m not sure I really needed a diesel, it’s been great but probably not needed. My next truck a gasser would be plenty good. My wife also owns a show horse, so the likelihood of me ending up on a mini farm with horse, goats, chickens and shit on it is pretty high. So my towing duty’s are likely to increase in the next couple years. Also considering putting a diesel on a diet to proactively eliminate emission equipment concerns.

I would imagine for what you are doing the larger 7.3 and 6.6 gassers make a compelling case depending on the application.

 

[rootacres]

Just an FYI - The new LZO per GM is a 200k mile change on the oil pump belt. Based on my loan terms and my average yearly driving, I should be at about 90-100k miles when my truck is paid off. That should give me around another 100k of miles and approx 5-6 years before that service is due. If I still have the truck at that point, not a big deal to put 3-4k into a paid off truck. Just the outlook I am taking with mine.

Yeah it sounds like the LZO has a couple of improvements in addition to that. The LZO was a 2022 or 2023 redesign?

I plan to have the truck for more than 150k and less than 300k so either way I’ll have that fix mixed in there.

 

[270quest]

LZ0 was a 2023 model change

 

[Thinkingman]

A 2020 or 2021 Tundra is about as bullet proof a truck as you can get.

Its also more american than fords or chevy’s apparently

4500lb boat would be at the extreme end of Tundra capability.
I would(and have been) focused on GMC 3.0 (I'm not a fan of the styling but GMC is miles better than Chevy) or a 3.5 Ecoboost F150.
As previously stated, an XLT with the 302A package is the sweet spot for styling and content.
I have a 2015 F150, 302A Sport with 173k miles and I would buy another in a minute.

 

[270quest]

4500lb boat would be at the extreme end of Tundra capability.
I would(and have been) focused on GMC 3.0 (I'm not a fan of the styling but GMC is miles better than Chevy) or a 3.5 Ecoboost F150.
As previously stated, an XLT with the 302A package is the sweet spot for styling and content.
I have a 2015 F150, 302A Sport with 173k miles and I would buy another in a minute.

The V8 tundras with 4:30 gears are rated to 9500-10k towing....a 4500 pound boat would be nothing for one of those trucks...

 

[Thinkingman]

The V8 tundras with 4:30 gears are rated to 9500-10k towing....a 4500 pound boat would be nothing for one of those trucks...

I know what they're rated for...And I know what kind of suspension is under them.
Unless you're spending $$ on suspension upgrades, you should look elsewhere.

 

[Bama67]

The 2.7 Ecoboost is the most reliable Ford half ton engine and gets fantastic mpg while very powerful and fun to drive.
I would only have a half ton diesel if someone gave it to me.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

4500lb boat would be at the extreme end of Tundra capability.
I would(and have been) focused on GMC 3.0 (I'm not a fan of the styling but GMC is miles better than Chevy) or a 3.5 Ecoboost F150.
As previously stated, an XLT with the 302A package is the sweet spot for styling and content.
I have a 2015 F150, 302A Sport with 173k miles and I would buy another in a minute.

What??? The 5.7l V8 can barely tow 4500lbs . Keep thinking man…

I have a 2020 1794 and tow way more than that on a regular basis.

 

[Bama67]

The previous gen Tundras are let down mainly by their poor payload, poor mpg, and mediocre ride.
I owned two of them and like F150's much better.

Seriously, the rated payload of them is a joke, my 2007 Limited was 1100 lbs LOL.

 

[Thinkingman]

What??? The 5.7l V8 can barely tow 4500lbs . Keep thinking man…

I have a 2020 1794 and tow way more than that on a regular basis.

People that know trucks will tell you the engine is only a small part of the towing equation.
Do you have the stock suspension?

 

[PredatorSlayer]

People that know trucks will tell you the engine is only a small part of the towing equation.
Do you have the stock suspension?

Yes - it is all stock. And legally they have to take all of that into consideration when they release max tow numbers - suspension, brakes etc. People that know trucks understand that.

 

[Thinkingman]

Yes - it is all stock. And legally they have to take all of that into consideration when they release max tow numbers - suspension, brakes etc. People that know trucks understand that.

I know my Tacoma was rated for 6500/650 and was completely overwhelmed with half that.

 

[Luked]

Mine isnt up there.
But I will say that if I could go back and buy a different one when i bought my 19 Ram I would 100% go with the 3.0L Chevy Diesel.
There was one at the dealer when I bought my truck and i wish now I would have bought it just due to the towing capacity and fuel milage.
My lifted Ram truck tows ok but man its a gas hog. and buying 35" tires sucks

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I know my Tacoma was rated for 6500/650 and was completely overwhelmed with half that.

I have a 2015 tacoma as well. Comparing a 6cyl to an 8 cyl is funny. You have obviously never owned a tundra, so you speak about something you know nothing about. Typical keyboard ninja

 

[mtbraun]

I've had 3-6.2's. One was ok, one was great, the other absolute junk. Good power and towing. They drive by everything but a gas station. The third grenaded at 80mph on the interstate at 28,000 miles. Until GMC figures out their silly variable valve train, I would always consider that a risk in the platform.

 

[Moccasin]

Until GMC figures out their silly variable valve train, I would always consider that a risk in the platform.

I agree and think the cylinder deactivation tech in all incarnations is a lot of unnecessary complexity with no real upside. When I recently needed a HD truck, I went GMC due to the 6.6 gasser not having that among other reasons. Pair it with the 10 speed and it gets better gas mileage, rides better, and has twice the payload and towing of my Tundra (which I loved.)

If going with a 1500 these days, I’d look hard at the 3.0L diesel. And if I’m spending the OP’s money, I might wrap it in a GMC ZR2 Bison. Ha!

 

[jimh406]

If you are driving mountains regularly at elevation, I'd buy something with a turbo.

 

[Afhunter1]

I have a 2024 Sierra max tow 3.0 Duramax (12,500 tow rating). Love it and would buy it over and over again! I tow up to 10K often. The max tow package comes with some upgrades I would get it even if you don’t need it. Makes truck more “sporty” unloaded actually. Lose some mpg but mine have been ok I guess! Lol

 

[svivian]

I have a 2024 Sierra max tow 3.0 Duramax (12,500 tow rating). Love it and would buy it over and over again! I tow up to 10K often. The max tow package comes with some upgrades I would get it even if you don’t need it. Makes truck more “sporty” unloaded actually. Lose some mpg but mine have been ok I guess! Lol

View attachment 814657

whats the biggest tank they equip on one of those?

Also how’s the mpg towing?

 

[TSAMP]

whats the biggest tank they equip on one of those?

I think its 23-26 gal