Upgrading Trucks Tundra, Gm, or f150

[dan25]

Looking at spending $25-30k on a descent used truck. I would like to stick with 1/2 ton and Crew Cab. I have been looking at Tundras, Sierras, Silverados, and f150s. The big questions I have on all of these is ecoboost or 5.0 or the F150s and what is the real world gas mileage of Tundras? Can you chip a Tundra to get better MPG? Any suggestions or feedback would be appreciated. The biggest thing I pull is a 3500lb Ranger Boat. I want a reliable but capable truck for off road for my western hunts. Thanks in advance.

 

[birdhunter]

Love my 2018 Tundra.Never had a major issue.Knock on wood.My neighbor has an 18 f150 and a Tundra and says the Tundra is way better hands down.Im sure there will be some feed back on this lol.Im guessing there will be a ton of opinions.Just my 2 cents.Good luck.

 

[McCree]

I've owned five 1/2 ton GM trucks. My wife is on her 2nd 1/2 ton suburban which currently has 186K miles on it and is going strong. That said I drive a 2017 Tundra now. I've got 110K miles on it without any issues. I wouldn't trade it for a 1/2 ton GM with half the miles. My Tundra is lifted with 35's and I get 11-14 MPG depending on usage. I pull a boat, 4 horses, etc. When I replace my Tundra it will be with another Tundra unless I upsize to accommodate my kids horse hobby.

 

[Wheels]

I’ve had several F150’s with both the 3.5 ecoboost and 5.0L, there is no gas mileage difference except when pulling a load. The 5.0 gets about 2mpg better when pulling in my experience, the ecoboost is fun to drive but the V8 gets up and goes pretty good also. Both about 20-21mpg on the highway and 8-10mpg pulling a trailer with a load.
No issues with any of the trucks I’ve had regarding engine problems.

 

[Gwchem]

Google 6l80 or 6l90 issues.

 

[carsonmcdonald]

I also drive a 2018 Tundra with 66k miles. Quad cab with a 8' bed. I love it. The canopy adds a few lbs, maybe costs 1mpg if that. On the highway I get about 17.5 not towing anything. In town probably closer to 10 or 11.
The 4WD is excellent and the back seat is more spacious and comfortable than GMs or Fords with a similar body style. Plus the color is sweet. 10/10 would recommend.

 

[Matt83]

The f150 gets better mileage than most other trucks when it has the 10 speed transmission. I have a 2018 150 king ranch and the transmission sucks in my opinion. Very clunky as it seems to hunt for the right gear at times. Similar to what you’ll read on all the forums. I have the 3.5 eco boost and I love it, it pulls better than my former Nissan Titan did with the 5.7l v8


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[Montero]

Here is another thumbs up for a Tundra. I have a 2008 (3rd owner) with the 5.7/stock and typically get 15-16 mpg unless I pull a small 19 ft. fiberglass camper trailer then it drops to 12ish mpg. Plenty of power for what I need and after 140,000 miles I've not had any mechanical issues. If I drive real easy.....55-60mph I have been able to 19-20 mpg.....Good luck. They did have a frame corrosion issue I think back in the rust belt so you might do some checking on that for the earlier years like mine. I've seen no issues living out west.

 

[ODB]

I also drive a 2018 Tundra with 66k miles. Quad cab with a 8' bed. I love it. The canopy adds a few lbs, maybe costs 1mpg if that. On the highway I get about 17.5 not towing anything. In town probably closer to 10 or 11.
The 4WD is excellent and the back seat is more spacious and comfortable than GMs or Fords with a similar body style. Plus the color is sweet. 10/10 would recommend.

nice truck - what tires/size did you go with?

 

[snowymtnwolf]

Ford F150 ecoboost. Pulled 10k up Teton bass. Big horns. Route 80 out of SLC. Across country.


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[iowawhitetailnut]

I have a 2020 f150 with 10 speed and 3.5 ecoboost. The transmission is great and it is my understanding that gm now uses the same. The engine is great too, i tow up to 11,000 pounds with it and it does a great job. I previously had a 2017 chevy with 6.2v8. I loved that engine but did have some transmission problems (they have since changed their transmission). I would say towing power and get up and go was similar between these two trucks with possibly a slight edge to the ecoboost. Both did great in mountains but again slight edge to the exoboost i assume due to turbo. I personally think the gm 5.3 is underpowered but i also tow quite a bit. If i were to choose it would be a gmc truck with 10speed transmission and 3.5 exoboost….which isn’t an option. Around here i hear that people like their tundras but they get TERRIBLE gas mileage. Probably why they got rid of their v8 and went with a copy of ford ecoboost. I have read about lots of troubles with new tundra turbo engines

 

[03mossy]

I have a ‘13 with the 3.5 with 181,000 trouble free miles. Also have that 3.5 in my wife’s expedition. The newer 10 speed tranny does get better mileage so make sure it’s ‘18 or newer. We pull our 34’ camper with both trucks and they both do a good job but her truck with the newer tranny does do it a bit better.

 

[axeforce6]

I have a 2020 TRD PRO tundra. I have 40k miles on it right now. It’s been a great truck and worry free. They tow really well. Fuel mileage is terrible and I’m sure most people on here would get better mileage than I do. I put a westscott customs level on it so I could run 35’s. Pulls my 16’ trailer and RMAX. With ease. I had a 2014 sierra with a 5.3 i had the transmission rebuilt by GM. Problem came back in about 8000 miles. I had them rebuild it again. Ordered my tundra and shipped the sierra down the road. I also encounter. Short in my sierra where the ground on the drivers side of the dash at the top would short out going down the road. Lost all electrical then it would come back after a few seconds. I found it was a known problem and fixed it myself fairly easily. Never have owned a Ford and I wouldn’t unless it was an F-250.

 

[reaperukon]

Here’s my 2 cents: I’ve had Chevy, GMC, Ram and 2 fords. Current is a diesel 2017 f350. I can’t speak to the Toyota side of things. It sounds like I need to get one With that said. When I’m out on the trail I leave the keys in the truck and don’t worry about them at all in my pack. Flash back to my buddy who lost his keys in the back country and was stuck at the trailhead until someone else showed up to take him to cell service to call his wife for the spares. I love that there is a keypad on mine. It is BEYOND. A game changing lifesaver in so many scenarios. May not mean much to you but I LOVE it.


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[bowhntr16]

Toytec lift and 34’s, mpg is 12.4 city driving or highway driving. Towing gets around 10-11 mpg unless super windy or heavy load. Don’t tow a bunch, SxS here and there etc. absolutely love this truck for hunting etc. This thing will go places a truck should not go, for hunting I couldn’t be more happy. I’ve pushed snow w/o chains where the doors, when opened are almost touching snow. Drove an F-150 for work for several years, fun to drive, fast, had transmission issues around 50k but ran it really hard (necessity of the job). Tundra IMO is more comfortable to drive than the F-150 and has a much roomier cab.


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[Christopher.Reed]

I have a 2011 Tundra (5.7) with 187k miles that has had zero issues aside from wear parts and it’s been rode hard and put away wet. I am the original owner and unfortunately haven’t taken care of it the way I should have and taken it places I shouldn’t have. On the bright side, it serves as a testament to the trucks reliability.

The downside of that dependability is mileage as I average 12-14 mpg with no aftermarket modifications.


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[dan25]

Thanks guys. It looks like I should give the tundra a look. Any years to stay away from?

 

[Terrapin]

I’m on my third Tundra (01, 13 and 20) with a lot of hard miles and zero dollars spent on repairs. I get 17 at normal freeway speeds and 14 ordinary driving. I lift and level them and add a canopy.

I am always shocked and embarrassed by how much I am able to sell them for when I’m done with them.

 

[andymick32]

I have a 2015 Tundra TRD PRO. We've had Toyotas for years and I'd be hard pressed to buy anything else. Tundra has been trouble fee. Only downside is poor fuel economy. I had a 2007 Silverado that came from the bailout years. I swore I'd never buy another GM product after owning that thing.

 

[carsonmcdonald]

I’m on my third Tundra (01, 13 and 20) with a lot of hard miles and zero dollars spent on repairs. I get 17 at normal freeway speeds and 14 ordinary driving. I lift and level them and add a canopy.

I am always shocked and embarrassed by how much I am able to sell them for when I’m done with them.

Re-sale value does help offset the feeling of poor fuel economy.