Advice related to Toyota Tundra Crew Cab 5.7 4x4 purchase

[SniperDanWA]

Those who have a Toyota Tundra, I’d like some advice.  I’m looking to purchase my first Toyota, ever.  My wife agrees that we should purchase a Crew Max 5.7 model. This will be a new to me, truck.  I suspect 2008-2011 model range.  We have 5 grown adults in our family and we do long drives to CO and IA, MN, SD fairly regularly.  I have an older travel trailer, 24’ that serves me well when hunting and a 12’ utility trailer for most loads - quads, mulch, soil, trash, wood, etc.  My questions are:

1. RV when empty is about 5K.  There are different options for the towing packages on the Tundra.  Is the integrated braking system a good product?  I do want a separate tranny cooler and see that as an option on many models.
2. I noted that there is an Off Road Package.  Are they all not set up that way?  Is that useful for mountain driving or is it more for back road hunting?
3. There is the Grade, SR5, 1794, Limited, . . .  I know the higher the model the more options, and cost, as well as repai when something breaks, but what model is similar to a Silverado or a XLT Lariat?  Looks like the models vary a lot when purchased as to options, far more than other makes.
4. Anyone bought a truck in or from Canada?  Worth it?
5. Rear end ratio and limited slip.  Can you fill me in on Toyota’s track record with the different versions?

Thanks for you honest feedback.

I’ll be selling a 2000, white, long-box, 4x4, extended cab, F150 XLT Lariat that has been well cared for with brand new BFG KO2 2857517 rubber.  Truck has 183K miles, I believe.  I wouldn’t sell if I didn’t need the cash for the new truck.

[724wd]

not in your year range, but my '05 TRD has the limited slip but I wonder why... the computer WILL NOT let the tires spin! I was in 4 lo stuck in 3" of mud on an incline and the d@#*Med thing wouldn't move! I would get some momentum going and the computer would start braking individual wheels if they spun, sucking all my momentum  . The limited slip, well the computer sucks engine power if a tire slips on wet pavement.  what good is the LSD?!

Hopefully the newer models aren't so stodgy.

[SniperDanWA]

Thanks

[JJB11B]

 I loved riding in mine....I had a TRD Crewmax Tundra. It was the SR5 with the sunroof, roll down back window, power everything with JBL Audio stereo and 6 disk changer. It was a great truck. Here's the deal. They're rated for 13-18 MPG. I owned my for about 5 years and put 100K miles on it. I averaged about 13.5 MPH over those 5 years and very rarely towed anything. When I did tow a trailer that weighed about 5k lbs I averaged about 9mpg. IMHO if you plan on towing much at all you would be money ahead to go for a used 3/4 ton pickup. They have a small fuel tank to so when towing you need to fill up about every 180-220 miles

[AROTTY]

I worked for a Toyota dealer during the models year you discussed.
1. Almost every Tundra came from the factory with the tow pkg. If it didn't and has an aftermarket hitch it was most likely a fleet vehicle. The years that you are looking at didn't have a factory TBC. That wasn't an option until the refresh which was 2014.
2.Off road pkg is bilstein shocks and different springs. Also A-trac for low range which is a really nice feature if you go off road. Found on SR5's and limiteds. They all came with the 5 spoke 18 alloy. The base grade or platinum trucks didn't have the off road pkg.
3. SR5 is the middle of the road. Like an XLT ford.
4. If you buy Canadian you need to really be careful about the rust. You will also take a hit on resale value. However you can buy them for 2k less than a similliarly equipped USA truck. My current Silverado is Canadian but I went over it with a fine tooth comb.
5. Some of the early rear ends had issues but much less than you would see at a Ford or Chevy shop. All the tow pkg trucks come with a 4:30 ratio. The non tow pkg trucks had 4:10. The mileage is comparable to a 5.4 ford or non AFM Chevy 5.3. The one thing i don't like about tundras is that they will squat under load when towing. They have really good brakes and if you wanted to upgrade to Sumosprings or airbags they make pretty good tow rigs besides the mileage.

[SniperDanWA]

Thank you all for sharing.  I’m open for more feedback too.  This is why this site gets used like it does.  Much appreciated.

[724wd]

all that said, I very much like my '05 Double Cab! I plan to drive the wheels off it and I'm only at 120,000 miles. I like the new body style, too, but they were out of my price range at the time of purchase (6 years ago this month!). The only thing I think it DOESN'T have is NAV and rear DVD. I have the woodgrain crap, leather, 6-disc CD (anyone still listen to CDs?  ) etc...
Some friends just bought a '15 double cab with 77,000 miles for under $30,000 (lease return). PO lived in Grand Coulee and likely worked in or around Spokane to get that many miles. It's a 4wd 5.7 but not a top-of-the-line package. still a heck of a nice truck!

[hookr88]

Personally, I would get the F150 Trim package.

[JJB11B]

Mine was a deer magnet. I hit 4 deer in it.

[meatwhack]

I’ve been a Toyota guy for a lot of years because of the reliability and resale value. The tundra is no different. Limited packages has a little nicer trim package and leather interior. The cost for a used rig doesn’t vary much depending on package so I’d get a limited if you can find one. If you’re going to tow a camper I’d put air bags and a break controller in the truck. The engines have plenty of power to tow but mileage isn’t great. Driving unloaded if you’re easy on it you can get them up to around 16mpg in the summer 14 or so in the winter. The 5.7 is a timing chain engine so there isn’t any major maintenance requirements and they’ll run a long time if you stay up on normal maintenance items. They also ride pretty well on mountain roads since they’re a half ton.

[opdinkslayer]

We have a 2011 platinum crew max. It’s been a great rig so far. Pass anything but a gas pump!🤣

[JJB11B]

391 RWHP 410FT Lbs of Torque! that I did love!

[Boss .300 winmag]

Ram Eco-Diesel great mileage/towing capacity for its size.

[deerlick]

I have an 07 crewmax limited and after looking at a base model then a limited it was an easy decision. The limited seats are worth the extra money alone. Average 13mpg and tow a large boat every once in awhile if I don't take my dodge and it does ok. I love the truck and room in it but wouldn't want it for towing alot. Glad I have two trucks. I'd look for an 06 mega cab dodge diesel for what you are looking at doing. The fuel tank size on the tundra sucks on long drives. But if you are stuck on a tundra they are great trucks.

[fowl smacker]

I have a 2017 Crew Max TRD Limited.  It is my 3rd Tundra, no issues with any.  Mine has the 31 gal tank, I'm averaging 15.2mpg (actual check, not the computer).  I love the power, tow occasionally.  Great trucks, I'll get another one some day.