I'm looking for a new full size pickup truck and the current front runner is the Toyota Tundra. I have a 2010 Tundra that has been 100% reliable through the last 81000 miles but I'm thinking it may be time for a new one since I'm planning several cross country trips over the next few years and having a new truck with a warranty appeals to me. The Tundra hasn't really changed much between 2010 and 2020 except cosmetically. Trucks burn gas and the Tundra hasn't improved on gas mileage at all so fuel economy is a concern.

The F150 and Ram seem like nice trucks and you seem to get more truck for your money with the F150 and Ram when it comes to electronics and creature comforts. In addition to fuel economy longevity and reliability are also concerns of mine so I'd like to hear from folks that own current year Tundras, F150's and Ram trucks. I'm not looking for the base model nor the top of the line model just something in between that will last me 10 years and well north of 100,000 miles.

I had a 2016 2wd F150 XLT Sport with the 2.7TT EcoBoost.

Other than issues with the panoramic sunroof, it was trouble free for me.
Put about 40k on it before deciding to go back to a car.

IIRC it averaged around 21mpg with the 3.31 rear end.

The new ones have the 10 speed auto, so economy may be improved a bit.

I've always been a Toyotya fan. We"ve owned a couple of Tocomas, a tercel and a camery. Currently I have an FJ in th garage as my weekend truck. Reliable, low cost of ownership and good resale have always been what I liked.

About 2 years ago I got a new woke truck - Ram 1500 Bighorn 4x4. I am pleasantly surprised. It is comfortable, powerful and a lot of fun to deive. I'd definitely recommend one.

On the other hand, I'm not sure I'd get rid of a Tundra with only 81k miles. Seems like it has A LOT of life left. Take it to your mechanic, have a through tune up done, and I think you will be good to go. And you'll save 40-50 Thousand. Just my two cents.

81k miles is nothing for a Toyota pickup.

I have a 2011 Ram 1500 Bighorn at home, and a 2018 RAM 1500 SSV for a squad car at work.

My next truck will also be a RAM, although it may be the 2500.

They are good trucks with plenty of power and all the creature comforts.

I recently had a new style 2019 Ram 1500 Crew Cab as a rental while my fleet vehicle was in the shop.

I was VERY impressed with this truck. Ride was amazing, great power, was getting around 23mpg on the highway (5.7 Hemi). After driving it for around 10 days, I could see myself owning one.

I am on my fourth Tundra. I've had a 2006, 2011, 2017, and 2019. I still have the 2017 and 2019.

I sold the 2006 to a friend. It reached 300,000 miles before it had its first significant problem - an air pump failure.

There is no question in my mind, in term of longevity and reliability/quality, there is no argument, Tundra wins hands down.

The disadvantage of the Tundra is it's an old design, as you have noted, which is one of the reasons for its reliability. If you want the latest bells and whistles, you won't find them on the Tundra.

Ram trucks, in my experience, are close to junk. No offense to those who own them and are happy with them, that is just my experience. Very poor quality.

Ford is between the Ram and the Tundra. Not as good quality reliability as the Tundra, but better than the Ram. And they have the latest technology and all the bells and whistles you can afford.

To me, I wouldn't even consider a Ram. That leaves the F150 and Tundra. If you like the bells and whistles, and latest design, go for the F150. If you value quality and reliability above all else, go with the Tundra.

Note the Tundra will be a complete new redesign for 2021, so that may well change things.

I have owned a couple of F150s. They are the #1 selling trucks for a reason. My current 2018 Platinum gets about 20 mpg and does everything I want a truck to do. I can’t speak for the others as I have not owned them.

It is alright to admit you just want a new truck.

A 2010 Tundra with 81k (presuming you have properly maintained it) will take you across the country ten times over towing a brand new truck.

Save your money. Unless you just want to buy a new truck.

You’ll spend far less on gas and any repairs you might need over the cost of a new truck.

I have a 2014 Ram 1500, bought new in September of 2014.

Been the best vehicle I've ever owned to this point. It has just under 113k on it and have had zero issues, only normal maintenance, tires and a set of brake pads to this point.

I do have a leveling kit and larger tires on it so the fuel mileage took a hit but I can still get 19 mpg on the highway and that's as a crew cab 4x4 with 3.92 gears, 8 speed transmission and 5.7 engine.

When it was sitting stock I used to average 19 mixed driving and could get a little over 22 mpg on the highway, that's figuring it manually and not going by the economy estimator so those are real world numbers.

My next truck might be another Ram or I may look into an F150 or F250 PSD. I haven't decided yet as I believe I'm still a year or so from wanting to replace the current truck.

quote:

Originally posted by btanchors:
I sold the 2006 to a friend. It reached 300,000 miles before it had its first significant problem - an air pump failure.

There is no question in my mind, in term of longevity and reliability/quality, there is no argument, Tundra wins hands down.

The disadvantage of the Tundra is it's an old design, as you have noted, which is one of the reasons for its reliability. If you want the latest bells and whistles, you won't find them on the Tundra.

That air pump isn’t a cheap fix. I was perfectly happy with my 2005, don’t see the need to replace a truck under 100k. Like mentioned above, have it gone through and fully serviced. The only reason I am looking at newer Tundras is that my last one was crunched. Not impressed with offerings from the other makers.

Tundra is the highest quality full sized truck year in and year out. I gladly give up a couple MPG for the reliability mine provides. 81k miles on a Tundra is nothing. That truck will easily go another 10 years and another 250,000 miles. The big 3’s trucks don’t hold a candle to Tundra when it comes to reliability.

You may get more for your money upon purchasing. Which for me is usually useless and very expensive to you electronic gizmo's.
Toyota's will outlast and provide ton's more resala value as well.
And yes 81k on a Toyota is nothing.

Toyota
Ram
Ford
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I bought a Ram 2500 over a year ago. I am very impressed with it. Fuel economy is very good, overall build is very good, etc. I have always been a Ford guy, for trucks, but not this time.

It would largely have to do with your intended use of said pickup. Any modern vehicle should give you 250,000 miles with proper maintenance. It is interesting to note that your current Tundra is the same version as what is currently new.

Frame strength? Ram.
Cameras are your thing? Chevy.
Can't back your own trailer? Ford.
Pantload of aftermarket goodies? Toyota.

If you would rather outlast the truck instead of the other way around, the 2019-20 Ram 1500 crew cab earns an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus designation for crashworthyness. No other truck even came close.

I'll start with agreeing with others that 81,000 miles on a tundra is not high mileage.

I have a 2017 Ram 1500 quad cab and I love it. Built like a tank. Hugh amount of power from the 5.7 hemi and I get a solid 17/22 mpg. If I am driving the speed limit i will get just shy of 23 mpg on the highway.

Back up camera, bed camera, front and rear park sensors on the bumpers, large monitor/touch screen entertainment control screen. The system integrates with my android phone flawlessly. The voice command system is great, make a phone call, change the radio, ac temp, or fan speed without taking my hands off of the wheel.

One thing that really impressed me was the controls layout. Most controls that are accessed through the touch screen still have physical controls as well so I do not have to look away from the road and navigate through different pages on the screen, I can just reach over and hit the control by touch. Or i can just use voice commands for many of them.

One negative on the 4 door ram is the back seat. The 4 door models come in quad cab and crew cab. The crew cab has enough room to hold a party in the back seat but the quad cab is pretty tight. If you are planning on any adults using the backseat for extended trips this may be a factor. The difference is taken out of the bed length so it is a trade off.

My last new truck was a 2004 Ford F150XLT SuperCab 4X4. Excellent truck, over 11 years and 160,000 miles with practically no issues. V8, automatic with overdrive, towing package. About 15MPG city, 17-18 hiway.

My most recent (20 months now) is a 2018 Nissan Titan. Extended cab, 6.5 foot bed, V8, 7-speed automatic, 4X4. About 19,000 miles so far, including a couple of good road trips. 17MPG city, 19-20MPG hiway (that 7-speed automatic makes a huge difference!). Rated to tow over 9,000 lbs. (although I have no plans to tow anything anymore, sold the camp trailer when I retired).

I looked for about a year, let a few selected sales reps know what I was looking for. I wanted a "TRUCK", not a jazzed-up SUV. I wanted rubber floor mats and utility grade upholstery, something I could open the doors and hose out after a day of pheasant hunting in the mud. Local Nissan dealer provided just that (I have purchased 2 other vehicles from the same guy over the past 15 years, my wife loves her Nissan Altima).

Great performance, excellent mileage (for a full-size 4 wheel drive truck with 390HP V8), very comfortable, quiet on the highway. Shift-on-the-fly 2WD to 4WD up to 50MPH, which comes in handy here in Colorado winters.

Have a look. You might find a Nissan you like.

The new RAM is aces in every category. The only thing you'll get in a Ford is better acceleration. The ride, handling, and comfort in the RAM can't be beat. Tundra is a great truck but LOOOOONG in the tooth. Its in dire need of an update. Yes I drive a 2019 RAM Rebel, and I've owned them all. One person's experience doesn't mean shit compared to the whole, but I'll tell you I live in a farming community, where trucks work and RAM rules the road. The 5.7 hemi is a fantastic powerplant, and the 8 speed tranny is on-point. Good luck with your choice, nothing like a new vehicle

Tundra is supposedly getting redesign for 2021 model year but like others have said a Toyota with 81k is barely broken in.

Absolutely a Toyota Fanboy but a family member has a '19 Ram Rebel and it is way more finished/refined than the current Tundra. Rides good on-road and has some pretty slick stuff for off-road too. That would be my choice for a new truck.