Toyota Tundra Long Term Update - How Good Does it Tow?

Our long term work pickup truck, 2008 Toyota Tundra V8, is put to the test towing an enclosed trailer with some upgrades from Curt and we give an update on our Continental VikingContact7 winter tires.
Curt Rebellion XD Hitch, BetterWeigh, & Bluetooth Brake Controller: www.curtmfg.com/
Mamba M22 Wheels 18x9 +0offset: mambawheels.com/
Continental VikingContact7 Winter Tire: bit.ly/2S3CJPW #speedacademycontinental
PowerStop Z36 Truck Brakes: www.powerstop.com/
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[@FormedAndFunctioned]

Watching that intro and seeing Kens RX7, we hope Kens doing well out on the battlefield! We gotta thank him for what he’s doing!

[@peopleschampgarage7869]

I'm buying a Tundra due to this channel. Toyota take notice of these guys 😁😉

[@gabrielash9433]

Just did the same today! Can’t wait to tow my track car instead of driving it to the track

[@dagdagiron17]

Me too. I want to wait til the new one come out

[@russlayton3166]

Great video guys, love to see more videos on the Tundra. Keep it up!

[@dyi01]

I would look into the rolling, aluminum slat, tonneau covers. Very easy to open and get access to the bed, a bit heavier than just a vinyl top, but loads more secure. I have a Truxedo Sentry CT and love it, I've found it to be easy to use and great to live with day to day. I don't have to worry about people throwing trash in the bed or people getting nosy with what I have in the bed. I'm in the Baltimore area, so if you want to check it out I have one on my 2019 Titan Pro4X.

[@urdad1984]

Gonna b in the market for a Tundra in the next yr or so, this series has been very helpful

[@DreamWrench]

Thats a pretty cool gadget! I'm in the market for a small flat trailer for my brothers rally car. I definitely feel more informed now. Thanks Speed Academy!

[@diannescharf5069]

Bak flip solid trifold. Can't go wrong. Thanks guys the vid. Have a 2010 Tundra with over 300,000 kms. Keep up the posts!

[@Ryhno411]

Been in the market for a new/used truck and I'll admit, these videos are making me really consider a Tundra. Great content, glad I found your channel! Keep it up!!

[@oneqwickbird]

If the tundra rides anything like a Sequoia you will not like it for a daily. They ride so stiff.... Js

[@nova7096]

I've had my soft trifold for 12 years without any issues, have even left it on the last 2 winters. Very impressed with how it has held up.

[@firesupport162]

Same I'm the 4th owner of this Tundra trifold works amazing for being 10yo plus the rhino layer is a bit weakened

[@benjaminallen2370]

Woah love the application of tech here; rare to see something this game changing and not just gimmick.

[@justinrutledge6090]

As soon as you said Siping my hand hurt lol, have you ever seen a tire siping blade? First day on the job i went to change the blade as told an other worker smacked the trigger while my hand was hold the siping blade.. Cant believe the rust on the poor tundra dang Canadian roads. I got a 10' rock warrior. Love it. Great video as always guys.

[@Gary-ib8dz]

I had a Ball Flip hard folding cover on my Tacoma for 8 years. I never had a problem with it. When I needed my whole bed and folded it up, I just used my mirrors. I'm probably going to get one on my Tundra.

[@SKEEZOTHEREALSKEEZO]

Enjoyed the info and look forward to more content

[@supdus]

I had a BakFlip G2 on my tundra - loved it other then after 4 - 5 years it started to leak - but still love it..... i have a soft tri fold for my newer tundra and miss the Bakflip

[@reallyrandomrides1296]

Yeah, Tundras are great tow vehicles. I tow my 6000 pound travel trailer with my 2009 Tundra CrewMax, I'll have to get the BetterWeight, very cool device! I run studded Firestone Winterforce LT tires on mine for the snowy/icy months, they're pretty good too.I got rid of my tri-fold tonneau cover and got a very rugged and tough (and much more theft resistant) DiamondBack HD tonneau cover. Not cheap, but it's held up great, over a year so far.

[@pFbSpecV]

Awesome tips and info!! I need to find towing upgrades for my trailblazer!

[@emmanuelmarin6046]

Guess what guys I just bought a Toyota Tundra just from watching your videos and seeing the mods that you guys have installed... and feel really good of the purchase that I just made... thanks for all the info that you have gave... 2010

[@speedacademy]

Great choice! You will love it

[@sup3rd]

Starting 7:41 you have to take a shot every time Pete is a good listener and turns to Dave while he's talking.

[@jandmwheeler]

I will 2nd the Conti Vikings. Put them on my '11 Outback and they were awesome. Lots of snowy driving in the north with zero issues. And I agree, they were nice and quiet for a winter tire.

[@chrisgleeton6823]

I have a tri-fold tonneau cover (soft) on my Tundra. I love it. It keeps my bed covered 99% of the time, and keeps all our stuff dry when we have a bed full of stuff when going camping. If I'm going to be hauling something bulky in the back, it's less than a minute to get the tonneau cover folded up and removed from the truck. Its lightness is a real advantage when removing and reinstalling it. It literally takes less than a minute to uninstall, and less than 5 minutes to re-install (extra time to make sure it's straight). If I'm caught off guard, and need to remove the tonneau cover when I'm already out, it fits diagonally in the cab of the truck (I have a CrewMax though, so you probably won't be able to do that). It has even held up to Winnipeg winters and lots of snow really well. The ONLY downside is that I can't install my canoe rack in the bedside post slots and still have the tonneau cover. So if I'm transporting my canoe with the truck, I can't use the tonneau cover. One of the flush mounted ones would be ideal for that purpose, but then they're 3x the cost, and quite a bit more work to remove/install.

[@rll1971]

I came across the Pace Edwards Switchblade retractable tonneau cover during my search for a cover. It may work in your situation because you can easily and quickly remove the canister from the bed should you need more room. It would have been the one I got if it had slotted rails to mount a rack above the bed. I ended up with the PE Metal Ultragroove and love it. Hope this helps.

[@Donalddrift18]

My Tundra 07 Longbed has 450k miles and still going. Without all the gadgets, I do alot of towing of cars back and forth from the shop. Definitely will be adding weight distribution, and the tools from the video.

[@michaelroblin1957]

I have a Toyota one and it's been fantastic! Bit more, but definitely worth the couple of extra bucks!

[@leeholloway6284]

Just got a lomax trifold for my tundra! It's light weight but solid aluminum. I live in Montana and needed something that could survive the weight of the snow. It gets crazy windy here, and it seems to do a great job in the wind at 80 MPH. Little expensive, but seems like a good product.

[@darinschmidt6456]

I love my trifold toyota brand one seems to be holding up great and watertight

[@rockdog3672]

RETRAX PRO!!! Tracks on skateboard bearings! I have had mine on my tundra 10 months wouldn’t due without now.

[@xozindustries7451]

I'm very surprised that you don't have a weight distributing hitch on that truck, it would help your setup a lot.

[@green76vett]

Wind peeled the abs cover off my ram 2500 and destroyed the bed and cab. Cost 3k to fix. I have had many soft tonneaus but i love my tyger cheap tri fold! Cheap and easy looks and works great

[@corwininadsm]

I've had good luck with hard sided multi fold tonneau covers.

[@calesoole]

I’d love to see another update on the tundra shop truck now that it’s been a year since this video!

[@bigmikes2140]

A tire pressure monitoring system for the trailer would be useful

[@antbymcnair4297]

I have an X-Tang tri-fold on my Tundra since 2007 and I've had to replace one of the hinges where I drove off with it folded, but not clipped. The attachment is Just starting to tear at one of the corners, but otherwise it has been awesome. I've parked it outside since 2007 and it gets a ton of sun and heat here in Georgia. Mine attaches to the factory tie down rails though and it is very secure. I would 100% buy another one if and when it needs to be replaced. I think it was about $400 new.

[@speedacademydave]

Antby Mcnair good to know, thanks for the feedback 👍🏼

[@robertheinkel7579]

I bought the paragon tonough cover nice unit .

[@mrpelletterio7502]

LOL same thing happened with my sisters tacoma HARD tri-fold TOYOTA OEM tonneau cover, imagine having that come off the vehicle infront of you, it survived with a bit of rash on the brackets but i was able to reinstall without any issue again.

[@FNU_SNU]

Nice.

[@t.w.3]

A rolling aluminum slat or CFRP tri-fold. Opens nice, and is much safer as it protects the load better.

[@Patrick94GSR]

Guys, you need a weight distribution hitch setup. The Tundra owners' manual specifies a gross trailer weight of 5,000 lbs or more must use a weight distribution hitch setup. Better to play it safe when hauling that much.

[@donaldtrudeau6630]

I honestly dont know why anyone would want to tow without a WD hitch. Being without one is like rocking 3 season tires in winter conditions.

[@Jdmjunkie001]

Would love to see a Harrop supercharger on this!

[@RobertKohut]

Nice!! Stay safe... :-)

[@RealBearFace]

If I had a truck I would opt for the roll up bed cover.

[@HS24833]

More tundra videos please!!!!

[@rockdog3672]

Amen, I have 19 Ltd.dbl cab cement/blk leather trd dual exhaust & cold air intake sooo sweet!

[@ReubenHorner]

I haven't even seen a soft cover like that.. The best we get here is kinda like a trampoline material with elastic rope around the outside that you clip down on the exterior. (Most people don't use anything)

[@khoshino9621]

I’ve got a hard tri-fold on my ‘12 Crewmax. It works great for me, I can stand on it and it can support my 200lb frame. Really easy to open, super sturdy and keeps the snow and rain out.

[@sebastiangonzales8913]

I have the same issue with the tri-fold tonneau cover same situation I was driving on a Surface Street I contacted where I purchase they ask me take pictures of the broken latch and within two to three weeks I received a replacement cover with better latches in the front

[@Yeptturbo6969]

Headers and full exhaust for the tundra

[@nrvsauto8990]

I've honestly never even seen a soft trifold cover in my area, but that seems odd that the wind caught it/ripped it off.

[@Bunkysworkshop]

I’m liking the Bluetooth brake controller but I have a question. What would happen if you loose the Bluetooth connection?

[@josephrobson4095]

Just hook up and go that’s how we’ve all ways done it over here in the uk

[@theo.k]

I used to have a BAKFlip G2 folding multi panel tonneau cover on my previous truck and although it was sturdy and well built I did not like the fact that I could not use the full bed length unless I folded it upright which fully blocks the rear window. The aluminum also scratched and dented easily and it was a challenge to take off. I now have a TruXedo Lo Pro Qt Cover. It is a lot cheaper and at first I thought it would be a downgrade because it is made from a vinyl fabric material. But it is holding up great and is much easier to use than the Trifold. It rolls up tightly against the cabin and it gives me full access to the bed.

[@dalephillips8250]

Does the TruXedo leak much? Did you consider any other folding Hard covers?

[@theo.k]

@@dalephillips8250 They are not water tight so there is some water intrusion when it rains a lot or when I take it through a car wash.. But it is not to bad and certainly not worse than the Backflip, which claimed to be water tight and even head special drains. So I am quite happy with the more economic and more versatile option. I did not consider a trifold this time and I do like the way the TruXedo rolls out of the way when I need cargo space.

[@richcreager7877]

I recently purchased a 2021 Tundra Nightshade, so far I’ve added a “Undercover” one piece Tonneau, A airlift 5000 bag kit with on board compressor, Magnuson Supercharger. I tow my ASV RT-25 Track loader on occasion with it and it does very well

[@Worthrhetime]

How are you liking the Magunson?

[@richcreager7877]

@Worthrhetime Love it, Specially when my buddies who jumped on the new Tundra V6 bandwagon take a beating from the Ol Supercharged 5.7. I like the new Tundra with the crewmax 6.5 bed but won't trade my 5.7 for it.

[@Worthrhetime]

@@richcreager7877 Excellent , thinking about adding it to my 2020 . Appreciate your insight.

[@richcreager7877]

@Worthrhetime Big Big difference 550 HP 550 ft lbs Torque. If you hit acceleration hard be hanging on lol

[@Worthrhetime]

@@richcreager7877 cool . I live in Colorado and pull a camper at 8k12 k elevation so thinking it would be a good idea ( that’s what I’m telling my gf …. :-)

[@Cruz0604]

Can you do a review on the overall truck! Maintenance requirements, performance, suspension, transmission, differential, longevity of the trucks life and maybe available performance updates??

[@repairvehicle]

I already did, check my channel.

[@kevinpilcher2412]

Should use a WDH with that sort of load, trust me will tow MUCH better. Have an 08 Tundra myself and run a fastway e2 hitch. Worth it

[@yaroslavburmaka1449]

OMG....where are you guys going to in B-More? That's my neck of the woods....also who is doing the paint as I want/need a good body shop? Make sure to say "Hon" allot and buy some Old Bay seasoning to take home.

[@jonathanandrews2188]

Get some Firestone Ride-Right air bags. It'll complete the Tundra's towing package.

[@scottross5706]

Roll-n-lock or Trax These are not a trim fold but I’ve had great success with both

[@dajo4349]

Interesting video. What year is the Tundra and does the brake controller app allow you to manually activate the trailer brakes if needed? If so, do you find it a smaller target to hit with your hand than the typical slider button? Seems like you'd have to take your eyes off the road more to find that button. But, looks like a slick product.

[@Foolrunner02]

Now you should do a super charger!!!

[@jandmwheeler]

Will the hitch weight work on an older OBD2 like a 2000 Chevy Astro?

[@dalephillips8250]

Go with the Hard bed covers.

[@deano_s2k]

I have no issues with my tri fold in my Tacoma. Never lifted or moved. You need to get a solidfold 2.0 or backflip. The soft shells are no good.

[@jamesg6071]

I’d get a diamondback cover for the bed

[@chincchongcho]

My buddy had one on his Tacoma and it did the same thing on interstate speeds.

[@hekkimendez]

Have you considered the rolling cover?

[@robevans916]

This Bluetooth weigh thing is ridiculously cool. What sensors could possibly be on a 10yr old truck that measure ride height or angle though? So curious where it’s getting these parameters.

[@vmoney9106]

Rob Evans I assume it computes the sag based on the rear spring rate, but if you upgrade your springs then that would change the calculations.... I wonder if there’s an input in the app for for rear springs (oem, aftermarket, etc)

[@Patrick94GSR]

He said the device itself has a built-in accelerometer, so similar to how your phone can detect angle changes.

[@vmoney9106]

Patrick94GSR yeah, but an angle change means nothing when you can’t relate that to the the force applied to the springs without the spring rate...... but now that I think about it the accelerometer can compute force of i remember my high school physics. Definitely interesting, would be cool to see them Che k the computed tongue weight to an actual measured value

[@robevans916]

v money if it measures angle of the truck and. Knows spring rate, it still wouldn’t be able to Know the tongue weight. If there’s 6 people in the truck and 500lbs on the tongue, the angle of sag will be less than with the same tongue weight and only 1 person in the truck.

[@Datsuntech]

You know what gives great access to the bed? Having no tonneau cover..... You should be using a weight distribution hitch. I won't tow without it. Try it once, it's like night and day.

[@kogulification]

Get the roll up cover for the bed

[@mengvaj87]

Fender flares... Did it came with the truck or you install it.

[@ovmproductionz]

I bought my tundra from a dealership 6 hours away from my house. On the ride home (about an hour in), the soft bed cover flew off on the highway and hit our rental car following behind us.

[@wyldenray499]

My cover on my tundra has never come off, but i do know that the metal where the hooks attach has bent a lot over the years.

[@wyldenray499]

My cover is a tri fold soft shell

[@Chad-wb7du]

I also think a Bluetooth trailer brake control is a safety concern. What if the connection breaks? App crashes? Phone dies? I will stick to the tried and true system.

[@spiritking5625]

I’m sure you guys are busy with family and simple life. I’d like to ask, your truck is a 2008, correct? I’m asking because I’m looking at purchasing a 2007. Are these two vehicles different? Or did Toyota make the 2007 thru 2010 pretty much the same. I need the truck for a regular drive and a work truck. Answer when you can Thank you for your vids

[@myfavoritemartian1]

I used both folded and roll out types. Commonality? I use extra clamps on both.

[@speedacademydave]

My favorite Martian extra clamps? Hmm, good idea!

[@TC-tw5zk]

Is better weigh better then tow guage? Or the same

[@ItsSOMSon]

Going to haul empty totes double stack 20 at a time should i just buy a v8 tundra?

[@38tech]

Man careful going to baltimore...if you can even get there. Not sure what the border is doing atm. The east coast is essentially locked down.

[@1ronhall]

Where and when in BMore?

[@travanw85]

Get a diamond back. Can carry more weight on top if you want to strap things too it

[@Chad-wb7du]

I’m very skeptical on the better weigh app. I don’t see how an accelerometer could possibly be accurate.

[@StoneColdStrah]

Go with heavy duty tonneau cover

[@jamesbondaygee]

Hope CIA doesn't hack that brake controller. Be like Michael Hastings.

[@Dee12327]

Love my tundra. Don’t love the fuel economy though 😂

[@rover215]

I think momma nature simply had the upper hand. I’m sure it’s a quality product, but those large fabric tonneau covers can only handle so much buffeting.

[@Ragnarok043]

Baltimore? Street Bandito?

[@Justvn4thGenTL]

should I trade in for a 5.7 tundra 2010 has 180k for 13k. looks very mint

[@adamstruthjourney1226]

What happens if your phone dies?

[@Fendamonky]

Am I the only person wondering why Speed Academy is omitting a weight distribution hitch on their tow rig video? Running a trailer like that WITHOUT an anti-sway and weight distribution hitch is dangerous as hell...

[@traxxasslash95]

Especially with how cheap and easy an Anderson no sway is. I could see not worrying about it on a 2500, but on a 1500 I want a weight distributing hitch any time I've got a car behind me.

[@Fendamonky]

@@traxxasslash95 exactly... I didn't know any better when I first got my enclosed trailer. I towed my 3rd gen rx7 from the Atlantic to the Pacific to get work done.. I learned REAL FAST that it was a mistake as any gust of wind or semi caused a pucker factor... not to mention that lifting your front end kills your braking and turning capability while also making you look like an asshole with their headlights pointed up.. I will absolutely NOT be towing again without a proper hitch setup.

[@traxxasslash95]

@@Fendamonky Yup, I am super glad I could a distributing hitch when I bought my trailer. First trip was CA to Michigan over big plains and was glad I had it.

[@repairvehicle]

Tundra is the best half ton truck money can buy. I have 2012 tundra with 4.6 and 225k miles, original engine and transmission without ever being opened for any repairs. Details on my channel.

[@shouldbeasy9721]

No lurch is the braking - the trailer is stopping properly and not pushing the truck forward.

[@danblythe1518]

How bad are those Dewitt tracks though lol

[@stymiesnerdly771]

Next time you're looking to visit a zoo, save yourself about 3 hours (6 hours RT) and just visit the Ft. Wayne Zoo. I've been to the San Diego zoo, and I swear, our zoo in Ft. Wayne, Indiana is better than the glorified concrete jungle they call the San Diego Zoo.

[@speedacademydave]

Stymie Snerdly thanks I’ll check it out!

[@PeterBHugger]

Check out Peragon bed covers.

[@michaelallen2501]

I'm a no cover kind of guy. Trucks get (marginally) better mileage without a cover, without a topper, and with the tailgate up. I'd pay for a spray in bedliner and treat it like a truck. Ditch the cover entirely.

[@kevinmarley866]

Any one know what's the blot pattern on a 2012 Toyota Tundra?

[@cenelson25]

5x150

[@kevinmarley866]

Thanks man!

[@mondomoleno.3404]

K swap it. :D

[@traxxasslash95]

I'd say our 14 Escalade ESV is probably a better tow rig. 400hp, mag ride + leveling rear shocks, and an Anderson no sway hitch made for a pleasant cruise through Wyoming at 80 with my ass being cooled and not a worry about the 22ft enclosed loaded up behind me.

[@donaldtrudeau6630]

Not to mention the awesome Cadillac reliably! 🙄

[@traxxasslash95]

@@donaldtrudeau6630 It's been perfectly reliable so far. LS engines are known to be reliable and the 6L80 is a good unit.

[@donaldtrudeau6630]

@@traxxasslash95 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2Gye5qrfdmjo5I

[@traxxasslash95]

@@donaldtrudeau6630 lol Scotty Kilmer sounds like he's blowing smoke out of his ass. Rags on every car ever made based on anecdotal evidence of one car he worked on one time

[@donaldtrudeau6630]

@@traxxasslash95 Having to deal with those issues even once, is more than enough for me.

[@johnyhansen1362]

if you buy the real deal [ Hard Toneau ] you dont have to deal with this issue now....every time people cheap out..pay the price !

[@lrcreamer]

In 2019 and 2020 they deleted the aux transmission cooler...People when towing have observed high temps when towing with 2019 and 2020 models.People are purchasing the Toyota part used previous years to split off trans lines and installing a aux trans cooler with success.Toyota claims temps are acceptable Without the cooler".either they just want to cut costs or they do not want the Transmission to last as long as they do. HMMMM DO YOUR HOMEWORK IF BUYING 2019 and newer

[@chickenshippfarmsandoutdoo4617]

Worked until you messed with it 😉

[@2007dalin]

if you would just buy a f150 the trailer brake controller is built into the truck from factory and it will tow 48 times better then that little offshore rust bucket.. also better fuel mileage with a trailer

[@donaldtrudeau6630]

The 80's called, they want their mullet back.

[@78fordboy1]

Too bad that Tundra is more ‘merican than your daddy uncles F150.

[@tribunation]

Sell-eek-uh.