Toyota Tundra Towing MPG Trailer Empty & Loaded

Everyone Talks about how bad the MPG is on the Toyota Tundra, but is it that bad? What about when you're towing is it even worse? I've towed and hauled with my 2015 5.7 Tundra many times and I wanted to share some real life examples of how well this truck tows and what MPG we get as a result.
#Tundra #Toyota #5.7
Video of my dads 6.4 towing his 7500lb trailer
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[@richcreager7877]

Buying a Truck expecting to get good MPG is like buying a Prius expecting to haul shit

[@DadsDomain]

It was more so for fun. If I really wanted MPG I would have bought something with 4cyl deactivation or Ecoboost.....but I wasn't honestly that concerned.

[@unclebilly1353]

I have a 08 tundra towing a28' toy hauler. With a can am hd10 limited as my toy. Im definitely pushing 10 thousand pound mark. I do use air bags and weight destrobuction hitch with a brake. I don't drive without an extra 10 gallons of gas. But i do live in the middle of nowhere, New mexico. Gas is always a consideration. But the thing works hard. And never complains.

[@hornett22]

buy something different and you'll spend way more than you spent on gas on repairs.

[@youarerightboss]

True.

[@TheDeanGullberry]

Fact.

[@30smsuperstrat]

This is the truth of the so-called eco-friendly vehicles. Big E has warped the truth so that we are creating more solid waste in an effort to reduce carbon. If we'd just stop piling people on top of each other, creating long commuting and pollution density, the problem could be solved . More plant life per person, aka fewer people crowded into urban sprawl, will take care of the issue.

[@juangonzalez6018]

Thanks for adding the video, I was pretty tired of all those videos that took too long to get to the point about real world mpg.

[@DadsDomain]

Thanks I should have mentioned too that the computer is pretty accurate. Normally .2 to .4 off is all so I consider it good enough

[@youarerightboss]

Toyota/Lexus, simply the BEST!

[@MorningZulu1]

Great video man! I’m getting a tundra next year and I am super excited !

[@DadsDomain]

I am sure you’re going to love it!

[@sonar0085]

You will not regret

[@shuturface7918]

I had a 2010 Tundra 5.7L. Yes it killed gas but always put a smile on my face when id leave rams and Chevys in my tail gate. 2010 with 220k Miles when i crashed it. Only thing i changed was a 140 dollar starter and Brakes.

[@brandonshaw4104]

Awesome video! Love my tundra 👍🏻

[@DadsDomain]

Me too! We are going to replace my wife’s van with a sequoia here in a year or two since we enjoy the tundra

[@jaysuper8255]

My old 26' RV trailer ( 4300 dry / 5500 wet / 10' tall) I got 11.25 miles per gallon. Freeway speeds of 60-64 mph, usually stayed in overdrive at 1750 rpm's. Get a little tail wind might get up to 12 mpg. NOW, new RV trailer 28'8" ( 6600 dry / 7800 wet / 11'6" tall I now get a steady 9.5 mpg. 2014 double cab with the factory $40 tow mirror option. The new RV is just a beast of a trailer, heavy-duty suspension, huge tanks, thermal pane windows 5200 lb axles cargo capacity of 3500 lb.

[@DadsDomain]

Based on that trailer 9.5 is good IMO. My trailer is about 5500 dry 6500 wet and I get 8-10 going camping depending on wind. A head wind just kills it as my trailer is really flat up front

[@joekearney]

Can’t beat them. I could type an essay about stuff as I’m a truck guru but I’ve had a 09 crew cab Offroad Tacoma 4x4 100k miles , ‘13 dbl cab 5.7 4x4 tundra 150k miles, and now my ‘20 crewmax Tss Offroad 4x4 tundra 31k miles so far .....they just work and keep working . I get 10-10.5 mpg at 72-75mph with my double axle 16x77 double gate trailer and can am side by side (about 3500-4000 lbs) .

[@DadsDomain]

We just picked up a 15 Sequoia with the 5.7. Loved the Tundra enough to stick with the same platform

[@nevarezfamily9291]

2010 5.7 crewmax tows my 9-10k toyhauler without a problem. Towing for hundreds of miles avg about 8 and change doing 65 mph

[@DadsDomain]

65 is my preferred tow speed as well!

[@HaselwoodCattleCompany]

Impressed with how the truck/ tires looked loaded. Would be curious to see how it looked without the airbags. I can image with a gooseneck it'd do even better

[@DadsDomain]

I really like how settled everything feels with the air bags. Especially when towing that trailer I should technically have a weight distribution hitch but it feels fine. If I remember correctly I had the tires at 45 psi

[@flight2k5]

My tundra returns the same mileage as my dads ram. I towed my fj60 on a trailer and I got 11-12 with my tundra

[@dannybuilding1044]

lovely video.... I have video where I haul 2000 pound.my truck didn't struggle.

[@bamadudes9130]

Nice truck, i had a 17 pulled rental equipment for a year, mpg not to bad pulling 14500lbs😲 Tuff bastards

[@DadsDomain]

When I filled up the sandbox for my kids I went to a commercial yard for it and they were really busy and the normal tractors were backed up. A guy asked me what I wanted and yelled follow me. I don’t know what size the loader was but it was meant for their dump trucks and he way over loaded that trailer! By my estimates it was 13k-15k (including trailer) and the truck did surprisingly well. Since there wasn’t wind drag mike an rv has I had enough power!

[@mikehunt2190]

I pulled a 18’ flatbed with 2 cords of firewood and 2000 pounds of fencing and iron pipe and got about 10 mpg with the 5.7. It tows just fine. It aint a diesel, but its got plenty of power and torque.

[@howcanitutorials8998]

Anton Chigurh what year is it. I want to tow a kubota tractor which will be 5,000 pounds total

[@howcanitutorials8998]

Mine is a 2016 would it work good ?

[@mikehunt2190]

Yeah it will tow it just fine.

[@jimwolabaugh3608]

How Can I / TUTORIALS... Do you need people to answer every question for you? Like you can’t figure out that if you have a 2016, that it’s gonna work as good if not better than one that’s 11 years old? When you’re ready to wipe your ass, get ahold of us to ask us if it’s okay!

[@Kevincheesepizza]

@@jimwolabaugh3608 wow man why so angry? Some people really dont know? Take in consideration payload and tongue weight.

[@vivillager]

That's pretty good. In my opinion, more modern trucks are more efficient, but at the expense of longevity. I believe that this is due to complexity, from variable valve timing, variable turbo geometry, direct injection, variable displacement, active fuel management, etc... I don't have to worry about any of that failing on my truck, because it doesn't have any of it. For comparison's sake, my buddy has a 1997 Ford F150 4.2L RWD and towing a 7,750lb trailer netted him about 8.2 MPG on the highway. I have several trucks, but my primary is a 1993 Chevy K3500 6.5L Diesel 4X4, and when I first got it, the same trailer would net me about 10.5 MPG. I've since replaced the injector pump, the fuel injectors (stock metering), adjusted the wastegate for a little more boost, and I advanced the timing by about 2 degrees. Now my MPG with the same trailer is about 15.6, but my horsepower is about 180HP, so it takes me about a month and a half to pull a 0-60.

[@CDLClassA]

OMG!!! I know where you live! My Wife and I are about to live on that street this Saturday. Lol

[@DadsDomain]

Welcome to the neighborhood!

[@dgracias12]

Small world boys!!!! If I knew where you guys lived, I'd look into your area too! Jk. Lol. I have a 2014 SR5 with the TSS package. Love it!!!

[@kross1261]

My 07 Tundra averages around 2 mpg less than my friends new GM and Fords with their 8&10 speed trannys. Under load the margin is even closer. Took my daughter Adventure Land (250 mile trip) last summer, mainly open hwy and interstate got 19.2 mpg (original plugs). Where the big difference will “probably” be is the cost of maintenance when my friends domestic trucks reach 13 years and 250 k miles like mine. If they even can come close to doing that.

[@DadsDomain]

The more people I talk to the MPG difference isn't really that great depending on what you're doing. We're going to get my wife a Sequoia at some point. The 5.7 is proven reliable and I know how to work on that drivetrain now so why not.

[@baine5.7]

Dude that picture of the guy taking the gas pump ,is epic, tundras should have that as a vinyl option 😂, an i own a 2014 tundra, 33's 3 inch lift, im running yokohama x-at's an im getting 13.6 can't seem to get better 😕

[@DadsDomain]

Ya I've heard if you put big Tires on it its pretty much done for! I can't remember how I found that picture but once I did I had to use it! 😉

[@the1stvendetta]

If you lifted your truck for no functional reason, you don't get to complain about gas mileage. Unless you're just an idiot.

[@davidjordan6378]

I tow 8000 lbs or more almost ever day. My mileage averages 11.1 mpg. This includes a 12 mile trip unhooked to and from the place I keep my trailer . No gasoline truck will do much better towing that much weight and you won’t beat Toyota quality!

[@firesupport162]

Going as a 5th owner on a 2013 with 110k miles only issue I've had are what was neglected brakes were never cared for so I've had to do all 4 pads and 2 rear rotors besides that just a transmission fluid drain refill I came off Fords and 2 other Toyotas never could be happier because at this point I only need a small Honda for short trips

[@pryme2013]

Great video. I have a 16 Tundra and vastly prefer the gauges on these years vs the new cluster.

[@DadsDomain]

Ya the new cluster doesn’t do it for me either. It’s not bad but I don’t like it as much

[@guido0582]

I think people expect way too much out of their vehicles when towing we have a 2016 Landcruiser with all 7 seats full, 3.3T on the back and she tows great. Esp for a 4.5 Turbo Diesel.

[@ericgebhart5775]

Best truck on the market. Love mine. But I say this all the time. Put 430 rear gears I. Any other half ton and see what your fuel mileage is. These trucks were meant for towing. That’s why there is only 430 rear gears in them. 👍

[@DadsDomain]

We're picking my wife up a Sequoia soon, its rated for the same MPG but now I'm curious if its 4.30 too. The rear diff is totally different though, independent rear suspension and shockingly it only holds about 1.5qts to the Tundra's 4. I'll be changing that more often

[@cschmi9624]

I like how you have a hitch that is rated for about double what the truck is.

[@DadsDomain]

I figured buy one and be done forever! I also like that the parts in it are rebuildable and you can order a new sleeve for the sway component of it.

[@JW-hf1oc]

@@DadsDomain makes sense to me

[@garypeatling7927]

My discovery td5 regularly tows massive boat never drops below 25 discover diesel USA

[@jerrylittle8922]

Any body pulling doubles with the Tundra 5.7L? A camper with boat in tow.

[@rxonmymind8362]

Keep MPG in perspective and same/same comparison. A Ram/Ford/Chevy V8's gas are all in the same playing field. People always try to compare diesel to gas MPG and that's not even a contest.

[@agustinreal4525]

Went you resetting gas mileage the take about 100 miles to set the right gas mileage

[@Bunkysworkshop]

May I ask where you got the side mirrors and did you do them yourself?

[@DadsDomain]

I waited until eBay had one of their site wide sales and then I ordered the oem ones from a Toyota parts dealers. I did them myself after watching a handful of videos. I was just really careful not to drop any nuts down inside of the door!

[@normanbeaupre9122]

HI, Did you say those mirrors also have the blind spot monitoring? If so where did you find those? Can you include a link? Thanks

[@DadsDomain]

I got mine off of eBay and they are just the normal mirrors without power folding or blind spot monitors. I don’t think they make the tow mirrors with that sensor since you have the bottom mirror on it

[@brianj123458]

I get around 17 mpg on highway empty and the 8-9 mpg on highway pulling a 4500 lb toyhauler plus toys so probably a 5500 lb toyhauler, and can go over the mountain at 70 mph without problems so im happy

[@brianj123458]

Tundra all day long

[@DadsDomain]

With my Tonneau cover I get up to 18.5 at 65 and 17 at 75. I should try doing a comparison with and without it to see what happens

[@brianj123458]

@@DadsDomain that would make for a good video have great day

[@bamadudes9130]

👍👍👍

[@mikeb6386]

Are those after market mirrors? If so which ones? The Toyota ones cost a lot. Did they come on your truck or did u install them? Thanks.

[@DadsDomain]

I waited until Ebay had one of their 20% off site wide sales and ordered the Toyota OEM ones from a Toyota Parts dealer. They were still expensive but 20% was a great deal. I installed them myself and it really wasn't too hard. I was just super careful not to drop any parts inside the door!

[@gabrielmartinez3171]

Great engine yes but yes not good for mpg. Empty driving 75ish plus we get 13.7 on the lie o meter on my 2017 as my average, dont really do town driving but its hilly here. My 2003 silverado 5.3 driving the same gets 17 regularly.

[@DadsDomain]

On flats at 75 I get 16. Maybe my tonneau cover is helping?

[@kylancook3477]

2007 suburban 5.3 tuned get about 9 towing Jeep on a car trailer (6k) at 75 mph

[@DadsDomain]

That’s pretty good, was the the four speed or six speed?

[@jayboflavin04]

What size travel trailer you hauling weight ect? I have a 19 tundra and just upgraded to a 5500lb travel trailer that's dry weight so probably be around 6300 loaded.

[@brianj123458]

I was hauling a 28ft toyhauler that was 6700 lbs empty i had a sidexside and banshee plus my other stuff. I weighed truck and trailer on my last trip and it weigh 17,000 lbs with truck and trailer, truck did just fine on flat ground and climbing, but going down the mountain I was not real happy with the stopping power so sold that trailer. I bought a 24ft extra light that weighs 3400 lbs hoping it stops better lol. My truck is 2015 tundra

[@aenocak081]

How did you reste the MPG?

[@lrcreamer]

I want to buy a tundra but in 19 and 20 the deleted the aux trans fluid cooler..which I would have to add back

[@DadsDomain]

Oh really I hadn’t heard they did that. I wonder why. But that’s good info to share

[@lrcreamer]

yes you purchase the toyota part that splits for two lines and add a aux external trans oil cooler Toyota says the temps are within thier standards but people when towing his high temps which puts the trans at risk look on youtube if you have the 2018 or oldet you have this part and a trans cooler so you are great Toyota got cheap maybe they dont want the trans to last HMMMMM

[@Vox-Populi]

8.7 mpg pulling 4,200 lb travel trailer 400 miles from Florida to Georgia with my 18 Tundra 5.7.

[@DadsDomain]

That sounds about right. With a travel trailer they are more of a wind drag than anything and that’s what is really taking the power to pull at speed

[@mjuberian]

@@DadsDomain Thats terrific

[@zerokool-2058]

If you buy something else than a Tundra, you’ll be at the shop fixing it 😂 Tundra.!

[@johnduran4949]

Very true!! My 5.7 towed my trailer and it doesn’t even feel like I’m towing it

[@lordhriley]

Why block out odometer?

[@josefelix5215]

What size is the trailer ?

[@Ram-re5em]

Try to put a 1500 pound atv or UTV in the bed then tow anything and you will be overweight. Toyota Tundra is a great truck but cost with weak payload rating that will reduce your towing to zero very quick.

[@DadsDomain]

That’s the case with any half ton. Hell thats the case with a three quarter ton (2500) truck if you get the diesel option.

[@GreenMountain565]

Dads Domain exactly. The Power Wagon which is a 3/4 ton has a payload rating of about 1200lbs.

[@justinwhite5859]

Tundras are great trucks had 2 of em but they are out of date !

[@craigr6763]

My 2018 1/2 ton gmc got 5.4 mpg towing my Polaris Rzr on a trailer at 70 mph

[@DadsDomain]

Oh wow, didn't see that coming! 5.3 working too hard or was it the 6.2?

[@craigr6763]

5.3

[@FordF-Super]

Everyone talks about it having enough power, yes it does, what so many fail to understand, it’s a 1/2 ton, yes you can pull 10-14k, it’s not so much about power, it’s the stress you put on the axles, hubs and brakes, shit, my Honda Civic could probably pull it.

[@DadsDomain]

The biggest short coming of the tundra is that the chassis is designed for flex for off roading as well. Brakes, axles, aisin transmission all more than needed. If they stiffened the chassis and suspension it would be good to go

[@youarerightboss]

@@DadsDomain , what would be needed to stiffen the aforementioned chassis?

[@howardcamping9400]

Now it's April 14th 2020, Check the gas price there u will have a big smile:D

[@DadsDomain]

Still over $2.30 here, I have a friend in IA paying $1.....

[@howardcamping9400]

Dads Domain 1$ː̗̀(ꙨꙨ)ː̖́let's move to IA🤪

[@TC-tw5zk]

Where did you buy the towing mirrors?

[@mattd8411]

I got mine off sparks parts I think around 180 or so a piece.

[@stephenhusak6098]

Toyota could blow away the market if they d build a 2500 size truck.

[@skoodercrunch2821]

I loved my three Tundra’s, but that’s the very reason I went to a 2019 GMC 2500HD Denali 4wd 6.6DMAX diesel. I’ve had zero issues with my GMC and towing is absolutely amazing. Toyota quality is undeniable and we still have a hybrid Camry and Avalon in the driveway. 👍

[@gildeleon4159]

What kind of gas do you use? I feel mine runs smoother on premium but no difference in mpgs.

[@DadsDomain]

On our road trip he was filling up with 89 or mid grade. I am not sure if he has ever tried premium

[@calientemac1]

Why are you using S4 mode instead of just keeping it in drive? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@runnerxa]

You don't want to tow in overdrive. S4 keep shift at 4, 3, 2, and 1. It prevent the vehicle from shifting into 5 and 6, which are the overdrive gears on the Tundra/Sequoia/Land Cruiser 6 speed transmission.

[@johnpowell5181]

My gm purest friends dont beleive my 2007 tundra 4wd with a 5.7 duals and g force tuner chip is getting just as good or beter mpg as my gm 5.7 4.3 or 5.3 they are just hating because I went Toyota for qaulity

[@DadsDomain]

I have a co worker who has had the lifters on their 5.3 replaced twice

[@Swindy1794]

I have a 2019 Tundra. Great truck!... but its a pig. A dependable pig, but a pig none the less. 😂

[@DadsDomain]

I love the 5.7 in it enough that I ended up getting my wife a sequoia with a 5.7!

[@josevilla3709]

Buying any other truck might save you $300 a year in gas but you'll lose all your savings when you start forking it over for engine and transmission repairs.

[@im4485]

Isn't the max 1400 - 1700 lbs?

[@DadsDomain]

Are you referring to the payload? My payload is 1370 and I believe for my mode code the towing stated 9700lbs. However to pull that off you need the cargo weighted at the axles and no cargo in the truck as the tongue weight counts towards payload.

[@im4485]

@@DadsDomain yeah. Sorry. I am moving using my tundra I think I put just over 1500 lbs of stuff in the bed and the cabin of the truck. I am going to be driving a little over 1000 miles and I hope Michelin tires are OK. What do you think?

[@DadsDomain]

@@im4485 You're totally fine. If you look at the sidewall those tires are rated for way more than the trucks GVW however thats at 51 PSI. The factory stickers assume a low 33 or so. When I tow my RV I inflate them to 45 all around and everything is great. When I added air bags to the truck it was really just to always be level, not to add payload capacities.

[@im4485]

@@DadsDomain thank you

[@Johnleefromthemist]

I don't give bad reviews but tune your shit up or you probably will reget getting a Ford or a Chevy bro just keeping it real my man

[@jlg5798]

All V8 engines are gas guzzlers !! Except for my Cadillac coupe with the 4.1 liter v8

[@pryme2013]

That engine was a disaster lol

[@imxploring]

@@pryme2013 It must get great gas mileage when it's sitting in the driveway or shop.

[@thomasgriffin3474]

You stayed in 5th when you could’ve been in 6th

[@DadsDomain]

It jumps out of 6th too much and way too easily. That’s why I shift manually vs leaving it in drive like TFL does

[@bryanmartinez6600]

Heh 15.7 without trailer My 2010 Titan get 14.5 on a good day without a a trailer.

[@reddog5753]

I have a 2010 tundra and I'm not afraid to admit it sucks at towing. pulling 8,000 pounds it had a very hard time and felt unsafe. high revs in every gear the truck was screaming wile im bearly doing 30mph. no way i would go up and down hills pulling even 6,000 with this truck and they say its rated to pull 10,000 pounds, thats complete bullshit no way this thing can safely pull 10,000 pounds.

[@DadsDomain]

We couldn’t have a more polar opposite experience in vehicles. Are you towing with the 5.7?

[@reddog5753]

@@DadsDomain yea 5.7 with towing package. i also have a regular cab short bed so my payload is 2,000 pounds. i put a 250 gallon water tank in the bed and filled it 3/4 full so not even 2,000 pounds and it was too much for the truck rear end was sagging like crazy. I'm very disappointed in this truck, it cant even do it's advertised numbers.

[@bryanmartinez6600]

@@reddog5753 add some sumo springs for the sagging they're not too expensive.

[@jaisonswantek8853]

I too have a 2010 Crewmax. I've towed travel trailers, horse trailers, utility trailers and dump trailers. My camper is 7800#'s dry, then I load it and the truck bed up. I guarantee it's around 10,000#'s or more. It pulls it just fine. And I get 8-10 mpg. I've pulled dump trailers where the trailer and contents weighed over 14,000#'s (and I kept the weigh slips to prove it). And it had no problems pulling it at all. Now I did add a set of Firestone airbags, because I agree the rear springs are a little light, but the Tundra and its engine is a beast. I have no complaints and will likely buy another one when the time comes. And I don't plan on getting rid of my current truck... ever!

[@pryme2013]

Somethings wrong with it, go have it looked at. Orrrrr, stop trolling.

[@Johnleefromthemist]

And if you did tune it up fire your mechanic my man

[@DadsDomain]

What do you mean tune it up? It’s not a 4 barrel carburetor running with points for an ignition

[@mjuberian]

So horrible and more horrible...I would love a Tundra but this is why I just cant do it.. ridiculous gas mileage

[@DadsDomain]

For conversation sake what vehicle would give you the mpg you need and does it really add up in real world driving.

[@hornett22]

If gas mileage is an issue, you're probably not a truck person. People buy trucks for work or ego. Not gas mileage.

[@DadsDomain]

@@hornett22 EGO sells a hell of a lot of trucks and upgrades!

[@caskin95]

tilley Schmolph I’m driving a 2019 ford with 6.2 engine and when Is empty it ‘ll never get more than 10 miles to a gallon

[@youarerightboss]

You don't purchase pick up trucks for gas mileage. Buy a Prius, for Christ's sake, if you're so worried about MPG.

[@davidharris9259]

Get a real truck,that trucks a joke.

[@320dak]

So, what is your definition of a “real” truck? No manufactures named! I just want to know what you define as a real truck and why? Or, are you just a lucker trying to stir up some shit?

[@bryanmartinez6600]

But this is a truck, it's not like he's towing with a Subaru baja

[@caskin95]

320dak he’s probably driving a jetta and talking by a real truck or he must be a ford fan haters gonna hate no matter what

[@troylayton8572]

Oh he must mean a truck that you have to work on!?!??

[@fivecrosses9040]

I’m sure glad everyone doesn’t drive a tundra. Makes a trip to Home Depot a lot easier to see my truck in the lot. Have had every brand except dodge. I prefer the tundra. It’s simple and reliable. I don’t care for traction control and changed the headlights. I’d buy another.