Tow Vehicle Test: Supersize It
Toyota's Tundra CrewMax SR5 4x4 offers passengers more than enough room to get the good times rolling.
by Randy Scott
One has to wonder if Toyota’s engineers don’t spend a lot of time brainstorming over lunch at
McDonalds. Somewhere in the discussion about which changes should be made in the total redesign of
the Tundra pickup, the old Mickey D’s marketing mantra, “supersize it,” had to come up more than
once. When it comes to the world of pickup trucks, this jumbo-cab workhorse is about as supersized
as it gets.
By comparison, even the Dodge Ram MegaCab doesn’t measure up in stature to the CrewMax,
which boasts the roomiest rear-seat accommodations in the entire pickup truck class. With 44.5
inches of rear legroom (about 10 inches more than the Tundra Double Cab), rear seats that slide
fore and aft 10 inches and recline, plus the availability of a rear-seat entertainment system,
Toyota’s new CrewMax offers unparalleled passenger comfort. Now, rather than feeling relegated to
sit in the back, passengers may prefer it.
This next-generation Tundra has undergone numerous refinements, such as a stronger frame,
more rigid suspension mounts, and the availability of an all-new 5.7L engine — Toyota’s most
powerful to date — coupled with a new six-speed automatic transmission equipped with Tow/Haul. As a
result, the Tundra’s maximum towing capacity has jumped drastically from 7,100 pounds to a whopping
10,800 (on certain regular cab models).
Towing equipment is standard on all V8 Tundras and includes a hitch receiver, 4.3 rear
differential, supplemental transmission cooler, transmission fluid warmer, transmission temperature
gauge, a seven-pin and flat four-pin connector, and a trailer brake controller pre-wired for
electric trailer brake applications.
The test vehicle — a four-wheel-drive Tundra CrewMax with SR5 trim and a supersized 381-hp,
5.7L engine — offers a maximum tow rating of 10,100 pounds. This truck does a remarkable job of
towing a 7,160-pound Four Winns 274 Funship supplied by Castaic Marine. In a combination of
flatland and hilly terrain, the CrewMax pulls the boat and trailer so well you could have easily
forgotten they were attached.
With the Four Winns in tow, 0- to 60-mph acceleration runs take only 16.2 seconds. In terms
of its fuel economy, the CrewMax nets 9.8 miles per gallon while towing and 13.8 mpg without the
trailer.
In a simulated panic stop, the Crew-Max and trailer combination comes to a halt in a quick
and controlled fashion. This is because these all new Tundras come with what Toyota touts as the
segment’s most advanced standard braking system. The anti-lock system features four-wheel disc
brakes with extra-large ventilated rotors in the front and rear.
Another big plus when it comes to towing is the Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (Auto
LSD). Compared to a conventional mechanical limited slip differential, this system helps provide
better acceleration on slippery launch ramps.
Toyota also offers an optional DVD navigation system that includes a JBL audio system and a
rear backup camera. When you shift into reverse, the camera screen automatically displays what’s
behind the vehicle, which makes lining up the hitch ball with the trailer coupler a breeze. You can
almost hear the Toyota engineers humming, “You deserve a break today … ” when dreaming up this one.
Toyota Tundra CrewMax SR5 4x4
Engine: 5.7L V8
Horsepower: 381
Torque: 401 lbs.-ft.
Passengers: 6 (w/front bench seat)
Ground Clearance (min.): 10.4 inches
Cargo Capacity (max.): Unlimited (open bed)
Towing Capacity: 10,100 lbs.
Fuel Economy As Tested: 9.8/13.8 (mpg towing/non-towing)
Price As Tested: $38,819
