2017-2021 feedback

This will be my third Tundra (2002, 2012 both extended cabs).
I am looking for any "watch-outs" for used Tundras for this generation
I hated the way the 2014 drove when I tested in 2014, but the 2018/2019s seem fine (the 14 felt unstable on turns/on-ramps).

I'm having to make this purchase quickly in an inflated market (RIP 2012 Tundra), and am dislike buying used, but the new ones have new semi-unproven technology and ridiculous pricing.

My #1 priority is tow capacity - I'm towing a 2-horse trailer with decent weight.
It looks like I should try to stick with the extended cabs to increase the capacity and I prefer the 6.5' bed anyways.
Do any of the newer models have the driver side grab bar (I kept looking for it in the dealer test drives) and dual zone air controllers in the SR or SR5 models?

Anything that I should be looking out for without doing hours of extensive Tundra history research?

Thanks!

 

If you don't need 4x4 the 2x4s can tow a little more since the don't have the extra weight of the transfer case etc.

Pretty sure the double cabs do not have the option of rear climate control, just the crew cabs with the smaler 5.5 bed length.

2017-2021s are solid. Look at the carfax and make sure it was maintained properly.

Grab Bar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhnnDjhH0y8

 

I always encourage people to do tons of extensive research, but having said that, I can answer a couple questions.

Toyota deleted the driver’s side grab handle (among other features/options) in 2014 with the mid-generation facelift. Lots of people think it was due to safety and point to a 2019 crash test which showed the passenger dummy hitting its head on the passenger side handle, but this doesn’t really hold up to scrutiny for a few reasons: the passenger handle was never deleted, the driver’s dummy never hit its head on the driver’s side handle, and the lower safety marks for the driver’s side offset impact rating have always been due to the amount the cab crumples into the driver’s footwell (something like 12”), not anything to do with head issues.

It’s easy to order a 2007-2013 driver’s side grab handle, though. Lots of us have done it. 20 min install, maybe.

Did your 2012 Tundra tow that horse trailer well for you? One thing to note: Toyota deleted the external transmission cooler in 2019. If that is important to you, you will need to order an aftermarket kit. Many of us have done this with @Genuine Cooling Systems .

If my truck were going to be primarily a towing vehicle, especially with a heavy tongue weight, I probably wouldn’t be looking at half tons.

 

Thanks @Garrett77

I am in New England, mud/snow is beneficial to have 4x4. First truck was RWD, with weight it was ok with good tires, but the 4x4 has definitely helped me out a few times with the 2012, especially in damp fields towing.

To clarify, the 2012 had a passenger and driver side temp control. I possibly used incorrect terminology, not dual zoned front to back (although that would be nice also). Most of the trucks I've looked at seem to have less features than my 2012 for the "little things", less overall storage including 2nd glove box and tiny door storage that was perfect to stash small things, no grab bar on driver side, no dual control for temp, etc. All things I can live without, but sort of a let down that I feel like I'm loosing small detailed touches with the newer trucks that I wasn't expecting to not have.

Thank you for the video! I didn't realize I could add the grab bar. That doesn't look too difficult.

 

Thanks @Terndrerrr

Thank you, I didn't realize I would need to look at an older model parts for the grab handle change.

The 2012 had a 4.6L, on long or steep hills it definitely felt the trailer, most of the time it was fine. I think the smaller v8 was a significant factor. No issues, just could feel it struggling slightly. Weekend towing, mostly local, bad hills are rare, so the increased tow capacity with the 5.7L v8 I would think should be more than enough without needing to switch to a 3/4 ton in other brands.

The note about the external transmission cooler is exactly the type of tip I'm was hoping for and something I can check on for the 2017/2018. I'm being told that they "all come standard with tow packages now", and I wondered how true that statement was.

 

Buy a 2018 5.7 dc. You’ll get the cooler and the 5.7 as well as TSS. I also live in New England and tow heavier than you will and have had a 16,19 and 20.

 

17 and 18 still had the external cooler up front. I bought a Hayden kit from Nick and sourced the OEM thermostat, hoses, and hardlines myself. All said and done, it cost me $750 and a couple hours to put it on my ‘21.

Something I enjoy with my truck that earlier trucks don’t have is Apple CarPlay. I also have the TRD Off Road package, and that comes with dual climate, which has come in handy when my wife is in the truck with me.

 

Thank you!

 

Thank you.
I'll keep an eye out for the TRD if that is where the dual climate is, thanks!
Tongue weight is 500-700lbs on the trailer (weigh safe drop hitch), so I think I should be fine as long at the tow capacity is close to 10k lbs from my quick research. This is another one of those values that isn't always on the listing and isn't easy to find, tow capacity is surprisingly difficult to uncover and I've had to ask frequently.

 

I’ve never owned a tundra that didn’t have dual zone climate control. Trd off road, limited and Trd sport all had it. Is it just a bumper pull two horse? I used to “own” a horse farm with my ex wife.

 

Re-posting my thoughts from a similar thread/question:

You will be happy with any. They are all awesome. No direct injection. No cylinder deactivation. No engine start stop. No forced induction. The pinnacle of ICE design - when durability, longevity, and reliability were priority, not CAFE/EPA. These trucks have 2-3 common issues to look out for over hundreds of thousands of miles of driving and that's it. Very low chance to ever leave you stranded or hung out for a huge repair bill.

I'm generally not a fan of driving assistance nannies (18+) but the safety sense alerted me twice when someone slammed on brakes in front of me, giving me an extra second to stop. To my knowledge, all of it can be permanently disabled in the menus if you don't like it (and should stay off forever). The only thing I don't like about this truck is the remote start shutting the engine off when you open a door.

I've done a ton of research on transmission coolers. If you go back and review hundreds of post across all model years re: transmission temps (not just 19+ threads, don't forget to review on the Sequoia forums also), you will find the lowest trans temps are achieved with 19+ with the aftermarket cooler. The prior factory coolers were integrated with the radiator rather than separate. These were good but didn't perform as well as aftermarket (5-10 degrees warmer often). Some even added an aftermarket to supplement the OEM on pre 19's when towing at max. For more education, review Ford/GM/RAM Heavy Duty Transmission Temp threads.

Again, all are great, but IMO the best are 20-21 for the Push start, Carplay/Android Auto, Keyless, TSS. And if you tow heavy often or want piece of mind you can add the aftermarket cooler for better than OEM performance.

 

The 2020 SR5 Double Cab 5.7L 4x4 in any color other than white, is the greatest Tundra model ever manufactured by Toyota. Again, stay away from the white model but IMO, I would concentrate my efforts there.

 

I personally like model years 2016 and 2017. It has the trans cooler, 38 gallon tank is available, and no Toyota safety sense sensors/nanny tech. I can remote start my truck and it won’t shut off when I open the door like the later years (that would drive me mad). I put a carplay/android auto headunit in mine for around 500 bucks and it’s a must have for me. Frankly the aftermarket headunits if you get a decent brand work more flawlessly and sound much better than the OEM ones. My SR5 does not have dual climate adjustments, not sure what trim is required to get that.

Also, you don’t get the OEM LED headlights from the factory which are quite nice until either 2018 or 2019? Maybe one of these other gents know. I installed them on my 2017 and really enjoy them. Just figured I’d share my preferences and reasoning! I use my 2017 TRD Offroad Doublecab to tow my 7500lb travel trailer quite a bit, and I’m always impressed.

 

Biased coming from a 2018 DC owner but 2018 was the last year of the trans cooler, first year of the dash facelift, LED headlights, and safety stuff that everyone whines about (and last year of inferno). I have most of my TSS shut off other than the pre collision warning thing.
You can add LED headlights, grab handle, cooler etc to majority of the other model years in the gen if you want something that another year didnt have so you dont have to box yourself into a corner for MYs. I tow my tractor (around 8k lbs) and our camper (around 6k lbs) and the 5.7 does awesome. For the love of god make sure you check the frame for rust if youre purchasing up here. I bought from KY and shipped my truck to Maine, everything up here was rusted to hell.

Good luck with the hunt!

 

Ya the option pkgs get confusing. My 2018 Sr5 trd offroad does not have dual climate controls. That option shows up at the Limited or Platinum trim level.
It does have the 38 gallon tank, LED headlights and fogs and the tow package. These upgrades came std with the TRD offroad pkg along with the 4x4 on the sr5. I'm 99% sure this formula applies to all 2018 tundras.

 

Yeah, my 2018 SR5 dual cab TRD Offroad (2wd) also does not have dual climate controls. It does have 38 gallon tank, integrated trailer brake controller, LED headlights, Homelink mirror, TSS (of which all are turned off, no need for any of it except RCTA - Rear Cross Traffic Alert). It also has adaptive cruise which I almost never use.

Fabulous truck!

Dan

 

Install a sway bar in back, the truck will be much more stable in turns and at highway speeds. Takes only a couple of cans to install.

 

Polling the group
Current options are with all core features same (5.7L, 4x4, extended cab, etc)
1. 2012 Limited 46k miles ~$25k
2. 2020 SR5 36k miles ~$38k
3. 2018 SR5 58k miles ~$34k

What would you do and why?
I wasn't planning to buy a new truck for at least 2 more years, and may have some other expenses soon, so the the 2012 is tempting just based on price (garaged)

 

2018 or 2020. It is SR5, so no faux leather. It has LED headlights and way better dash ergonomics.

 

If thats your situation id say save the money and go for the 2012 so youre not ‘truck poor’ so to speak. That and its a Limited so it’ll have some doo-dads and creature comforts over the SR5s. Otherwise either of the other two newer would suffice imo.
Still cant believe the damned prices. I paid $31,500 for my 2018 TRD OR with 10k miles in May of 2020.

 

Here's the way I see it. I prefer the interior and exterior styling of the 2014+ models. BUT, the 2020 and 2018 here are not worth $13k and $9k more than the 2012 (to me).

That 2012 has low miles and should be in terrific condition. I would buy that one all day long.

 

for towing purposes consider the Roadmaster Active Suspension upgrade with or without the TRD sway bar in the back. And as others have noted, tranny cooler is a must mod if you get a newer 2.5 gen.

 

What are the conditions of the listed trucks? If the 2012 is beat up and had poor care and maintenance, the savings are absolutely not worth the price difference. When I shop for used, condition is at the top of the list, price can be negotiated, condition cannot. I've taken my time and have ended up with a few fabulous used vehicles (two Toyotas in that group that ran flawless for several 100k miles.).

Study the options also to see what meets your needs. If options and condition lines up, you can't go wrong with any of the Tundras.

Dan

 

The 2nd gens have the dreaded SAI system. The 2.5 gens have cam leaks. The 2nd gens have a bypass kit that doesn't cost as much as a full replacement and the 2.5 gens will cost 2-3k should you have a cam leak that must be fixed.

 

Like @vtl stated. LED headlights are a big upgrade. 2018 seems like the sweet spot assuming it has the LEDs and "real" trans cooler.

 

I'm grumpy about that dual zone climate... '07-'13 it could be retrofitted to the SR5s, but '14+ have to replace the whole box meaning 100% removal of the dash, draining the coolant, AC refrigerant recovery, the works. i should've waited a bit longer for the right deal on a Limited

 

Final update, the 2012 was sold before it even arrived fully at the dealership. I probably should have looked at the 2018, but the 2020 dropped in price by $1k, so I took the 2020.
Thank you everyone for all the advice and tips.
Much appreciated.

 

2018 was the last year they had a transmission cooler, they discontinued it in the 2019+

 

I’ve got a 2020 sr5 4x4, the one best mod I’ve done is the trd sway bar, which you can do to any trim, I also leveled it, added tint, and some interior doo dads with some led bulbs and called it a day. So whatever you get…… get the sway bar!

 

Rear sway, chrome delete and led headlights. Pick the order.