I figured the extra boost might be very beneficial towing 7500 lb, esp. up hills.

It might be asking too much dragging all that weight almost continuously with a 1/2 ton, and apparently few do this on this light platform--from what I see in the field, and responses online. At least full-timing. Most haul with 3/4 tons or larger.

 

Yeah this is where I throw brand loyalty etc out the window. Just whichever one is most comfortable because any 3/4 ton would pull that load well.

My 6.2 ford and 5.7 hemi were quiet. Wonder if the new 6.8 ford and 6.2 hemi are quiet.

Anyway let us know what you do.

Are you coming out of a Nissan by chance?

 

This is my first truck so there was nothing upon which to develop loyalty, though good experiences with cars can translate to preference for the same branded truck. Had Toyota or Honda offered a decent truck that would have been it for me because I had both--flawless reliability.

My decision was ultimately based upon a slight difference in recalls/repairs/complaints between Ford and GM; OK, didn't want to introduce tribalism in a Ford forum, but I spill the beans here--a Silverado 3.0L diesel. What edged it in besides reliability (unfortunately overall nonspecifc use polling) was torque and good mileage.

The Nissan was an interesting choice, though it was unavailable new in 2021. The 5.0L Cummins would have been awesome, but tranny???

So if we decide to change trucks it's new research on three brands, perhaps gassers and maybe diesel. I didn't specify earlier comment on loud engines in 3/4 tons but they were diesel. Gassers are likely much more tolerable.

As of today, 8-15 I am awaiting a back-ordered valve body for the oh so fancy 10-speed tranny! Could be weeks, maybe months. Until then the truck's pan is down with no fluid and is unmovable. One GM forum contributor waited 7 months before the dealer got approved to replace the entire tranny than wait for the part--imagine that!

 

GM is having hell with that 10 speed. My F150 10 speeds have been fine and so is my LX600 10 speed which is mechanically the same as a Tundra. I think out of the halftons the Toyota has the best transmission and they got past the engine failure hump in 2024. Watch some NexGen Drivetrain videos on Youtube (or ones with their engineer on them).

As for the 3/4 ton, yeah the gas is going go be quieter than the diesel. It was actually something that annoyed me about the 6.2 gas, way too tame and quiet (i cant go on enough about how quiet and smooth it was). No clue why they dropped that engine, maybe the 6.8 is similar and they also have the 7.3 gas. You also have the 6.6 chevy gas and 6.4 ram. Maybe force them to get you into a 6.6 gas chevy 2500 with all your issues. Call GM corporate, that swap may be a win win.

If you did get a Toyota by chance, sear into your mind to swap to 5-30 oil or 0-30 european formula as soon as you drive off the lot.

I would go 3/4 ton and bonus if you can get the lowest gear possible but totally not necessary. Not my choice though.

 

Toyota is a very interesting model of a car manufacturer in reliability and conservatism, the latter sometimes too much IMHO. Maybe they are mutually exclusive if you look at American cars/trucks. Had my eye on the Tundra i-FORCE+/-hybrid but it comes up short on towing and payload tho difference is marginal. This might be their display of conservative over-engineering. I am sure the i-FORCE is a great drivearound. Making me want to check this out again. If only it came with a small diesel….

On the contrary, American car executives like to play in a 1st world arena and manage with 3rd world mindset. Any shiny object gets assembled into a cobbled and poorly executed plan. Consider the Allison transmission, perhaps the best before Ford and GM decided to tweak it themselves, that in itself could be fine. But to release an unreliable, single-sourced critical-component product is almost corporately criminal. And to label it 'Allison' when it is not!

But this may be the end for our cozy relationship with GM and I now consider having them buy the truck back. 30k miles later, arguing with so-capable and beloved service agents (except for this shop in the Pac NW), and severely back ordered parts and repairs has done it for me. Unfortunately, will have to wait for the repair.
My diesel experience has been mostly good, and having to use 0-20 Dexos-D opened my eyes to finessing oil. Along with measuring depletion of oil additives and effectiveness by chemical analysis (Blackstone). Unbenownst to me earlier, a diesel also allows fueling where trucks go--lanes with plenty of turning space. Except for Costco diesel stations, others make fueling a nightmare for longer vehicles.

 

Good discussion.

So the iforce isnt over engineered like the 700h lexus SUV. The Lexus has a redundant system while the Toyota doesn’t. Toyota and even Lexus now is becoming very Americanized; as you mentioned little cheap parts breaking.

While the LX600 and Tundra share some mechanical design in the motor and transmission; they are built in different plants (LX 100% Japan built). Thicker gauge materials in external components etc gets the dry weight of the LX over 6,000lbs. To me it was worth the extra $60-70k primary because I have had good luck with previous Land Cruisers. I wouldn’t shy away from the Tundra though.

I hear what you are saying about the diesel pumps. I have daily’d 3/4 ton diesels since 2007 with some exceptions of time when I had other daily trucks and gas 3/4 ton company trucks.

Unfortunately as mentioned cheapie parts would make me shy away from any 1/2 ton for a full time tow vehicle. Sure its rated for it but their accounting department knows people aren’t actually doing that so why put in components that stand up to that? Fleet towing people get 3/4 and 1 tons.

I also wouldn’t use a hybrid because of useless dead weight.

I would call GM Corporate Monday morning and let them know your tow vehicle is down, you can lemon law it, and you want to get into a 2500 gas or 3500 diesel. No grudges against GM needed.

And if you get a 3500 consider a long bed.

 

You can have the 3.5 without the PB. Plus is bigger fuel tank for longer range 36 gallons not 34 mentioned above. Plus a larger payload rating. Which matters when towing

 

LOL I was just listening to nate@nextgen on the Car Guy/YouTube talk about tunnel-visioned accountants and financiers.
"Toyota Tundra 10spd Best In Class?...."

I think I get it on 1/2 ton TVs.
I was going to call GM's 800 gripe number today because they open till 9pm EST but will ruminate on this up-replacement strategy over the weekend. I think I can develop a very good case for my experiences over 30k+ miles, disreputable/incompetent dealerships and unreasonable backorders. The replacement part# is the same as the recalled old part; although a 'new' replacement is available for the recalled console shifter valve bodies, there is no news on a replacement for column shifters. And this NextGen guy thinks the new replacement is exactly the same old part with a redesigned part #. Consider replacement parts failing again soon after repair.
Too sad and funny at the same time. Financiers and accounts win out again!

 

When I had issues in the past where I called Ford and Toyota corporate for legit complaints I always just strategized a solution. Quite frankly super polite and firm will get you a long way. Not going to punish you for their **** product and you are going to stay loyal and even get a new one.

Quite frankly get a buy back done and get into a 2500 or 3500. This situation is exactly what those lemon laws are made for.

Very true about the short sighted accountants and also add in the environmental crew doing weird start/stop, water thin oils, completely unbearable transmission tuning etc..

 

In my 7 decades I have been fortunate enough not to have had to call a manufacturer--so spoiled? Any pointers help to deal this stuff is appreciated. Ironically, I spent 19 years immersed in 3rd world culture and see that mindset now being established in the US/Canada on a grand scale. Kinda sad!

And then there's that new fangled environmental stuff, to quote the general, bovine excrement. There is logic in clean air, land and water, and then there are extremes. Everyone onboard with that has skin in that game, just as anyone that likes the stop/start needs to re-examine its advertised vs intended design. It's a scam to make starters fail faster and engines have to be serviced more often.

In any case, back on topic-- I will present my case and hope to report an amicable up-duty swapout.

Much appreciate you hanging in on this thread!