Hello, after 20+ years of driving GM's I am very close to getting a 07 Crewmax TRD 5.7. I have always purchasd my trucks and vans with locking differentials and had good luck with the traction. I am trying to understand why Toyota does not offer a locking differential and how well the traction control works in comparison. I know with a good locking differential in a 2 wheel drive vehicle you can go pretty far on rough terrain.
The truck will be used as my daily commuter but I am really looking for capability to pull my 4500 lb. boat, plus people and equipment. So I want to make sure it is going to have great traction on theboat ramp.
We will also be using it to pull through the mountains so I want power, my 4.3L Safari van is not capable for this new boat.
Anyone have some real world comparisons on the limited slip differential vs locking?
My second choice of course would be to go with the new GM.
Also I am looking at the differences in expected depreciation on the vehicle. Everyone always says the Toyotas are worth more after a couple years, but hey they are worth more when you buy them new also.
In most cases, I like the mechanical locker versus the electronic. However, I feel that the electronic locker is adequate for the Tundra, but the only downside is that you have to select a button for it to work. The Tundra, if you get a 4x4, does have A-TRAC, which will use the brakes to stop or reduce the spinning wheels to help gain traction (identical system that the FJ uses). All-in-all, I'm very happy with my Tundra purchase and I do plan on doing some light offroading sometime in the Dunes and in some trails that I can fit in! (permitting that I can talk the wife into getting rid of the damn running boards!)
As far as your question regarding resale value, I beleive that if you bought a GM and a Toyota, the Toyota would return more than the GM with similarly equipped vehicles. Unfortanutely, I don't have any examples, but that's my strong belief. Although I'm not a GM fan after some trouble with my vehicles in the past, GM trucks are durable and are proven to last. That's what hurts Toyota, they haven't been in the truck market nearly as long as the Big 3, but I believe that they are just as durable as the competiton.
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2011 Fit Sport 5MT
2011 Pilot EX-L AWD
2008 Goldwing Navi
My only experience with the Auto LSD is in the rain, when the oil was on the surface. I slid it around a corner and only the right wheel was spinning, and I wasn't going anywhere fast. I hit the ESP/LSD button, and it SNAPPED back around in a hurry, and proceded to light up BOTH tires simultaniously. I could see the tire marks in the damp pavement, one long one, then the two swinging back to the other side, then two equal length for several more yards. It works much better than the GMC yukon i had, which only applied the brake to the wheel that was spinning. Also better than my 04 F-150 FX4, which had the factory 3.73 with trac-loc lsd. It seemed to be more progressive and couldn't keep up when it needed to lock and unlock. Hope it helps some. In no way can I discount the effectiveness of GM's Eaton locker. It is a great unit. I almost bought a GMC, but the deal was better on the Toy, and the seats are more comfortable, and I got a full size bed.
Well mechanical or electronic at least it is locking. However I don't think the 07 Tundra is electronic locking even.
The information I can find says Automatic Limited Slip Differential. Active Traction Control.
So I don't know that the differential is even a electronic locker? Anyone have indepth knowledge on this?
When I asked at the dealership the advisor didn't have a answer, he went silent which sort of indicated he either really didn't know or didn't want to expose a weak point.
Just looking for facts and real world experience, I need to ensure this is going to work for me.
Let me put it this way, we have a couple of the steepest boat ramps you'd ever want to see around here. I wouldn't try to pull a 4500 lb boat out of Lake Alan Henry with a 2wd anything. Jet ski maybe, but still major slippage. My old ford, pulling a 24 ft ski boat, would go about 20 ft in 2wd before it would light the tires into goo. 4wd was not a problem, no wheel spin at all. I know of a doctor that has a 26ft Larson that has hell on that ramp with a 07 chevy CC Z-71 vortec max. He has to have whoever is with him in the bed jumping up and down to get out of the water. If you are that concerned, get the 4wd, and skip a few other options. It's not that difficult of a decision.
oh you bet I am going to get 4 WD without a doubt. My view is that we will go wherever 2 wheel drive will take us knowing that the 4wd is there to get us back. I wouldn't even consider a 2 wheel drive pickup, too light on the back end.
Years ago we used to go looking for trouble with our 4WD, it wasn't a good day unless we got stuck somewhere and had to winch or tow each other out. It was fun, but these days I just want hassle free fun with the family.
My boat is a 22 foot weights about 4500 with the trailer and then pack in all the rest of the family and stuff, I can easily see 6500# maybe more. Then traveling in the mountains you can assume a 10% loss of power at elevation. I've pulled the tent trailer in the mountains where the fastest we could keep going was 25MPH on the long inclines, and then hitting 60MPH without stepping on the gas on the down hills. With the boat I want to be in full control.
But now what I am looking for no hassle family fun, whether it is at the boat ramp, the ski hill or somewhere in between. Might be overkill but I want to be able to enjoy the times when we aren't working.
There's definately not an electronic locker, only the electronic slip control, which uses the brakes to control slippage. Since you will go the 4WD route, you'll have no problems with what you tow, even if it was maxed out at 7500 with the 4.7L or 10,000 with the 5.7.
With mine, I can't look for trouble. It would be like driving a limo in the park; it's going to get hung up somewhere (stupid running boards)
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2011 Fit Sport 5MT
2011 Pilot EX-L AWD
2008 Goldwing Navi
Then traveling in the mountains you can assume a 10% loss of power at elevation. I've pulled the tent trailer in the mountains where the fastest we could keep going was 25MPH on the long inclines, and then hitting 60MPH without stepping on the gas on the down hills. With the boat I want to be in full control.
But now what I am looking for no hassle family fun, whether it is at the boat ramp, the ski hill or somewhere in between. Might be overkill but I want to be able to enjoy the times when we aren't working.
Thanks
3% loss for every 1000 feet above sea level. Harsh in 10,000ft mountains when towing. The Tundra's aggressive gearing with the 3UR(5.7)/AB60 makes it suitable for such tasks.
Make no mistake, the Tundra has an open differential throughout the lineup and offers a cheaper, brake based electronic limited slip. While a true locker can only be used to get you out of trouble, the Tundra's electronic systems try to keep you from getting into trouble. GM's G80 auto locker will grenade itself in very hard off roading, but is a solid unit otherwise. That's usually why it's called the "grenading locker" by GM off-road enthusiasts.
No doubt aftermarket companies are working on mechanical LSDs and lockers for the Tundra, so it'll only be a matter of time before they hit the market. I haven't had to use the locker in my Tacoma to get me out of trouble yet. The 4WD system works well enough in snow and ice. I don't have any stability or traction control on mine because I feel it dulls driver ability and can result in complacency (oh the electronics will keep me safe). Unfortunately, you can only disable the stability control (which enables the ALSD system) on the Tundra. Traction control remains active and is quite aggressive.
Let me put it this way, we have a couple of the steepest boat ramps you'd ever want to see around here. I wouldn't try to pull a 4500 lb boat out of Lake Alan Henry with a 2wd anything. Jet ski maybe, but still major slippage. My old ford, pulling a 24 ft ski boat, would go about 20 ft in 2wd before it would light the tires into goo. 4wd was not a problem, no wheel spin at all. I know of a doctor that has a 26ft Larson that has hell on that ramp with a 07 chevy CC Z-71 vortec max. He has to have whoever is with him in the bed jumping up and down to get out of the water. If you are that concerned, get the 4wd, and skip a few other options. It's not that difficult of a decision.
The only way I would believe that is if that 07 chevy CC Vmax is 2wd only. If it's a 4wd (and he had it locked in), it would do it just as well as any other 1/2 ton. The lakes in MN are VERY low right now, and when I loaded my 19 ft, 3500# boat in my local lake to ski/tube, I had to back the trailer in so far, it went off the concrete slabs (about a 12" dropoff) in order to get it deep enough to load. People were having a hell of a time that day. My 07 GMC Vmax with the E80 locker did it...IN 2WD!!!! The back locker locked up and the rear wheels howled a deep howl and walked right up that wet ramp. It was very impressive to say the least. Yes, I could have put it in 4wd, had I needed to, but I didn't need to.
...I haven't had to use the locker in my Tacoma to get me out of trouble yet. The 4WD system works well enough in snow and ice...
My Taco was the same way. Open diffs all around and it got be through 14" of snow this past winter with very little slippage. With the Tundra having the ATRAC, it'll be even better
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2011 Fit Sport 5MT
2011 Pilot EX-L AWD
2008 Goldwing Navi
I just pulled a 21' boat through the hills of Lake George, NY from Boston, MA. Pulled very well for around a 6500# fully loaded boat and trailer with 4 people in the truck as well. No problems with slippage on the ramps in 2wd either.
I think a lot of slippage issues whether a locker/LSD is involved or not is the tires. The crappy Dueller HT's that came with the truck were alright when I pulled a friends boat out of the water, but otherwise will probably suck elsewhere, including winter. THat's why I'm saving up to get my Wrangler Silent Armors that I had on my Tacoma; excellent wet/snow traction and 500 treadwear...
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2011 Fit Sport 5MT
2011 Pilot EX-L AWD
2008 Goldwing Navi
The only way I would believe that is if that 07 chevy CC Vmax is 2wd only. If it's a 4wd (and he had it locked in), it would do it just as well as any other 1/2 ton. The lakes in MN are VERY low right now, and when I loaded my 19 ft, 3500# boat in my local lake to ski/tube, I had to back the trailer in so far, it went off the concrete slabs (about a 12" dropoff) in order to get it deep enough to load. People were having a hell of a time that day. My 07 GMC Vmax with the E80 locker did it...IN 2WD!!!! The back locker locked up and the rear wheels howled a deep howl and walked right up that wet ramp. It was very impressive to say the least. Yes, I could have put it in 4wd, had I needed to, but I didn't need to.
Well, you've never seen this ramp. It is four wheel drive, and is used on that ramp. Not needed on the closer lakes, but this ramp sucks. It is a large boat, perhaps the tongue weight is too far to the rear. But my sister had a picture on her phone that had all four wheels spinning, with four men in the bed. My Ford never had a problem in 4wd, but couldn't make it more than 35 ft up in 2wd. I've seen many 2wd trucks slide back into the water on this ramp. The point is that some places REQUIRE 4wd and a smart driver.
Well, you've never seen this ramp. It is four wheel drive, and is used on that ramp. Not needed on the closer lakes, but this ramp sucks. It is a large boat, perhaps the tongue weight is too far to the rear. But my sister had a picture on her phone that had all four wheels spinning, with four men in the bed. My Ford never had a problem in 4wd, but couldn't make it more than 35 ft up in 2wd. I've seen many 2wd trucks slide back into the water on this ramp. The point is that some places REQUIRE 4wd and a smart driver.
um, ok, so it was a 4x4, with a locker (Z71) and a 367 HP 6.0 engine. Why would a Ford or any other 1/2 ton be able to do what this truck cannot? What am I missing here? a 26 ft larson isn't all that huge. I am guessing a tandem axle trailer and MAYBE a 6000 lb boat.
a 26 ft larson isn't all that huge. I am guessing a tandem axle trailer and MAYBE a 6000 lb boat.
Not sure what the hull of that boat is made of, but if its wood + fiberglass you are looking at a bunch more than 6000lb for a loaded 26ft boat. I'm guessing 8k+. My 20ft Skipjack (fiber/wood hull) is pushing 5K+ when loaded for a day of fishing (inc. trailer).
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(stupid running boards)
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