The sales people want you to believe the Tundra is a true 3/4 ton truck. It is, at best, a 1/2 ton pickup just capable of handling a 6,500 pound trailer equipped with proper trailer brakes.

The truck has drum brakes in the rear and small disk brakes in front. Braking when the truck is empty is more than adequate. However, when the truck is carrying a full rated 1,500 pounds in the bed, the rear brakes tend to overheat on long downhill grades or repeated hard stops. Trying to depend on engine compression to slow the truck is not always dependable because the automatic transmission will not downshift if the truck is traveling too fast for the selected gear.

At 11,000 miles the rear brakes chattered and locked, The front rotors warped so badly that they too required repair. Toyota Service personnel asked no questions and fixed the brakes at no charge when the truck was brought in for service. The brakes on the Tundra appear to be Toyota's unspoken issue.

The Tundra trailer wire harness is a four wire system - where Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and GMC 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton pickup's all have a factory optional seven wire system. This means that you will have to have a trailer shop install a separate trailer brake wire system in the Tundra for about $350.

This is a great 'light' truck with excellent economy, fantastic acceleration, a nice stereo system and wonderful options. However, if you want a truck to haul loads, DON'T get the Tundra
Amount Paid (US$): 30,000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2002
Model and Options: V8, SR5, Access Cab, All options but power seats and leather