I pull a trailer just slightly longer and about the same weight with a Dodge 1500 with the 4.7L Flex Fuel Engine. It has the tow package and all the trimmings. I have pulled the same trailer with a friends Dodge with the 5.7 Hemi and saw no real difference in towing or gas mileage. Your truck should handle the towing fine, you might want to look at a WD hitch if you dont have one, that will make a world of difference in towing. As far as gas mileage, if you want to improve your gas mileage, the only sure fire way I know of is to upgrade to a diesel engine truck. Most diesel's, under similar circumstances, will get almost the same mileage with a load as without. I have pulled numerous large boats and trailers over the years with a diesel and was very pleased with the gas mileage. I just got a deal I couldnt pass up on my current truck which is why I dont own a diesel now.
For short:
1. Get a WD hitch if you dont have one, you will see a major difference.
2. If you need an excuse for a new truck, this will work, but you will not be happy with what you get unless you spend the extra $5K or so on the diesel.
I pulled the same 27 ft trailer with my 2005 4.7L Tundra and now my 2008 5.7L Tundra> About the same gas mileage towing or not. But it sure is nice pulling with the new truck. Not just the drivetrain, but the whole truck is built better for towing.
For the comment above about the tall 4.30 rear getting worse mileage: the 6 speed tranny takes care of that. My 2005 Tundra went 64 mph at 2000 rpm. My 2008 goes 74 mph at 2000 rpm. I get nearly identical mileage between the two. Kinda nice considering the extra 100 hp and torque and a 4.30 rear.
Tom
Wife, 2 girls 13 & 11, 2 mini schnauzers, 2 cats, a pig and a fish
2008 Toyota Tundra 4x4, DC, SR5, 5.7L, 6 spd, 4.30 rear
2005 Toyota Sienna XLE 2008 Rockwood 2701SS
F/A-18 Hornet 0-175 mph in 2 seconds
I have an 06 Tundra DC. Just did roundtrip 8800 miles to Alaska. I admit I pull small. Total traveling weight of TT is about 3500lbs. Obvioulsy it pulled fine and averaged 14.5 mpg. My sense of the Tundra is that max GVWR for a matching trailer should not exceed 5K. I know others pull more with that setup but then again I prefer to have a comfortable tow. I am currently looking to upgrade TT and 5K will be my max. The 5th ger in the 06 is nice too.
We tow our Jayco (4500lb) with our 06 Tundra it does great fuel mileage is very dependent on speed. The difference between 60mph and 65mph is 2 mpg average. I have seen 14mpg with a tailwind and 9mpg with a stiff headwind. The truck is rated to pull 6800lb but I think 6000lb would be a safe cutoff maybe 5500lb if traveling in hill country.
I get between 18-20mpg commuting which is a fair deal as I dont want a second vehicle for commuting to work.
We plan on upgrading to a slightly larger trailer with slide in about 5 years and will be using the same vehicle then.
I've seen some of the new tundra's pulling very large trailers and 5th wheels so I doubt power is the issue, brakes, tires and suspension maybe though.
2006 Toyota Tundra V8 Limited
2007 Jayco Jayfeather Sport 218
Really it's a tradeoff. If you are really looking for a reason to get that new truck go for it! However, I don't think the additional power or MPG difference will make you tow any better or get better MPG's.
The only way to really get the MPG's your looking for is a diesel. Then you'll be buying a bigger trailer or a 5th wheel so that it has to work a little
Michael 2 DD's and my DW 6 Acre's in Southern Maine 2009 Crossroads Cruiser CF31SB 2008 Chevy 2500HD LT 4X4 Camping Pictures
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