New 2007 Toyota Tundra rumors

File the 2007 Tundra under the "Wrong Truck at Wrong Time" file. It looks cool and everything, but there's just no need for it. I thought the current "full size" Tundra offered a sane alternative to the F-150-sized giants.
 
Such a shame.

For what has been the 'traditional' import truck buyer riposte's comments are spot on. This new info if accurate will be needed to sell 250K new units to the traditional 'US' truck buyer.
 
I had heard that Toyota was waiting for GM to unveil it's new series before letting word leak out on the specifics of the new Tundra. No reason to alert the competition ay? Initial guesses were in the 350 hp range and 10000 towing capacity. Maybe that was a disinformation program on the net. hmmmm

I think what's going to happen is that the Tacoma will grow (in width) to fill the old T-100, and to a degree, the current Tundra slot. I'm speaking of the next-generation Tacoma, which is 4 or 5 years off.
 
I say grow "in width" thanks to the midsize Ridgeline, which can handle 4x8 paneling flat on the bed floor. That's the only functional area in which the Tacoma is lacking. I believe what we consider "midsize" pickups will grow just enough to replace what was considered the old 1/2-ton fullsize—and one of those benchmarks to be met is having 48+" between the bed wheelwells.
 
I also think the current 1/2-tons (F-150s, Rams, etc.) will grow to be almost 3/4-ton trucks. I think we're seeing that with the new Tundra.
 
As to reposte's comments: I respectfully disagree, as there will always be a need for big pickups. I think for those who agree with him, they will find their truck solution in the midsize trucks out there.

As long as the fuel economy is good, it will sell.
GM has improved the 2007 Tahoe to 16/22, which I would also expect of the new Silverado.

Tacoma is nearly as big as the current Tundra. It had to get bigger. As for the timing, well, if Toyota can squeeze good efficiency from that engine, as they have with their 3.5l V6 offerings, it could be a brilliant move. Plenty of folks still truly need a heavy duty truck.

Actually it's pretty close to the original T100, except in width.
 
I've always felt the T100 was about ideal in size for most homeowners. It was wide enough to handle 4x8s, and yet not too large. It suffered from being Toyota's largest truck, and being smaller than the domestics. Now that the Gen-II Tundra is almost upon us, if a neo-T-100 were to debut, it wouldn't suffer all the slings and arrows that it got years ago. The Tundra would get all the flack instead, as that's now Toyota's big gun.

I just looked at a Ridgeline. I didn't see that it was like an Avalanche with a mid-gate. It looked like a crew with a small bed. I don't see how a 4x8 could lie flat in this vehicle (with the tailgate up). Is there a new model coming that DOES have a mid-gate?

With fuel at $4.00 a gallon they should rethink this.

mschuyler, the Ridgeline is the only midsize pickup with 49.5" between the wheelwells. With the tailgate down the bed is around 78" or so. So plywood can lay flat on the bed floor. Yes, it will stick out a foot or so over the rear. Just make sure it is tied down properly.
 
No other midsize pickup can lay plywood flat on the bed floor. The Ridgeline is the only one that can do that. That's what I was referring to.