Through the Mountains in a 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Double Cab
Tim Esterdahl | Sep 29, 2015 | Comments 14
A few weeks ago, I had two unique opportunities with a 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Double Cab. First, was a 1,047 mile trip through the Colorado mountains and back to move my daughter to my home. The second was riding in the back to Tabernash, Colorado from Pine Bluffs, Wyoming and back for a media driving event. Here are my experiences.
If you haven’t been through the Colorado mountains you should. This was the setting sun view outside of Steamboat Springs.
On the Road to Montrose
The first opportunity, and the reason I wanted to get the Tundra, was a trip to Montrose, Colorado from my home in Gering, Nebraska. It was a down and back trip with just one overnight. I was on the road for 19 hours and I didn’t drive the truck lightly.
Most of the driving through the mountains were like this along with twisty canyon roads.
On the trip, I went through parts of Wyoming with 80 MPH speed limits, little towns of Meeker and tourist towns of Steamboat Springs until finally turning south through Grand Junction to Montrose. On the way back, I took I-70 through the mountains to Denver and then went north.
All along the trip, I didn’t drive to make good fuel economy. Instead, I drove like I normally do – putting the pedal down, passing other vehicles, and on the gas.
While researching this story, I found this interesting elevation analysis tool that says I gained a total of 23,612 feet on the 512 mile journey on the way to Montrose. Here is a chart:
The way back, I went the other way – through the mountains via I-70 and north through Cheyenne. Here is that chart:
Fuel Economy
How did I do on fuel? I put gas in the truck 4 times, 3 when the truck was low and once when it was half full. I had nearly a half tank when I got back home. Looking at the computer gauge, throughout the trip, my average fuel economy dropped to as low as 15.2 – on the way down – and I finished at the peak of 16.8.
Here is the final dashboard layout when I got to my house.
Looking at the numbers, my total trip was 1047.6 miles and I put 63.2 gallons of gas into the truck. This works out to 16.6 MPG via the hand calculation. This is pretty darn close to the computer calculation in my opinion.
I’d like to reiterate again, I don’t drive grandma speeds. And I certainly wasn’t trying to hyper mile it. Those are my actual numbers. Individual results will vary, but that was what I was able to get.
Riding in the Back
The rear leg room seems really small in the double cab, yet it was plenty for the long trip.
While I had the chance to drive the truck into the mountains and back, I also had the chance to ride in the back for 7 hours (425 miles or so) a few weeks later. The Rocky Mountain Automotive Press association held their annual Rocky Mountain Driving Experience at Devil’s Thumb Ranch. A really amazing resort and spa hotel with unreal views of the mountains. While there, I was able to drive numerous vehicles on road and off road including a 2015 GMC Sierra 2500, a 2015 Ford F-150 (same one I reviewed earlier) and numerous sports cars like the $121,000 Jaguar F-type convertible – (Aaaa-mazing!).
Riding in the back was actually a pretty unique experience. Typically, I never ride in the back due to how press loans work – only I can drive them.
My first impression of the rear seats in the double cab is how much less room you have versus a Crewmax. I was initially hesistant on being comfortable with the less legroom and space. Yet, those concerns were for naught. The legroom in the double cab was good actually and the ride was comfortable. Now, it wasn’t “cross your legs” comfortable like the Crewmax, but it was ample enough for me.
The only thing I don’t like is the weird door handle on the double cab. Sure, I got used to it, but I found it odd to use and I wonder if Toyota is trying to be “unique” for the sake of being different from the others.
In the end, I really do like the TRD Pro Tundra trucks. They are a great blend of a capable off-road truck with all the capacity of the stock Tundra.
Model: 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Double Cab
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: 6 speed automatic
Fuel Economy: 13/17/15 city/highway/combined EPA estimates
Price: $43,658 with $1,100 delivery fee
Filed Under: Toyota Tundra Reviews and Comparisons
How did it ride compared to the non-pro tundras? Would you say it’s worth paying the extra money for the suspension if you did 80% hwy/city and 20% off road all year? Seems like the lift didn’t at all affect the fuel economy. Obviously driving 65 will get you in the 20’s, but who can/wants to do that. I was really thinking about getting mine back to stock height since I’m 2.5 but hell if it barely changes the drag, not worth it.
I liked the review you didn’t do anything absurd you just drove. Great insight.
Mario,
Thanks for the compliment! In my opinion, the TRD Pro rides noticeably better than stock. Test drive them both and let me know what you think, but I would spend the extra on the Pro. Better ride + offroad capability when you want to have fun. It is a great truck.
BTW, I also drove the Crewmax to Mount Rushmore. Here are some thoughts: https://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2015-toyota-tundra-trd-pro/
-Tim
I have to chime in here from my most recent experiences…… on my 2010 crew max doing no more than 75 mph from Gatlinburg to Cincinnati I got 19.6 mpg was my peak and had gotten 18.8 from Cincinnati to Oak Harbor ohio on lake erie on more than one occasion.
VERY interesting now I have a 2015 platinum that I was fortunate enough to add the TRD Supercharger too and WOW I cannot believe the difference in MPG…. No joke. my driving around town with a little highway with my 33s on my 2010 I was getting 13.7 ish. now my around town NOT TRYING and hitting some bursts of acceleration on occasion I’m getting 18.5!!!!!! the truck never needs a downshift and ive hand calculated a 70 mile trip at 21.7 mpg last week.
I guess Toyota should just Supercharg them ALL! LMAO I wish I would have known this years ago I wouldn’t have waited this long to get it!
Hemi,
Wow! I think your the first person I’ve ever heard of getting good fuel economy with a supercharger!!
In all my driving, I’ve never gotten about 17 in a Tundra. Again, experiences and driving styles vary.
-Tim
If I hadn’t hand calculated it I wouldn’t believe it…….. that truck you had would get 2 mpg’s better wearing the 18s with the Michelins….. those BFG’s on that truck are super heavy load E tires. I had them on my 2010 at one point and I can honestly say its almost a 2 mpg drop from the stockers.
I averaged 14 in my 12′ Rock Warrior, I barely got 15 on the highway, and I do a lot of around town driving which was in the 12-13 range, one of the reasons I ditched it. It was stock, no lift. I drive like you described.
DJ see my above post….. you too suffered from the BFG load E tires. they do make a big difference
you know you’re probably right, because my old man in his 10′ TRD runs coopers and always got better MPG than me by 2.5 mpg, so that’s probably the culprit.
why don’t they make those in another load range, E is overkill on a half-ton unless you’re pulling 10k.
they make them in all kinda of load ranges
P metric up to E
I have Load D 33″ BFG on my Ram.
I had load E cooper ST maxx on my tundra, sweet tires.
And there you go. Tundraheadquarters readers solving problems!
-Tim
No they don’t make the 32 inch, 17′ inch wheel BFGoodrich TA in anything but a load range E.
Yes, would have to go to another tire, just always been a fan of the look and durability of the BFG.
DJ,
The pro has 18″ wheels, so are you talking about an aftermarket fitment?
If so, you can go larger than 32″ no problem, most guys go up to 33″. I had Rock Warrior wheels on my tundra
Yeah I’m running 33’s no issue other than it may on a stock wheel tap the skid plate when the wheel is at full lock one direction but nothing a little wiz wheel cant take care of lol. my tires are BFG All Terrain T/A KO2’s in a 275/60/20LT Load E
OOOPSS meant Load D range