Toyota Tundra Bed Bounce Issue: Our Position
Jason Lancaster | Aug 30, 2007 | Comments 479
One of our readers recently requested we spend some time talking about the “bed bounce” issue and what it means to owners or anyone considering purchasing a new Tundra.
First, for anyone who doesn’t know about the bed bounce issue, take a look at our post about All Known 2007 Tundra Problems.
To understand what’s going on with the Tundra’s bed, you need to know a little bit of physics (not much, but a little). Basically, all objects have an inherent natural frequency of vibration. When an object is subjected to an outside force whose frequency matches the object’s natural frequency, dramatic vibrations can occur. Perhaps the best explanation of natural frequency and mechanical resonance is a child swinging on a swingset. Even if you only push the child slightly, if you push them at the right time, they will go much higher. That’s because you’re matching the natural frequency of the swing.
Another great example of mechanical resonance is the collapse of the old Tacoma Narrows bridge in 1940.
Amazingly, the length, width, and thickness of the bridge created a natural frequency that corresponded exactly with winds of about 40mph. One windy day, the bridge fell down. Mechanical resonance in action.
But what does this have to do with the new Tundra?
Based on posts we’ve read on TundraSolutions, the situation seems to be most evident when driving on concrete highways between 55-65 mph. Evidently running over concrete expansion joints at those speeds matches the mechanical resonance of the Tundra and causes a nasty vibration. Additionally, we’ve see the Ford generated video of the Tundra’s bed vibration. Clearly, the Tundra has an issue here.
Here’s what we think:
1. The Ford produced bed bounce video is worthless. In the video, you’ll see that the Tundra has dramatic bed vibration. You’ll also see that the entry speed was 28mph. Why 28? Our guess is that 28mph was the speed that the Ford performed best at. Had the test been conducted at even 30mph, the results could have been dramatically different. Mechanical resonance is tricky — even small changes in speed can dramatically effect the results. Besides, is anyone really going to drive on that surface that fast? What real-world situation would require you to drive almost 30mph on a surface that unforgiving? Because the situation in the Ford video is so unique, we really don’t think you should put much stock in it.
2. The Tundra’s bed bounce on concrete highways is a big deal for some. Toyota screwed up here — the new truck shouldn’t have this problem. While nearly all trucks exhibit some form of bed bounce on concrete highways, the Tundra’s bed bounce is outside the norm. We think it may have something to do with Toyota’s decision to angle the rear leaf springs rather than orient them straight front to back, but that’s nothing more than a guess. But of all the items on the new truck, this unconventional suspension arrangement seems to be the most radical (and therefore the most suspicious, at least to us). However, based on the volume of complaints we’ve seen on forums, etc., we’re willing to bet most Tundra owners haven’t experienced this problem.
3. The bed bounce problem isn’t necessarily an indicator of frame strength. While one possible explanation for the Tundra’s bed bounce issue is that the frame isn’t strong enough, it seems unlikely. If the frame were really so weak that it would allow the bed to bounce out of control, a few trucks probably would have fallen apart by now. We’re 99% certain that the issue is suspension related, specifically that the suspension doesn’t dampen the natural mechanical resonance of the truck. If bed bounce really was a result of poor frame strength, why does the it only happen at certain speeds? The answer — it’s not about frame strength.
4. There are things you can do to mitigate the bounce. Some owners have reported that adding a few hundred pounds of cargo to the bed has reduced bed bounce. Others have added a new leaf spring, or an air suspension system. Perhaps the easiest fix is to avoid speeds that cause bed bounce — when traveling on concrete highways with big expansion joints, anything outside of the 55-65mph range will result in little or no bounce.
5. Toyota should fix this soon. When we first heard about this problem, we didn’t believe it. However, over the last few months its become clear that something is wrong. Just like it took us a while to acknowledge, Toyota will need time as well. However, once it becomes clear to them, we can’t imagine they won’t fix it, especially considering the fix would be rather simple. Changing the rear leaf springs, while expensive, would undoubtedly cure the problem. In fact, the fix COULD be as easy as adding a new brace or redistributing some suspension weight. It’s important to remember that minor changes to the suspension can result in a radically different natural frequency, and therefore no bed bounce (or very little).
6. Should this affect your decision to buy a new Tundra? Like all things, it depends. We tested the Tundra here in Denver a few months ago, and noticed no bed bounce. We drove it all over town, on highways, etc., with no problems to report. However, there aren’t a lot of concrete highways around here. Our advice to anyone considering buying the truck is to take the time and test-drive the vehicle on your normal commute route. Based on the number of complaints we’ve seen online, and the relative lack of publicity, this problem likely affects less than 5% of Tundra owners. 95% of the people considering purchasing the new Tundra shouldn’t be effected, and therefore shouldn’t be too concerned.
For those that have to deal with this problem daily, we hope Toyota finds a solution quickly.
So there you have it. Our opinion of the Toyota Tundra pickup bed bounce issue and how it should impact your decision to buy a new Tundra. Any comments?
Search terms people used to find this page:
- https://tundraheadquarters com/toyota-tundra-bed-bounce-issue-our-position/
Filed Under: Tundra News • Tundra Recalls
I own a new Tundra and while you might not think bed bounce is a big deal, if Toyota does not remedy this problem in the next 6 months, I for one will be back in the GM arena. I should think that a first time Toyota owner bailing after just a year would be a big deal. Never know though.
Just installed hitch on 2005 Tundra Reg Cab. Developed bed bounce on concrete interstate. Removed hitch, back to normal. Hitch reduced flex in suspension.
Paul — our apologies. We don’t mean to belittle the seriousness of this issue. However, based on the number of complaints compared to the number of owners, it’s fair to say the majority of buyers shouldn’t be effected.
I have a 2012 Tundra and the bed is cracked and split. I’m very disappointed
What do you mean cracked and split? You mean the metal cracked and split?
I’m guessing you actually mean the bed liner. In which case, you need to talk with your dealer. Officially, Toyota doesn’t offer a factory spray in bedliner. Aftermarket distributors do like Gulf States Toyota.
-Tim
Is there any specific model or bed size that is affected more than other? I have the 6.6′ bed and I have never noticed anything oout of the ordinary.
I have a 5.7 Longbed, DC..4×4…and I have major bed bounce…MAJOR!!!! So bad..that my kids in the back seat start going uh,uh,hu,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh to the bounce as I am driving. It was fun at first…but has become more of a pain in the as my 3 year old now asks….” DADDY..stop the bouncing” I noticed above that they mention the expansion joints as a reason but I believe it is the suspension reacting to the freeway pavement. ther are expansion joints on every major freeway. Here in southern CA, many of our roads need repair, and have some nicks and bumps but I don’t see this problem in any other friends trucks…it also seems to be in speeds of 45-60 mpg. Dont get me wrong I am a TOYOTA fan forever…on my 4th. Whole family has them. But I would like this fixed ASAP. I trust in Toyota and didn’t drop 37K for this. I love the truck otherwise. JUST LOVE IT!!! I believe Toyota already knew about this…because why do they sell the water pack attachment to place in the bed and fill up adding 150pds…to add weight to prevent this bounce??? When I haul my Ranger Razor ATV in the back weighing 1,000pds…the bounce is gone!! I am a little frustrated I have already had problems with other TRD attachments on my 4runner. The TRD headers leaked…and I had to pay for the fix..$1400…at a Toyota dealer who would not fix or replace it….and my TRD exhaust still leaks, with the stock headers replaced back. The TRD supercharger is still running strong @ 165,000 miles!!!!
And this issue is larger than you think. The other day I meet another TUNDRA owner here in southern CA…. that had the same problem. He was tired of it and is selling his to upgrade to a Chevy 2500. Then I meet another at the Home Depot parkng lot… who said…atleast I wont have the bounce as I drive back since I have cement in the back!!! i have avoided placing the Toy Tec leveling kit, and other tires and rims….as I do not want to give my dealer any reason to blame this bounce occurance on.
I refuse to give up yet, and have faith that Toyota will fix this problem, and replace it. I can document it with a CAM corder if needed…..especially my munchkins in the back going uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh, uh.
thanks guys-A Loyal Toyota Owner….(bouncing everywhere)
Phil
This problem will affect a greater percentage of owners as the truck begins to sell in areas such as the Los Angeles area and other metropolitan areas with concrete roads and freeways. The speed range you suggest avoiding, 55-65, encompasses the most common speed limits; hard to avoid. And not just a little bounce. It’s teeth ratteling, vision blurring bad.
So, if it is a design problem, why does my Tundra ride better than my Lexus? Seems to me the whiners should contact the CA DOT and not Toyota.
Uhh…I am about to buy this vehice…and I am very concerned about this issue!!! And I am not a whiner, just smart with my money!!! I think I will wait a little or go for a more developed test drive!!! Is this associated with all models??? Doesn’t look safe or comfortable!!!!
My RCSB has a bed bounce similar to the youtube video where one side of the bed raises up, then slams down. Most likely, too much flexing on the frame is the culprit. I have tried pulling down on the corner of the bed next to the tailgate with my own weight of 150 lbs. A lot of flexing there. The corner where I put the pressure just dips down. When the bed is loaded no problem. I have installed sway bar and currently testing a softer spring for the rear and these doesn’t fix the problem. I don’t want to put 200lbs or so on the bed to keep it from bouncing. My next step is to install a heavy duty tow hitch. Hopefully, this will stiffen the frames to prevent the bounce. And what effect does this bounce have on the truck? It is noisy for one thing. It has a slamming sound like a loose cargo on the bed. The corner of the bed where the tail lights are are the ones bouncing up and down. It doesn’t look normal from the rear view mirror either when the corners are bouncing.
Yeah….that makes a whole lot of sense bugchucker!!! Maybe beacuse your Lexus is a totally different vehicle?? Too many variables here: what year is your Lexus, weight to power, mileage, engine to gear ratios, weight, condition of use. Because your TUNDRA is new and your LEXUS is older!!! Yeah.. that makes sense. Maybe for the Cam Shaft problem we should contact the outsource company that made the cam shafts that Toyota is addressing as the main reason behind the problem!!! No..lets contact CA DOT ….they address Driver Licenses, Auto Insurance, Vehicle Registration, Driving Records, Background Checks, etc…. nothing to do with the TUNDRA problems. ..or the condition of the highways (thats CAL TRANS)!! I don’t think so… for 35+ the truck sells for… the truck should not have these issues. The competition doesn’t at this level. TOYOTA will address this…. and I support them.
does this look safe to you:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5U6KmwB2LyY
I am so sick of this stuff. I bought mine in march and paid $46k I want the bed bounce fixed, and I want to know exactly up to what Vin these defective camshafts were put in. If mine is below that Vin I want a new engine from the plastic cover to the oil drain plug PERIOD. lets see Feb. its now Sept. that’s 7 months, more than enough time for their engineers to get this stuff together. the longer they wait the more it will hurt them. As a Toyota dealership employee I am disgusted at their slow response to recall-2nd Toyota I’ve bought and may be the last…
bugchucker- “contact the DOT”-Actually a good point. I drove my new Tundra to Kansas and back recently and the ride was just fine. As good as my wife’s Hundai Santa Fe, probably better. The only time I encountered the rear end bounce was on an older stretch of concrete freeway in Oklahoma City. I also drove several miles down a gravel road in Marion, Kansas and was pleasently surprised at the smoothness of the ride. Here at home, I experience bounce on interstate 10 (from Irwindale to downton L.A.), 210 From Azusa thriugh Pasasdena), and 110 (from Pasasdena to downtown)- all concrete freeways that handle an incredible amount of truck traffic in southern California (except the 110 section which does not allow trucks, but it is also on of the nation’s oldest freeways). Newer stretches of those same freeways generate no bounce. So, yes. The road conditions have a lot to do with ride and the freeways in California are the worst of the many other states I have driven in. (What’s the Calif. government doing with our highway taxes? They sure are not fixing the roads.) On the other hand, didn’t they test the prototypes in southern Calif.? All in all, the Tundra won my purchase dollars for the load/hauling capacity, which I believe the other brands exaggerate, the greater torque and horsepower and the six speed transmission- the “domestics” are behind on that particular feature, although they are also very capable trucks. I really don’t think you’d go wrong buying a Ford or Chevy, either. So, drive ’em. Buy what feels good to you.
My CrewMax 5.7 experiences this problem at all speeds over 50MPH. Yesterday on the 86 CA South I was driving 80 MPH and I hit a section of highway that about tore my truck right in half. It felt like it was going to split/break right at the spot between the cab and the bed. I slowed down to 55 and it stopped the amazing bouncing, but the ride still had my but coming off of my chair.
It is not fun for females. It actually hurts their mammory glands.
My Tundra and I have never been to California, nor have we been on a concrete highway. I have stil, however, experienced “bed bounce” a LOT. I live in the sticks of upstate New York. Some of the back roads of my area get my Tundra bouncing pretty bad ( ave. speed 30-45 mph). I hardly think that “only 5%” of Tundrasare seeing this problem. Maybe only 5% of Tundra owners have complained about it online, but there are several Tundra owners that I know that ,like myself, have never complained about it online.
Trust me, this problem is a whole lot bigger ans broader than you think.
We’re starting to agree with you about this — the problem is more common than we thought.
Hi,
I am a mechanical engineering student at SJSU in silicon valley CA. I was going to order an 2008 tundra last week until I saw that post about “bed bounce”. I think it is a very serious issue that should be corrected ASAP by the engineers at Toyota.
I think the reality is that the manufacturing and tooling costs to correct the issue may not be something that Toyota would want to address. The c-profile frame is a cheaper frame to build than a fully boxed frame and riveting the cross-members as opposed to welding them is also a cheaper manufacturing process.
I think if Toyota were to weld the crossmembers, it would definately stiffen up the chassis and be less prone to twisting and vibrational resonance.
Also has any body looked at how the bed is attached to the chassis? I bet they used a rubber donut at the points of attachment and if so, replacing those with urethane donuts would definately keep they bed from moving so much.
I hope they fix it soon because the ford f-250 is looking mighty nice!
Mark D- You cannot fairly compare the Tundra to an F250. The Tundra is a light duty pickup selling for around $28000. The F250 is a heavy duty truck selling for around $32,000. If you have the extra $4000, of course the 250 would be the better choice along with the Chevy 2500HD. Even better would be the diesel F250 which you can get in a no frills version for $32,000.
Yes. The bed bounce is severe and inexcusable. Will Toyota make good? Stay tuned…
Hi B Bremer,
I do compare the new Tundra to the F-250 based on the horse-power,torque ratings, and towing Cap. Thats one of the main reasons why I was so turned on to the new Tundra…well that and the reputation of reliabilty that Toyota has.
I’m not completely abandoning the Tundra, hopefully they will make their frames stronger for the future Tundra and then I can get me one 🙂 .
I highly doubt that they will correct the problem that they have now though, it just doesn’t make finacial sense for them to do so.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you all though and pray that Toyota does the right thing for the current new owners.
GOT A NEW 07 TUNDRA, DOUBLE CAB, 4X2, WITH THE 5.7L, AND 6 SPEED TRANS LAST WEEK!!!!! WENT ON THE FREEWAY FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH IT TODAY AND NOTICED BED BOUNCE BEFORE I HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE FREEWAY ON-RAMP, ITS PRETTY BAD, COMPAIRING THAT ITS WORSE THAN THE BED BOUNCE IN MY 1968 GMC 2500!!!!!MY OPINION IS THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS ARE A LITTLE TO STIFF, BUT MAYBE TOYOTA DESIGNED IT THIS WAY SO WHEN ITS LOADED UP WITH THE 10,000 PLUS POUNDS TOYOTA CLAIMS IT CAN HAUL/CARRY, IT WILL NOT BOTTOM OUT OR SWAY WITH THE WEIGHT OF THIS KIND OF LOAD!!!!!! ILL GET USED TO IT, THE WAY I SEE IT, IS THAT IF YOU WANT A COMFORTABLE RIDE, BUY A LEXUS OR A CADILLAC, THE TUNDRA IS DESIGNED TO BE A WORK TRUCK THEREFORE, I DONT EXPECT IT TO RIDE LIKE A BENTLY OR CADILLAC!!!!!!!!
I too bought a 2007, double cab, long bed in early August. Less than 2k miles later I am very frustrated!!! Bed bounce is a very big problem for me. On the freeway south of Ventura Ca. two days after I got the truck, I thought my teeth were going to fall out. One of the main reasons I bought this truck was for a smoother ride. Also, and this is something new, I had a lumber rack installed last week. The bed bounce on the freeway translates into SEVERE rack
bounce over the cab. I took the rack back to The Hitch Depot in Monrovia Ca. and they swaped it out for a rack (also made by “Rack-It”) for a standard cab, long bed Tundra. The rack bounce is greatly improved, however now at 40 to 80 mph the wind howels through the rack so hard you can actually feel the vibration in the roof with your hand. If I cant get this fixed, It’s by by Toyota
I just got the Tundra, and the Bed Bounce in CA 86 is just terrible.
This is Toyota Problem and they need to fix it.
I heard about a 150lbs water bag to help this issue, where can I get it.
Crewmax LTD 5.7 – Driving on the 101 in Camarillo. CA before Las Posas exit and experienced the Bed Bounce/Cab Vibration. I would consider this a major flaw in their design. Hopefully, Toyota will resolve the issue for current owners! If I would have found known about this, I would have second thoughts about purchasing until it was fixed; especially for such an expensive truck. My wife and I were kidding – earthquake!!!
Also, I have experienced a slight hesitation/stall in power when turning and on accelaration. Maybe the transmission shift between 2nd/3rd gear. Or it could be my driving since I am still taking it easy with the “break-in” period. Only 300 miles so far.
Oveall, I like the truck except for the shaking.
I purchased my Tundra Crewmax 5.7 SR5 TRD about a month ago and have about 800 miles on it. The only reason I am posting this comment is so that you can see that this is not a small problem with 5% of owners. I have experienced terrible Bed Bounce on several Los Angeles freeway especially the 118 west which I take nearly everyday. I hope this issue is fixed very quickly even though I don’t have high hopes for a quick response since Toyota wont even acknowledge the problem.
Joey and everybody else experiencing the bed bouce like me too. Please call Toyota and open a case with them. We need more owners complaining so they fix it more quiclky.
I am trying to reason this out from a design standpoint. One thing I noticed about the similarity of the ’98 Chevy and the ’07 Tundra (Both have similar bed bounce issues) is that both have one rear shock in front of the axel and one in back. I am wondering if this sets up a lateral rotation causing (Or exacerbating) the sympathetic resonance. Road conditions are a huge factor, since the people most complaining are in CA and OK where concrete roads with expansion joints are common. The interesting thing is that it stops immediately when you go over a bridge, or the road surface changes.
Has anyone who has installed the front end lift seen any reduction in bed bounce?
My 2007 5.7 dcab longbed 4×4 does the same and i agree with all the rest. Toyota stepp up to the plate and get this issue taken care of.It would be kindly appreciated from all of us who are dealing with this issue called radical bed bounce.
Hello,
Our company Sulastic Rubber Springs LLc. have a new suspension aid designed to reduce vibration on empty and loaded trucks while increasing vehicle’s stability providing a safer, and smoother ride.
We had solved problems of bouncing in many types, and brands of trucks like Toyota Hi Lux.
Some of our US clients that are using our product in their Chevrolet or,Ford trucks and felt the great diference in their ride.
They ask us to make a model for Toyota Tundra 2007.
That model will be launched to the market in the SEMA SHOW 2007 in October 31.
They told us about the great difference in
I have just purchased my 4th toyota and if toyota does not take care if the bed bounce problem i will never buy another. i do have to say mine isn’t as bad as others but my 2007 crew max still has the bounce. Will adding a lift kit help.
I installed the ToyTec 3″ leveling kit and since then I have not noticed any severe bounce. I even have the wife looking out the back and through the mirror as we approach rough streets and sees nothing. I believe the lift kit stiffened the suspension and bed bounce is not an issue for me. Anyone else install the kit???
After much research (Toyota vs. Ford) we purchased a standard bed double cab 5.7 TRD Tundra in March. We loved it… until we visited our son in Santa Ana. On the way home, we took the 405 N freeway (concrete). The bounce was BAD. My husband could not believe what was happening. We had driven that road with our F150 before and the expansion joints were never a big deal. The vibration was bad enough to cause a headache. And we are not wimps; we have owned several trucks, and are well aware that trucks are not cars, and they are supposed to ride “like a truck”. (We also ride a hardtail chopper cycle!) But the discomfort of that ride was very unexpected. Considering the thought and effort Toyota put in designing a new truck to beat all others, it was extremely disappointing that the ride was so very uncomfortable on certain roads. Around town and on smooth roads, the Tundra is a joy. It has so many superb features, like the silky smooth engine, the power, etc. And even on roads in bad repair, the Tundra is no worse than our other truck. But the bounce it has on freeways with expansion joints is bad. We hope that Toyota comes up with a fix for the problem. We’d like to stay with the Tundra, but as it is, we cannot enjoy our Tundra on trips, and may have to look at another brand of truck in the coming year.
(FYI, we did get the sticker 20 mpg on that trip, traveling at 60 mph.)
My 07 DC 5.7 has a build late June. I live in Florida where we have concrete roads with seams on bridges. I have not noticed anything unusual in going over these and no resonate frequency vibrations. My main complaint has been poor visability of the instruments in bright sunlight which Toyota needs to address soon. My truck is a 4X2 without the TRD option.
I am just about to purchase a 2007 Tundra
CrewMax Limited, V8 5.6L to transport my cargo trailer that weighs 7000lbs. fully loaded. Does the tongue weight on the hitch — which is approximately 800lbs– create enough rear weight on the rear bumper and correspondingly the truck bed to eliminate the bed bounce problem?
I drive approximately 15,000 miles a year on California freeways and highways
traveling 55-60 mph currently with my
Toyota RAV4 and my trailer and want the Tundra to replace it. I would appreciate your advice.
The admins mentioned they test drove a Tundra in the Denver area. Try driving the truck from Greeley, back to Denver on I-25. This is where my truck pogo-sticks like crazy.
I just met with my Toyota Service manager last week, he said Toyota is aware of the problem and will be producing a “damper” to resolve the issue.
Until then my solution for this problem was to install the TRD exhaust and fresh air intake, this will allow me to accelerate quickly thru the nasty bed bounce harmonic frequency zone …
Marc — good comment, but one question. Why would we want to go to Greeley??
Just kidding. Thanks for the tip.
Good question. Unfortunately the Ehrlich dealer in Greeley had the truck I was looking for. 🙂 Had I bought it closer to home, I could have avoided the traumatic first drive home. 🙁
Michael…did the service manager give a time frame in which the “damper” will be available?
I have had it with my tundra. I hate driving it and am considering returning it even with a loss of $. Unless of course I decide to sue.
I bought my 07 Toyota Tundra 4×4, 5.7, 5 days ago. This bouncing is getting ridiculous. Last weekend the Truck bounced most of the way to Santa Barbara and back on highway 101. This problem needs to be fixed ASAP. I am a hard core fan of Toyota, I have driven Toyota all my life and I was so excited to buy the ultimate Toyota Truck but now I am not sure if I made the right decision. If Toyota does not address this problem they will lose a lot of loyal customers to their competitors.
I too just bought a Tundra 5.7L Double Cab Long Bed just so I can fit my two sons (1 and 3). This bounce is so bad that I won’t even risk having my sons injured from the shaking. This is my first Toyota after coming off from 10 Hondas, 3 BMWs, 2 MB, 1 Nissan, 1 Chevy. This is by far the biggest problem I had ever encountered with any of my cars. I hope Toyota can fix this problem before I am forced to sell it. I fell in love with the 2006 Tundra after borrowing it from a friend to make a few loads with a trailer. The truck was smooth like a Lexus or MB. This truck is great but this design flaw is so obvious that I’m beginning to wonder if someone is going to be jumping off the bridge for this. There’s so much red tape in Toyota that I don’t see how this could’ve gotten pass their testing. Maybe the problem lies in the suppliers of the dampeners or springs or leaf springs.
As the orginal owner of a 2000 Tundra SR5 Ext cab, I feel for all of you experiencing these issues and have one piece of advice – MAKE CERTAIN you get it back to a dealer and GET ALL PROBLEMS DOCUMENTED IN WRITING on a service report before you hit the 36k mi / 3 yr warranty expire date. I for one experienced practically every issue eventually covered by Toyota’s internal Technical Service Bulletins for the 2000 Tundra save the massive transmission failure. Even knowing the design problem (for example, the 2000 model had an arm rest that shook severly at about 60mph)Toyota refused to do anything about any of them because I was over 36K miles at the time the TSB was issued (I put about 150mi a day on commuting). I was thoroughly disgusted by their response, they knew full there were common design issues and failed to address them. I can see the same thing happening here with the jump – which by the way is all I need to read to convince me that when this Tundra is gone the next truck will not be a Toyota.
I bought a 07 Tundra DC 4WD standard bed last month and the bounce is excessive, but it only seems to occur on concrete freeways at speeds between 50 and 70mph. The bounce is so bad that my family will not ride in the truck if I drive the freeways. When I complained to the dealer they told me the truck was designed to carry heavy loads and when empty, it will bounce. OK. I’ll buy that
I bought my 07 Tundra @Ehrlic in Greeley.Thedrive home damn near cost me my life. I have the Regular Cab-Short Box, and drove the same Greely I25 to Denver rebuild that Marc did.My truck kwent almost out of control.I could not stop the fishtailing even dropping to 50mph. My wife followed me in her new RAV4 she just bought from Ehrlich also.This isk a very, very real problem, and my new Tundra now sits in my garage with 500 miles on it.It will not b e driven until the problem really, really gets fixed. So much for first production models. Toyota ..listen and heed..your loyal family will desert you in a heartbeat!!!
Lex — please tell Ehrlich Toyota about your experience — I tried to get them to take back the truck the next day and they refused. I will not buy from them again. Thanks for letting me know that I’m not the only one!
Everyone that has this problem needs to call Toyota at 800-331-4331. It only took me about five minutes to file a complaint and receive a document number.
Funny thing is I lived in Greely once upon a time and I-25 was miserable …
To date I have tried:
Lower tire air pressure, slight improvement. Lift kit from Total Chaos (front only), slight improvement. New tires and wheels, slight improvement. I’m waiting on Deaver to produce some leaf springs and looking for rear shocks, maybe that will fix it.
Till then I’ll be bouncing down the I-10 in Cali.
Hello Everyone,
First of all I’m sorry for everyone who is experiencing these bed bounce problems. My 07 Crewmax Limited 5.7 haven’t experienced it yet. I have 9,000 miles on it and I have yet to have a problem with the truck. This might be a west coast thing with the roads. I’m here in Florida using I-95 and I-10. My ride is very comfortable for a truck. It’s night & day from my wife’s Prius. After my experience with problems from my 03 F-150 from the start. The serious problems with my 06 Silverado LT3 and the fights with GM, Arbitration with GM and BBB. I’ve had bad arguments with Ford with my 21x visits in 3 years with 10x to fix the computer. The 06 Chevy after 2 weeks I noticed my headliner coming down on all 4 doors. This isn’t something that just breaks. I knew this was a defect. After checking two other dealerships and checking 6 trucks 3 had the defect. Then I brought my truck in and questioned it. GM admitted it was a defect headliner cut too short. After 7x replacing the headliner Fixing the brakes twice at a cost of $100 and then $200 to fix because rotors are not warranty after 7,000 miles. Still was having vibration when you brake. I lost at Arbitration to give GM a final try at fixing my headliner in which I had it fixed 5x already. Lemon Law states 3x and 4th time was final try. GM Tech rep from the factory accused me of pulling down my headliner that I was the only one with that problem. When they had the final try to fix it, the headliner came down within 4 days. GM customer assistance was suppose to help me replace the truck after their failure to fix it as per arbitration. Well after 1 month of jerking me around they were going to replace the headliner not the truck. GM customer assistance refused to give a name, address or phone number to a regional GM rep. By the way I had this truck only 15 months. What I’m trying to say all manufacturer’s do this same thing and push the unlucky customers who have a problem aside with a deaf ear. This is why GM customer assistance asked me if I owned another GM vehicle. Amazing question. She repeated because I was in shock and couldn’t answer it. Knowing I was being recorded on the phone the wrong words came out. I’m sure she understood where I was coming from when I told her you can’t fix my truck why would I own another GM crap? So everyone stay on it be persistent with the dealerships. They are being paid to listen to us complain and to fix the problem. So this is why I sound happy about my Tundra. Having 9,000 + miles and no problems it’s called “STRESS FREE” Thanks everyone and have a good day if you can…..
it’s nice that we can’t take our family anywhere in my truck. we always use my wife’s 07 4runner. we get a new toyota every year. my 06 prius was good, the 04 prerunner was a lemon, the 05 celica was good, the 05 tundra was great and,the 05 carolla sucked. i’ve had three tundras,and two prerunners in the last six years and besides the one lemon, i’ve never really hated my toyota untill this 07 tundra. this truck bounces so much that you need to wear a cup. also, my infant daughter will die if I take her on the 118 CA.
My 4.7L, Doublecab with the 6’6″ bed has same problem. Very uncomfortable for passengers in the back seat.
If you live in CA, you have experienced this. My wife refuses to ride in the truck. Gets an immediate headache and nausea. Toyota – you owe us a promise to fix this! Not just “we’re working on it!” but a PROMISE! and how about NOW!
I just called Toyota and was informed that they are working on the problem of bed bounce. I was told that they are aware of the problem and are involved in a solution. That’s a start. Let’s hope it comes soon as I will dump my truck in 5 more payments if it is not remedied. I am a first time Toyota owner but this truck’s bed bounce is not the experience I was expecting from Toyota.
Nov.15, 2007-10:00 AM…Ijust listened to Toyota’s Tundra problems on the radio on NPR (NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO). It was on their morning business report. The guest, I forgot his name, described Tundra’s “catastropic Bed Bounce” and it’s Tailgate problems. His website in car.connection.com. I will absolutely check that out as soon as I hang up here. Well, Toyota, it’s official now, once NPR runs it. I’m sure every Tundra owner will feel some consolation now, I know I will!!
I find it funny that all the Tundra owners are complaining about a subject that just doesn’t affect GM trucks. The reason for the bounce is that they used an almost exact copy of the GM 800 series frame used in 99-07 trucks but cheaped out. Boxed in front, lipped C channel under the cab, open C channel under the box.
They didn’t hydroform the front section like GM and then didn’t use tubular welded crossmembers like GM.
GM now has a fully boxed frame front to rear. The Tundra frame isn’t eve as strong as the OLD GM frame.The rear springs are mounted narrower to the axle than GM giving the load in the box a less stable stance on road. The shocks are outboard but if the frame flexs the mount of the shoch also moves when the axle moves so it really can’t control the rear axle. Think about it.
A simple test for the box frame strength is to jack up the rear corner of the box till the wheel comes off the ground on a Tundra and a Sierra. You will find that the Tundra frame has about a 5″ flex from side to side where the GM frame is only 3″.
There are many issues up here where people use their trucks for work and with loads in the box that GM, Ford and Dodge carry all day long, the Tundra is showing so much box flex that it has dented the cab! The frame is just not strong enough.
And a GM truck owner never thinks twice about the strength of the tailgate holding long material and driving with the tailgate down ore loading quads etc. The huge number of complaints of tailgate failures on the Tundra show that Toyota engineers still haven’t figured out how to build a full size truck that can be used like thier competitors. But then they have only been building them for about 10 months where GM has been doing it for 80 years.
All you Tundra drivers do your self a favour and test drive a new Silverado or Sierra. You will have to admit that GM is the benchmark in full size pickups. No bed bounce and a strong tailgate with more features and better build quality. Check the body gaps! Every exterior gap on the Tundra is wider than the GM! And other features such as a stability control system that works in 2wd and 4 wd. Check your operators manual. Tundra stability control and traction control only work in 2wd! Now just what good does that do?
i just came from Grande Prairie Alberta where there are two Toyota engineers trying to figure out how to try and fix trucks that are breaking down being used as trucks are meant to be used. Dented caps from loads that have been carried in the boxes of the competition for years are having these Tundra’s traded in after only a month or two because they are not standing up.
Toyota, you have a long way to go to match the best.
Lance —
Your comments are incorrect. The Tundra frame is similar in many ways to today’s 3/4 ton trucks and larger where you don’t see fully boxed frames. If anything, it is likely overbuilt.
The bed bounce issue may or may not be related to a flaw in the frame design, but your criticism is incorrect and “religiously” motivated and has no place here.
Well boys it seems the vibration or bed bounce, what ever you want to call it is getting worse for me as the temperature decreases. I sense it is going to be an extra bumpy winter here in Canada.
I hope Toyota is going to fix this soon. I really like the truck but the vibration is really bothering me. I’m already starting to think about selling my Crew Max.
Let me tell you, once I take a big hit money wise unloading this truck, Toyota is going to be my last choice when it comes to purchasing another vehicle (or a personal robot LOL) for at least the next 15 years (I hold grudges).
I will also make sure that everyone I come in contact with thinking about buying a Toyota product hears how I got burned.
Furthermore, since I bought the truck I have had at least 15 people approach me right of the street and ask me what I thought.
Needless to say you Tundra owners out there, we have more power then the manufacturer thinks. After all Toyota got so big and popular not because of their media advertising but because of word of mouth endorsements. So at this point if we the customers are not happy others are surly going to hear about it.
TOYOTA FIX MY VIBRATION!
Marc
It is clear from your comment that you don’t know about frame build or strength. Although the Tundra design is similar to current GM HD trucks a quick look at the riveted flat crossmembers, thickness and strength of the steel, boxed front section that is not hydroformed and the easy twisting that the open C channel on the box that is demonstrated by a simple floor jack on the corner of the box showing how the box twists compared to the other competitors is a easy way to show how stiff the frame is.
GM, Ford and Dodge trucks do not have the box dent the cab because of excess box flex.
I prefer GM trucks and Toyota makes good cars but they have a long way to go to make a FULL size truck that can match work attributes.
No other truck buyer has to worry about this type of problem and the sooner Toyota acknowledges it the better for them.
Isn’t it a strange coincidence that Consumers Report now has removed the recommended buy for all Toyota products that they used to give automatically but now will not because of Tundra reported problems from customers. They now must earn it like everyone else and the Tundra is not starting out very well.
I have had similar problems with my 07 double cab Tundra. It’s not as bad as some have posted. I live in NC and experience it mostly on side roads at about 45 mph. It sends a constant vibration/rippling effect through the truck and I can see in the sideview that the bed is vibrating. Hopefully Toyota will create a solution soon.
Lewis
I feel your pain rippling/vibration
I think that is the best description yet!
Toyota fix what you fudged!
Lance – Please take your comments to a GM/Chevy site. I understand how people personify themselves with their trucks, but your comments really don’t belong here and they aren’t helpful or related to the problem we’re experiencing. People will argue the merits of different designs endlessly.
Hey Lance Pottruff,
Is this the same Lance that is an instructor for GM Pro Canada? Just wondering …
It is the same Lance Pottruff just google his name what a HOOSER
Hey Lance if GM was so great you can check my October 19th saying about the almighty GM truck. By the way Lance GM’s most expensive ext cab was the worst I’ve ever had…..I always was a GM person from the 70’s. Even went to GM school in 76…All manufacturers have there problems…How they react and fix the problems is where you get a customer for good…If you love GM that much you can have the 2nd place trophy with it…I’m still enjoying my Crewmax Limited at 12,000 miles…
I’m a 07 Tundra CrewMax 5.7 Ltd too. Lived in Arizona, no problem. Moved to cali, and I could not agree more with the unsatisfied customers. My truck bounces like crazy on concrete pavement at speeds from 55-80. If I go 90 it smooths out, but I will bounce wildly slowing down. If anyone at Toyota reads this and can do something, please do it. The trucks are very nice to look at and drive… until you hit that concrete stretch of highway…. I’m a loyal Toyota owner, the Tundra is my 4th Toyota and no plans to change this… unless Toyota brushes all of us off and sticks us with the expense of their mistake. I paid $45k for an extremely well equipped Tundra. I’d love the truck if it were not for this issue.
I was at the dealer today and was told that Toyota has had special meetings with dealerships to discuss this issue. I live in Las Vegas and there are several areas where my bed bounce is severe. I have put Donahoe’s 4-inch lift suspension on my truck and thought that this was problem related to this, but not the case according to the dealer. I was told by one service manager that they have had at least 3 complaints per week from owners since the new Tundra came out. If this is the case this is not a 5% of owners scenario… Furthermore what bothers me is that they are told to specifically avoid certain stretches of road when doing test drives…
Have you reported the bed bounce issue to Toyota?
I really want a new Tundra but the bed bounce is just one of the issues that has me waiting to see what they change on the 09’s.
I don’t own one but I’ve driven a bunch and I called and talked to Toyota about what I feel is a badly designed truck.
Toyota claims the issues with their Tundra is very limited.
Call them and let them know the problems you are having if you haven’t aready.
I spoke with Toyota today and they seemed to be unaware of any issue… I have an open case with them. I would encourage everyone else with the issue to do the same.
I have a 5.7L DC long bed. The vibration is terrible. You can barely carry on a conversation because it is so bad. If it cannot be fixed the thing is going down the road and I am buying something else. It is too severe to “get used” to.
I called Toyota today to follow up on my complaint filed on 10/19/07. After looking up my doc# the representative asked me what my problem was, I said it’s still the same problem and I was just following up to see if Toyota was planning to fix the excessive bed bounce. He replied that there are no recalls scheduled for this vehical and asked if I had taken it to my dealer, I replied that I had and the service manager had stated that Toyota is aware of the problem and working on fixing it, additionally when I called corporate to file a complaint that representative said the same thing … when asked directly if this was true, he would not answer. I told him it sounded like he was walking on eggshells and he was skirting the issue, I said that I wanted answers “Is Toyaota going to fix the problem?”. A case manager is to call me within one business day.
Anybody else follow up on thier complaint yet?
From what I’ve heard/read on this site and others, it seems the bed bounce/vibration issue is greatly (to almost completely) eliminated from having a waterbag, or sandbags, or anything 100lbs or so or more in your bed. So, why aren’t you guys that are eperiencing problems doing that? If you are and you’re still getting bed bounce/vibration, my bad…
With about 500 LBS in the bed and 300 LBS on the hitch from my trailer I still experienced bed bounce, but not as bad as when empty.
I have put over 200 lbs in the bed to very little or no effect. I have, as a matter of fact, changed my route to work to escape some of the cement roads here in Calif. I drive 160 freeway miles a day roundtrip to work and should not have to pick and chose roads just to keep my coffee mug in its holder. This $36K truck is a dog. Toyota’s response will determine my next move and, yes, I have registered a complaint with the company. By the way, I have been asked by at least a dozen people how I like the truck (some right in the service drive of the dealership) and have blasted the Tundra each time. I will continue to do so until Toyota fixes this screw up.
OK so Toyota calls me back today and thier representative says that Toyota is aware of the problem, when asked if Toyota was going to do something he responded by saying there are no recalls scheduled. I told him that both my service manager and the representative I spoke with last time had said Toyota is aware of the problem and is working on a solution, I asked him directly if Toyota was working on a solution, he said not to his knowledge. I tactfully told him he was full of it and he replied that most of the complaints were from California due to the concrete freeways, I told him that was interesting because I have seen complaints from just about everywhere on various websites. He said I could call back anytime to see if Toyota is going to do anything.
Anyone else follow up on thier complaint with Toyota???
I have a question, why would toyota build the Sequioa with a fully boxed frame but not the Tundra? I was planning on buying a 2008 Tundra but until this “bed bounce” thing is resolved, I may have to wait until 2009.
Ian — only Toyota knows, but fully boxed frames are *not* used on heavy duty trucks and commercial vehicles and I assume they chose the triple-tech frame to meet this kind of design criteria. The Sequioa is smaller than the Tundra and obviously is not designed to haul heavy loads, hence the frame difference.
Ian
Just ask yourself why that the new GM, Ford and Dodge trucks all use fully boxed frames? They used to use what Tundra uses now but found out that the new heavier uses of 1/2 ton trucks needed a stronger frame.
And have you ever seen as many comments on the other trucks in regards to the frame flex and tailgate issues?
Toyota has a big problem. The problem is that the fix is very expensive. The frame is old tech, not new. Riveted, flat crossmembers is were how they used to build frames. Now they are fully boxed and welded, tubular crossmembers.
Sorry but the Tundra frame is not up to Toyotas usual quality.
Yes Lance, that is why the new Ford 250 Super Duty does *not* use a fully boxed frame and it uses rivets! If only mechanical engineering were as simple as the commercials make out. Fully boxed isn’t superior, and neither is welding vs. rivets. There are always tradeoffs.
Lance,
Do you even own a Toyota? Or does GM frown on that?
I want a new Tundra but I’m not biting right now. They have way too many quality issues.
The new Tundras definitely have issues. They still haven’t got the TC Tranny issues straightened out because there have been several 08’s with the rumble strip issue.
Toyota still does not have a fix for the bed bounce.
The frame deflects too much under it’s own weight. It’s a poor design.
I’m not an engineer but I think the frame is the sole problem with the bed bounce.
They will probably try to come out with some type of leaf fix and a cushion spacer of some kind to try to eliminate the problem.
It would be better to build a new fully boxed frame like the other half tons use and start over. Toyota should admit they blew it and start over.
Are they worried the extra weight of the frame would take away from the speed of the truck?
It’s a truck not a race car. Trucks are supposed to be used as trucks.
I’m not sure they really get that yet.
I would respect them more if they would admit their mistake and redesign the truck instead of trying to engineer a jerry rigged fix for the bed bounce.
Michael — great question for Lance! I read that and just about fell out of my chair. Hilarious.
I think Lance and Mike work for GM or Ford. 🙂 Amazing how they talk like engineers and say the fully boxed frame is the solution. Yet no one can explain why the heavy duty trucks don’t use them.
I don’t really care, I just want the bounce fixed. We’ve been waiting for months now.
My Division Rep. returned my call yesterday, Dec 11, (ironic our” DAY OF INFAMY”) and reported Toyota still has found no problems with their TUNDRA’s regarding “BEDBOUNCE”. Afterthe investigation team of engineers in Las Vegas as reported by another blogger, they concluded, “the Tundras are performing exactly as designed and engineered”. They will do nothing for us att. They will not even allow us a “LOSS OF VALUE” or depreciation loss, should we try to trade to another Toyota product.!!!!!! WHAT INSANITY!!!!!
My new 07 Regular Cab, Short
Box Tundra is now for sale or trade. You guys seen the Ford add where they want you to swap your new 07 truck for an F150?? Maybe you’ll see my mug on TV.
My Tundra is unsafe, and has been garaged since returning from my day of purchase…..only 550 miles.
Talk about a loser. I admit it!!!!
We should the get a class-action lawsuit.
All of us who really get ALL of the truck bouncing like a pogo stick understands the problem.
Admin — please delete the posts from Marco, Lex, Lance, etc. that are juvenile, untrue, misleading, etc…
Marc- I guess you “don’t” understand the bouncing problem.
Are you from CA?, I can meet you in CA anywhere, anytime and prove to you how “misleading” is when Toyota has not done anything to fix my truck that bounces like a pogo stick.
Marco — Yes, let’s meet! I’d love to see you arrive in your Toyota Silverado.
“I think Lance and Mike work for GM or Ford. Amazing how they talk like engineers and say the fully boxed frame is the solution. Yet no one can explain why the heavy duty trucks don
Marc-From your comments and state of denial, I must assume you are not a Tundra owner.
Very simple Toyota fixes my Tundra bouncing problem and I stop complaining.
Marco — try reading my other posts before making any assertions. If you’re a Toyota owner, what model and when did you purchase it? Details please… 🙂
Solution
# Matthew Davis Says:
December 10th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Hello everyone. I am the owner of a 2007 Tundra double cab 4X4 with the 5.7 engine. I have noticed the bed vibration since shortly after purchasing the truck in July. I had some time on my hands the other day, so I got up under the truck to see if I could identify the sourse of the vibration. Those of you who own this truck can go and grab the rear bumper and shake it up and down vigorously and you will observe independent motions of the bed and the cab. I began to realize that the frame has a harmonic frequency with a pivot point between the engine/transmission area and the rear axle area of the frame. (Visualize a guitar string.)You can get into the bed of the truck and stand directly over the rear axle and jump up and down, and you will find that it is almost impossible to make the same vibration that you can easily achive by applying pulsating pressure to the bumper or open tailgate. I thought about the idea of attaching some sort of weight to the rear bumper area, but as I considered the idea, I realized that this would only change the frequency of the vibration, but would not dampen it. It might even make the vibration more intense in the cab. So I thought about the idea of somehow canceling out the harmonics of the frame by creating a dampening device with a slightly different harmonic frequency attached to the area of the frame behind the rear axle as close to the bumper as possible. The logic here is that if you could CAUSE the frame to vibrate from this point, then it should be possible to DAMPEN the vibration from the same point. I decided to use the spare tire for this purpose so as not to ncrease the weight of the vehicle. I lowered the spare tire a few inches from the frame, and I cut out two peices of high density rubber foam and placed them in between the tire and the part of the frame that the tire is pressed against. I then retightened the tire to where the foam was snug between the tire and the frame. (The tire should be tight enough that it does not rattle.) This setup allowed the tire to
So to anyone who posts, please make sure to keep your comments on topic and try not to be offensive or annoying.
Also, for anyone who works at GM, Ford, etc., please don’t waste our time. You have your axe to grind, and that’s great, but do it somewhere else.
O.k. I agree that Toyota has some type of problem with the frame, period. Fully boxed vs. non-boxed remains the mystery. I have also seen first had that the only manufacture that has a fully boxed frame on their HD turcks is Dodge. Ford and GM are not fully boxed. HOWEVER, the non boxed frames on the other manufacutres are much thicker than that of the Toyota’s frame, understandably to accommodate for the HD nature of the trucks. That being said, could the “fix be as simple as increasing the thickness of the frame?? Last I checked the HD models don’t have the “bounce” problem which tells me that the fault may not necessarily be in the DESIGN of the frame.
Unless you’re a mechanical engineer intimately familiar with the Tundra frame, I don’t see how anyone can know this is a frame problem. Did you measure the frame thickness with a caliper? Did you analyze the steel composition to determine if it’s high strength?
*No* one but Toyota knows what’s causing this – a leaf spring, the frame, weight distribution, suspension, no one knows…
“No* one but Toyota knows what
Last I heard Toyota is testing a fix, so they may know what’s causing it. We’ll keep waiting, it’s been months now.
It just like all the bed bounce happened in California. I have a 5.7 D/C with TRD pkg, with 5k and I don’t have bed bounce problem here in Texas. I think the problem is CA DOT. not the truck. I was a Ford truck owner for the past 25+ years, Ford trucks ride like a bronco not the Tundra trucks. I drive my over black top, dirt and concrete road and I am not experiencing bed bouncing problem.
I recently purchased a tundra double cab regular bed 4×2 with TRD package. I am in Richmond VA and I feel the bounce too. Initially when my kids were singing and the la-LA-la-LA-la-LA going up and down was funny, but not anymore. This has not bothered me so much yet, but then the truck is only 1000 miles now. I have been a toyota loyalist, this being my 6th toyota. This problem is not limited to CA and I sure hope toyota has a quick fix for this problem.
4.
Im starting to think the problem may be a combination of a number of things
I recently put a new set of tires on my crewmax
Bf Goodrich 285/65/r20
the vehicle rides much better vibration almost gone entirely
also did the high density foam over the spare tire
D
I contacted Toyota and my rep admitted that there was a problem, and thanked me for my demeanor, but did not commit to a time frame on a fix. He told me to call back every 3 weeks looking for a recall related to the bed bounce problem. He was strangely hesitant during the discussion, as if he knew something and wasn’t telling. I did not take this as a positive sign. I’m going to try the gardening knee pad spare tire trick, but would feel better of Toyota would give me a fix or some feedback. The way they are dancing around this one seems like they are gonna stick it to us as customers. It would be nice if I was wrong.
Well guys, according to MotorTrend magazine, the Tundra has won the 2008 Truck of the year contest! They also made mention to the camshaft issue and the tailgate issue but there was NO mention about the bounce issue. How could they miss it?? Check out the link:
http://www.motortrend.com/ofth.....oty_winner
Wow great!!!!
What you don’t know is that they didn’t even compare the Tundra against similar 1/2 ton trucks. So what kind of a test was it really?
This test wasn’t a test at all.
Here’s a quote from the test posted on pickuptrucks.com.
In this year’s Motor Trend truck comparison, the half-ton Tundra was pitted against all-new, heavy duty competition from Ford and General Motors. The other trucks included were Chevrolet’s Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD, GMC’s Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD, and Ford’s F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Dutys.
Plus here’s the disclaimer at the bottom.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Testing, judging, and story for the February 2008 issue of Motor Trend were completed and printed before the latest safety recall involving 15,600 2007 Tundras to correct a potential driveshaft issue)
Take it for what it’s worth.
As usual Motor Trend’s Truck/Car of the year is *not* a head-to-head comparison of vehicles in their respective classes. The winner instead is based on relevance within a selection of other vehicles.
I think they should end this misleading award. It tends to favor the latest design and it’s not relevant to consumers.
You guys are right, they didn’t test it against similar 1/2 ton trucks but doesn’t it say somthing about the “toughness” of the Tundra that it could beat the HD class of trucks? Recall or not?? I’m sure some time soon, a full comparison of all the 1/2 tons will be conducted in a “fair” competition.
There’s enough misconceptions floating around on this page to fill an encyclopedia.
Fully boxed vs. open C channel. Open C channel is the cheap route and is inferior to the fully boxed frame on a light truck on a strength to weight basis. Toyota took the cheap route relative to the competition. Why do Ford, Chevy use an open C on their larger trucks? Open C actually gets more efficient the larger it is, because you must use thick, heavy steel to make it, and people who build cranes, tow trucks, big toolboxes etc. on trucks can’t work with a fully boxed frame as easy. If Toyota was going to go the cheap route, they should have used much thicker steel and upped the weight, but then you wouldn’t have those nice 0-60 times that is the highest priority in a truck.
The Tundra bed bounce is at it’s core a frame issue. The toyota frame simply is more easily deflected (less stiff) and get the right frequency, and the bed will dance like barefeet on hot Texas pavement.
Sure, you can dampen the vibrations with water bags, sand bags, bubble gum and bailing wire as some users are apparently resorting to, but there’s still a vibration in there. Maybe you cure it, maybe you don’t, you’ve still got a frame that flexes a lot, and why should you have to throw heavy backs in the back that you have to remove if you want to use the truck bed? I’m wondering if off roaders are having any issues driving over uneven terrain.
I’m also wondering if that Tundra I saw rolled over during snowy/icy/wet conditions was a bed bounce issue. Bed bounce could lead to loss of traction. Lose traction in those conditions at high speed and it’s potentially all over. Just speculation, but I’m not sure I’d drive one in those conditions, or on a washboarded gravel road either. I’ll drive nice and sloooowww.
Maybe the lawyers will make Toyota actually fix the problem if people get injured and tie it to that.
One followup point: the more the frame flexes and vibrates, the faster the truck ages, because things work loose. I’m guessing some of these Tundras are going to be creakey, squeaky, and rattly after some time on the road.
Joe – you sure sound like a GM or Ford owner. Your bed bounce theory blaming it on the frame can’t be correct, as many are *not* experiencing the problem. It is more likely a manufacturing defect.
Have you actually measured the frame thickness on the Tundra? I’ve read it’s twice as thick as competitors in its class (approx 2mm vs. 5mm). And for the millionth time, fully boxed is not superior to the hybrid C-Channel/fully boxed frame on the Tundra – a similar design is used in heavy duty vehicles.
The bed bounce probably only shows up at certain speeds, combinations of roads, but it appears widespread. Hell, it may even depend on how much gas is in the tank or tire inflation pressure, or even temperature. There’s too many variables that could make it come and go, and just because someone hasn’t experienced it doesn’t mean they won’t. The Tundra frame strength is well documented to have more flex, just google “Tundra frame flex.” Frames that flex more are more subject to more pronounced vibration, all other things equal. It’s as simple as that. To prove it, get a wafer thin piece of metal, and a strong metal rod, then wave your arm wildly and see which one flops around more. Don’t hurt yourself with the higher flexing metal.
The Toyota metal may well be thicker, but that’s irrelevant. The infamous Ford video shows that the Toyota frame deflects about 3-4 times what the F-150 frame does under load – that’s why a box frame is better – it’s stronger, all other things equal – any college student taking mechanics of materials can tell you that and why, if you don’t believe me. Also, you have more potential contact points for cross members, and thus more rigidity when you assemble the complete frame.
For the second time, The C channel is inferior on this light duty type of truck, unless you make the steel much thicker/stronger, which Toyota did not do. Again, bigger trucks use it, because heavy duty trucks require thicker steel frames anyway, which lessens the advantage of a fully boxed frame. Plus, heavy duty trucks are often modified by aftermarketers with all sorts of stuff bolted to the frame, and it’s simply easier to do it with a C channel frame. On an actual heavy duty truck, modification trumps the advantage of box frame. On a light duty truck like the Tundra, that advantage is lost, because it’s not in the same league as the “big boys.”
Claiming that the Toyota C channel frame is better, because “that’s what the big boys use” is misleading at best, and more like a bold faced lie. I wonder who has propogated that rumor/misinformation.
“Have you actually measured the frame thickness on the Tundra? I
Marc,
One other thing. If the C channel is so superior why is Ford, Chevy and now Nissan using these FBF on their 1/2 ton trucks?
Mike,
Actually I am an engineer. We don’t know if the bounce is due to the frame design, but you can’t say what is better based on what the competition is doing. Toyota claims the C-Channel under the cab gives them an advantage in crash testing — and this is why the Tundra has the top rating in the IIHS tests – the first full-size ever to achieve this.
The frame thickness numbers come from what the manufacturers themselves quote, you can go to their respective sites. Here’s an example from TundraSolutions:
The gmt900 halfton has a frame thickness of 2.2mm (ala compact truck box frames)on the inboard side and 3.2mm on the outboard side and also not as tall as the tundra’s, and that is probably the thickess part of their entire frame, I highly doubt they would mention a thinner section of their frame. I don’t have an exact measurements but the tundra frame is near if not twice as thick as these boxed frames, in the range of 4mm-5mm thick.
http://www.tundrasolutions.com.....ame-why-8/
For what it’s worth, I actually looked at the frames of Dodge, Toyota, Ford and Chevy today. I remembered Ford dealers have a display of cut-away frames, side by side. The Toyota frame is most definately *not* twice as thick. Well, it is at the top and bottom, because the put extra pieces in there, but the side wall is not. Considering it only has one side wall, as opposed to two for every one else’s fully boxed frames, it is actually less thick on the vertical wall than any other frame. Not quite half as thick, but darn close.
Coupled with the inferior C-channel design, it’s even more apparent to me why the Tundras can have such awful bed bounce. While the Tundra frame would be pretty resistant to vertical bending, it would be much less resistant to twisting. I’d guess it’s half or less resistant, all other factors equal, but the ford deflection tests show it’s about 1/3, so something else must be going on. The bed bounce video I saw shows the bed twisting relative to the cab. It’s simply an inferior design, and it’s no wonder to me the Tundras have problems.
More and more, I’m convinced the Toyota is simply inferior as a truck. They focused on 0-60, making a big drivetain component purely for marketing to make it look “tough” in the Superbowl commercial and skimped in other areas, like the frame, tailgate, sheetmetal and interior. It’s the same philosophy of Nissan, and Nissan failed. To put it bluntly, it’s another truck for suburbanites, like the Titan. It’s not a work truck. Even suburb cowboys drive on crappy roads, even if they’re paved, though, and aren’t going to like the Toyota’s ride. If their wives knew they were sacrificing safety for faux toughness, these trucks wouldn’t sell to these guys at all.
I can’t blame Toyota – they have no choice. They don’t have dealerships in rural areas, so they have to sell to urban cowboys. They may as well skimp on the bed and frame. They erred on the low side though.
To fix it, they will have to weld a plate on the frame to convert it to fully boxed or dampen it as much as they can. They’ll have to redo the frame for the next generation. My prediction: fully boxed if they really want to compete.
The truck that’s changing it all is educating a whole new set of owners that things beside 0-60 time matter in a truck.
Again, because someone will point it out: you can make a C Channel frame as strong as fully boxed, but you simply cannot do it without using a big hunk of steel, especially if you want torsional (aka bed bounce) resistance. Unfortunately, Toyota didn’t do that.
If you want to bring up that Chevy and Ford heavy dutys use C channel again, then I want YOU to go measure the steel thicknesses on them and then let’s compare to the Tundra. Trust me, it won’t be a pretty comparision, though I haven’t measured them.
I’m not sure we’re getting anywhere but here’s a post from someone who used the manufacturer’s specs. The Tundra has a more substantial frame thickness than the competitors:
“Guys boxed frame are design for ride comfort. C frames are design for work. A frame needs to flex to some extent for load bearing purposes. The current crop of halfton boxed frame are probably about 15-20% heavier if at all. Why, take the titan for example. My bro has a titan, the box frame of the titan is near twice as thin and not as tall as my ’00 tundra. The gmt900 halfton has a frame thickness of 2.2mm (ala compact truck box frames)on the inboard side and 3.2mm on the outboard side and also not as tall as the tundra’s, and that is probably the thickess part of their entire frame, I highly doubt they would mention a thinner section of their frame. I don’t have exact measurements but the tundra frame is near if not twice as thick as these boxed frames, in the range of 4mm-5mm thick. The tundra frame is closer to 3/4 ton than any halfton frame out there. They could’ve went with a boxed frame but remember they are targeting the true truckers not the driveway queen.”
Joe,
Excellent post!!! I couldn’t agree with you more.
Joe and Mike – It’s nice we have some agreement among the GM/Ford owners here. That’s really helpful. 😉
Marc,
Who are the GM and Ford owners here? last I looked in the Garage I saw two Toyota’s.
You must mean some other Mike.
I give up Mike and Joe – I’m glad you’re so intimately familiar with the Tundra frame, but I’ll make the bold assertion you’re both making this stuff up and that the only garages you see with Toyotas in them are your neighbors’. 🙂
Marc,
You’d be wrong once again. I’m a longtime Toyota owner who’s had nothing but Toyota’s since 1991.
I know it’s amazing to hear but there are actually Toyota owners who want a Tundra but are so dissapointed with the new truck that they are complaining. I’m one of them.
When they redesign the truck and fix the bugs I’ll be right there ready to buy one.
Right now there are too many issues with this truck for me to consider one.
Mike – I’m sorry you’re compelled to spend so much time on this site saying negative things about a vehicle you don’t own.
I have the bed bounce issue with my new Tundra, but I like so many things about it – the engine, the quality components, the 6-speed transmission, amazing performance in the snow, great steering feel, the enjoyment of having the fastest truck on the planet (ok I may be exagerating).
A lot of the negative things you and others are saying cannot be proven one way or they other, but I’ll side with Toyota over guys on the Internet who have too much negative energy.
Please consider finding another way to spend your spare time and spare us your thoughts here.
Marc,
It seems like you can’t take some contructive criticism or any negative remarks about the Tundra.
You need to ease up a bit. This new truck isn’t all it was made out to be.
Some of the things you think are so great about this truck are it’s biggest liabilities to date.
Guys, we’d love to hear some “constructive” criticism on the bounce issue, but it’s doubtful we’ll get any from GM/Ford zealots who log onto Tundra forums to spout misinformation.
Meanwhile the Tundra has just celebrated Motor Trend’s 2008 Truck of the year award and sales are up while its competitors are struggling. Try explaining that.
It’s great that there are so many loyal Tundra owners willing to put up with bed bounce. It sure makes it easier for Toyota not to address the problem.
Moving Forward.
“Meanwhile the Tundra has just celebrated Motor Trend
OMG! I have never heard so much BS from so many armchair engineers before. The bed bounce problem may or may not be related to the frame design, so why all the focus on the frame? There are numerous factors and variables that may cause the problem and it has not been determined what it is … yet. Additionally not all Tundra owners are experiencing bed bounce, this statement alone may lead one to conclude it is not a frame issue. Recently a buddy got a Tundra, I asked him if he had experienced bed bounce (note: I have a double cab 4×4, his is double cab 2WD) he said it is the nicest riding truck he ever drove. I asked him specifically about a section of freeway that my truck bounces on, he laughed and said everyone bounces there (even cars), but he did not consider it excessive. To be fair to Toyota my truck bounces alot on some sections of roadway, but only at extra legal speeds …
I think this is a great site and we have a lot of intelligent people contributing here, but please be nice to others …
Thank you,
Michael
You said it Michael. These GM/Ford guys will try everything they can to criticize. False names, bogus information, you name it. Amazing what people will do with their spare time. The irony is prospective Tundra buyers will see right through this.
Marc,
I prefer to keep an open mind, even if it is a die hard Ford or Chevy guy spouting off. I am in heavy construction so I take alot of crap about owning a Toyota. Yesterday I listened to this guy go on and on about how great his F-350 is and how a piece of Jap crap couldn’t compare, I told him my truck was built in the United States and asked him where his truck was built, he begrudgingly admited it was from Canada, I could hardly contain my laughter … Canada he said … HA HA HA HA
“There are numerous factors and variables that may cause the problem and it has not been determined what it is
Michael – that’s funny, made in Canada. 🙂 I try to have an open mind too, but these guys that keep posting negative things that don’t help those of us that have the bounce issue are annoying.
“Flexes 3-4 times the competition” or “I checked out the frame demonstration at the Ford dealer and the Tundra frame was clearly thinner” – give me a break, these guys are desperate and jealous of the Tundra’s success. There’s no changing there minds – the Tundra was a failure before Toyota even started its design.
“Flexes 3-4 times the competition
“Second, If you can actually refute the facts I presented, then give it a shot, otherwise, don
Joe,
The fact is you don’t want to be a Tundra owner… Now I had the other 2 with so much problems I couldn’t tell you where to start… If the bed bounce is a frame issue why don’t all Tundra’s have the problem from the start… Apparently I have one that forgot how to do the bounce… or the tail gate failure… I’m constantly walking on mine along with loading different things without a crack forming or buckling happening… I guess I must be lalalala all the way to the bank.. AT least I can say I have a trouble free truck… Something I couldn’t say since 2003..I’ve been a GM fan for quite sometime.. I said it before all makes have their issues.. It’s how you are treated and how they fix the issue at hand is what keeps your customers.. Being treated badly at Ford for mine for a computer problem and Chevy factory Rep accusing me of pulling down my headliner does it in for me… Not the fact I’m blind in what Toyota makes.. For not owning one you sure make it impossible for me to believe in your statements whether fact or not… I haven’t had a problem with my truck yet and will be the first in line jumping in the face of anyone in front of me.. After having going to arbitration against GM on the issues this 06 LTD3 their top of the line ext cab trucks with all bells and whistles and still was told GM will not replace this troubled truck 18x in less than 16 months you tell me how strong is that truck when the tail light falls off.. Brake issues costing me dollars to fix when it was only 12 months old… What good is a truck when you can’t stop or when you try to it vibrates off the road….. You can try to feed me all the good stuff, I will listen, checked out what everyone says to find out for myself… Also why isn’t there but only 12 complaints on NHTSB or ODI? When you look at the others they’re more? Now if anyone really has an issue take it to Office of Defects Investigations or National Transportation Safety Board.. I don’t see these complaints there..
“Actually, we have refuted your
“The fact is you don
As I said I am an engineer and that gives me the understanding to know that unless Toyota provides proprietary specs on the Tundra frame (which are trade secrets by the way) – no one knows how its flex or thickness or material composition compares to the competition but them.
Posting Ford’s marketing comparisons isn’t helpful. I posted one person’s visual inspection of the Tundra frame vs. the GM heavy duty frames which I thought was interesting. It was just as “factual” as your references.
We’re discussing solutions and experiences with the Tundra’s bounce issue here and you’re not providing any useful information, in fact it’s misleading and is simply meant to create FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt), IMHO.
“As I said I am an engineer and that gives me the understanding to know that unless Toyota provides proprietary specs on the Tundra frame (which are trade secrets by the way) – no one knows how its flex or thickness or material composition compares to the competition but them.”
If you are really an engineer, then you would know the Ford flex test in the video is a sign of frame strength. You can use all the Toyota secret theory you want, but in the end, putting the bare frame on a test says only one thing: how flexible it is, and it’s 3-4 times more than the Ford frame. Based on the lack of lawsuit response from Toyota, the Ford test must not have been rigged. Toyota must acknowledge the test accurately depicts their frame flex.
“Posting Ford
Please, also, since the Tundra has such a strong frame because a guy on the internet said so, and you are an engineer, please explain why it has such a wimpy payload capacity:
Tundra: 2,060 lb
Silverado: 3,094 lb
F-150: 3,050-lb
The bottom line is.
My tundra bounces like a pogo stick and Toyota has not yet done nothing to fix it.
Looking in to Lemon law and everybody else with this problem should also.
Other option is a Class-Action legal threat.
Last option for me will be to trade my Tundra for another truck and never get another Toyota.
Marco,
I did the lemon law with the Chevy Silverado. I went through arbitration where GM admitted the headliner was a defect but they had an excellent warranty program to fix such problems.. Lemon Law states 3x to fix and the problem still exists they have a 4th and final chance to fix it. I went 6x and arbitration still sided with GM to give them a final try and if it fails they will replace it. Well they replace it 8x and GM stated they will not replace the truck just keep on replacing the headliners until one stays up. Going through GM customer assistance led me to believe they were going to replace the truck when after a month and a half all they would do is replace the headliner.. This is why I will never again own a GM product. Not to mention they had the gumption to ask if I own another GM vehicle. Well I sold it.. I took a $7000 loss and got rid of that truck.. So I bought a Tundra for the first time owning a Toyota.. I guess I finally got the luck this time in a vehicle being trouble free. GM left me hanging out there not to mention the factory rep accused me of pulling my headliner down. Stating I was the only one with this problem and the dealership was only trying to please me last 4x in replacing the headliner… I’m not at all happy with the lemon law.. Some politician got a feather in his cap because they still side with the automaker… It really has to be a safety issue before they will replace the vehicle… NHTSB stated the same in order to force GM into a recall.. They know of the defect but it wasn’t a safety issue.. I wish you luck in this venture..
I recently got a 2007 Crewmax 4×4. I’ve only put 1,000 miles on it so far (it had just under 8,000 when I got it). For 975 of those miles, the truck has been great. For a short stretch on highway 50 near Sacramento, and Highway 99 nort of Fresno, I experienced some pretty intense vibration.
Fortunately, I don’t have to drive on roads often that cause the vibration. If I did, it would be a serious issue. But, at this point, I’ll just wait and see how it plays out and what (if anything) Toyota ends up doing. I will try the high-density foam between the spare/frame though just because that’s easy enough to do on my own and if that helps negate the vibration for the rare times I’m on roads that trigger it, then I might as well do it.
Boboli,
I too drive that stretch of freeway quite often in my older Toyota Truck and in my friends new Silverado and Dodge trucks with no bed bounce or vibration at all.
I would put a call into Toyota and voice your concerns.
Take it into the dealer three times to get it on record.
I’d bypass the jerry rigged foam under the tire and pressure Toyota into a real fix.
Joe,
Like you I was burned by Ford and GM vice Toyota. By not having any problems at 14,000 miles then give me the 40%. I prefer wtaching the games vice being at the dealership working with them on a problem. If you’re happy with Ford so be it. To me they had their chance.
The bed bounce problem is not suspension related. It is frame related. Toyota put their new trapezoidal frame system in to allow for frame flex. Toyota says this actually makes the frame stronger by allow for flex (not bending, but flexing) and the frame then returns to it’s normal position. Apparently, this is what helps gives the truck its high towing capacity. With the other big truck manufacturers, the stiffer frames can actually tend to start cracking at rivet and bolt points over time when constantly carry or towing heavy loads
Mine is real bouncy.
I am a sumo wrestler and I weigh 350 lbs and my buddy watanabesan is also a sumo wrestler (385 lbs) and when we ride down the freeway with a few of our sumo wrestler buddies in the bed we hardly notice any bounce at all.
Admin – Would you know of any progress/fix with future (09-on) Tundra models?
If this is such a widespread problem, aren’t we hearing more about it. for example, in the Motor Trend article for the turck of the year contest, they make mention of the cam shaft issue and the tailgate issue that circulated on the web but there was no mention of the bounce issue. I have also picked up several other magazines containing tests of the Tundra and non of those mention it either. They too mentioned the other issues. I’m not saying it is not happening and I admit that I do not own one yet, but my local dealer (good friend of mine) let me take a demo model home for the weekend and I never experienced the bounce, concrete or otherwise. Is it possible that Toyota is not addressing this because it is not a nationwide issue? I see a lot of people making mention of driving in SoCal, could the problem simply be your roads???
Saoidh – no idea if the “bed bounce” problem will be fixed. In fact, it’s hard to say if Toyota will even acknowledge it.
Here’s the situation (in my opinion) – a small percentage of owners have this problem. The vast majority do not. If you’re concerned about buying the Tundra because of bed bounce, you might want to test drive it first before you rule it out.
Admin, Many Thanks!!
I’ll wait to come back from depolyment (Iraq) and see what the consensus is as wel as test driving it. Being in the Denver area, I don’t think the bounce will be an issue. However, I’m planning this truck purchase to be with me for a while and I want to make a good investment.
Thanks Again!
Abe,
Apparently you must like the Tundra. Why else you keep hanging around the Tundra website…
because I am pissed off because I got ripped off, Mickey. My dentures are nearly rattled out of my freakin head. I am curious to see who else is in the same freakin boat. You have a new tundra?
Abe,
My double cab 4×4 bounces like crazy on the concrete freeways here in California, but it is only on certain sections of freeway. Like I said before it is severe only at extra legal speeds, when observing the posted speed limit the bounce is only mild …
Abe,
Yes, I do, an 07 Crewmax Limited. I feel for you. What you’re going through is bad and leaves a bad taste. I’ve been there twice with a 03 F-150, 06 LT3 Ext Cab Silverado. Nothing like seeing while you’re putting down a coat from a claybar your headliner down on all 4 doors GM, or Ford telling me I don’t know how to fill up my gas tank and blaming it on lowjack. A total of 10x on that computer sending out codes that my emission sensors are bad etc.. Abe every time I went to Enterprise rental when I brought the truck in they knew me and they couldn’t believe I was there again. The dealer never contacted enterprise but gave me the slip to give them for the rental. Ford was good about this and I always got a full sedan or truck if I wanted. GM on the other hand was a joke. All automakers have there problems.. I haven’t experienced either bed bounce, tailgate or any other problems yet. I’m at 15,000 miles. Other than the road construction my ride is very smooth. I don’t put my tailgate down unless it’s under a load of wood etc.. I also strap my load down also on the tailgate. I also use ramps to drive my riding lawnmower to change blades and clean it while on the tailgate. I still don’t see any cracks or any buckling happening. Although my tailgate and bed have herculiner on it. This is like rhino but I put it on. I drove my truck to New Orleans, Savannah, and Key West from Jacksonville, Florida. The truck rides very comfortable. I only experienced 1 minor problem and that was the a/c vent kept moving on it’s own. I guess with the dust or something fixed it because now I don’t have the problem. So after 6 years with constant problems and finally having a truck 6 months trouble free I’m numb. I’m still shell shocked by it. I constantly look for problems and nothing. The funny thing I can say the wife’s car a Prius hasn’t had a problem either. We got both the same day. Thanks GM!!!
Bed bounce/ vibration = the crappy tires the truck came with. Had the same problem on my crew max with 20′ wheels. Changed my tires to 285/65/r20 all T/A’s bf goodrich.
Problem Solved!
I would have not believed it myself until I did it. Any way that was 2 months ago. I have not posted a complaint since
Tundra #1,
Happy for you. I always did like T/A’s especially on my camaro I had. I still have the original tires and haven’t had a problem with them. Today first problem did pop up or you can say close up. I have a Limited which has closing mirrors and my passenger mirror having issues about closing. Yes I know they can pop out and you can reset them but every fifth time it pops out and doesn’t work. Will be taking it in when I do my 15,000 mile oil change at the end of the week.
Saoidh – I live in the Denver area and have the bounce problem. Try test driving back from Greeley to Denver on I-25 and see if the Tundra you’re driving has the problem.
Toyota rep called me on the bed bounce issue. He stated that Toyota is aware of the “complaints” but did not know if they were working on a fix or merely “aware” of the problem. Did say that he was unaware of any fix as of this date. Increasingly sounds like Toyota is hoping the whole issue will just go away. It may but so will a lot of customers and I find it mind boggling that Toyota would “write off” any segment of their customers especially when the problem seems to be centered in California where there are a lot of Tundra owners. Meanwhile, my truck and my neighbor’s truk still bounce!
Methinks some of you purchased a truck for the wrong reason. Trucks are supposed to be rough riding – it’s a sign of how tough they are. If you want a wimpy, smooth riding truck, buy a Ford or Chevy. Real men buy a Toyota and don’t complain about bounce. For the guy whose son complained about the ride, I think you need to teach him to be tougher.
Toyota Freak,
Trucks these days are being built for ride also. One of the reasons why I got the Crewmax. I do like my comfortable ride. Unlike my wife who gave up her ride for gas mileage her Prius has road noise and is a little rough. Not to mention when the wind blows. When it came to trips to New Orleans, Key West and Svannah she was willing to take the truck for a better ride. I do also like the creature comforts also put into trucks which automakers see this. Now I let my wife drive the truck once and I thought I had to buy some new tires. She couldn’t get use to the acceleration the truck had to the Prius. I guess I can say the same about gas mileage on hers.. my 20 to her 65. I am looking forward when Toyota brings out the Hybrid Tundra in a couple of years from now.
i recently use a 2? X 26? heavy duty bicycle intertube instead of the knee pad foam. cost was only $7.49 and used duct tape to secure intertube to the wheel
Hey Toyota Freak,
me thinks you learned talking real good.
Ok…j/k buddy.. I agree with you…the truck is tough…I love it!!!(except for the bounce and not so tough crappy splitting tailgate)…but it is also the most comfortable truck I have ever owned…until the bed bouce starts.
The issue here is the design of the open frame encountering vibration with a certain type of road at a certain speed which even as T.M.C. has stated shouldn’t be happening. That doesn’t make it any tougher as a vehicle. Infact try locking up the brakes and swivering to avoid a accident when going 60 when the back end is bouncing everywhere and see what happens to your toughness. I guess my 14 month year old and 4 year old should be tougher, while sitting in the back of a 30 thousand dollar 4×4 vehicle that bounces. Yeah… that makes a lot of sense. You probally kick the tires when buying a vehicle as well to see if it is tough.
I love the truck but have been really disappointed & unimpressed with Toyota’s response and run around with these 2 issues. I have been bounced between the call center, claim numbers and a Factory Rep that answers everyhting with a soft voice of kindness, but has no answers.
Got to go… my tailgate which has been splitting in half for the past 2 months is opening more from loading tile and a air compressor. You have to understand that Toyota is pissssing off long loyal customers who just want what they paid for, “One Tough Truck” as advertised.
I’ve got 750 miles on my 08 Doublecab 5.7 4X2 Tundra. I was having a great time with the truck until I went down to LA on I5. At the bottom of the grapevine the truck began to bounce to the extent that I started to become motion sick. I slowed to about 60 and it got better but man, it’s real. I want my 180,000 mile 4-Runner back! Thanks for all of your efforts to motivate Toyota to fix this. I’ve had problems with past Toyotas and the response has been fantastic. Let’s hope they get on this soon.
I bought a 4×4 crewmax trd and the bed bounce wasn’t a problem for the first 1500 miles around the city of tulsa until I went from Tulsa, OK to Stillwater,ok yesterday.Now I definately know why people are complaining about bounce. We couldn’t talk for about 20 miles because we couldn’t finish words because of the bounce. Absolutely unacceptable. (not my first 4×4) this is not normal… Toyota please fix this soon!
decided to take my truck for a long test drive to Las Veags
This is slightly off topic but today I read that Dodge’s upcoming Ram will focus more on a smooth daily-driver ride when unloaded by using coil springs for the rear suspension – a first in its class. This lowers their top payload/towing ratings to 1800 and 9000 lbs, respectively, below their competitors. Not that I’d ever buy a Dodge, but this seems like a smart move, considering the harsher ride I have on my Tundra. The Hemi V8 gets boosted to 380 hp, closer to our trucks, but only a 5-speed transmission.
Tire pressure- maybe this is why I have never experienced the problem in my first 10,000 miles. Since I frequently carry heavy weight (I use it as a truck not a car!) I have always followed the tire manufacturer’s pressure rating on the tire , less 10%(approx 40psi)-(to more closely achieve the tire manufacturers load rating); not the recomended psi that toyota says which in my opinion is too low for a load- or empty. The tire pressure doesn’t get changed when running empty obviously and weather it be wash boards, concrete, speed, I have never had bed bounce.
Got the same run-around from Toyota Rep. Tried to trade in at Toyota Dealership, and was offered $4k below wholesale…told by salesperson they were really soft due to ongoing unresolved problems with truck…well no #@# Submitted Lemon Law Suit yesterday, truck is sitting in garage collecting dust!
Good Luck RV in your Lemon law case. I lost to GM through arbitration. It was ordered that GM needed a final attempt after the 6th try at fixing it. GM had 30 days to complete the repair. Which means the dealer was suppose to contact me with an appointment. Well after 27 days and no word plus the fact I was leaving town on business for 2 weeks I called them to see what’s up. They contacted me with 2 days left to make my appointment on the 30th day. I stated that was unacceptable that I was out of town on that date unless they would give me a rental for time. They said no dice and I told them they had there time and blew it. Well it broke down to BBB contacted me and the dealer contacting me with an extension. I let it be known to BBB what happened. They took note of that. Now the truck was fixed again for the 7th time. Well I had 30 days after the time before the extention to keep the case alive but the headliner came down 2 weeks after they fixed it which put me 2 days past and now I can’t do a thing to GM about it but file it with the state DA. Well I had enough of it had it fixed again and traded it in 2 days after it was fixed.
over paid us enginers manufacter. toyota put too much faith in their truck know how. hate to say the truth is they should have jest keept the 4 door diesel hilux
So for those of you who installed the kit which helped your “bounce” how much did you have to pay for that?
Michelle if you don’t get an answer about the kit go to Tundratalk.net I’m sure you will get your answer there. I’ve been fortunate not to have that issue. Good luck…
look you guys
I said it before and I will say it again
ITS THE TIRES THE TRUCKS COME WITH,
THEY SUCK!
I changed my tires 4 months ago
I have mot had a rough ride since!
There is nothing wrong with the tundra design!
since 4 months ago the truck has been super awesome. I have not complained about anything since
I would not hesitate to buy one again
The reason why none of you will succeed with the lemon law is because there is nothing wrong with the truck
D
I have an 07 Tundra and have to say that I am more than a little disappointed. I do have the vibration and am told by Toyota there is no fix (nice response). I came out of a GM and at this point, I believe both GM AND Ford have a better truck. The Dodge truck has a cool look but a terrible ride (very rough). Between tailgate frames bending/cracking, cam shaft issues, and the vibration on the Toyota, I am now regretting my purchase.
I came out of a 1999 GMC Sierra thatI drove for 259K miles. In the beginning, there was a terrible vibration with the truck. I and a lot of others complained to GMC and in the end, GMC had recall, did an “engineering change” and fixed the problem. I now have a 2007 Tundra with a substantial bed bounce which is obviously a design flaw and Toyota’s response is “live with it”. As soon as I can bail on this junker, I will and head back to GMC. Just in case Toyota thinks this is not affecting sales, I have had 3 friends end up buying other trucks after driving my Tundra. I just tell them “take it on the freeway and make sure you are strapped in”. Nice going Toyota on sticking by your products especially when your boneheaded engineering is the cause of a major problem. Toyota quality my
—!!!!!
I drive in riverside california a lot and the concrete freeways there are the definition of a washboard. I had some really bad bed bounce and then I installed a pair of super springs add leafs and the truck does not bounce barely at all any more it is now gone. These springs also work for heavy towing and handling so I highly recommend these great springs it solved my bed bounce so I am happy.
purchased a 5.7 4×4 dc ltd earlier this january because i loved the truck so much. drove it from nc to ca and experienced the infamous bed bounce twice. once i believe somewhere on the 40 in arkansas and once more on the 58 in california. other than that, the vehicle is great. hope the fix comes out soon.
I bought my 08 in December and is the SR5 model double cab, I also installed a 6″ lift with 35×12.50×18 Pro comp tires. I never actually noticed any bed bounce until I started reading the postings on this site. In Jan I was in Vegas on the 215 and I was having a hard time keeping my foot on the pedal. Since then I have installed the rear sway bar in hopes of some slight remedy.
The one thing that concerns me the most is when you hit any kind of bump in the road and look out your mirror it looks like the bed is wagging a tail (like in the video. I can live with the ride in fact I feel it is smoother than my 97 Dodge. I do hope that Toyota will step up to the plate and remedy this issue. I feel that by installing the sway bar has made it worse and plan on removing it, and I cannot see how installing a knee pad under the tire can cure the wagging. To me it looks like the frame is indendent from each side and as the tires bounce over the bumps the bed follows what the shocks are doing. I do not know I am just thinking out loud. TOYOTA PLEASE REMEDY THIS
I would be curious to know if owners with the TRD version and the no TRD version experience better or worse bounce issues. Simple because the rear sway is part of the TRD package and not on the standard package. I have noticed a significant difference in the Bouncing with the sway bar. Maybe us owners could get together and compile our own experience. I am in AZ if you want to try let me know.
It is official I removed the rear sway bar, I was already considering it but was second guessing my decision. But after today and traveling down a road that I have never felt the bounce til after I installed the bar. I strongly recommend that if you have the rear sway bar to remove it, it magnifies the bounce dramaticly. Even with the lift that I had installed I felt that the bounce and wagging was livable until a remedy was figured out. In earlier posts there was the Denver reference I would be curious to know if either truck had the sway bar or not, cause in my mind I feel that one had it and one did not.
John – our survey didn’t indicate any more or less bed bounce with the TRD package.
but what about with or without the sway bar. Today is the first day after the bar and there is a noticable difference. For the better!
John I have the Hellwig anti-sway bar and I still don’t have the bed bounce. Only thing change is my cornering. More stable.
Bed bounce is terrible, just like everybody said. I thought I was just being paranoid when I first drove it, but when I found out that others were having the problem I knew it wasn’t paranoia. Toyota needs to resolve this because I would not recommend nor buy another one because of this. Also my gas mileage was great at first now at 10K it has taken a dump in the last 3K. I drive like a grandpa, keep it light, I’m really falling out of love with this truck.
I have an ’07 Crew max SR5 w/TRD package and have the bed shake. I met with a factory rep. and took him for a drive. He told me the frame in the rear is designed to flex to improve ride quality and the bed movement is normal. At this time Toyota has no plans to correct this issue because they feel it is not a problem. However, that does not mean there will never be a recall. As a lifelong GM and first time Toyota owner I cannot understand why Toyota would design a frame to flex for improved ride comfort, when my ’01 and ’03 HD Chevys had a smooth ride and a stable bed/ frame. At this point I have reservations about my switch to Toyota. One consideration on future purchases will be; do I want a truck with a stable bed or a flexy bed? I think this issue may affect Tundra sales if not corrected.
The roads out west are 50 % to blame. I have yet to hear one bed bounce in the east.
Hey Anonymous, while the roads out West may be the main cause of the bed bounce issue with Tundra, I never had this problem with my GMC nor do my friends have it with their Chevys or Dodges. Why should I excuse Toyota’s obvious engineering screwup by blaming roads when no other pickup has the same problem on the same roads? Sorry, this is a Toyota engineering mess and they need to fix it. Sticking their heads in the sand and ignoring the problem will only make it worse. Tundras for 2007 already are getting a crap reputation out in California. Oh ya, mine is going in for service for a gas cap cover that doesn’t close, a new radio to replace one that I can’t adjust the volume on and has already been in for a bumper replacement. Yes sir, Toyota quality at its best!! Never again!!!
just bought a new 2008 tundra xsp package, almost 3k miles and -0- problems, just installed volant filter system and changed my oil to 0-20 mobil 1 synt….comute about 50 miles to work each day one way , avg mpg 19.2 running 72 mph @2000 rpms,, added nitro to my tires (40psi)…. the only little flaw i founds was when i ran with the rear window let down at slower speeds like in town i could hear a rattle from the bed, after searching it was coming from the tailgate, hit the inside of the tailgate and it rattles, with my rear window in the up posistion i never hear it, to solve the problem i took off the panel on the inside of the tailgate and placed dynomat inside the tailgate and panel, all rattles are gone now, my wife has a lexus and my new truck rides just as good,,, 1st toyta every owned, 1st new truck i ever bought, i just stepped out of a f-250 diesel, 2 years ago a gmc diesel 2500 and a dodge 2500 diesel,,,,,,,, this is the best truck i have been in, and i looked at all before i bought 2 months ago… very happy
Paul not everyone has those issues. Not to mention other makers don’t have their issues either. As far as GM goes you can read my postabout an 06 Silverado. Nothing like going 70 and you see you tail lights fall down flying in the wind held by the wires. Didn’t need the bed bounce for that to happen on both tail lights. Not to mention the 8x the headliner came down. Back to your topic. They have in this forum mention several good ideas they state work on this site for that issue. I do agree that the roads are half the problem.
Just bought an 08 Tundra Crewmax 4X4 here in Vegas and ride is terrible on the i-215 which is a concrete freeway. Brought in to service twice and treated issue like they never had complaints. Contacted Toyota Headquarters in CA, and they knew exactly what I was experiencing. Asked local dealer to comp some TRD Sport Bilstein Shocks to replace, but dealer was unwilling to pay for it, and only was willing to send the complaint to Headquarter field tech. I have been a faithful Toyota Buyer, but after this experience don’t think I’ll ever buy a Toyota again.
I live in upstate New York, and do not drive on any concrete freeways. I recently purchased an 07 tundra crewmax 5.7. I drive on main and secondary roads which can be very rough. I’ve only had the truck a few days and am not pleased with the comfort of the ride at all. I took the truck into my local garage and had to have the tires balanced, which did improve the ride a little bit, but not to the level I expected. I traded an 06 tundra for this, and am very disappointed in the difference of comfort. Riding in this truck gives both me and my wife the feeling of motion sickness. I paid a little more for this vehicle than a Ford or Chevy because of Toyota’s reputation and am not impressed so far. If I had known It would have this problem, I wouldn’t have purchased another Tundra. Yeah it’s a work truck but for 40 grand I should be able to drive to the store without getting car sick. If this is a problem with the suspension or shocks, it should be taken care of by Toyota. I don’t feel I should have to spend another 500$ on replacing brand new parts. I would suggest anyone considering buying this truck to look at the way it drives carefully.
Suggestion – it would be nice if sites like this required participants to somehow prove they’re Tundra owners, the survey does this well by requiring a VIN number. There are so many posts on here from Ford/Chevy/Dodge lovers that it’s difficult to figure out fact from fiction. Examples are comments like “The frame’s bad – it should be fully boxed,” quoting Ford marketing materials, and only pointing out weaknesses like the conservative payload while ignoring the towing ability, engine or transmission specs.
Until we know who’s really posting, the comments are worthless, IMHO.
Marc – I have been on a few forums and met with a Toyota factory representative trying to figure out this problem. If you feel negative comments are worthless, how do you think someone, like myself, that is having a problem with the Tundra bed feel when someone posts a comment praising the Tundra to high heaven and proclaiming they personally do not have bed bounce or, people that do don’t know anthing about trucks? This is not helpful. Should I assume they are a Toyota marketing employee and their opinion is worthless? Or, do some trucks have it and some do not?
This site says that the Ford video is also worthless, however, when I watched it repeatedly it led me to believe that the source of the bed shake and bounce is the frame design. Which was pretty much confirmed by my meeting with the factory rep.. When you wach the video, if you look at the rear bumper you will see that it “flexes” along with the bed. Since the bumper is securely bolted to the frame rails it indicates, conclusively, that the frame is “flexing”. Allthough I am not an engineer and my opinion may be unqualified, I am a long time truck owner and first time Toyota owner and, in my opinion as a potential future (lost?) customer, it is excessive. In my opinion, shocks and springs will not resolve the bed bounce, bed shake or ‘after bump wave oscillation’ problem.
Ed it’s not just the trucks. They are at least 50% to blame though on that bed bounce. That’s why so many out east don’t have the issue because the roads are either flat or they use asphalt. That could hide the problem. I agree with you ED but I’m one of those who hasn’t had that issue much less the tailgate issue. Yes I watched the video 4x. Once with the wife so she can see what I was talking about. You hear opinions about how the video was made just like the commercials on TV. How if anyone can answer this can any manufacturer be the best in it’s class? They all say this. Ed I’m sure the frame is flexing like you I’m not an engineer. Just an observer. I have to go what I got. I have 20,000 miles on my 07 Crewmax Limited 5.7. Only issue was replace pass mirror that wouldn’t operate at 15,000 miles. So what am I suppose to say? I know I finally got lucky with a truck that works the way it’s suppose to do. It’s my first Toyota truck. It’s not my first since I own a 74 Corona SR5 in 76-78.
Marc – that’s a problem that plagues most websites. People who don’t deserve an opinion are given the opportunity to contribute. If you see a comment that you feel should be deleted, send me a heads up. admin at tundraheadquarters.com
Took my 2007 Double Cab Tundra into the dealer for a new gas cap door that was broken and a new radio this last Saturday. I have 34,000 miles on this truck. When I went to pick up the truck, the driver told me he owned a truck just like mine and asked me if I had “bed bounce” at about 70-75 MPH on the freeways. Of course, I said “Yes”! His comment was: “Get rid of those BF Goodrich tires and your problem will be 80% solved.” He told me he had a bad case of “bed bounce” and switched to another brand of tire and the bouncing is substantially reduced. He said the BF Goodrich tires were a big Toyota mistake and they don’t match the vehicle well. I have 18″ wheels. While others on this forum have made similar comments about switching tires, l never really put much stock in the “changing tires” remedy. This guy was emphatic about this cure and I just may give it a try. Who knows!
Hello, Everyone!
I finally filed a complaint to NHTSA (National Transport Safety Board) and ODI (Office of Defects Investigations)
WEB: www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov (888)327-4236
I just want this problem FIXED!!! I have waited long enough. I would rather have a defected component than what I’m going through NOW!!! atleast i could replaced it… I love everything about the truck except the BED BOUNCE!!!! I have tried innertubes, changing tire pressure, adding a sway bar(TRD sway bars), replacing the shocks (Rancho 9000XL 9 adjustable settings) 2.5 leveling kit and removing the the spare tire!!!! The best/worst addition was the sway bars, it actually amplified the BOUNCE, but night and day difference in handling…. i have removed every mods and set back to factory settings except for the sway bars…
I’m not bashing TOYOTA just my 2007 Tundra!!! If only i test drove the truck in the freeway, i would have kept my 2001 Tundra 4X4 supercharge….
To all: I recommed to keep it stock till Toyota fixes the problem… mods will only help a little but might make things worst!!! Please file a complaint, maybe this will help us all…. ” live with it or sell it”
Thanks, Ray
All of the talk here is about traveling on either concrete or paved roads. I bought a 4×4 and I will and am using it offroad. This flexing that was supposed to improve the ride of the truck is unacceptable. I spend alot of time offroad and my 97 Dodge is by far the best truck I have driven offroad (and I have driven all). Like the guy in Vegas I drove the same stretch of I-215 and had a hard time keeping my foot on the gas pedal it bouncing so much. Unfortunately we have all bought one and while trading the truck in for a Ford, GMC, Chevy, or Dodge is an option it does not effect Toyota in a negative way cause they still get their money when traded in, so in my mind this issue will never be resolved and why should we have to make mods to make it better, you do not have to do it on domestic. Spread the word to all of your friends about this truck and maybe at least we can efect future sales.
I’m afraid to tell you the same about other manufacturers. The mods do help. Easy as put my 06 Silverado the 3rd year out had the headliner replaced 8x. Now you think this wouldn’t be a problem in the 3rd year. But when you go to a new parts manufacturer and order new headliners and get them cheaper you would think they would fit. No they are cut to short. Held up by velcro. So on a hot day the velcro lets go. So it happens to them all. As far as saying or letting people know about the Tundra I tell them I haven’t had but 1x issue with a pass mirror at 15,000 miles. I’m at 21,000 now with no problems. The mirror was a matter of convience to make it auto close. So I tell them what I got. I do by the way let them know that others have some issues with theirs. So I can’t honestly tell people the Tundra isn’t worth it. I’m very pleased with mine so far.
I wanna know if the tire trick really works. I had a 99 Tacoma with bad steering wheel shimmey that replacing tires helped a whole, whole lot. I noticed shimmey just a touch after, but never like with the original tires. Toyota dealership guys told me that Toyota puts those tires on those trucks for the looks. Anyhow, I have ~30k miles on my 07 Tundra CrewMax with very bad bed bounce. I also had run into a guy in CA with similar truck who had non-stock tires. He said he had NO PROBLEM with bed bounce, and his truck was almost a copy of mine. Hmmmm. Tires??? I’m going to give it a shot and let everyone know. Paul from Cali, let us know what you found!!!
Except for the extreme bed bounce, I really like my 08 Crewmax. I’ve read a zillion posts and a lot of “solutions” to the bounce issue and have come to the conclussion that it is the “truck”. It isn’t the tires(I have Dunlops, other posts have complained about BF Goodrich) It’s not entirely the roads(99% of the cars and trucks don’t do it)It’s not the spare tire (on or off, still bounces like hell).It’s not for a lack of springs (I just removed my Super Springs and shipped them back to Amazon today). I don’t even think it’s the weight in the back (I tow a enclosed trailer with toys in the back and still it rocks our world). My totally uneducated guess would simply be the wheelbase and where they hit the concrete expansion joints, one axle hits it one way while the other axle hits the other expansion joint at a time that causes the harmonics that we feel. I too have complained to my dealer and got the uaual “this is the first I’ve heard of that” comment. I also looked at Chevy, but I still haven’t gotten over my 1997 Tahoe, I hold grudges.
Yeah, when I first complained, the dealer guys were unsure what to say. So they just agreed with me and thanked me for being cool about it (evidently other folks have been pretty hot). But now, the dealer folks try to deny knowing about any problem (it must just be in my head). It seems Toyota has coached them on what to say. The problem is that the frame is flexing as the truck goes down the road (harmonic resonance, to be technical). Concrete surface is injecting a frequency component which is some harmonic of the resonant frequency of the frame. So the things that would fix this are 1) change frame resonant frequency 2) Dampen the frame at that frequency 3) put something that blocks that frequency component from getting from the concrete pavement to the frame. Since new tires MIGHT have a chance at number 3, I think its worth trying. Im honestly not expecting much, but I have run into folks who own these 07-08 CrewMax trucks who are not experiencing any issue. One guy I met at a gas pump in SoCal had non-stock tires, and now I hear it on the web that changing tires helps. Just like the 40 MPH winds that blew down Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the concrete pavement injects a frequency that causes the resonance. You can hear concrete pavement when driving on it. Perhaps tires can change what frequencies are able to get up into the suspension. Heck, its my $ and Im gonna give it a shot. I’m just wondering what tires to try?? Any ideas? Im thinking Michelins but unsure. Also, I have 20 inch rims, and wonder if 18s would put more tire and air between the pavement and mechanical linkage to the suspension? Anyone had any success with this and would like to make suggestion?
James & Kevin,
to be honest, don’t waste your money on a new set of tires!!! replacing the tires will only help a little but will change the harmonic frequency… meaning areas that you had BED BOUNCE might demenish and other areas will be hightend depending on your speed!!! my SR5 came with Michelins and Dunlops on TRD packages. both configuration have been known to have BED BOUNCE!!!
TOYOTA designed the 2007 Tundra to be a work truck and made the suspesion stiffer, not considering that 75% of truck owners will never use it as intended!!! it’s a combination between the front coils and the leaf spring…adding a sway bar will also change the harmonic…
Kevin and James,
I have changed my wheels and tires and the ride is much better (stock tires are crap!), but I still have a serious bounce on some freeways. Still looking for an answer to this problem …
I currently have Bridgestone Duellers which was stock on my 07 Crewmax Limited. 22,500 miles and just that one issue. I seem to have a wonderful ride. I do ride in my truck alot as you can see by the miles. Had it since July 07. I agree most of miles are highway miles and this is where most of the complaints come from on bed bounce.Just today at work I had to load a 700lb safe on my tailgate and then push it in. Tailgate still has no issues. That’s all I can say about it. ADMIN I received the package. Very Nice THANKS.
My stock tires are Duellers as well. I think that these are tires that folks are complaining about. You know, I looked at the price of replacing tires on this truck, and my bed bounce is not so bad as to make me wanna spend that until my present tires are more worn-down. I can live with it, as most surfaces are OK to drive on, and on these surfaces my truck rides like a dream. On the concrete surfaces, I have been able to find better lanes to be in on my usual routes (in Sacramento). So I’m learning to live with it. You know, a buddy of mine has a dodge, and he complains about ‘death-wobble’. He says that every truck has some gripe, and maybe his outlook is the best. All-in-all, my Tundra is a friggin nice truck, I just wish Toyota would do something about this issue because its at cruising speed on the major Cali thouroghfares. The Tundra is bigger than previous Toyota makes, and so maybe flexy frame doesn’t work so well on big trucks. I guess Im hoping to hear that someone knows for sure that the tires help before buying a set early.
James,
The tires make a huge difference in the way the truck rides and handles. The stock tires are too small and under rated for both wieght and speed. Unfortunantly they may or may not solve your bed bounce (I had a slight improvement). Of course new tire selection is key …
Michael, what tires do you recommend? Anyone else have a suggestion? Should I go with smaller rims than the stock 20s, or leave alone?
James,
I have been running BFG’s for many years, switched a couple of times to save money, but always came back to the BFG’s. I used to run the AT’s, but when the new KM2’s came out they have a much higher load rating, I got those. With tires you definately get what you pay for, but sometimes you pay for the brand name. Talk to other truckers, read reviews and educate yourself before making the investment … good luck!
IF YOU DONT LIKE THE TRUCK DONT BUY IT! DONE ! i cant believe theres so many non tundra owners in this site spending time on it, get a life. I know i like my truck thats all that matters.
Just as an FYI, this month’s Motortrend has a long-term update on the 2008 Tundra Doublecab 4×4 non-TRD. And guess what? They mention how bouncy the ride is. It was nice to see this in print in a major automotive magazine. Now why didn’t they notice this in their initial reviews?
Because the ride they took the bounce didn’t happen. Not all trucks are experiencing this.
My ’08 Tundra came with 18″ Michelin tires. I have serious bed bounce on my truck as well. I bought this truck four months ago and I only have 1200 miles on it because of the bed bounce problem. I complained to Toyota customer service, but they are not sure if there will ever be a fix! I complained to the dealer as well but the response was, “All trucks bounce.” Well, heck, this isn’t my first truck. I can tolerate some bounce, but not this Tundra bounce. As a faithful Toyota customer for nearly 20 years, I’m extremely disappointed in the way Toyota is handling this situation.
I suspect that the problem is much wider than the moderater thinks. It is only evident when you drive on concrete freeways, such as those in Calif. where the resonant frequencies of the speed and expansion joints in the concrete freeways synch up. And then you get a a real bounce. It’s enough to make your stomach upset after awhile. And, the speed range just happens to be in the most common used on these freeways. My new 08 DC exibits this problem through 70 mph. I have to drive below 65 or over 75 to avoid it. I have read that Superspings mitigate the problem by putting a slight preload on the suspension. Seriously thinking about installing.
We have a two-mile long gravel road that we drive in and out on everyday. We only travel that road at no more than 20mph and have never felt that “bed-bounce”. But boy can we see it! We’ve had a 2008 Tundra for about two months now and when I first saw that bed bouncing all over the place in my rear-view mirror I thought “wow, the bed bolts must be broken and it’s no longer attacted to the frame!”. Ya see, I had a 2002 Tundra and it was an excellent rig. I would have easily taken it to 200,000 mi. but two months ago at 147,000 mi., I hit two black cows in the dead of night, going 60mph down a deserted eastern Montana highway. Unfortunately in eastern Montana most highways and byways are concidered “open-range” and cows go where they will. This law came into effect back in the days when only buggies and horses drove the roads and it’s never been changed for modern times. Anyway, it was a great truck, air-bags deployed perfectly, cows were killed instantly, truck was “totaled” and I received “zero” injuries. Oh, yes….my insurance company had to pay for the cows.
Purchased a new 2008 Tundra 4.7 Double Cab SR5 in Jan/08. I enjoy the truck, but really dislike the bedbounce. It occurs often over speed bumps, small bumps and and at different speeds. However at times when you hit a bump hard, I experience little bounce. When I am pulling a tent trailer the bounce is more noticable with normal small bumps you experience on any road. I haven’t tried it on a uneven bummpy dirt road yet, but plan to.
I took it to the dearlership, and they basically said its normal. I am going to continue pursueing the issue and write to Totoyta. Honestly, I am disapointed, I purchased the Tundra because I believe in Toyota quality. Which is a trade off since for what they charge for a Tundra, I believe you get more features on domistic trucks (Ford, Dodge, etc.)
cheers, GC
I have been drooling over the new Tundra since I first heard it was coming out.Currently drive a 2002 Tundra and like it pretty well. Much more trouble free than the domestics I had experience with. These reports and video of the bed bounce have really put the stop to my drooling over the new Tundra.
As to the cause, check out the frame deflection video on Utube comparing the F-150 and Tundra. Seems to me that the cause of bed bounce is obvious after seeing it.
On another note, I drive a 2007 Chevy 1500 ext cab 4×4 company truck and am pretty disgusted by the aluminum foil like sheet metal on this truck. Slam the gas filler door and the side of the box shakes! I dented the top of the bed rail several times by putting my knees up on it while adjusting a load in the bed. I weigh a whole 165 pounds. Just thought I’d ad this for all GM guys who love picking on anyone who does’nt think like they do.
I purchased the Bilstein Shock Absorbers from the offroad package from Toyota and put them on the back of my 2007 double cab 4X4 Tundra and It made a big difference on the So Cal freeways. It took out the harmonic bounce vibration. Also I slid a 60 pound block of steel in the receiver hitch that I made and that balanced out the front and rear end out on the vehicle…. I am a hardcore toyota fan, but my question is why did Toyota engineers put 5 dollar shocks on the back of a $33K truck when they made it.
I couldn’t stand it anymore so I traded-in my 2008 Tundra. Two of my co-workers doubted my claims about the bed bounce (one owns a Tacoma TRD and the other owns a 2005 Tundra). They both test drove my 2008 Tundra on the freeway and came back disgusted with the bed bounce. The person with a 2005 Tundra was interested in buying my truck so we swapped trucks for the weekend. He drove my truck home and called me that evening to tell me that he wanted his 2005 truck back next day. After having a heavy lunch, he felt like throwing up while driving my truck. I totally believe him because I almost threw up as well due to severe bed bounce. To all the skeptics out there in Southern California, please drive this truck on Harbor Freeway 110 from Pacific Coast Highway to 91 Fwy (going North bound is worse). The bed bounce on 101 Fwy towards Ventura is pretty bad also. Of course, I got hosed at the dealer as well when I wanted a trade-in. And guess what? According to Toyota’s customer service, they may or may not fix this problem! I’m extremely disgusted with Toyota and the dealer.
I have the same problem with my 07 double cab TRD. My wife doesn’t realy like to ride in my truck unless I hace about 750 lbs in the bed to smooth things out. Can’t believe Toyota doesn’t come up with a progressive ride for the Tundra. Realy like to meet the peoplem that tested the 07 Tundra and gave Toyota feed back.
Hey Tommy, my ’07 Tundra DC TRD is personally responsible for six customers turning to other trucks rather than buying a Tundra. I have let it be known in my neighborhood and my company that anyone who is considering buying one of these junkers needs to drive mine first. To a person, all six potential customers bagged on the Tundra and bought other trucks. I can’t believe that Toyota is willing to live with this “bed bounce” issue. Just proves to me that Toyota Quality, Toyota Customer Care and Toyota Service are all just in the imagination of Toyota Management. Never again!
I e-mailed Toyota customer service and told them that I was not happy with the time and expense of being a Toyota field tester and due to their lack of response to correct or even acknowledge the problem I will not consider Toyota as a future purchase. Their response was we’re sorry to lose a customer. Nice.
Funny ( or maybe ironic would be a better term ), but I found this site after taking a test drive in a Tundra a few days ago. I started searching to see if the bouncing issue was a fluke or something others had noticed as well.
It was quite entertaining to listen to the salesman try to blame everything except the truck in which he was bouncing around in. He blamed the road, I reminded him that was the road to my house and I drove it nearly everyday. He said “Trucks just ride like that.” I reminded him about the truck I drove into the dealership. He said that it would “go away after a few miles”, I asked if he would put that in writing? He finally admitted that Toyota was working on a fix for the problem. I told him to call me after they had one “fixed” for me to try.
The funniest thing was watching him hop out of the truck and saying “So let’s go look at some numbers!” No Tundra for me, not yet anyway.
Just called Toyota and after consulting an “engineer” about the bed bounce issue, the gentleman on the phone told me that as of yet they have no information on a fix and do not know if Toyota is going to do one. Translation: No Fix
Time to dump the truck!!
Paul – We’ve been talking to someone else in CA and the word is Toyota has officially decided not to fix the issue. We’re going to publish something very soon that will hopefully get this issue the attention it deserves.
Hey Admin, thanks for the information. Any help will be appreciated. The comments I received yesterday pretty much told me the same thing regarding Toyota owning up to a fix. It is very hard to swallow that after buying a truck for $36K (not the most expensive but not chump change either) it fails to live up to Toyota’s hype and if anything, is inferior to other trucks. What is even harder to handle is Toyota’s approach to the problem. Again, thanks for any help and effort. It is appreciated.
I am among the many owners who have experienced “Tundra Bed Bounce” on my 2007 Tundra. I have taken it to two different dealers to fix the problem and both told me there is no problem and this is a normal ride for the Tundra. I have contacted Toyota Customer Relations and their response was they are sorry I am unhappy with my vehicle. I am extremely frustrated with this experience and Toyota’s lack of response to this issue. I encourage all owners who are experiencing this bouncing problem to issue a complaint, as I have, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency at nhtsa.dot.gov. At this website you can also view other owners complaints about the suspension and register your own complaint. Hopefully they will receive enough complaints and force Toyota to fix this problem.
“Bed Bounce” is an Understatement. My new Tundra ( 6 months 10,000 miles) bounces so badly that you can not have a normal conversation with your passengers. Forget about drinking coffee – the whole entire truck bounces uncontrollably. UNBELIEVABLE QUALITY FAILURE BY TOYOTA!
This problem happens when driving on concrete highways (expansion joints) and only happens when the bed is empty. BUT the problem is so bad I have decided that I can no longer own this truck even though I love everything else about it. Trust me when I say it is a violent bounce.
I called Toyota Headquarters and asked if they would (a) fix it now or (b) allow me to return or exchange it for a model with a shorter wheel base. They informed me that they were aware of the problem, but that they don’t recognize it as a defect (are you kidding me) and that I would have to deal with the dealer regarding a trade in.
I’m going to look for a solution for a month or two, and if I don’t find one mine is going back to the dealer. Any lawyers out there having this problem? Can we ban together and file a class action lawsuit to demand a fix? Anybody have a contact or friend at 60 Minutes? Should we all start posting videos on YouTube? What is it going to take to get someone’s attention?
If you’re thinking about buying one I would suggest you test drive it on the highway first.
Many thanks to the person(s) behind running this website!
Michael – Thank you. Short of a class action suit, filing complaints with Toyota and NHTSA seem to be the best course of action. Toyota doesn’t see this problem as a problem, which is a shame. It wouldn’t take much to fix – according to Toyota it’s a function of “not carrying weight”, so it seems like offering to swap out a set of leaf springs for something less beefy would be a way to address this issue. It’s not a perfect fix (the payload rating would drop), but it would show that they care.
FYI
I got pulled over the other day and tried to explain to the officer that it was necessary to go 80+MPH because of the bed bounce … he gave me a ticket!!!
Seriously though if you want to start a serious complaint talk to your doctor about the headaches/neck pain/back pain you are suffering due to the bed bounce … if more people complain about pain and suffering due to this problem Toyota will have to address it …
Hi everybody,
I got the “top of the line” the Limited at about 45k. and guess what? same
bouncing problem. Ok, enough has been said about this problem. why don’t we all get together and do something about it. Michael, I’m filing a complaint with NHTSA but I think something more should be done to get peoples attention to this matter.
I’m all in for the 20/20 report or any other media action.
We all worked hard for our money and we deserve Toyota to meet their responsability and fix this problem now.
How do we get 20/20 or some other program to spotlight this problem? Any ideas. I, obviously, am all in favor of having Toyota’s lack of concern for this problem exposed to a wider audience.
JC, Paul,
I totally agree and I’m working on it.
ALL,
I NEED TO LOCATE A BED BOUNCER IN THE MICHIGAN (ANN ARBOR) AREA.
Please send me a message if you or someone you know is having this issue in this area.
Thanks!
Anyone read my previous post about being forced to traded-in with a huge loss? I only put on 1300 miles in five months. I simply could not drive my 2008 Tundra. Fortunately I had a second vehicle to drive. I told my Toyota sales person that it is IMMORAL to sell this vehicle without informing the customer about the bed bounce on California highways. While at the dealer, I was tempted to tell the potential Tundra buyers lured by huge rebates what they might be facing as they drive home. I keep coming back to this website to see whether Toyota would ever fix this problem.
Just called my dealer, Toyota of San Juan Capistrano, to ask if there was any recent releases from Toyota regarding the “bed bounce” issue or did he know anything about a fix. Response: “What bed bounce issue? I have never heard of any problem with bed bounce”. Looks like we are on our own with this problem and if there is a fix from Toyota, it will come because of legal pressure or better yet, widespread news coverage. Called other dealers, Ford, GMC etc., and it seems they have all heard about it. Probably from customers like myself who have traded into a better truck. This is the most disappointing vehicle I have ever owned. And to make it worse, the response from Toyota and now my dealer, make it all the more frustrating. Good luck guys. We are all going to need it.
Bed bounce mine also has this issue. I have a 2007 DC 4.7 with about 19K miles, 4×4 . I live in upstate New York Syracuse to be exact. I really dislike this truck and I am sorry I traded my 04 ford supercrew in on it. I cannot drive over 45 MPH on any back road or service road as I get the dreaded bed bounce.. just one of many sore points that my truck has. Totally unbelievable coming from Toyota, I am going to be getting rid of this POS and get into a chevy.
This truck is a total disappointment. I just bought 2008 model with TRD package with high hopes in April and wish I had read this blog first. There are times when I rather pull over than continue to drive this truck on freeways with completely out-of-control bounce. It is not just limited to 45-55 mph and certainly not just 5% of the owners are affected. This problem is huge and Toyta has their heads up their !@#$@ for continuing to ignore this issue instead of fixing it.
My wife and I bought a 2007 Tundra Limited the EXACT SAME DAY as her parents, from the SAME dealership. The drive from the Imperial Valley of California to Riverside is nice, but punctuated by some pretty horrific bed-bouncing by Banning and Beaumont and on the return trip it gets even worse. I tried different lanes, different speeds, but to no avail.
My wife and I are expecting our first child in less than a month, and that baby CAN’T be in that truck! If Toyota wants to deal with the kind of legal nightmare that involves shaken-baby syndrome then continuing to “work” on a problem that seems to be pretty well documented HERE would be pretty insane. This is the first website I looked at for information on this, and I’m certain there’s plenty more evidence out there for a class-action lawsuit.
Anyone got an attorney? When this isn’t dealt with (judging by the posts it’s been well over six months since Toyota could feasibly claim to have been made aware of the issue) it might be the only recourse.
Looking for a little bit of help. Is the bed bounce aslo a problem on the Crewmax, and does anyone know if the bed size makes a difference.
Mark – As we’ve said in a couple of posts now, there’s no correlation between bed bounce and wheelbase. When we collected data in our bed bounce survey, we received complaints from all types of owners. If you read the “Fred’s Bed Bounce Horror Story” post, you’ll see that Toyota’s official arbitration paperwork stated that the bed bounce issue is a design flaw.
Dear CFowlkes,
That stretch thru Banning and Beumont is really rough, stay in the right two lanes it is a little smoother. For some reason Caltrans only diamond ground the trucking lanes. Good luck with your new truck.
Keeping mine,
Mike
If Toyota has it in their own writing that bed-bounce is a “design flaw” then it would seem logical that there would be some kind of recourse. Either a recall and fix-it, or grounds for legal proceedings.
I don’t know about others, but I’m looking into Lemon Law attorneys.
I agree with CFowlkes, if Toyota admits there is a design flaw, there should at be some type of compensation, buy back or repair offered to Tundra owners regardless of road conditions where you live. I noticed the problem with the bed and I live in New Jersey, so how does the condition of California highways relate to my problem? What a disgrace.
Funny, my Chevrolet Silverado drives very nice at all speeds. I am glad I bought one.
My wife and I recently opened up an official inquiry with Toyota (per dealer recommendation). THIS MORNING my wife spoke with someone from Toyota who told her there is NO FIX IN THE WORKS. Nothing. No engineering being done. No problem to be addressed.
Toyota has no intention of acknowledging the issue.
Toyota is not going to repair anything.
Toyota is gambling on paying less in legal fees than they would pay for a recall and repair.
What about the BBB autoline, I wonder if they have been receiving complaints about the bed bounce defect?
I have an arbitration hearing scheduled for June 25 regarding the suspension bounce in my 07 Dcab.
One dealer said it’s an issue with any truck with a heavy payload capacity. Another dealer said it is a recognized issue that should be resolved by Toyota. Toyota corporate said they recognize the bounce as a “characteristic of the vehicle” due to the “payload capacity”.
Is there a class action suit yet?
Anybody been down the arbitration road with this issue? Any advice for my hearing?
BTW, Toyota corporate said they have no plans to address this problem; that’s when I got ticked and the rep said he’d send me the arbitration papers and hung up.
I test drove a Tundra identical to mine along the same stretch of SoCal highway that gets my truck bouncing. It was as smooth as glass. So it’s obviously only an issue with certain Tundras. How did I get so unlucky?
Just for the record, My 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, still drives Awesome. Maybe you should all just trade the Toyota in and consider it lesson learned. 300,000 plus miles on my last 3 Chevy Trucks. I would say that makes me one happy customer. And No “Bed Bounce” that I notice.
Glad you are happy Andrew. I am sure most of us have learned our lessons but getting out of these junkers is usually expensive.
Now on to my fellow Tundra owners: This weekend I loaded up my 2007 DC with supplies from Home Depot and the thing rode much better with the weight. My neighbor has friend who is using a device filled with water which lays in the bed and adds substantial weight to the truck, thus mitigating the bed bounce to a great extent. I have search on the internet and have found this device called “ShureTrax”. You fill it with water and it lays in the bed supported by 4 bungie type cords to keep it from moving. People are using it for traction in winter but this guy here in California says it works great for our freeways. Has anyone heard of this? I am about to try it. You can see it on shurtrax.com. Comments please!!
Hey Lance, I think that all of us are aware of the problem with the Tundra. No need to rub it in. Thanks for the “constructive” comment though.
Disappointed – it depends on where you live for this bed bounce problem. So Admin is right about it. No issue here in Jax, Florida. The closest I can come to your bed bounce is a couple of bridges here. In all do respect that bounce on the bridges gave my 06 Chevy and 03 F-150 all kinds of hell. The 06 Chevy was the worse. It acted like it had no shocks. Also it had the same effect on my 03 Crown Vic.
Andrew how many times does it take Chevy to fix a fallen Headliner??? After 8x with both taillights falling off, ABS twice and still the vibration continues. This was on an 06 Silverado Ext Cab LT3. All vehicle makers have their issues. Now this thing about a first edition out you wouldn’t try it till the bugs are out of it, well that chevy is in it’s 3rd year can you explain that? Good luck on Lemon Law people. Did that and lost in arbitration. GM wasn’t there but they did send a letter stating they had a great warranty. Also that GM needs to have a final attempt in repairing the vehicle. Well that’s good when you file the lemon law you had to already have the vehicle in the shop for the same repair 3x and the 4th was the final attemp. Let me enlightened you when I went to arbitration I had the truck repaired 5x already. BTW the BBB wasn’t much help against GM either. I also tried to go with the State’s DA about this and I was told it will take roughly another year or so to get something done. SO I gave up and looked for something else.
Mickey, you want to compare Headliner falling down to the Bed Bounce issue? If so, I cannot say I had a Headliner issue in any of my Trucks. In fact, the only thing I can say I had a Problem with was at 100,000 miles I had to replace my fuel pump on one of my trucks. Maybe I am easier on my trucks then you are, or you just had a lemon? I would give Toyota that as well, except there seems to be more then enough customers complaining on this site to say this is not just a single issue. First year out, sure problems happen, but wasn’t it Toyotas add that said “The Truck that Changed everything”?They want to compare theirs to the others without even having proved anything. Well, all I have to say is I have be very pleased with the Chevrolet’s I have had, so my next truck will also be another one, just as soon as they intruduce the Diesel option in the 1/2 ton truck.
I will be the first to admit, I think the TuRD has got to be one of the Ugliest trucks on the road, next to the Dodge Sprinter. I laugh when I read all the issues they have, since Toyota was so clever and waited until after the time was up to go Head to Head with the Chevrolet for the same title of “2007 Truck of the Year”. GM put theirs out there first and if Toyota was so much better, they should have debute theirs at the same time.
Let me enlightened you a little more… I notice the headliner after I had the truck 2 weeks on the first wash job when I was drying the truck. Now this isn’t any ordinary problem Andrew. This type of thing doesn’t happen. Well I went to 3 dealers to check out other trucks to see for myself. When you know you have a defect and still sell the vehicle as new and not even telling your customers what the defect is, it’s what is called DEFRAUDING the public. Like I said I went to 3 dealers and checked out all ext cabs which happened to be 12. Out of the 12 they had 4 with the same problem. Now this is what Chevy was putting out as their answer. When the customer notices the problem we have a warranty. Now you want to tell me this is quality???? This is Customer Service??? As for the TuRD I’m not sure what you’re refering to but I think you’re having fun with a Tundra. I wouldn’t look in the mirror too much. The new Chevy is far from becoming any beauty. Your 98 and 2000 was probably your best looking truck and overall best truck put out. Andrew when have you seen any manufacturer come out with a vehicle the same time as it’s competition? Your point has no leverage. I’m happy your truck lasted as long as you mentioned. Probably a rare breed too.
Michey,
If this was such a rare breed, then why did all 3 of my Chevrolet preform well? All 3 had over 300,000 miles with No Headliner issue at all? My First Chevrolet was a 1991, my second was a 1996, my third was a 2000. No Headliner issue at all. Quality, as I said, I had 3 different Chevy’s with over 300,000 miles No trouble but for one with the Fuel Pump and 100,000 miles. Rare breed?? No, I am just as happy with my Chevy’s as the day I bought them. When I hall my trailer, it doesn’t even miss a beat. I am sorry, you had a issue with yours, but maybe you had the Rare breed? Sounds like from what I am reading on this web page, Toyota has some issues of their own? And as far as looking in the mirror, I won’t have too, I like the looks of the new truck. It has to be the easiest truck to work out of from the bunch. Oh, I use my trucks for work too, so as for styling goes, when it does get a bath from the dirt and mud, it cleans up real nice. I will agree I do like my 2000 better, but when the diesel option come out in the 1/2 ton, I will have no trouble adjusting to the newer body style.
The TuRD comment is what I refer to from the latters on the side of the Tundra. When I see TRD, coming down the road and I ask my buddies what that spells, they say TuRD? Not, me but Toyota. Ask them why they put that on the beds of their trucks?
Andrew apparently you didn’t read the whole statement I wrote last. Rare breed for me for a headliner I doubt it. Chevy defrauding the public, it’s true in what I seen. For what the sales Manager of George Moore Chevrolet put out is nothing short of what it is. When you know you have a defect and still seel that product without informing the public in what they are getting is nothing short of DEFRAUDING the public. Out of the 7 GM products I had, I had only one make it over 100,000 and that was my 98 Silverado 3rd door. This was the best truck I had until now. I would still have it if it wasn’t totaled from a rear end collision. Now as for the web site you need to check around. Silverado club didn’t let me talk about that headliner issue. Nothing deragatory towards Chevy is how they run there club. Well there’s the difference. At least here you can comment on the tundra whether you own one or not. Don’t get me wrong the Silverado Club wasn’t the only club I checked out. Ford and Nissan I did also. Nissan had me banned in 3 posts with no deragatory statements against the Titan. Just the fact I was a Tundra owner. So enjoy your chevy’s and I will definitely enjoy my Tundra. I will never be treated again by any manufacturer like I did with GM. I would soon by a Dodge before a GM again. Ohh by the way you know you like the look of the Tundra so check out my feature that Jason did on my truck.
I got my tundra (extended cab 8
Mickey,
I think the Toyota Tundra has to be the Ugliest truck on the market, next to the Nissan, so don’t try and put words in my mouth that are not there. I had a saleman try and sell me one,Offering all kinds of incentives, to not buy the Chevy, when I stopped by my local Toyota dealer. After I looked at it, I was not impressed. I know, you will just include this as someone who wants to start trouble here, but it really did not impress me at all. I felt it looked too cheap. I really gave it a look over, and it just did not impress me at all. I hear some complaints from others on this site, and from what they seemed to be saying, Toyota is not dealing with their issues as well. I cannot speak for the bed bounce issue, but from what I read from Toyota, they are telling them to purchase a water bladder and place that in the bed of their trucks to solve this issue? What kind of crap is that? What about the “Oil Sludge” issue, not too long ago? Seemed the cylinders were too close together causing too much heat? I don’t seem to recall Toyota stepping up to the plate and admitting any wrong design there. If you really want to believe that Toyota really cares about you, then I am glad you bought one.
Have fun with your TuRD, I know I am with my Chevy!
Ugliest truck…You must seem to like ugly trucks. Isn’t that why you’re on a Tundra website? For a person who likes Chevy so much on a Tundra website means you feel threatened by a Tundra. That’s why you look for something wrong. What about your two taillights? Both of mine fell off on I-95. Did I mention ABS problems your truck has or it’s the Vibration instead of a bed bounce. You know very well the bed bounce issue isn’t nation wide. Just like your recall on power steering hoses. Now I will raise the BULLSH*T flag about your so called story you want everyone to believe. 3 Trucks with 300,000 miles and only one you had to replace a fuel pump at 100,000. Your story would make national headlines if that was so called true. Now you’re trying to sound like a Ford. I’m sorry the Tundra don’t impress you. That could go two ways. Apparently it intrigue you enough to come to this site. BTW Toyota hasn’t said anything about a water bladder. If this was Toyota speaking it would have been a TSB and this would’ve been sent to all customers. Hear say doesn’t make it true. I don’t have an oil sludge problem. Do you want me to list all your recalls and TSB’s? Those are facts not hear say Andrew. Question for you Andrew. Why did chevy wait in 07 to come out with their new truck??? Couldn’t go head to head? Or was it the fact they mass produce too many “Classic” trucks? Andrew you wasn’t prepared to come across someone who had what you call a Lemon for a Chevy. As I mentioned before this wasn’t the only truck with that issue. Why don’t you call Steven Malloy or better yet get James Bartnick to come down and accuse you of pulling your headliner down. At least Steve Malloy admitted the headliner was a defect because it was cut to short by a new manufacturer. If you want pics I give you a pic from photobucket of truck and headliner issue. That’s the problem with you big 3 customers. A new kid is in town and took your territory from you and now you have to go to Mexico, and Canada to get parts and it assembled. That’s a joke by itself. Andrew if you only knew about your product. I went through GM school in 76-77. Worked at Banner Chevrolet in New Orleans 77-78. Chevy did have a great thing back then. You lost it when you got rid of Body By Fisher. Now it’s Body by lowest bidder. You can talk your talk, but when it comes to your walk your walk guess who you’re walking behind? BTW don’t forget your DUCT TAPE you will need it for your interior and taillights.
If your trucks’ bed doesn’t bounce or shake, consider yourself lucky. But I (and others) still have a problem, Toyota is aware of the problem and will not correct it. So if you don’t have a problem and want to get into a Toyota vs. Chevy pissing contest, put down your crack pipes and move away from the keyboard until you have something constructive to say to fix the problem. As for me, this is my first and last Toyota.
Mickey is correct about Toyota never saying anything about a “water bladder” in the truck. That was my e-mail and I was merely asking for comments on a product used in winter climates to get better traction that I thought may help here in Cal on the freeways. For all the bed bounce problems I still have with my Tundra and the lack of Toyota’s response to the problem, I will admit that with 45K miles on the truck, there have been no “mechanical” problems. I just hope it continues. As far as buying another Toyota, I have a hard time buying a product from a manufacturer who will not stand behind their product. This will certainly be my last Toyota with or without “mechanical” problems. The bed bounce issue is more than sufficient to alienate me, and has.
Ed be it as it may this site is for pro’s and con’s on the Tundra whether you like it or not. I’m sorry you have that issue but, it’s not nationwide. Other tundra website have fewer tundra’s with that issue than here. You want a solution (NHTSA) file your complaint with them. Enough complaints will open up an investigation with ODI on the trouble you’re having. They need enough complaints from everyone who is experiencing this. Not just a few. IF you haven’t done this by now then who’s playing with the crack pipes. I went through this with my last GM product so I will voice my opinion. As for you not buying another Toyota has no effect on me, that’s between you and Toyota. Yes my last two trucks were total lemons GM/Ford. Like you no support from the manufacturer. Filed Lemon law in both cases which I think is a scam to start but lost both of them. They are there to have people think they have a recourse. As a matter of fact both cases neither manufacturer showed up just a simple letter stating there great warranty. Yes I guess you can say I was lucky this time. I still had it in the shop 3x for pass mirror, center console, and 2 lug nuts. Toyota even replace the lock set since one was lost when it broke. I guess you can say I’ve had a good experience so far. What I say is about dang time something goes good for me. I paid my price and I will speak about it even if you don’t like it. Even if it sounds like Toyota cheerleading. If you can’t handle it you know the saying about the door.
Paul thanks…Sorry about the bounce. The closest I can come to it is a small bridge over a creek less than a 1/10th mile on I-95 south and Dames Point bridge on the south side of the bridge. This is on both sides. I mentioned thyis before but the only vehicle which was bad was my 06 Chevy. It bounce like it had no shocks. I thought I was going to pull a wheelie the way it bounced. The F-150 was about as good as the Tundra on this. This also effected my 03 Crown Vic and 97 Thunderbird. It has no effect on the 07 Prius. I always avoided going over that bridge with my 06. The other vehicles I put up with it. It happens when you do more than 60mph to 75mph. Speed limit was 65mph. I can tell you the Tundra rides very stiff over that. To me the shocks won’t give and asborb the ride. I don’t go over that bridge but maybe once a week if that much. The length maybe 1/4 mile of that bridge. Paul I do agree with you about the backing of a product. I don’t blasme you on that. Toyota should’ve come up with some sort of solution to show they are trying to fix the issue. The same with the tailgate issue.
Mickey, you can call my comments about 300,000 miles in 3 different trucks BS if you like, but that would be all it would be is your words not mine. For my line of work, I am in my truck all day,every day. I average 75,000 plus miles per year on my trucks and I have had no trouble, as I said beside 1 fuel pump in 1 truck. Why you think this is not possible, explains to me why you bought your Toyota. You listen to what the advertisers say and believe this is true fact. Maybe you need to read Consumer Reports? They won’t even recommend the Tundra, but instead gave that to Chevy and Ford. You make a lot of claims. I wonder why you seem to have all these issues and I never have?Maybe you need to take better care of them, then just get in and drive? Sure, maybe you fell for the guy in the suite who sold you, your Toyota, but that is not my fault. The truth be told, I would have kept them longer then that, but it did not pay for buisness purposes. I take care of my trucks, the problem is you get consumers, who do nothing to them and then wonder why they have issues. Every year, I do a complete maintence schedule. 1 Fuel pump at 100,000 miles period! Not to bad of experiences from a Truck you seem to not be able to do.
Good Luck with your Tundra and I hope you get your money’s worth out of it as I have with my Chevy’s. I will be glad to show you my new one just as soon as the Diesel comes out in the 1/2 Ton.
Call it what you will, My First vehicle was a chevy and I have had no reason to switch, since they do me good and the dealers treat me awesome. Maybe, it is you and how you handle things, but when I go to the dealer, they know I will be back in 4 to 6 years for another one.
I came on this site by pure accident. The topic of discussion was “What is more American Dodge or Toyota”? I say Chevy!
Oh, and to answer you question about why Chevy waited to come out with their new truck in 07, I ask, why did Toyota wait to come out with thiers until later in the same year? Was it so they could be the only truck able to get the “2008 Truck of the year” award? YEP!
Andrew I’m sorry you’re stuck in a world of dreams. Also I take my truck for maintenance at the dealers also. I pay the higher price for the job to be done right and to replace yes lock nuts for the truck. GM wouldn’t have done that. Also I can tell you didn’t read consumer reports. Chevy wasn’t tested so how can it be recommended? Look at the results Andrew. Your truck isn’t there and why not? Why I bought a Toyota? You don’t read look it up yourself. Then there is your answer. You like GM and I don’t. We will never agree on anything dealing with GM and for Toyota. we all know the game manufacturers play when they come out with vehicle. Like yours for 2007. How’s a vehicle who’s parts are made in mexico and canada be more american?
One more comment guys on the “American” thing. My dealer told me and I read it somewhere also that from design, to stamping, to manufacture of parts, to assembly, the Tundra was the most “American” truck on the market. This had no influence on me whatsoever in buying the truck. I just thought that whether this is true or not, it is what I have read and was told. I also had a GMC before the Tundra, 259K miles, one water pump replacement, one ABS fix and when I sold it, it still had factory brakes believe it or not. Again, with 45K+ miles on the Tundra and nothing mechanical so far wrong, I cannot say that the GMC is better than the Tundra (bed bounce obviously excepted). The one thing I will say is that the GMC had a very bad vibration in it from day one and GM did an “engineering change” and solved the problem. It took two tries but GM did it. I wish I could get the same commitment out of Toyota. For all their PRing about quality, customer service etc, most comsumers of Toyota products expect nothing less. Enough said.
Agreee with you Paul. My 06 had the vibration in the back everytime you applied the brakes. It was either a warp rotor or the abs system. They never changed the rotor or checked the abs sytem just turned the rotors. Well it lasted for two weeks and vibration back again. Lost $300 trying to fix that and I just gave up on that truck. Too many problems and it just wasn’t worth my troubles no more.
I just found this site and I am glad someone else is going thru the same crap I am, with this truck. I bought a 2008 Tundra and I must admit, I wish I would have driven it longer then the roads around the dealer. What a piece of junk! I wish I would have kept my Silverado. I thought this was supposed to be the truck that changed it all. Well, I wish I could chage it back. How much it a 2008 worth as to what I paid for this crap?
I had a 2005 Silverado, and I never had any of the issues the fella was saying he had. I never heard this stuff being a issue either? All I know was I needed a truck and I thought I would stop by and see what the New Tundra was like, and I fell for the sales pitch and the rebate. Now, I wish I listened to my wife. I never listen to her and now I hear about it every time she gets in this thing. So you see my problem is bigger then the Bed bounce, it is the constant nagging this thing causes that makes it that much worse. If this keeps up, I will be trading in in very soon. To those who had issues, is there anyplace we might be able to work together to get Toyota to wake up and start to care about our issue and their customers? The dealer said I am the only one who is complaining about this, I will show him this web site and see if there is anything they can do now, since others are saying the same thing.
Fatman what’s the problem and do you live out west?
I live in NJ. Filed a complaint with the NHTSA, had a factory rep. ride with me and no fix in sight, $40,000 POS as far as I’m concerned. I owned a 2001 Chevy 2500 HD Crew and a 2003 Chevy 1500 HD crew. The ’01 had the piston slap and would go to full throttle randomly. GM went from the engine needed to be replaced to a normal operating condition on the slap and the dealers could not determine the cause on the throttle situation because it didn’t do it for them. Knowing what I now know about the new Tundra, I should have kept my ’03 Chevy. Toyota’s June 2008 Tundra sales down 54% compared to June ’07. I guess some people are using the door. But the subject here is Toyota bed Bounce and no one has the cure, just smart a** remarks and Toyota diehard denials. Although there are some, like me, who genuinely have given the problem some thought and effort.
Fatman
Just go to the dealer and tell him to do a search for Toyota Tundra bed bounce on his computer…… while you watch. ; )
Ed have you look at all truck sales? There all down.
Well first, my Truck was not even 1 week old and it had Rust starting on the lug nuts. I brought it and and the dealer ended up replacing them, but I had to come back, since they did not have any in stock. Then, as per this site, the bounce, or as the wife says “Hard Ride”. Compared to my Chevy’s, this truck is not as nice a ride as they were. To be honest, after I have spent time in this truck, I am starting to like it less and less every day. It just does not have the comfort and what I consider quality, I have come to get used too, in my Chevy. I admitt, I went to the dealer, just to look and compare the Toyota to all the rest, knowing I was going to get a Chevrolet when I was done. But the dealer made me a offer after I started to walk out that was too good to be true. Now, I know why. This truck is CRAP and I think they knew it! Sorry, but now I am stuck with this thing for the next 4 years and I cannot afford to trade it in yet for the loss. I know I will not be buying another one.
No, I live in the midwest. Why do you ask?
I have found the Toyota dealer/Saleman to be kind of rude after I bought this thing. Does not really want to make me happy, although, the wife is more upset, than me. After our vaction, she will not ride in this thing, unless she has too. She has had issues with her back and the ride this thing gives is nuts. I would have thought the designers would have known about this issue, since there seems to be others who are dealing with the same issue I have.
I will keep you posted, maybe the dealer will listen to me or read this and give me a better trade in value, since he also owns a Chevrolet dealer just up the road? We’ll see?
Known complaints on this site are from Colorado, California, New Jersey, and New York. That’s why I asked. Now I look at all the other states that have Tundra’s without this issue. Also you won’t be happy unless you’re back in a Chevy no matter if it’s right or wrong. I was there for Ford and then GM. What you’re having now I had with those two. Like you I will never buy a Ford or GM again. Let me ask a question, Did you call Customer Assistance and did they ask if you owned another Toyota product? Simple reason I asked this because I got that question everytime I called GM Customer Assistance. Your answer probably like mines. What does this have to do with fixing my truck. If I own more than one will you fix it. If I own just this one you won’t fix it. Who’s business is it what I own? So I’ve been there and done that. I understand where you’re coming from. I don’t have the bed bounce issue.
I am within 7K miles of new tires. I have the “bed bounce aversion route” to work down pat as I know which freeways to avoid. I commute 140 miles round trip a day and it has kicked my commute up about 15 miles but it is worth it to get a smoother ride by taking less direct freeways. I am planning on switching to Michelin tires as I have been told that Toyota put the wrong tires on this truck (2007 DC, TRD)(BFG tires) by a worker at the dealership. I will ride the same route and see if there is a difference. The 7k miles should take me about 2 months. I will let you guys know if there is any difference. I don’t expect any but what the hell, you never know.
It’s worth a shot Paul. Good Luck.
Lance, I tried a brand new Chevy truck in 06 and I dumped it in 08 because it was probably the worst vehicle I’ve every owned. It started falling apart in about three months and Champion Chevy in Austin TX has the worst service department in the world. It was not even worked hard, it had about 22000 miles on it when I got rid of it. It was also uncomfortable. I have not had the bed bounce issue yet so I guess I
F*ck Toyota!!!
I’ll keep my ’07 DC TD for a while until I decide exactly what I want to do. The idea of trading this truck in at 14K miles and taking at least a $10K loss (after owning it for only eight months) makes me sick. I think I’d rather just keep the truck to tow the boat, and buy a car that doesn’t remind me of how much I hate my car every time I drive it. But regardless of what I decide to do, this is undoubtedly the LAST Toyota I will ever own.
The bed bounce is not the problem. It’s the piss-poor manner in which Toyota has NOT dealt with it. They have left thousands of loyal customers hanging in the wind. Customer service is everything. Toyota has none of it. F*CK TOYOTA!!!
Update:
My wife’s parents officially complained to Toyota about their Tundra’s bounce (bought the same day and dealership as ours, I’ll remind you). They were told nothing was likely to happen.
In OUR case, we have returned to our dealership multiple times. While I genuinely feel the maintenance department would like to help me, he made it clear (without saying it directly) that Toyota WILL NOT address this issue. They changed my tire pressure. They tightened a loose spare tire (which they had left loose, BTW). They offered to drive the truck to where we said the bounce was most egregious, but the drive is almost two hours and this is our only vehicle. It wasn’t going to happen, and we all knew it. For the record, the bounce is still there, and I’m reduced to driving with rocks in the back of my truck when I drive through the roughest areas.
The FUN part came when one of the managers offered to pay for any major alteration I wanted to possibly fix the bounce. We weighed new shocks, a lift kit, or welding weight to the back (but I don’t want to pay for the extra gas, thanks). The trick was… THEY wouldn’t do the work. They couldn’t. It HAD to go to another shop.
When I went price-shopping, the other shops all told me the same thing: if I take them up on the offer, Toyota will probably void my warranty. Essentially, as I am still leaning toward a lawsuit, ANY attempts to fix the problem will likely destroy my possible suit. Damned if you do….
I should mention, that when my dealership did the little adjustments, they refused to generate any paperwork on the fixes. No proof. California Lemon Law holds that after three fix attempts, they would HAVE to take the truck back. If there’s no paperwork… no fix attempted.
Now, tell me Toyota doesn’t know there’s a problem.
I should add, Tundras are NOT selling.
2007 and 2008 Truck of the Year can’t fight $4.00 gasoline.
Toyota’s losing money on Tundras now, and the LAST thing they want is to see possibly tens of thousands of MORE Tundras returned or needing any kind of repair as they hemorrhage money.
I’ve seen the trade-in value of our Tundra evaporate. Even if I wanted to take the loss on the trade-in, I don’t know if my dealership would take it in the first place at this point.
Scott, any vehicle you buy brand new will lose money for at least 3 years or more. That’s the price for financing any vehicle. Toyota will react when ODI and NHTSA forces a recall. Now you have to have a certain number of complaints and thousands as you say isn’t true. When you’re less than 1 or 2% of complaints won’t do it. Did you file a complaint with ODI and NHTSA? Hopefully you filed with ODI and NHTSA if you didn’t than take your foul language and go cry on someone else’s shoulder.
Cfowlkes contact an area rep to take a look at what’s been happening. Get his name and address so you can use that against Toyota. It will be hard to file a lawsuit if you don’t have no documentation. File a complaint with ODI and NHTSA. ODI (Office of Defects Investigation) works with NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The lemon Law is basically the same all over. I went through it with my 06 Silverado and Arbitration where my headliner fell 8x. I loss at arbitration. Unbelieveable because I had it replace the 5th time. This lemon Law was a feather in some congressman’s hat and it really has no power. You have to hit the states DA for this to have any pull. Sir, I know what you’re going through and with the dealer just doesn’t give two shakes about what or how you feel. Documentation is the key. Somewhere the dealer or Toyota will drop the ball and not have the documentation you will have and that’s how you beat them at their game. Wish you the best of luck in this. Unlike you I jump into my 07 Crewmax and in Florida bed bounce don’t exist. Alot has to do with the roads and how they are made. After having the worse 2 trucks in my life I gave up on Ford and GM and now I’m lucky with Toyota. I have 35,500 miles on mine and I’m on the road constantly. By the way all manufacturers are having trouble selling trucks and SUV’s. Sorry about your troubles and in-laws troubles. Hope things do get fixed.
08 tundra dc 4×4 trd off road Ohio
MEASURE TO SEE IF YOUR TRUCK BED IS SQUARE. THEN MEASURE FROM BACK OF CAB TO THE TOP OF BED. MY TRUCK BED WAS 1 1/2 OUT OF SQUARE !!
AND THE RIGHT SIDE WAS 1 3/4 DIFFRENT FROM LEFT . THEN LOOK AT THE FRAME RAILS MINE DON’T EVEN SIT ON FRAME . YOU CAN SEE DAYLIGHT
PLEASE, TAKE YOUR TIME TOYOTA. DON’T HURRY TO HELP US SUCKER’S WHO BOUGHT 30K – 40K TRUCKS FROM YOU! EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES, BUT HOW YOU FIX THEM SHOWS YOUR TRUE CHARACTER.
Chad – The truck bed may not be perfectly square, but I don’t know that it matters. Theses types of observations don’t necessarily indicate a problem, but I understand what you’re saying. It seems like a simple thing…
TO JASON(ADMIN)
WHAT I AM SAYING IS– MY TRUCK BED BOUNCES– AND I WANT TOYOTA TO ENGINEER A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THAT SEEMS TO BE THE SIMPLE THING TO DO. THE TRUCK BED NOT BE “PERFECTLY SQUARE” DOESN’T SEEM LIKE A BIG DEAL TO YOU. AND IT WASN’T FOR ME , UNTILL I REALIZED THE MEASUREMENTS WOULD CHANGE. WHEN YOU DROVE THE TRUCK AROUND AND THE BED BOUNCED IT MADE THE MEASUREMENTS CHANGE. NOW THAT’S A BIG DEAL!! TO ME –THAT MEANS THE TRUCK BED WAS MADE INCORRECT OR THEIR IS SOMETHING WRONG LEADING TO STRUCTUAL DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK BED. AND THAT’S A TRUCK WITH ONLY 1,500 MILES ON IT.
Chad from what I seen and heard the bed being out of square isn’t the cause of the bed bounce. Either the springs or shocks would fix the problem. I haven’t measured mine but I don’t have the bed bounce issue either with 35,600 miles on my 07 Crewmax.
Hi, all!
i’ve practically tried most fixed suggestions, but it only minimized the bounce on certain speeds and worsten on speed where i never had a problem before!!! i really think that the problem are cause, not by one issue but a combination of shocks, wheel base and most likely the very stiff leaf springs!!!
maybe someone could answer why the bounce discipate on speeds over 90 and over!!!
one of the most embarassing thing that i hate is looking on my rear view mirror watching the bed bouncing that i have to slow down to below 70 or over 90!!!!
to: ADMIN
earlier this year, you wrote that you have something in your sleaves if toyota does nothing!!! what’s going on???
Thanks, Ray
TOYOTA
DO YOU HAVE A FIX?
OR A GOOD EXPLAINATION OF WHAT’S GOING ON?
MAYBE A UPDATE ( SOMETHING)
MY SERVICE MANAGER SAID A TSB WOULD COME OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM,
IS THIS TRUE?
MICKEY- I KNOW MY BED BEING OUT OF SQUARE IS MORE OF A SYMTOM VS. CAUSE OF THE BED BOUNCE. PLUS, YOUR TRUCK IS A 07 AND MINE IS A 08. THE REAR SHOCKS ARE SET UP A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT ON A 08 . DON’T GET ME WRONG, I LIKE MY TRUCK JUST WANT THE BOUNCE TO STOP. I DON’T WANT TOYOTA TO FALL IN WITH GM AND FORD (SCRAP ON WHEELS)
The bed bounce does occur in the Denver Metro, CO area. I-25 from Denver to Colorado Springs is one rough (bumpy) ride. While my F150 has bed bounce, it’s not severe. My mother-in-laws neighbors ’07 Tundra CM looks/feels like it’s gonna shake bolts/nuts loose.
—Toyota telling customers they don’t have a fix and to put weight in the bed to resolve the problem, isn’t the proper way to fix an issue. Sounds like the domestics from years past trying to save a few $ instead of satisfy their customer and fix the problem. Lets hope Toyota steps up to the plate.
—Thought Toyota would have the problem fixed by the ’08 release, but guess not. Must not have taken the issue seriously when it started, but now that the trcusk been out 1.5yrs, it’s an issue. Let’s hope the ’09 MY is cured.
Chad – Bed flex is pretty normal in modern pickups. The issue isn’t the bed – it’s basically “tied” to the frame. The issue is the suspension. Of course, if the suspension wasn’t so harsh, the bed wouldn’t bounce so much and probably wouldn’t flex so much. Also, no TSB is pending that we’re aware of.
Ray – We played all the cards we had and no one in the mainstream media seems to care. Sorry if I got your hopes up (we haven’t given up, btw).
Justin – You’re absolutely right. Toyota’s solution to the problem is to deny there is a problem. It’s a poor response.
thanks for your comments. After reading them i have decided not to buy the Tundra. Whew….almost bought one today. I’m glad they didn’t accept my offer. That bounce would have driven me nuts. Think I’ll stick with Chevy.
kris, Good choice!
Still hanging around huh Andrew. Amazing.
what’s up everyone!!!
i’m doing my own process of elimination!!! today, i removed the rear shocks and drove it around town where i usually notice the bed bounce!!! the bounce was actually magnified w/out the shocks!!! so i’m thinking no matter how some thinks how cheap the stock shocks are it’s not the cause…. now it could only be the frame or the leaf spring or both!!!!
next project is to removed the main weight baring leaf (bottom)!!!
i will post my finding as soon as i can….
Thanks, Ray
i’m in the San Fernando Valley CA. anyone interested to help please e-mail me…
Jason I came across this on Tundratalk.net. I’m not sure but this can be a fix for the bed bounce problems.
https://www.willybar.com/VIEW_VIDEO_DEMONSTRATION.php
Yep, I am still here. Mickey you make me laugh eveytime you claim anything. I want to be the opposite of you. For every time I hear someone lecture me on how Bad the Big 3 are and that they produce low quality products, I want to let them know you are full of B.S. and are just trying to push your agenda. GM and Ford are building products that are better or at the very least Equal to what you claim your TuRD is putting out, although from what I am reading here on this web site, sounds like the Tundra is not even coming close to Ford or GM with this new design. It seems like every time I come on this site, there is some other problem, that Toyota buyers are dealing with. Maybe, if I wait long enough, I will read something from you (Mickey) claiming some silly issue that makes no point and that you will be trading in your TuRD for a Mahindra or something, since you seem to not be able to keep Trucks for very long without whinning about something. Headliner issues, taillights falling out, Give me a Break! You question my miles on my trucks, yet you don’t even know me. You come across on this site against anyone who doesn’t agree with you, like someone I would see on “To Catch a Predator”. Arrogant at first, then squeamish when caught. You keep telling us to look in the mirrior. Is this because you know Toyota is trailing GM or Ford and you can’t handle it?
I test drove a Tundra a week ago. I really wanted to buy one because they are sooo cheap these days. On the test drive I noticed something was not right. I had never heard of “bed bounce” beofre, but I was thinking the ride was as nice as I was expecting. After the test drive I was having serious second thoughts about buying the truck. After a google search of “tundra suspension” I see there is indeed a serious issue here.
When you owners complain to the dealer, what is the response? If a fix in the works? It seems this has been going on for some time.
Ned, They deny they even have a problem. I agree, the Tundra is cheap! Just look at the tail gate. When your done there, look at the Frame. When your done there, look inside the cab. Although, Mickey will disagree, I did look at them myself, at a local dealer that sells both Chevy and Toyota and they had them side by side. Cost for cost, I believe the Chevy is a much better deal. Although, I have not used it much it also come with a better warranty. Something to think about. Just don’t ask Mickey, or he will start crying, because you don’t have a mind of your own and you don’t think like he does
Andrew just being on here we know who you are. No need to say anymore to a person who probably was a spoiled brat. I called your bluff and you hate it. Say what you want, you happen to be on a website for Tundra’s which you own none. As far as the headliner and taillights look it up the TSB’s are there. I guess those aren’t ligit problems. Then you can’t say anything about any manufacturers interior. Ned can make his own choice. Ned try Tundratalk.net and Tundrasolutions.com and you will find more about the Tundra than Andrew will tell you. Ned as far as the bed bounce Toyota has no rememdy or is looking for one. When you have less than 1% complaining and less than that filed a complaint no manufacturer will pursue a remedy. Until more individuals file a complaint then NHTSA won’t force ODI to open a investigation leading to a recall. Andrew knows this and won’t say it. As for Andrew’s looking at the two I did the same and it becomes personal preference. Andrew loves his Chevy and now you can see that. He states I’m pushing my own agenda. I’m o0n a Tundra website which I own a Tundra. Andrew look in featured trucks. Mine is there. You don’t see me on a GM website downing a GM product. So who has the hate here Andrew? Andrew I have a lifetime warranty. I have yet to see chevy do it. Dodge has….Where’s the love Andrew. If your product is so great where’s the lifetime warranty? Andrew you’re so wrong I don’t totally agree with Justin but we do agree on several things. He like’s ford. I don’t have an issue with that. Andrew it isn’t that I don’t agree with everyone on here it’s I DON”T AGREE WITH YOU ON ANYTHING. I just wanted to make sure you can read that. Feel free have another tantrum and call me whatever you want. Andrew by the way you’re not hurting me personally when someone doesn’t want to buy a Tundra. But apparently when someone doesn’t like chevy you seem to have an issue with that. Not to mention fibbing about your vehicles. This is how much you know Andrew. The best truck I had was a 98 Silverado 3rd door ext cab. I would still have it if it wasn’t reaer ended and pushed into a city bus which totaled it. I had it 1 day shy of 5 years. Now when this Tundra gets the miles it had then I will say the Tundra will be on the same plateau. Right now the Tundra stands beside it. It’s people like you that don’t like someone who doesn’t agree with you on a Tundra either they have stock or works there, or like you said also has an agenda for Toyota. You need to read a little more before you open mouth and stick foot in it.
Andrew you can blame me for squandering ED’s TSB #.
Andrew that’s my comment above^^^^^ Internet dropped.
By the way Andrew read this link. Now who’s crying
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/0.....-straight/
Jason you might want to gander at that also. It shows Tundra ranked 1st in it’s category. Andrew please don’t cry. You want to talk about reliability?
Ed I mentioned it earlier if you have less than 1% that actually filed a complaint, No manufacturer will seek a solution. Until these people get up and file their complaint that’s what you will get no fix. It may not be what the 200-300 complaints on here but in actuality little more than half filed.
Mickey, I will agree with you on the amount of complaints being insignificant to Toyota and that is the part of the problem with my Tundra that I hate the most. I have filed a complaint but beyond that, it is my Tundra with the problem. I have been left high and dry by Toyota to find my own fix on a truck that I paid well into the $30s for and was a vehicle that Toyota touted as the “New American Pickup”. Having said all that and with the fact that I wish this problem would be of more importance to Toyota even if it were only one unit with the problem, I will say that mechanically, I have had no problems going on 50K miles. It has not stranded me on the freeways yet. That part of the truck, I have no problem with. It’s just that I would love to “love” this truck and I don’t. I just wish I had bought something else and that alone eats on anyone when you spend these kinds of dollars.
I agree Paul did you see the last website I posted. It showed the bed bounce with a baby doll in the back seat sitting in a car seat bouncing it’s little head off. Well this company came up with a temp fix, these metal plates in the back part of the bed and he drove the same route with that baby doll and no bounce. Now I like the idea they tried a fix on the bounce. Those plates are pretty heavy and I’m sure the loss of mpg would get me mad. But in all at least it’s a temp fix at the bounce till someone comes up with the fix. I don’t believe the tires were the problem Paul. I’m thinking in line with the rear springs. I’ve heard people changing the shocks and it’s either worse than before or no change. Some did lifts and that fixed the problem. I think the springs are the issue and the cost of replacing them is why Toyota isn’t pursueing this. Until Toyota is faced with a recall this issue will stay the same leaving the customers looking for their own fix. I have two bridges over here in Jax that give you that bounce. One is less than 1/10th mile and the other about 1/2 mile. I pass over the 1/10th mile one daily. So I can see the bounce problem and it’s on the north side of the city where the dealerships are on the South, West, and East side of the city and it’s about 18 miles from the nearest dealer to test drive over. So you will get that attitude we never heard of it before.
Thanks Mickey. I did see the website and was hoping that there was a WillyBar dealer here in Orange County. Otherwise, I will check with the dealers in Ventura County and check into the cost etc. It sure looks like it mitigates the problem. Of course, with gas still running in the $4.25 range out here, a reduction is mileage will not please me but at least it looks like it is a partial fix for the problem. With regard to the tires, I do not have a great deal of hope that changing them will help but I am definitely dumping the BFGs and heading for Michelin.
Mickey – Good link on the Willybar video. I’m going to make a blog post about it shortly. I also saw that JD Power study, and it’s exciting news (even if it only reflects the 05 Tundra). That’s also an upcoming blog post.
You know what gets me about the bed bounce situation ? It has been over a year and no one, Toyota or a private individual, has explained the exact cause of the bizzare bed bounce, shaking and reverberation. And no one will be able to correct the problem until the source is defined. The only other pick-up I observed with a similar problem is the Ford F-150’s of a couple years ago, which co-incidentally also had the rear shocks mounted ouside the frame rails. There has also been speculation about the strenght of the kick up point of the frame being weak.
I see a couple of my posts were deleted and perhaps rightfully so as I spoke out of frustration. But wether stated sarcastically or politely Toyota up to this point will do nothing to corret the situation, no fix, period. Perhaps the Mods should delete all the posts and start over when there is something substantial to report and Keep the Toyota trolls away.
I have a 7 year 75,000 mile Toyota B2B warranty and only 8,500 (shaky) miles in 16 months on my ’07 Crew Max TRD SR5 so Toyota is in for the long haul now that my trade in is down the sh.tter. So if Toyota can build a product they can stand behind all I can say is ?????. (google it)
Ed I mentioned it earlier that people need to file that complaint. Not only Toyota but NHTSA and ODI needs enough complaints to investigate then pressure Toyota into a recall. No manufacturer will put out money for a fix on a problem that’s less than 1%. Not cost effective. Personally I think it’s the springs being stronger causing the bed bounce.
Jason I’m happy to help in the 2 info’s for the blogs. I just happen to come across them on Tundratalk.net. I figure you would want to know about it. That wilybar video was totally different and gives viewers who don’t experience the bed bounce a view of what it does. Also why did JD Powers wait 3 years for this study to come out? Why so long?
Mickey
AS I said I have complained to NHTSA after meeting and driving with a Toyota rep. What is your 1% figure based on data or speculation. Why do you feel its the springs? Should they be stiffer or softer, longer or shorter? What about the frame design? All the BS from people about how a real truck should ride, when the Toyota rep. explained the design of the triple tech(Triple-flex?) frame to me, he stated that it was designed with ride comfort in mind. Do you work for Toyota or have some type of vested intrest?
As far as springs or shocks I would bet against it simply because someone would have hit the right combination by now. But thats only my unqualified opinion.
Mickey – That study is the “long term” reliability survey, so they wait for 3 years to pass (not very long term in my mind, but whatever) before presenting results.
Ed personally I think the springs are too strong for the frame thus giving that bounce so easy on the freeway. No I don’t work for Toyota. What I read on 3 different forums I read people change shocks, no change. They change tires, no change, I read lift kits fix the problem and only one person change the springs and that fixed his problem. The softer spring in my opinion will dampen the bounce. The one % I got by adding all the complaints on all 3 forums and I hope (not assume) they filed a complaint. Ed I counted less than a 500 complaints. Jason on here tried to get something going and found out less than half filed a complaint. Ed I don’t have the issu with bed bounce but it doesn’t mean I can’t get involved and help. I’ve been through those issues like that with Ford, & GM. Went through Arbitration and even was filing law suit when the lawyer talked me out of it. He stated I maybe lucky to get $1500 and still no fix to my problem. So I know what it’s like to be on that short end of the stick. Ed I wish I was an engineer I would try to figure this out. For the price and loss of mpg’s that wilybar is a great temp fix but like I said TEMP fix. I hate to lose mpg’s carrying the extra weight in the back when I finally got up to 22mpg. Also I have nothing with Toyota other than my 07 Crewmax and my wife’s 07 Prius. I got rid of an 06 Silverado problem ridden and she got rid of an 03 Crown Victoria LX Sport. She gave up ride for mpg’s and she triple her mpg’s in that Prius. The only other Toyota I owned was back in 76-77 it was a 74 Corona SR5 with ESP (Extra Sensory Panel). I got rid of it in the latter part of 77 because when you had to have a part it took 2 weeks to get one.
Thanks Jason for the input.
My toyota had a bedbounce problem until I had the rear shocks and struts replaced and the problem went away. It now rides like new. Maybe the front struts have something to do with also?
I guess if we summarize so far:
Not all Tundra’s have bed bounce but a significant number do.
No one knows, or will publicly admit to knowing,the source of the bed bounce problem.
Rear spring and shock modifications have vary degress of success, but none have fully corrected the defect.
Adding a weight to the bed will reduce but not eliminate bed bounce.
No one knows, or will publicly admit, the number of complaints Toyota’s customer service has received.
Toyota knows they have a problem but will not take any corrective action, in part, because it is not a safety issue in their view.
I have been reading this blogs for quite a while, I have a 07 c-max trd 4×4 and I luckily have never experienced the bed bounce. I roughly have 13000 miles on it, and recently just went on 1300 mile round trip from Asheville, N.C. to Wayne, MI.. I had expected to experience the bounce and am happy to say that I didnt (even in Michigan, which out of the five states I went through and out of any other state I have ever been in with or without the tundra, was the worst highways I have ever seen and still no bed bounce). I dont have any ideas as to why it is happening to some and not the most, just wanted to share my experience and hope that everyone that is affected by the bed bounce gets some kind of compensation of fix from Toyota. Best regards to all!
That might take awhile Mike. I don’t have the bounce either and I’m at 36,600.
Just bought a 2008 Tundra. Didn’t experience the bed bounce during test drives (speeds usually too slow). I drive this thing 100 miles/day over gravel road, rough pavement, and brand new reconditioned highway. I read this article, and you have GOT to be kidding. Your Words: “Based on the number of complaints we
I’ve did for 36,000 miles and still no bounce and have no problem holding any conversation driving at any speed. As mentioned above is what it is. Not everyone has this issue so you won’t get the complaints the few are looking for. If they did file a complaint also. That’s where your problem is.
Sa – I understand what you’re saying, and you’re absolutely right about every Tundra being built the same. However, not every road is the same. That’s why most Tundra owners never experience this issue – most roads in the US don’t have their expansion joints placed just so like S. California. There are other places too – people all over the US have experienced this problem – but it seems to be more prevalent in the southern states.
looked in a few diesel power mag and a few other forums and bed bounce seemed to be somewhat common on all the trucks the question is when does it become too much bounce. They were all recommending new shocks or checking the driveline components, especially the shaft if it were really bad. But its a truck so it will have some bounce on busted concrete…
So I have a 2007 CrewMax 4wd. I drive it up to Lake Tahoe every weekend and go over 100 miles of concrete and I definately have one of the trucks that has the bed bounce issue.
Two questions:
1. What would it cost to put different leaf sprinsg in the read (parts and labor).
2. Why won’t my Toyota Dealer fix this?
Hey Byron,
Just like any problem, it has to be acknowledged as a problem before it can be fixed. Toyota refuses to recognize this problem, therefore won’t reimburse dealers in any way for attempted fixes. I drive 140 miles daily and, as I have said before, Toyota’s response to this problem is one reason I will never buy another Toyota product. What is really sad is that I have had no mechanical problems with my Tundra but its poor engineering otherwise is one reason that this truck is a loser. As far as I am concerned, selling this truck and not informing the purchaser of a known problem, borders on fraud.
Byron – Paul is right – Toyota doesn’t believe there is a problem. That’s why the dealer won’t fix it. As for a new set of leafs, you might consider a Willybar before you go that route. A couple of people have commented that they work OK, and $499 is much less expensive and easier than swapping leafs (not to mention it won’t effect your overall payload and tow ratings like a leaf swap would).
https://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2008/08/11/bed-bounce-treatment-the-willybar/
I just purchased a 2008 Tundra 4×4 double cab. The bed bounce is terrible. I have only owned the truck 2 days. It literally shakes your internal organs. It happens on the concrete highways with expasion joints. Feels like you are driving on railroad tracks. I am installing air lift bags for my cabover camper. I sure hope this helps the problem. If not they may get the truck back.
I bought a 2008 Crewmax Limited and didn’t experience bed bounce until a freeway ride up towards Lake Tahoe. The bounce inside the cab on concrete highways makes the truck almost uncontrollable at times. I had a 2004 Ford F150 and never experienced that problem. Highly disappointed, never expected ride to be an issue. The dealer stated that they were aware of the issue and had no fix yet. Tried 400 lbs of sand and it reduced the bounce (ala Willybar) but hate to drive around with that much added weight in the bed.
So California expansion joints. Three hundred pounds of sand bags at the very back of the bed are needed. Possibly welding vertical plates into the faceing c-channel opennings. Or welding 300 lbs of steel at the aft end of the frame so as not to have to keep removing the bags for hauling. $4 per sand bag x 6= cheap fix. CrewMax is a nice truck!
I live in Conway Arkansas and have had a little bed bounce but i nothin that i have never felt in any other vehicle. I wouldnt even call it bounce…more like small vibration. I hope i never experience bed bounce and if i ever do i will be extremely pissed. I love the truck so far and hope that if this issue it true, that it will be fixed not only on the new models, but the 07s. as well!
I have done extensive mods on the rear of my RCSB w/ SAP to minimized this pesky bounce:
-replaced stock leaf springs with Alcan soft springs
-replaced stock shocks with Bilstein HD’s
-Installed TRD anti-sway bar
-installed a beefy Drawtite class IV hitch to stiffen the rear frame
-kept rear tire pressure to 37 to 38 psi
Rides very nice now, but very stable, not mushy.
My next experiment is to put a 1/2″ flat steel plate across the frames. It will bolt to an existing hole on the frame just above the axle. I believe these are the same holes that the gooseneck and 5th wheel mounting brackets bolt into.
I believe this will stiffen the frame really well. I haven’t started on the project. Getting ready for deployment.
The width is 3 to 4 inches, the length extends from one side of the frame to the other. Use grade 8 bolts and a metal spacer.
So basically, the upper C channel will be sandwiched between the spacer and the flat steel plate. The spacers distribute the stress to a wider area on the c channel to prevent cracks from occuring. If anybody wants to try this, pls do and post the result here. Hopefully I’ll read about this while I’m in deployment.
Analyzing the constructive posts over this matter lead me to conclude that adding weights in the truck bed further reduces the bed bounce effect by 40% or better.
Could it be the shocks, the leaf springs, the frame, or the bed itself? A lot comes into play for this bounce to annoy you. Some owners of this fine truck who are biased about this dilemma had tried solving the said problem by independently troubleshooting the exact cause to the extent of their wallet capacity.
Unless the problem is heftily experienced by every Tundra(and cared)owner in this country, expect no recall from Toyota soon.
“Some owners of this fine truck who are biased about this dilemma….”
That’s good.
I love my Tundra from the rear of the cab forward.
How’s that for unbiased.
I have owned my 08′ for about 6 months now and I only drive on paved roads and freeways and in the 6,000 miles I have driven it I have not noticed and bed bounce the way you guys are describing. I guess of the thousands that were made I got the only good one…. It sounds to me like this mystery bed bounce only happens to people who live in Southern California, so here is how you fix the problem MOVE!!! This is the best truck produced. The so-called domestic market has there heavy duty vehicels “F-250, RAM 2500, and Chevy HD 2500 ” to compare and they will not hold any value whatsoever. If you have the 35,000+ quit being a cheep ass spend $250. more dollars and put an air suspension on the rear end and watch you problems disapear.
Hey Paul, do you work for Toyota? “Move” is exactly the type of response we are getting from Toyota on this issue after spending close to $40K on one of Toyota’s hyped products. Pretty pathetic don’t you think?? BTW, if you think that this junker of a truck holds its value, try trading it in. And as far as spending another $250-$500 on this truck to “mitigate” Toyota’s crappy engineering, why should I? It’s only my problem because Toyota won’t stand behind their truck.
i agree with paul..i own a tundra and i dont work for toyota. This is the best truck i have ever owned and obviously people dont know what they are talking about when they talk about re-sale value because toyota is number one in re-sale value…ya know why…because they hardly ever have any problems out of their trucks and cars so duh you morons…they will sale for MORE!!!…the only reason people say they like chevy and ford and dodge and stuff is because in the past they were the most popular vehical on the road untill now..everyone just jumps on the band wagon…just look around…more and more people are starting to tundra’s. for everyone else who disagrees, i dont care because your the one who will have to pay the extra bucks to get your stuff fixed. dont get my wrong..if toyota wasnt around i would have a chevy…but they are, and they are the best out there!
Another Update:
Toyota has officially ignored us for months now. When we went to the dealership lo those many months ago, we were told that an engineer from Toyota would be SURE to contact us about the problem and help us get to the bottom of it.
Nothing. Not even a courtesy call.
My wife and I had our baby, and frankly, I’m nervous about shaken-baby syndrome every time we drive to our in-laws. There’s about two-three hundred pounds of concrete in the back of the bed permanently these days, and no one at Toyota seems willing to pay me for the extra gas it costs to haul that weight around.
I’ve resigned myself that it’ll be my “work” truck in the future, but it sure was a waste of money. Learned my lesson….
Oh, and the truck STILL bounces, even with the weight (which it shouldn’t need).
On the Torrance Freeway in Torrance, CA (Los Angeles) is absolutely the WORST I’ve ever felt it. The Toyota HQ is just around the bend from there, too. They KNOW there’s a problem, but they’re praying it goes away. Toyota’s sales were down something ridiculous like 30+% recently, anyway. They’re not taking tens of thousands of recalled trucks, too.
Chris I don’t know if you noticed lately that all trucks are taking a big loss now. Actually Toyota is fairing alot better than you think. Oh yes I don’t have the bed bounce.
Jason I have pics to upload if you want to see them. Saturday while traveling up from Florida to visit in-laws by Pittsburg I hit a 7 point buck about 100 – 120lbs. I was on I-77 north near Parkersburg, WVA. Got $7,000 damage to front of the truck. No one hurt but I didn’t kill the buck. I was doing 70 when I saw him and slowed to 35mph when i hit him. The sheriff had to put it down. Good thing we didn’t take the Prius or I hate the worse could have happened. BTW I was getting 17.7mpg in the mountains at 70mph.
Jason my comments above.
Mickey – How about putting them on TundraNetwork?
Drove from South Orange County to Camarillo (Ventura County) to have my WillyBar installed this past week-end. This route (the 405/101) is on some of the worse cement freeways in California. There is a definite improvement in the ride of my 07 DC. The bounce improvement is at least 50% and the truck now basically rides like most other trucks I have owned.. The weight added is 300 lbs. I have yet to determine the effect on mileage. I will say that with the WillyBar the weight stays in the same place in the bed all the time. I tried cement bags and they kept moving around plus you cannot wash the truck without removing them. None of this applies to the WillyBar and while it is not a 100% fix, at least roads that used to spill my coffee no longer do. I am still ticked about having to invest another $500 to cure a basic engineering deficiency of Toyota’s on a $38K truck but with Toyota’s famous customer service on this issue, I saw no alternative but go forward with the investment. One of my friends even commented yesterday how the truck now rides basically like his Camry! I am not sure about that. I will be changing tires very shortly and am moving from BFGs to Michelins which I am hoping will further reduce the bounce, even if just a little. All in all, the WillyBar, for me, was definitely worth the investment.
Good to see a constuctive post for a change.
Willy bar how appropriate is that name?
I’m going to have the plate steel cut and mount it to the frame rails above the rear axle, just need to find the time beween day care for the wife (no Joke) and hunting.
Just wondering if anyone has tried the TRD rear sway bar? I have a 07 Tundra DC longbed 5.7 4×4 and have had no bed bounce problems. But I do use it for work and keep it loaded.
Jimmy I have an Hellwig sway bar on my 07 Crewmax. Great on cornering. I don’t have the bounce either but I just wanted to try it and see how it goes. It has 3 settings also for a firmer ride.
[…] Tundra Bed Bounce CURE FOUND Here’s a link to Tundra Headquarters’ discussion on this subject: Toyota Tundra Bed Bounce Issue: Our Position | tundraheadquarters.com __________________ 07′ SR5 DC, 5.7, TRD Toyota SS steps ARE MX cap AMP bed step DIY underseat […]
Jason finally got truck fixed. Over $10,000 worth. A set back was the new condenser put in had a hole in it. Took 24 days to fix and I had to put it in today to replace the tensioner and belt. Tensioner was bent and the belt had pits in it fron trying to turn when the fan went through the radiator. Today was a $400 bill. I do have to give credit to Superior Toyota in Parkersburg, WV not for just fixing, but steeping up today and used their dealers credit card to pay for what I had fixed today and will get paid back by Allstate. I do have a bit of advice given to me by the manger of the body shop. He said I reacted right but I hit the brakes hard when the deer jumped in front. That caused the front end to dive down which in turn caused more damage than if I would have hit the deer straight on with my foot just off the gas. The bumper would have taken the brunt of the force and way less damage would have happened. I can see his reasoning on that. Glad for insurance.
I have a 2007 Tundra DC 4WD. Had severe bounce only on the concrete freeways…smooth as glass on asphalt. Bought a $1500 SnugTop shell weighing about 300 lbs…Problem solved! And the truck looks awsome with the shell too. Mounting metal plates under the rear frame in the C channels also sounds like a good fix, since the bounce is caused by Toyota’s new trapezoidal frame design, which is designed to flex. Unfortunately Toyota didn’t consider the concrete freeways in many states in the US. The problem is the resonance frequency of the trapezoidal frame matches that of the expansion joints on many concrete freeways at freeway speeds (55-75mph). Actually, I didn’t really solve my bounce problem, I simply changed that resonance frequency with the weight of the shell. So now my truck doesn’t bounce on concrete freeways at freeway speeds, but it does still bounces at slower speeds (about 35-45mph). However, I rarely travel that slow on the freeways. By the way, they (CalTrans I guess), grinded down about a ten mile stretch of one of the concrete freeways I live near, which was one of the worst…like a washboard. Now it is as smooth as glass, at all speeds. WOW, what a difference! They need to grind down all concrete freeways.
Bummer. I was looking into getting one of these because I think for the buck and the Toyota history of quality it’s worth it. Not now. Did a search on edmunds and continued to google and Toyota can forget it now. Maybe they’ll do something if they know potential buyers will not budge due to this major problem. Sorry to all those that have this problem and may not be able to unload the truck due to current times and people abandoning trucks. Good luck with Toyota.
Was was it there? You don’t mention what problems and it nothing more anywhere else. I’m at 48,750 an going fine. You need to explain more than what you wrote. On what you wrote I would state that you wasn’t planning on anything. Have fun will travel. I’ve been in the rest and now I travel in the best.
i bought a toolbox. got about 20 lb of stuff in it. stop the bed bounce.
That sounds intresting Bruce.
it stop some but it doesn’t shake the whole truck. gives a firm bounce.
Mickey: i had an tacoma tool box laying around. so i put it in the bed tied it down to see if the front area of the bed work. you can try some different weights to see what you like.
Bruce I don’t have the bounce issue but seen it on different sites. I seen the willy bar work on it, water bags, even shocks change. So I can’t quite get what actually is the best remedy for it.
I just got the willy bar and it works great. the ride is way better. i could still feel the bounce but its just like a regular truck bounce.
To the original posters comments that the Ford test is useless because it has no basis in reality. Well obviously he has never driven over a 1200 acre ranch full of incredibly rutted pastures setting up survey points. If you had to baby the pickup you were in over the ruts it would 1.) be a pain in the ass 2.) add hours and hours to the time of the survey. As they say time is money. So you need a truck that can take abuse without you having to worry about breaking it. We used a late 70’s Ford with an I-beam suspension, built like a tank and could crash over the ruts all day.
The Tundra is a work truck right? The Ford test proves it isnt really. So it does have value.
RuttedPasture : go to toyota.com to Tundra click then click see Tundra in action
Hey Rustted this is now not then with Charles Bronson going through a watermelon patch.
I have an 08 tundra and let me tell you the bed bounce on my truck is horrible. Its exactly like how the commentaries depict it to be. Around 55-70 mph when driving on concrete highways is when it is the worst. The bed shakes like it is on a row of speed bumps and is enough to make you car sick even after just a few moments. It is also embarrasing when travelling with friends and family. Here you are sporting your new truck and you hit the freeway and you and your passengers are being violently thrown around the cab. How could Toyota not have known about this problem? When even at low speeds going over speed bumps you can tell there is definately something funny going on with the bed. I am not happy with it at all!
Anthony the problem lies in the way the concrete is laid and the harmonics of the truck. Toyota’s testing grounds happen not to be LA freeways. So the problem wasn’t known till way after the fact. As far as the ride I don’t see what you have here in Jax, Florida. They don’t put that lip at the seperation of the concrete as they do in other places. Make sure you file a complaint to NHTSA or ODI to help get the ball rolling on that issue.
Has anyone had this problem with the tundra with the 4.0L V6 engine? I was wondering if the rear leaf springs are softer on the lighter GVWR models.
Matt – The bed bounce survey we conducted showed that owners of all Tundras of all configurations reported the problem. Good question.
Just an update on my ’07 Tundra. I had the WillyBar installed some months ago and recently switched to Michelin tires and junked the BFGs. The Willybar definitely helped and the tire switch also help a little on the ride.
As many of you have stated, the trouble lies in the concrete freeways here in Cal and the Tundra harmonics. That is where the problem lies. The concrete is indeed a problem but everyone should understand, these concrete freeways are only a problem with the Tundra. Sure, there is bouncing with other trucks, my old GMC for one, but nothing like the Tundra. With the Willybar and the Michelins I am still nowhere near the ride of my old GMC. Other trucks deal with the concrete freeways much better than the Tundra which again points to an engineering flaw with the Tundra, one which Toyota chooses to ignore. I have suffered through this Tundra ownership but this truck will be my last Toyota. I know Toyota doesn’t give a rat’s —, but I do and I am the customer. Never again!
2008 Tundra d/c trd off road.
Dear Toyota,
Can I be a engineer??
1. I like to screw people over for money$$
2. I like to work slow,like real slow, almost do nothing at all
3. What problem?? Sound’s great to me
4.I LIke to build stuff SHAKEN, not stirred
5. It must be them ROAD’S. Can’t be the Truck
6. And most of all, I like to tell everyone to “YOU FIX IT”
Chad don’t quit your day job…. Not everyone is experiencing your ordeal.
Hey,
Listen they take out more in taxes on me than you make!! And who are you?? Someone you tells people to put a water bag in the back of a truck…
NICE TRY!!! LIsten man, WE are many with this problem. So if you want to help. That’s fine. I own a truck with a wraped bed.. Please tell me MR> TOYOTA ADVOCATE, HOW SHOULD I FIX THAT!!
No I don’t have to tell you about a water bag. I don’t use anything in mine. To come on here to be sarcastic is one thing. I have just as much rights as you to complain and for me to say everything is great. You can’t handle it. Get rid of it. I did the same with the 2 out of the Big 3. The roads over there are half the problem. Did you file a complaint with ODI or NHTSA? Probably not. So how do you want the govt. agencies to help force Toyota in a recall if you don’t get with these agencies. Did you file a lemon law claim also? Just because you pay more taxes than what I make, makes you better than me? Kiss the rear idiot, I don’t have the issue you have. For all your money you have the problems. Now get a life.
You just have to replace tires, shocks,springs, and while your under there bracing up the frame would be a good idea. Water bags, Willybars,spare tire foam, and brown bag over my head are all GREAT IDEA”S FOR A NEW TRUCK!!
I won’t get rid of my truck..I’ll kickback and wait for the recall. And then my tape measure comes out and Toyota wallet feels some pain..YOU CAN”T FIX A TWISTED FRAME OR TWISTED BED.. Put Your truck up on a lift and start measuring.. And this is TOYOTA”S problem not mine. I might have to drive this piece of crap. But my day will come..When i get screwed, i just love to return the favor 2x.. Brown Baging untill then….
Chad they haven’t got enough complaints to force a recall. Contact ODI or NHTSA with this issue so it can be forced into a recall. I know you’re not the only one it happens in a couple of places and that’s it. The rest of the nation hasn’t experienced it yet. When they get enough complaints the recall will be forced on Toyota and yes it’s their dollar.
I am in Colorado, and have a 2007 Tundra 4×4 Double Cab w/ TRD. I too did not encounter bed bounce during test drives on asphalt highway – but within days of purchase I had my first encounter on concrete highway and toll-road at 65 & 75 MPH. Needless to say I freaked out. This bed bounce issue has happened to me all over the state, and is flat out scary in icy or rainy situations.
My dealer says that they see no issue.
I’ve swapped out the stock tires for high end Michelins, but no help at all. I have raised a formal complaint to both Toyota and NHTSA.
Please talk fellow owners you encounter and encourage them to raise the concern formally.
As you read my posts I constantly put out contact ODI and NHTSA. These agencies can force a recall for those people who have this issue.
I have my 07 Tundra DC TRD 2wd over a year now and it has a big issue with the bed bounce. Since I am aware of this problem I have watch others with Chevy, Ford, or Dodge going through the same stretch of highway and their bed not bouncing up and down like mine. I am talking about the bed bouncing up and down not vibration. So far I am very disapointed and hope Toyota fix it soon other wise I will trade it for Chevy.
I have a 2007 Tundra Limited, extended cab, and have had trouble with bed-bounce from the start. I’m not one to complain much, because I have always owned Toyota products and have been very satisfied. But I had to take extreme countermeasures to lessen the bounce. I use an in-bed tool box mounted just behind the cab and had to add a waterbag purchased from Suretrax.com. I even tried replacing the rear shocks with Bilsteins, to no avail. With all of the measures listed above I have at least reduced the bed-bouce by as much as 80%. My dog loves to travel with me as much as possible, and even he seemed to mildly complain when riding in the rear seat before I implemented the counter measures. My gas mileage was affected, but not enough to warrant removing the waterbag. At least the ride is now acceptable. I hope there is a fix coming up for this someday. I would rather not carry the waterbag if I didn’t have too, especially when I have to explain to friends and onlookers when they see the waterbag. It certainly isn’t good advertising for Toyota.
I have a 2008 Tundra. I do hear the “bed bounce” I have hauled a 1500# trailer, bumper mounted a lot. I do hear the bed bounce, but I trust in the truck, and maybe that is why they gave me a 400 watt stereo sytem. Just turn up the music, and forget about the noise. Toyota trucks will be just fine. The noise is nothing to worry about. Just don’t change the tire size. I was getting 19 mpg with the factory tires. I changed to a rugged Mud and snow. Now I get 15 mpg.
Big difference. I love the power, but the MPG sucks. I will have to find a medium tire to cut the gap. Otherwise, I have been very happy with my Tundra.
I have a 2008 Tundra DC 4×4 TRD, I do not notice any significant bed bounce in my truck. Just an observation from some of the comments above, it seems that most of the problems revolve around concrete highways. Maybe I do have this problem, but up here in Canada we do not have many concrete roads. Has any Tundra owners in Canada had this issue??
I am surprised (and abit concerned) that Toyota is not addressing the issue directly. If I was in Toyota product development, I would be very interested in any complaints or feedback on my products, especially when Toyota’s reputation is build on quality, value, and continuous improvement. Ultimately, I bought Toyota because of those things. I did not get that from GM whatsoever. I hope Toyota is not getting arrogant like the Big 3.
I saw a couple of comments above about the “Lemon Laws”. We do not have them here in Canada, or at least that I am aware of. I would suggest using that avenue even though it may take some time and hopefully the pressure may initiate a move on Toyota’s part.
My 2008 tundra ltd double cab with trd has had the bed shake, vibration from day one. Wife wont ride in the back seat at all nor will anyone else. Here in canada, two dealers I have dealt with wont even acknowledge the problem. Tried most of suggested solutions, up to running with 1000lbs in the box and the shake did not get any better. Finally removed the trd shocks in the back and put in standard ltd shocks, and the ride improved dramatically. The shocks are a big part of the problem obviously. If it was like this from the beginning, I would not have complained. Just ordered a new set of the rancho 9000 to try, will have to wait and see. This is my fouth toyota since 2003 and last unless I see toyota address this issue in some way.
Cheers
sak
I have a 2008 DC and have the bounce. If you have this issue, you KNOW it. If you think you know; or you’re not sure, you haven’t experienced it. Most of the time it is not an issue. When it is an issue, it is a BIG issue. My experience is that it only happens on concrete highways and not on all concrete highways. It does happen consistently on the same highways or stretch of highway. I’m not trying to get into a debate, but I don’t think it is the suspension. When it is happening, it feels like the vehicle is porpoising/bucking coupled with a noticeable (not extreme) twisting movement in the bed. The porpoising suggests frame; the twisting could suggest suspension, but could also be frame. I think the issue is frame flexibility, not suspension. I believe this is due to the resonant frequency of this relatively flexible frame corresponding too closely to the inputs caused by driving over certain concrete highways at highway speeds. Changes to suspension components may influence the bounce by dampening the inputs and altering the input frequency, but I believe the inherent problem still exists…it’s just masked (which may be good enough if the symptoms are cured).
The other day, it was so bad that a colleague and I were physically unable to talk until we were off a stretch of highway. Everything just came out like uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh,uh.
I absolutely love every other aspect of my truck, but this is REALLY (Toyota, are you listening?) annoying when it happens. Toyota should address the issue whatever the cause.
Here are the three best videos I’ve found to show what it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U6KmwB2LyY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSThOupAOcE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNgHHtvzmu4
Further to the bed/cab bounce issue. As per my earlier post, I noticed an improvement when I got rid of the biltsteins. Couple of weeks ago I installed Rancho 9000 adjustable in the rear. What a great difference. The ride is fantastically improved. On the soft setting, no bounce to complain about so far. Mid setting even better than biltsteins. On the stiff setting, rides like it did with the biltsteins, lots of bounce. For myself, the ranchos have solved the problem. Now when I hit something, there is no repeat bouncing at all.
I feel there is some harshness in the front also, and will shortly replace the front shocks also withe the rancho 9000. This is a cheap solution and worth the few dollars they cost. I would be interested to hear, if anyone else has tried these. I consider the problem solved. Why toyota has not come up front and solved this and replaced the badly suited biltsteins, I would like to know.
Cheers
sak
Admin – if you are still in the Denver area and want to feel this for yourself go to Castle Rock and head north on I-25. I have a DC and that is where I feel it the worst.
AS I said may 10, installing rancho 9000 in the back helped the bed bounce issue noticeably. I have now added a pair of Firestone air bags also. I am running only 10 lbs air on the empty truck, and must say the ride now is about as good as I have seen in a truck. It is actually very good and there is room for adjustments for heavier loads with both the air bags and shocks. The air bags seem to dampen the shaking that is built into this truck. These mods are cheap and make the ride very acceptable.
cheers
sak
Brian – I was in Denver recently but didn’t have a chance to drive that stretch. You’re not the first person to mention it and it’s on my list of things to do.
Toyota has overbuilt the Tundra in many areas: Rear axle is huge, Brakes are huge, engine is so overkill I’ve put a wooden block to stop me from throttling so much. Even the little things like the anti-roll bar, drive shaft, and U-joints (1480x spicer!) are NOT 1/2 size….Also, it is QUIET, which I like when driving a lot. With that said, I have a 07′ 5.7 with a Full Bed about 25k miles now. In Socal on the 5 it jitters like no other as parts of the freeway are wavy like going North from Dana Point to Lake Forest in particular. I attribute it to:
1) Leaf pack/Suspension – Although there are only 4 I put ridiculous amounts of weight in the back (2000-3000) lbs reg. and then it’s really smooth usually with at least 500+ in the back, which tells me that the engineers made them super stiff at the factory. All shocks (I’ve gone through 4 sets in the rear) aren’t really tuned very well for just average driving, but perform admirably when needed.
2) Wheelbase – At least in my case, the wheelbase + extra cab makes this truck immensely long and I expected the jitter; but this is bad, don’t get it twisted. I’d go to the bathroom prior to getting the truck for more than 10 minutes.
3) Frame – it’s not weak, B.S. I tow all the time and it handles fine. If you fully box this frame it would shake worse because it would be torsionally too stiff. However, in the rear it angles inward – thus the leaf as mentioned is at an angle toward center, which I feel tends to kick the rear of the truck back forward, thus the wobble.
3) Experience = Tuning – Chevy, Dodge, and Ford in particular all have lots of experience under their belt and they are still the benchmark for Toyota to follow in the same way that the 3 series BMW is to cars. The suspension on the Fords in particular (I’ve owned a Chevy and a Ford) is very well tuned from the factory and Toyota needs to pay some coin to get how Ford and Chevy does it.
On the flipside, chevy/ford needs to pay some coin on how to get their transmissions to last past 100k without a torque converter blowing out, or an 02 sensor killing the entire engine….
I am very happy with my truck. I don’t feel it was a waste of money…YET. I’ll let everyone know when/if I reach 150k without rebuilding anything.
My 2 cents – I’m going with some Deavers/Alcans leaf springs later with a larger pack and longer to see if this can eliminate a little bit of the wobble, but really I think it is the angle at which the leaf spring sit and what the leaves are tuned for.
I have had my 07 DC 5.7L now for about 2.5 years and I do a serious commute of about 140 miles a day roundtrip. I now have 82,000 miles on the truck with no mechanical problems whatsoever. Bed bounce? Yes and as I said before, I have switched to Michelins and have a Willybar installed, both of which help on these SoCal freeways.
My question is, when the shocks need replacing, what should I go with? I need some advice here and obvously would like to smooth out the ride even further. Thanks for your help.
Well I own a Toyota Tundra and have yet to have any problems with it, but then again I don’t live in California.
But I would like to make one simple comment, As a member of the DOD having served in the sandbox, I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt when it comes to a Tundra, GM, or a Ford truck, the Tundra as far as toughness and reliability beats any other Truck out there, and believe me we really tested them hard, and we abused them beyond anything you can imagine and the Tundras kept on trucking, while we were towing off the Fords and GM’s for broken axles, bent frames , etc, the Tundras kept on going.
I was not a fan of Toyota nor had I ever owned one until I was sent overseas and when I ended up being forced to drive one because all our domestic Trucks had broken down. I became a fan and I don’t ever see going back to any other truck in the near future and I truly hope those out there having problems with the bed bounce, will be helped by Toyota, because it would be shame to see such a good truck go down over this issue that could be resolved if they would listen to their customers.
What sand box did you go too? Must not have been the same. The only Toyota I seen overthere where Hulks, you know the Tacoma knock offs. You must have been in the same sandbox as Mikey. The floating kind.
Anonymous why can’t you get it through your head not all Tundra’s have this problem. What the real problem here is you just can’t accept the fact the Toyota’s are better than your kind. So since you can’t win let’s just go to their site and put them down….. Grow up Anonymous I know that’s why you couldn’t put your name down because of the shame you have…..
Anonymous – How you graduated high school is beyond me – not only is your logic piss-poor, but your manners are awful too. The guy that you’re so willing to criticize isn’t afraid to list his name and send us pictures of his truck, yet you won’t put your name down when you post. Pathetic.
Mikey, you are one lucky guy. You have one of the only trucks without any of these problems.
Admin, you talk about awful manners but didn’t you post the trend that Dodges are going to be made by Toyota? By reading all these comments sounds like it should have been “Toyota stands for Quality” APRIL FOOLS!!!!
hank – Uh – what?
Hank ask around other Tundra websites and you will get the same answer you got from me. The only ones here have the issue that’s why they state it here. I take it you’re just a sore loser…..
Mickey, here is that non Toyota owner again….just kidding. I recently had to take a last minute trip to South Alabama from where I live in Kansas.
On the road the bouncing bed came to mind, so I started watching them. I saw tons of Tundras with all kinds of configurations. I also took note of what kind of road I was driving on to determine weather it was affecting the bounce. I dilligently looked to find a bouncing bed, but never saw anything close to a bounce on any of them. I thought I was going to get back without a single bed bounce, and then about an hour south of Wichita…
Ironically it was on a white 5.7 DC. What caught me even more by surpise is that it was towing a trailer with about a 24′ sailboat on it. The road was one of the smoothest I had driven on the whole trip. I was truely surprised to see the bed gaps expand and contract. From what the owners have written a load makes the bounce go away or at least minimizes it.
I must have seen about 50+ Tundras and saw only 1 with the issue. Just thought you guys might find this interesting.
BTW..that F150 sure did travel good…just kidding….actually I have spent more time here than on the F150online website.
Haha I fixed the bed bounce – doesn’t happen anymore in L.A. with the camper shell!
Jason on a different note here’s a copy of the Recall statement.
Toyota to recall 3.8M vehicles over floor mats
Toyota to recall 3.8M vehicles over floor mats that could cause accelerator to get stuck
By Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer
On Tuesday September 29, 2009, 6:02 pm EDT
Buzz up! 7 Print
WASHINGTON (AP) — Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it will recall 3.8 million vehicles in the United States, the company’s largest-ever U.S. recall, to address problems with a removable floor mat that could cause accelerators to get stuck and lead to a crash. The recall will involve popular models such as the Toyota Camry, the top-selling passenger car in America, and the Toyota Prius, the best-selling gas-electric hybrid.
Toyota said it was still working with officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to find a remedy to fix the problem and said owners could be notified about the recall as early as next week. Toyota spokesman Irv Miller said until the company finds a fix, owners should take out the removable floor mat on the driver’s side and not replace it.
“A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop a vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death,” Miller said.
Toyota and the government issued separate warnings to owners of Toyota and Lexus vehicles about the safety problems tied to the floor mats.
“This is an urgent matter,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. “For everyone’s sake, we strongly urge owners of these vehicles to remove mats or other obstacles that could lead to unintended acceleration.”
The recall will affect 2007-2010 model year Toyota Camry, 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, 2004-2009 Toyota Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350.
Toyota’s previously largest U.S. recall was about 900,000 vehicles in 2005 to fix a steering issue. The company declined to say how many complaints it had received about the accelerator issue.
NHTSA said it had received reports of 102 incidents in which the accelerator may have become stuck on the Toyota vehicles involved.
The Japanese automaker warned owners that if they think their vehicle is accelerating out of control, they should check to see whether their floor mat is under the pedal. If a driver can’t remove the floor mat, Toyota advises drivers to step on the brake pedal with both feet until the vehicle slows and then try to put it into neutral and switch the ignition to accessory power.
For vehicles with engine start/stop buttons, Toyota said the engine can be shut off by holding the button down for three seconds.
The safety concern was prompted by a fiery crash in California that killed four family members in August near San Diego. The crash killed California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor, 45, and three others on State Route 125 in Santee.
The runaway car was traveling at more than 120 mph when it hit a sport utility vehicle, launched off an embankment, rolled several times and burst into flames.
In mid-September, Toyota ordered 1,400 Toyota and Lexus dealers nationwide to ensure that each new, used and loaner vehicles had the proper floor mats and that the mats were properly secured.
In September 2007, Toyota recalled an accessory all-weather floor mat sold for use in some 2007 and 2008 model year Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry vehicles because of similar problems.
For more information, consumers can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s hotline at (888) 327-4236, Toyota at (800) 331-4331 or Lexus at (800) 255-3987.
I personally have both the cloth mat and the weather mat on top and both are hooked together. The hook doesn’t move with both of them together. It states not to do this but when the hook doesn’t move the mat won’t slide off. I have both mats on my 07 Tundra and 07 Prius now for over 2 years with not 1 issue with that. I think what they have here is a Walmart brand doing this problem or an unattentitive driver. The unattentitive driver never looked at the mats before they got in to even see the hooks are even there.
Slight “bed bounce” only every now and again. Not only at mid speed 50-70, but at higher speed it is very bad. I was on I-75 in Kentucky and ” bed bounced” damn near all the way across the bridge i was on. Scarred the hell out of me. Thought the truck was coming apart. That honestly has only happened a few times. Other than that it is the baddest truck on the face of the planet. I will never own a different truck although I really hope that Toyota decides to help the customer on this and I would bet it is just a matter of time before something is done about it. I did have the 5k service done on it at the dealership and told them about it. They said ” Sir, we will look into it and let you know what we find”. They said they couldnt duplicate the problem and the truck was fine. Kind of bothers me that they acted like they had no clue what I was talking about. Oh well I can understand that, because they really couldnt have given me an answer anyway. 08′ SR5 / 5.7 bad to the BONE. Just come up with a fix please TOYOTA and dont make me pay for it. $36k for a big vibrator is a bit steep, but a damn good vibrator it is.
One other thing I forgot… I never had even heard of this bed bounce until it happened to me 3 months ago. I just now “today 10-11-09” found this site by accident and I will be damned… Here the whole time I thought maybe I was going crazy. It has never happened with any passengers in the truck and like i said in my previous blog, its only happened a handfull of times. My dad has the exact same truck and has never said one word to me about it. Although he is old and drives slow…
Dave what makes it hard to duplicate is either the road or in your case the bridge has those lips at the joints and it’s perfect with the harmonic balance of the truck. I haven’t experienced it except on a bridge here in Jax, florida. I don’t go over it but seldom. It also bounced every truck I had. I do agree they should try to find a fix for this.
Agreed Micky, those lips at the joints will cause many to complain about this issue.
Seems to me a bunch of people want the ‘perfect’ truck… IT DOESN’T EXSIST! I offroad my 08 Tundra and it is a beast. We also have a 02 Tundra with TRD and the 08 smashes the 02. I can haul ass and run it into some nasty dips, washboards, ext.. and my 08 outpreforms the 02 TRD. I drive my 08 everywhere between Montana and Missouri. Never have I had a bed bouncing issue at all… Loaded or unloaded. Really folks.. you are a bunch of whinners. Go ahead and buy a GMC, Chevy, Ford, or Dodge… I’ll pass ya on the interstate in 15 years going 80mph with 300,000 miles on my Toyota while your on your third Domestic.
Every truck has an issue or two. Dont even get me started on Fords. ‘Freaking Owner Really Dumb’. Dang F150 hit 100,000 miles and the Engine, Transmission, and A/C all went out at the same time at 11:00 pm on the interstate with the Temperature at 15*. How do I know the A/C went out.. we checked everything to see what all worked and didn’t work. Thanks Ford. I’ll take some bed bounce from Toyota any day. Thats if mine ever did bounce, which it doesn’t.
I have not read the whole page; however, when I read that the Tundra was driven all over Denver, they did not notice any real bed bounce. Maybe if they left Denver and drove to Castle Rock (20 minute drive), they would have more than notice it. The trip seems as though you are in a paint mixer. If I had to drive that route every day, I would not own this truck.
My 2007 Tundra just went past 100,000 miles. No mechanical problems. Installed a WillyBar some time ago to help the bounce here in SoCal. I have learned to live with this problem but in a category that Tundra should be utimately concerned with, that of returning buyers, I will never buy another Tundra or recommend one. It is an inferior truck condering overall engineering. Couple that with the attitude Toyota has had toward this bounce issue, it makes buying another one a sheer act of stupidity. Thanks for the experience but no thanks on another gamble with Tundra or Toyota.
Paul I hear what you’re saying. I understand the feeling. Where you live at and also somewhere near Denver the roads are the same with the lips causing the harmonic balance hence the bed bounce. Toyota should look into that issue but being it less than 5% of the vehicles had that issue and knowing it’s partly due to the roads Toyota doesn’t seem to want to budge on that issue.
I have a 2010 two week old DC and drove home 3 hrs from from dealer in SF bay area with a very smooth ride. I have owned Ford and GM HD’s and in comparison, the Tundra handles very well and in my opinion far superior. I remember reading this article last fall, and last night I drove to LAX and back to San Luis Obispo and US 101 sb and nb in Ventura are horrible. However… The ride I experience last night was no different than my ’04 2500 HD was on the exact piece of hwy. I drove my brothers ’08 Sierra *1500* to Norcal and the so called “bed bounce” was also experienced mildly. People need to realize that these suspensions on these trucks of all makes are built to load thousands of pounds and if they want a Caddi-type ride then buy a SUV and a trailer. Also take a 15 ft vehicle, slap a cab and 4 Adults in the center, don’t expect limousine, that’s what a Tahoe is for. Uneducated consumers are to blame for not being happy, not the manufacture for not making everyone happy. Buy a GM and most likely find a Lemon Law Attorney, bet you would take the “Bed Bounce”.
Great post Al. A different point of view.
Thank You Mickey, I just think that people need to understand things a little better. I learned from experience, and by doing so I do my research. People want car-trucks, and IMO there is no such thing. I hate bed bounce too, and the worst I ever experienced was in the Sierra 2500 HD, not saying the Tundra wouldn’t have, but it is what trucks do when not under a load. That goes for light trucks, HD trucks all the way up to commercial trucks. I love my Tundra and it’s only 2 weeks old.
Al their is some contradicting area’s of your comment.
–
First you state “I have owned Ford and GM HD
First of all Josh, handling… bed bounce… figure it out. Are you trying to combine and say handling the bed bounce? I was putting handling as a whole i.e. suspension, body roll, traction etc.
Second… The road which you drive is what causes bed bounce, correct? Or do you believe something else does?
Third, my favorite as well… What are you trying to say? Did I put the “worst” and “the exact same hwy” together? Did I put anywhere in my personally owned vehicles a Dodge Ram? Also, do you not agree on what was I believe was mentioned somewhere earlier on this page and I will add to it, that the Tundra is or could be compared to a 1/2 ton HD, in which GM put out until the Tundra 2nd gen debuted, that was a 2500 w/out HD behind it.
Read my post, then read yours and think about it. maybe back pedal a little… I don’t know.
Merry Christmas All !!
There it was the back pedal, “I will add to it, that the Tundra is or could be compared to a 1/2 ton HD, in which GM put out until the Tundra 2nd gen debuted, that was a 2500 w/out HD behind it” to bad every 2500 you mentioned had the HD behind it. I was giving you the benefit of the doubt asking about the Ram. Happy Holiday (don’t want to offend anyone).
No offense taken. Regardless, they all experience ” Bed Bounce “.
quoted…
” I hate bed bounce too, and the worst I ever experienced was in the Sierra 2500 HD, not saying the Tundra wouldn
Al I Understood exactly what you meant. You have to understand Joshua is here to make sure the Tundra gets bashed. Al if you read all the threads Joshua did mentioned he owned an 09 Rock Warrior. Since that writing he hasn’t said a word about it thinking no one actually reads and he can go on about trashing the Tundra. So he’s determined to find fault witheveryone but himself since he has failed to state his claim of the 09 Rock Warrior. So he acts like a pissed off owner who thought his truck should be a car.
Al here is his statement:
joshua Said in December 14th, 2009 @8:57 pm I just bought a 09 Rock Warrior and can wait, I figured with people making such big deals out of normal stuff I will never have to do anything. I already know how to get my first oil change, wait on the light. What is the plan for when the brakes wear out? Any idea about the tires. Someone need to start thinking about this now. I don
Al my statement above. You need to remember I’m the village idiot as per Joshua. Yes he knows it all and yet never owned a truck.
Btw Joshua it’s “Merry Christmas ans Happy New Years”. That’s what I believe in period.
Right on Mickey !! Enough to make me laugh, it’s fun and entertaining. I am no perfect shopper or consumer by any means, but imagine if everyone were perfect consumers. Where would we be today?
I find it pretty funny what joshua wrote. He was stating how owners can seem to get anything fixed and how its all Toyota’s fault in the eye of the owner. Maybe just for once the owner was lazy and did not do the proper maintenance, or was just use to getting spoiled. He was not making fun of Toyota but the whining owners. The funny part is some of you are so ignorant you can’t see it. You are apparently the ones he is speaking of!
My 08 DC 4X4 LTD bounces all over the place. I live in Eastern Canada and we have some pretty crappy roads. I live on a dirt lane and the truck bed shakes like a siv. I was really surprised by this. I’ve had many, many Toyota trucks and also currently have an 93 T100 and have never experienced this problem before in anything but the Tundra. I love the truck but I have to drive her pretty slow down the dirt roads. The bed looks like she is going to shake loose!
Hey Al,
Just to let you know, I never “expected” a limo ride from my Tundra nor am I an “uneducated consumer”. In fact, I have owned other trucks, Fords, and my last was a GMC, all in SoCal, so I am well aware of the rides of these other brands on the same roads that I take every morning to work in my Tundra. I am no novice about truck rides. What I am saying is that on the same roads , at the same speeds etc. etc., the Tundra is a ride disaster by comparison. No expectations here other than I expected the ride to be at least as good as the Fords and GMC, certainly no worse. In that consideration, and the response of Toyota to the problem, and it is a problem, I will never again own a Tundra. Just one person comprising the 5%.
Just bought 2010 tundra dbl cab short bed. I installed the system one ladder racks. Try hauling a 24′ stage with that bed bounce! Not fun at all.
I find it interesting, comments made on how this does not effect many people and low percentages. I have an 07 Tundra 4X4 Double cab, and as one other 07 Tundra 4X4 DC owner stated, I have a bounce, a MAJOR bounce on concrete freeways, he being in Southern Calif. and myself in Northern Calif. Fortunately I live in the in the mountains and do not have to experience the bed bounce everyday, if I did I would get rid of the truck. I actually love the truck as long as I don’t drive on the freeway much. In my area many of the roads have concrete then switch back to asphalt then back to concrete and back again. The moment I am on aspalt the ride smooths out instantly.
Toyota, has a real issue. I remember the sales guy stating how proud they were of their frame technolgy in the NEW Tundra. Can’t remember the exact details, but something to the effect of a boxed frame in one area, extra stiffening in another and some other type for a better ride comfort. Blah, blah, blah. Other than the bounce and the “Diesel sounding” startups on a cold morning from the lifter noise, the truck is great !
Hey All,
It’s not just the Tundra that has this problem. I have a 2007 Tacoma with the same issue. I’ve informed my local Toyota dealer about the problem and they informed me that they have had NO issues with this Model or year. Well, I’m here to tell you, you are DEAD WRONG!!! I’ve put 250 to 500 lbs of weight in the bed. I’ve yet to find a weight that will lessen the BOUNCE. At 500lbs I bottom out on the highways here in Colorado and at 250lbs (what I have in my bed now) it lessens the BOUNCE but only a minimal correction. Oh – and because of the BOUNCE – if you have to break fast at any time on a concreted highway – your anti lock breaks try to engage – NOT GOOD!!!
I owned a 2008 SR5 with a double cab and 6 1/2 foot bed with no bed bounce and just bought a 2010 RockWarrior with a crew cab and a 5 1/2 foot bed with no bounce either. I live in Washington State, maybe I am ignorant and dont know what concrette freeways are but I have driven both trucks long distances and have not seen any bounce. Are there no concrette freeways here?
This from a Toyota tech:
Originally Posted by HEMI LOL
Ok all, this is the first i’ve seen this thread (im blind apparently) so now for my comments i’m sure everyone expected already…………. lol
First thing first. Ever notice if you drive an old truck how they are just plain rattle traps????? Thats what happens if you build one TOO stiff, they will just rattle apart. case in point (anyone ever drove a tundra that rattled that way?) nope and its because the truck is built with “COMPLIANCE” on purpose. Remember this quote “Rigidity does not equal durability” Lets examine why this is true
1. If you use a box frame what will happen if you overload it? Just like any box structure it will “KINK” this is why you see pickups going down the road where the bed and cab dont line up anymore…..(you’ve all seen that huh) its the american way, we expect more than its designed for so a c-channel will give a little so it can be “overloaded” and then when the weight is removed it will return to its original position, remember those frames are tempered.
2. i read a comment about cost, FYI the Tundra frame cost 42% MORE than the hydroformed frame on the ford! the frame rail is not as thick as a 3/4 or 1 ton simply because its not designed for that weight. also, the F-250, F-350-550, F650-850, GM 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500,ect. and dodge 3500 cab and chassis and bigger ALL HAVE THE SAME STYLE FRAME AS THE TUNDRA and its not because of upfitters, its for “compliance”.
3. WE DONT have an ear hanging off the side of the rear frame rail to hold the spring shackle, everyone else does so they are forced to counter the “torsional load” exerted the spring trying to twist the frame rail inward. Ever look at your tundra springs????? the rear spring shackle sits DIRECTLY under the frame rail, therefore NO TORSIONAL TWISTING FORCE on the frame. Also, this makes the rear leaf springs on the tundra to be “toed out” or “Trapazoidal” as Toyota calls it. This also keeps the rear end from having “AXLE WALK” which we know as that scary feeling called sway. Everyone else has Parallel springs so they need to BEEF up there setup to do the same thing we do. Put Point blank, the tundra was designed to last 20 years being beat to death.
4. If you build a super stiff frame, every single bump moves straight through the frame rail and into your SEAT. This is why the Ford rides like an UNSPRUNG HAYWAGON! This causes you fatigue and when you get out of the truck after a long ride you cant walk without moaning of how bad you hurt. Ever notice after a long ride you hop out of tundra with no problem?
5. Another way to describe this is the Tundra’s frame will allow the Rear axle to BETTER stay in contact with the pavement because it helps Dampen the blows. WE ALSO HAVE STAGGERED SHOCKS TO HELP WITH AXLE TRAMP, and the F150 only has shocks mounted in front of the axle instead of staggered as they should be.
6. One more…… Everyone else uses a “Butt mount hitch” on their truck, meaning the hitch assembly only mounts to the rear frame horns. The Tundra has a class V hitch that is attached to the frame 2.5 FEET Forward on the frame rail by 6 bolts on each side! the Class V hitch is designed for 15,000lbs!!!!!!!! Far more than the Tundra is designed for, why? because its built heavier than it needs to be so it stands up to ANY abuse you give it.
And for a closing point. the “bed bounce” referred to is due to the 146 inch wheelbase. thats the california highway issue, they deemed this to be simply a “harmonics issue” as i have understood it. Also, as said before in a different comment. If you changed the speed you WOULD get a TOTALLY different result because of Harmonics. FORD IS KING OF FALSE ADVERTISEMENT! always has been and i’ll bet on always will be. I’m done ranting now………..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8M7VHLaBcM
Anonymous – Those are all good points. I’ve heard that argument a couple of times now, and I definitely think it has merit. My problem is, why isn’t Toyota making this argument? Ford’s got their YouTube videos showing a shaking bed, why doesn’t Toyota do a frame design ‘documercial’ that discusses the benefits of a frame with a little flex?
Sorry Jason my computer is having an exorcist. I just got my memory cards to work to get pics from the camera and now the sound quits. Everytime I post it kicks my name off and I have to log back in. My comments above.
I agree Jason but we know Toyota is slow in coming forth with anything these days. I don’t mind being the turtle but some days I would like to be the hare also.
And that Mickey, is exactly one of the problems. I have said many times that I live in California and am no stranger to the “bed bounce” concrete freeway issues. I have found that Toyota, no matter the issue, refuses, unless forced to, recognize any problems. This bed bounce issue has been all over the internet ever since my ’07 DC Tundra came out and I will bet that I can still take my truck into Capistrano Toyota and asked them about the problem and they will still say that they “haven’t heard anything about this occuring”. You know, we are all not idiots and this approach to customer problems with Toyota products is not doing Toyota any good. Now let’s say it is not a problem and just begs an explanation. But even that was not forthcoming and meanwhile we are all watching Ford videos making our $40K truck purchases look like the biggest mistake of our lives. Now I am ranting. To wrap it all up, I have the WillyBar installed and have had it for over 2.5 years and it solves 60% of the bed bouce issue. My problem now has boiled down to the Toyota patented response on this issue from Corporate to dealers and not the truck itself. I have 114,000 on the truck. No mechanical problems. Maybe I just needed a tech to tell me why I bounce so much and rather than being told I don’t bounce and it is just a truck. Thanks for the explanation from the tech. It helps.
Maybe Paul we need to take one of the CEO’s for a ride on the bed bounce highway to get their attention.
Just so you know, Toyota is not and will not go tit for tat just to prove a point to these Ford lovers that will not buy their trucks even if they knew the truth about their beloved truck. They have a reputation of not bragging on themseleves just to be glorified. They know that intelligent researchers buy Toyota products and does not need some Hillbilly who follows some ageless crap that their paw told them with hatred pouring from his lips. Don’t be left behind like some of my personal competitors and finally realize that Toyota built a truck that will out do, out last and down right kick the competitions @##$$!
I found this on TT.
http://www.tundratalk.net/foru.....eting.html
Mickey – Good link – I’m seeing if I can get anything on it from my sources.
I owned a 2007 tundra 4.0 double cab for about 3 years and enjoy the truck very much. I have about 50,000 miles currently on the truck. So far i manage to drive all over California on and off road and never experience any type of bounce. Most of the time the bed is pretty empty and i exceed the legal speed limit. Well i hope in the future and the issues will be fix for the rest of the Tundra owners that are experiencing this problem.
After test driving a plain double cab in 2007 the bed bounce had me going back to ford. Mt dealer asked me to try one with the TRD pasckage and it was much better. I ordered a new truck with the TRD package. After 3 years my lease is due, I went back to the dealer and drove two new 2010’s and both were terrible “Bed bounce” as compared to my 2007. Even with the incentives to get me into a new truck, I’m purchasing my old one. I custom ordered the truck and cant get into the same options without ordering another. Think I got lucky.
Kim
I just purchased a 2010 Tundra Double Cab with the 6.6′ bed and the bed bounce is pronounced. I happen to drive one of the worst freeways in California daily and it’s getting annoying quick. On my 97 Dodge Ram, I did add some weight to the back, which dampened it some, but was still a pain. Hopefully, I can find a inexpensive fix quick besides adding bags of concrete.
Milt – There’s a TSB out that might help: https://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2010/09/20/toyota-finally-addresses-bed-bounce/
I purchased a 2011 Tundra 4X4 CrewMAX Short Bed in October. The bed bounce became evident by the end of the first week.
Not knowing of the bed bounce issue, I took my Tundra to the dealer that sold it to me, and they “balanced” the tires (They did not know of the TSB); the problem returned and I took it to a different dealer three days later for a second balancing (first job was poor).
The second dealer had heard of the bed bounce TSB and performed the rear cab mount replacement.
Although, they replaced the rear cab mounts for me, the bounce still occurs; since the bounce is not completely predictable, there’s only so much I can do to minimize it. The bounce occurs around 45-55 mph, and I am forced to endure a lot of vibration, or slow down traffic, due to the high number of 45-50 mph speed zones where I live.
And, if your tires are out of balance, as mine were, this factor aggravates the poor ride.
I am taking my Tundra to the dealer tomorrow and insisting something be done about both the repeat balancing problem and bed bounce. Am also considering contacting the state attorney general to see if this falls within the Lemon Law.
I really like my Tundra, but this bed bounce is bad enough to be a deal breaker for me.
I have had my o7 DC since May of 07. Within in couple of months, I installed a Willybar with 3 plates, not four. The ride was greatly improved, not solved, but improved. If your Tundra is out of warranty, as is mine at over 3.5 years and 133,000 miles, I would definitely consider the Willybar. It is the best money you will invest in the truck. While there are still freeways in SoCal which will throw you out of the cab, even with the Willybar, they are not near as common. I will not own another Tundra and this is due to the unwillingness of Toyota to deal with this problem or even admit it did exist. That is until recently. I have little respect for a company which sells a major product and then leaves it up to the customer to solve the defects. Been there, done that!!
My 2008 Crewmax short-bed has this problem; several relatively new stretches of concrete highway between St Robert, MO and St Louis, MO cause a pronounced bed bounce, one stretch particularly problematice that only is mitigated by driving well below the posted limit or well above it. I took one suggestion of a tundra owner who installed the Ranch 9000XL shocks, and installed a pair on the rear. At three notches above the lowest setting I’ve experienced about a 50-percent reduction in the bounce, excepting the worst stretch on the concrete highway of pain. It would seem that someone would be able to develop a simple progressive leaf-spring assembly that could alleviate some of this damping problem. When I can afford it, I’ll get a set of Ranchos for the front; I can easily tell the difference in hitting certain known bumps between the front stock shocks and the rear Rancho’s.
Update to my Nov 14, 2010 entry:
Contacted Toyota Customer Service in California to report the continued bounce problem. They contacted my local dealer; at first, the dealer was hesitant to help, since they had already installed the new rear cab mounts. I honestly think they weren’t sure what to do at this point.
But, I insisted they check the tires and the shop foreman discovered 3 out of 4 wheels (factory steel model) were not true. The shop foreman replaced them, and combined with the new cab mounts, there is considerable improvement in ride quality. In fact, it’s very good now.
I have had two tire balancings and a rotation since mid-November. My Tundra has Bridgestone Deueler H/T 684II tires and factory wheels. I opted for the lifetime balance and it’s been worth it, since I average 3,000+ miles monthly.
First I want to preface by stating I drive an average of 2,000 miles of mostly freeway driving each month and I’ve driven full-sized pickup trucks since the early 1980’s so I pretty much know what a ride in a pickup truck usually feels like. In June, when my 2010 Tundra 5.7 Limited was less than a month old, I brought it back to the dealer to complain about the choppy ride. Right from the start, I got the run-around from the Toyota Dealer telling me they “never heard of the bounce problem”. They then told me when I had only owned my truck about six weeks that I should “trade it in” if I didn’t like the way it jumped all over the road. So I tried the sand bags…..200 pounds at first, then gradually upped it to 400 pounds; since Toyota would not own up to a problem, I also paid out of my own pocket to have my shocks changed when I had only about a thousand miles on the truck, and finally about a month ago Toyota came out with a TSB and so the dealer changed the rear cab mounts…but nothing worked to resolve the violent bed bounce. (Toyota’s idea of a fix is a joke!) So yesterday I resolved the bed bounce problem once and for-all. After only owning my 2010 Tundra for less than seven months, I traded it in for a 2011 Silverado. Yes, I took a financial hit, but the ride was so unbearable in the Tundra (my wife literally got headaches and was getting vision problems) I felt I just needed to get rid of it because in addition to being extremely harsh riding, I felt it was dangerous and may even rattle apart. There were times driving in So. Cal that the truck bounced and shook so violently (especially on the 405) that I could hardly hold onto the steering wheel and keep the truck in my lane. Forget about driving it in wet weather! Toyota fooled me once, but they’ll never get that chance again. People would ask me how I liked the Tundra; I made sure to tell them about the terrible harsh ride, how Toyota tried to act as if they had never heard of the problem, how the Dealer’s Service Manager told me to just “trade it in” when it was practically brand new, and about the supposed cab-mount “fix” when Toyota must know full well they have a serious design problem on their hands with the Tundra.
I have an 08 Tundra and have numerous areas of surface rust on rear bumper and around both fog lamps. Also noticed just today that chrome was peeling off of front end grill,which appears plastic. This is truly pathetic and maybe reason enough for me to go back to Ford or GM. Guess I should have expected no less as my first one I bought in 2000 that I sold to my brother,just had to have the frame replaced d/t same. It was so bad that the spare tire nearly fell off from underneath. When I bought the 2000,Toyota insisted that I didn’t need to undercoat it. I got the 08 undercoated,so at least maybe just the bumpers and grill will fall off going down the road.
Jeff, I had the same trouble with my front grill on my 07 DC. It was out of warranty on the mileage but not on the time (less than 2 years) and I raised so much hell about the “plastic” grill that the dealer agreed to replace it if I paid for the labor. It is just the general quality of this vehicle, excluding the horrible engineering regarding the bed bounce issue, that is additionally so disappointing. I have had to replace the passenger side window motor, the radio, the rear bumper (manu defect), the plastic grill, a leaky battery and all brackets holding it and a couple of other items. The truck is just not made well and will be my last Tundra.
As a prospective buyer of a double cab short bed 5.7 Tundra, I thought I would search to find more about this “bed bound” especially after that EXTREMELY carefully selected test by Ford. Well I found it interesting that nobody bothered to investigate the reasons why “heavy duty”/big boys use the C-channel frame design. There are multitude of reasons:
1 – Cheap, it is WAY easier to manufacture a c-channel than a box steel frame, as well as it is easier to maintain quality control, etc, etc, etc
2 – Flex, the reason semi’s, box trucks, heavy duties use the c-channel is flexing under heavy load. Why is the cab separate from the cargo box in a truck, flex under load (el camino cracking anyone???). When starting under heavy load (box or towing) the frame is under severe torsional loads, this will cause cracking in the frame.
3 – Ease of producibility, it is stupid easy to access a bolt/hole in a c-channel. try reaching inside of a box frame to hold a nut, its just easier to make, one of the reasons you find welded nuts (easier to assemble parts).
Toyota rep is to call and meet with me after new year to assess my rusting tundra.Don’t know if I’ll be out of warranty,but,if i am,I will surely be a dickhead with him just the same. I have 39,500 on it and bought it in 10/08,however I did purchase the additional bumper to bumper 5yr/100,000 warranty,so,hopefully this will suffice if I’m outa warranty. I can see them being goons about it as they refused to pay for my warped exhaust manifold on my first tundra as it had 39,000 on it. That Toyota engineering and machining marvel ended up costing me $450.00 out of my pocket. That was the same 2000 d/c truck I mentioned selling to my brother which subsequently had the frame rust out on it. Back to the 08, I’m told that chattering noise coming from the top end of the engine when cold,is a commonality in the 5.7’s and is totally benign,I am having a tough time buying that claim also. Can someone tell me if the 5.7’s have an oil cooler on them as my 4.6 did? This most likely will be my last Tundra.
Jeff,
I will tell you that the chattering noise you hear is indeed a fact of life with the 5.7s. My ’07 has 139,000 on it and it still chatters in the morning, even in the mild California weather and in a garage all night. I guess if it were a serious problem, something would have happened by now. It is unnerving though to listen to it. Just another irritating fact but when the Toyota dealers just dismiss everything as something inherent in the truck, you begin to wonder what “inherent” really means and if it is just an excuse to get you out of their hair.
I have a 2004 F150 SCREW Lariat, which the dealer and Ford said the front-end bounce was normal after they couldn’t fix it. The other manufacturers’ products aren’t always better.
I’m new here and I’m thinking about replacing my current 1/2 ton truck with a Tundra. What is the latest with this issue? Has Toyota found the problem with the the bed bounce issue and fixed it in the 2010-2011 models?
Paul!!
I’m planning to buy a new 2011 Tundra MaxiCab 4WD, and was concerned as well. Ultimately, though…. I will still buy, as Item #6 at the top of this article explains. Less than 5% of Tundra owners experience this, and that pretty much goes for all manufactures… For me, less than 5% is not an issue
Ahh, that should have been… CrewMax [above], and not MaxiCab! LOL!!!
I recently bought an 08 5.7L Tundra. The bed bounce on the concrete portion of I-25 North of Denver to Wyoming is unbelievable. Is there anything I can do to have this fixed? I am about to have my first child and I don not want to risk driving a truck with an issue that is this dangerous. What is my best plan to have this problem fixed? Has Toyota owned up to this yet?
I have a 2011 Tundra Platinum purchased early January. I have the same issues of excessive bouncing on the freeways. Hoping there is a solution soon besides loading 150 pounds in the bed.
I just bought a 2012 crewmax 5.7 and had no idea about bed bounce. Until I drove it home from the dealer at 75 mph…. I was heading South of Denver. Teeth rattling and vision blurring bounce! Unacceptable!
Hey guys I have a 2012 Rock Warrior I have bed bounce also I thought it was because of the road and thought it was the shocks..who knows not a big deal as long as it doesn’t break something…
I have a 2010 tundra 4×4 and I had a
lot of bed bounce it was bad check ur
Recalls it is amazing the difference
BedBounce and the dealer found a
recall for that
and it now is as smooth as an suv
I highly recommend this recall
I drove off the lot and the truck bounced all
Over the road I called Toyota and they
Told me about this recall it’s amazing 2
2 years later and my truck drives like a
Car the best recall ask Toyota they will set u
Up
Gregg g,
What recall? What did they do? Will they preform it on a 2007?
Miles L.
Miles if I’m not right, they put some rubber grommets between the cab and frame that actually soften the ride. I never had the recall done. I never had the bed bounce yet. At 137,345 miles now. Changed original brake pads at 130k. Changed pluga at 135k. Still get 20mpg. Will change original shocks at 150k.
About a year ago I was driving on I-70 from Colorado to Kansas with high wind coming from the south-west, at about 85mph, in a DC, 2011, with a Toyota installed tonneau cover. I heard a loud sound coming from the back as the wind picked up, and could see that the tonneau cover had disconnected on the back, left corner. Slowing down solved the issue for the duration of the trip until I brought it in for an oil change and they tightened the cover down and properly aligned it.
Now I’m making the same trip three weeks ago. The wind is blowing, not as bad as before, but its there. I begin hearing this flapping sound. It sounds like its right between the cab and tonneau cover, but I’m not absolutely sure, where the rubber seal overlaps.
Am I experiencing this bed bounce issue? I don’t feel a loss of control in the Tundra, but then, I am over confident in its capacity at times.
Thank you very much!
I’m going to happily retract what I’ve written above. I’ve been paying closer attention to this shaking issue. The problem is not the truck, but the way they designed the cement slabs that form the road. They are perfectly spaced with a dip between them to shake every vehicle, truck or car. As the vehicle increases in speed, the dips become more frequent, which produces a vibrating sensation. The instant the road changes to asphalt, the Tundra rides as we’ve come to expect.
There are many issues involved with the selection of a Toyota Tundra that I would assume have played a role in every list member’s choice. Yes, we hope that our investment will pay off in the very, very long road ahead, not the pathetic 144,000 miles our F150 choked its way to. Yes, we love supporting our fellow countrymen by purchasing a vehicle that benefits our economy more than the competition. Yes, we are competent that American engineering drives the global economy.
But beyond all this, the quintessential issue is a sincere love for our fellow countrymen and the ideals that our nation rests upon, something we see under attack everyday now. Toyota has become an American company because of who we are, not the opposite. She embodies the concepts and ideals that define who we are as a nation.
Well, give an Irishman at heart enough time and he will always make his way back to his philosophical root!
Thank you for your patience….
I am sure this is a legitimate problem for some people. However, if you buy a truck that is designed to be a TRUCK and not a luxury vehicle how can you expect it to ride like one all of the time? Maybe you really just need to re-evaluate why you bought a truck in the first place.
Greg G, i have a 2011 tundra and called my dealer about the “Bed Bounce” he mentioned nothing about a recall, in fact, i had to ask about it. he seemed clueless. did you actually receive a notice in the mail about a “recall”? he claimed that his tech would have to get under the truck and inspect it…. I have only noticed the issue when on poorly maintained dirt/ logging roads between 25-30 mph. slowing down is the only solution i have for it.
Max,
Every vehicle I own “bounces” on poorly maintained dirt roads. It is the road not the car, IMHO.
-Tim
It’s not a recall but a TSB. They replace the rubber mounts from the cab to the frame.
my bed bounce fix itself after 2 or 3 year. gone from utah to texas in 2010 and felt no bounce. guess something loosen up. 2013 got a new bed for rust still no bounce. wonder what got loose under the bed. the stock shock show no leaks.
Same my bed bounce stopped after 6 months or so. Went cross country and had no problems.
I have a 2013 tundra crewmax Platinum, my box bounce is so harsh, at all speeds, it is very noticeable when looking through the rear view mirror, basically your butt feels the harmonic shudder, as you see it in the mirror. Especially bad on wash board gravel, and at any speed on expansion joints and cracks in pavement/concrete. I bought a Toyota, after having many fit/finish issues with a 2012 Dodge, was fed up, and had hoped purchasing a Tundra would be plug and play, I do not believe the Dealer has a acceptable fix, if any, they all play dumb at the service department like they never heard of this issue,it is so severe, passengers have asked, what’s the problem with your truck! Rather have a base model F150 than deal with this, lucky these have a good resale value, I will never consider a Toyota again, my fault for not taking a longer test drive! Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Mike,
That is some extreme bed bounce. I have driven that model (I currently drive that same model year) and I don’t have nearly the same issue that you do. Have you taken it in for servicing? I’m wondering if there is something else at work. Why do I say that? In 2011, Toyota adjusted the suspension which lead to a big reduction in the bed bounce issue. I would have it checked out, that doesn’t sound right.
-Tim
2012 Tundra Double Cab Long (8 foot) bed. Just bought it two months ago (had 8,000 miles on it) – big bounce problem on concrete roads. It really gets bad hitting my head against the head rest (hard). I have even gotten off the interstate to side roads (if blacktop) to keep driving.
I spent $500 on Roadmasters (clamp on to springs) to try and help the problem. But I can’t tell any difference in the bounce. I also put a topper on, added a Truck Vault (62″ drawers loaded with tools). I estimate 600 + pounds added to the bed with NO change to the bounce problem.
I bought the Toyota Tundra for the same reason I think most people do “Toyota Quality” but now that I am hearing how wide spread this problem is I am questioning Toyota’s commitment to quality and their customers. Sounds like the old song to me – once they get our money they don’t care.
Terry
I did go buy some oil to change oil/filter (another rediculous design by toyota) and talked to the dealerships master meachanic (im a certified red seal mechanic, i was mpressed if this is as good as Toyota meachanics get!!)who was less than interested in my bounce issue, he commented that the problem is designed into the truck, as active suspension, and that yes it is noticeable, but its part of Toyota’s commitment to quality and inovation,,, well GM, Ford, Dodge, and even Nissan can design a truck that rides better, the bounce issue i experience is noticeable at all speeds but even at 5 miles an hour on gravel, watching the box twist left and right in my rear view mirror is reason for concern, they better put LED lights in the back, because im sure the vibration and shutter is going to burn out the tail lights soon!!! i truely believe the issue is frame stiffness, and lack of it being boxed past the cab, frame is just flimsy period!! Yes im sure frequencies plays a part at higher speeds, but shes just weak!!
Did you see the autoguide interview? The link is on our site. Chief Engineer Sweers spends quite a bit of time talking about the frame and the flexibility of it.
Purchased 5.7 L double cab Tundra march 2010. Always felt embarrassed about my cabin vibrations over select concrete segments of the Highways here in Northern California. Finally came across the TSB issued September of 2010, just a few days ago. I was out of the manufacture warranty with mileage up to 39,000. And vehicle being over 3 years old. I did however purchase an extended warranty from the dealer at initial time of purchase. Anyways, I printed a copy of the TSB, gathered together opinions on the subject from various forums, arming myself with a counter argument to any opposition I was sure to see. Long story short, they are doing the work on my truck! Will keep everyone posted with results soon!
I have a 2010 double cab Tundra also that I purchased in June 2013. I believe it has this issue also. Please let us know if this repair work had any affect on the bed bounce issue.
Thanks!
I believe Toyota addressed the issue with models manufactured after 2011. The body mounts replaced on my truck are probably standard now. Now as far as the results. Mixed. I haven’t had enough freeway trips in the truck to tell if there is any significant improvement. I still felt some cabin vibrations ( that’s what the TSB is actually addressing) when I took her for a freeway spin the day I picked her up. But, my city driving comfort has actually improved to my surprise. That wasn’t my main complain, but the update was definitely worth it, regardless if my trucks cabin vibrates the same on certain freeway segments.
Karl, I do like your idea about democracy. I do not major in political science and I appreciate your insights very much. I agree with most of what u said above. However, i think the crisis within Thailand right now is the result of the the elistist/royalist class s struggle to hold on to power at all costs. Taksin, despite his wealth, is merely a politician and no matter how authoritarian or corrupt he used to be or has been, he is no longer the major player in Thai politics right now. I maybe wrong but… I see the elistist class (whose wealth is immense but pretends to preach sufficiency economy’) that has ruled Thailand for an age and imposed oppressive laws on Thai people’s freedom of expression (and inhibited)our (Thais’) critical thinking as more destructive to Thailand’s progress. I look forward to more of yr post, especially for yr arguments that differ or contradict mine , because I believe I can gain more from different than similar opinion.
Just installed hitch on 2005 Tundra Reg Cab. Developed bed bounce on concrete interstate. Removed hitch, back to normal. Hitch reduced flex in suspension.