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Over the past decade, there have been serious challenges made to the dominance of the domestic truck market. The Detroit influence of Chevy, Ford, GMC and Dodge are no longer the force in the space – Toyota and Nissan full-size trucks have evolved and Honda is lurking just around the corner as well.

As a kick off to what will be a regular Motive Club feature, we put the Toyota Tundra, the newest player, to the test – and not just any test, but a the true measure of a light-duty truck, the same type of conditions Motive Club members would want from a truck. With 200 miles of desert road from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, we asked the Tundra to prove its worth by towing our H.E.R.O. Jeep across the great wide open to the SEMA Show. For those not familiar with the Interstate 15 trek from Southern California to Neonville, the road is a mix of grades and winding curves. It is a true test of torque, acceleration, brakes, handling, stability and comfort.

The first thing that floored us about the Tundra was the power. The 5.7-liter V8 pumps out a tire-burning 381 horsepower and an impressive 401 foot/pounds of torque. The question was, “How would the Toyota perform in the real world towing a trailer loaded with a Jeep?”

To many, attaching a 3,000-pound Jeep with another 1,000 pounds of trailer and support materials would bog down any rig. However, the Tundra was far from reaching its 10,000-pound capacity. The results make for a very happy right foot.

Most of us have forgotten that trucks were originally work vehicles. In this day of extra-cabs, double cabs, crew cabs, and maxi cabs, it is unusual to see a “standard cab” truck. Nevertheless, that’s just what we selected for this jaunt through the heart of Death Valley and on to Vegas. Unlike standard cab trucks of old, the Tundra offered quite a large space behind the split bench seat and enough head, leg and hip room to handle an NFL linebacker. Also different from other trucks – be it old or new – is the attention to fit, finish and function that connects Toyota’s pickup line with its upscale cars, including the Lexus line. Interior comfort and ease of controls were superior to its rivals with lots of little surprises. Try this yourself: go to any 2008 new pick-up, open the door and make note of the interior lights and how they come on. Now do the same on a Tundra. The lights come on and increase in intensity just like a Lexus! Features like that may not be important to Gus the plumber but “under the radar” details like this contribute to the owner’s overall impression of quality.

However, the true test of any vehicle is how it performs on the road. Right from the get-go the Tundra exceeded expectations. The ride was smooth and stable, even while pulling around our substantial load. At times, a look in the large side-view mirrors reminded us there was a vehicle in tow.

Just east of Victorville, California is a steep uphill grade. This provided an excellent measure of how the Tundra would handle extreme demands. As expected, speed decreased and fuel consumption increased. What was surprising is that we needed to remain in the left hand lanes as we continued to zoom pass slower moving vehicles.

What goes up must come down. There is a steep and lengthy decline just before hitting the Nevada state line as we descended from California’s high desert. This section of the trip can put a tremendous strain on brakes. The large four-wheel discs slowed the tons of load without the hint of fade. This attribute helped to create a strong sense of confidence in the truck that, in turn, greatly reduced the stress normally attached to towing. The result was a more rested and relaxed drive. While this is usually not a consideration in most road test stories, in real, everyday driving, confidence in a vehicle is a very important aspect of ownership. The Toyota Tundra left no worries or concerns.

When the SEMA Show was over, and it was time to reload the H.E.R.O. Jeep and head back to Los Angeles, there was a true feeling of anticipation – rather than apprehension – for the drive ahead. Our test Tundra was more than a capable vehicle; it became a worthy and trusted traveling partner.

Loaded and ready to take on the desert wilderness. Toyota’s Tundra provided effortless travel while transporting our H.E.R.O. Jeep.

Read a full vehicle review at Edmunds.com

“Toyota really got serious with this one, and it shows. If you've previously discounted the Tundra because it wasn't big enough or had a toy engine, think again. If you've never considered one before, have a look. More good choices are great for consumers, and since this one has been born, bred and built in the USA, there's no reason to feel guilty about it.”