Louisiana Man Achieves 1 Million Miles on a Toyota Tundra for the Second Time

      Let's take a moment to appreciate the robust V8 Tundra, setting aside our admiration for the Toyota Hilux. Recently, a man from Louisiana celebrated achieving his second million-mile milestone with his Tundra.

      For many, witnessing a vehicle’s odometer reach 999,999 miles would evoke a mix of emotions—shock, wonder, and perhaps anxiety. However, as reported by Pickup Truck + SUV Talk, Victor Shepherd surpassed that milestone earlier this week with his 2014 Tundra. His reaction seemed to be more along the lines of “Again? Already?” with a smile, since this isn’t his first time reaching such a milestone; he accomplished it with another Tundra.

      Pickup Truck Talk features some images of Shepherd's vehicle, which is a standard 2014 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab.

      As per a Toyota press release, Shepherd previously owned a 2007 model and averaged 125,000 miles annually. This earlier truck was significant before it even hit the road, as it was one of the initial vehicles produced at the new Toyota manufacturing facility in San Antonio. The first-generation Tundra was originally manufactured in Indiana before production moved to Texas with the second generation.

      By the time the current third-generation Tundra was conceptualized, Shepherd had already driven over a million miles in his 2007 model, which took him only nine years. His role as a contract driver kept him on the road frequently, with long-haul trips across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Anticipating the million-mile milestone, Shepherd acquired a 2014 Tundra as a replacement.

      This milestone did not go unnoticed by Toyota, who reached out and offered Shepherd a new 2016 Tundra Limited Crew Cab in exchange for his high-mileage 2007 model to analyze its durability.

      The 2007 was in excellent condition, with only minor dents and worn seats, while the paint and nearly all components remained original and functional. It was still operating on its factory engine and transmission, with routine maintenance carried out during 117 dealership visits.

      Now with two Tundras in his possession, Shepherd designated the 2014 truck for work and the 2016 model for personal use, as noted by Pickup Truck Talk. He had achieved 900,000 miles in the 2014 Tundra by December 28, 2023. However, 2024 proved to be a slow year for business, slowing down his mileage accumulation.

      Interestingly, the 2014 Tundra required more than just standard service. Shepherd mentioned to Pickup Truck Talk that both the alternator and transmission had to be replaced, raising questions about whether the insights gained from the 2007 model were ever applied to current productions.

      I imagine Shepherd still feels a sense of excitement and pride with each mileage milestone. So, what’s next? Perhaps another million miles, certainly with another Toyota. During the handover of the 2016 Tundra, Shepherd remarked, “These trucks are safe and reliable. If you see a Toyota on the roadside, it might be a scam because they rarely break down.”

      Conversely, Toyota’s experience with its new turbo V6 Tundras hasn’t been as fortunate, so perhaps this story will motivate them to return to V8 engines.

      Do you have a high-mileage champion of your own? Share your story at [email protected].