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Inside Elite Toyotas: Chad Pipkens, Bernie Schultz, Keith Combs and Jamie Hartman

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Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens’ 2020 Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax with 5,000 miles on the odometer. His previous model with 145,000 miles is a work truck. “Two Tundras are parked in the driveway, and my wife owns a Toyota Highlander. We’ve never done anything to them beyond scheduled maintenance.”
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens’ 2020 Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax with 5,000 miles on the odometer. His previous model with 145,000 miles is a work truck. “Two Tundras are parked in the driveway, and my wife owns a Toyota Highlander. We’ve never done anything to them beyond scheduled maintenance.”
Pipkens chose the short bed (66.7 inches long) Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax for the larger interior space. “I made these DIY rod tubes to free up more storage in the bed and keep the rigs out of the backseat area.”
Pipkens chose the short bed (66.7 inches long) Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax for the larger interior space. “I made these DIY rod tubes to free up more storage in the bed and keep the rigs out of the backseat area.”
A 2-inch lift and level kit and 33-inch wheels are for more than good looks on Pipkens’ 2020 Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax. “I get even better visibility for safer and expanded viewing, and the suspension levels off for an even better towing experience.”
A 2-inch lift and level kit and 33-inch wheels are for more than good looks on Pipkens’ 2020 Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax. “I get even better visibility for safer and expanded viewing, and the suspension levels off for an even better towing experience.”
On the Bassmaster Elite Series, Chad Pipkens is joined by his wife, Melanie, and daughter Emerie Rae. The superior safety features and ride are why he owns a Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax. “It gets four out of five stars for safety and I really dig the Star Safety System features.” Those include stability and traction control, and ABS and Brake Assist and Smart Stop Technology.
On the Bassmaster Elite Series, Chad Pipkens is joined by his wife, Melanie, and daughter Emerie Rae. The superior safety features and ride are why he owns a Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax. “It gets four out of five stars for safety and I really dig the Star Safety System features.” Those include stability and traction control, and ABS and Brake Assist and Smart Stop Technology.
For his Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax, Pipkens uses a DECKED truck bed storage system to consolidate and keep all his gear organized. That includes seven strollers and lots of toys for his daughter, Emerie Rae. “It’s like having two beds in one. In the slideouts I keep tools on one side and tackle on the other, which frees up room for family stuff above.”
For his Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax, Pipkens uses a DECKED truck bed storage system to consolidate and keep all his gear organized. That includes seven strollers and lots of toys for his daughter, Emerie Rae. “It’s like having two beds in one. In the slideouts I keep tools on one side and tackle on the other, which frees up room for family stuff above.”
Pipkens is joined by wife Melanie and daughter Emerie Rae on the long road trips to the Bassmaster Elite Series. He owns the short bed Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax for that reason. “You get a bigger back seat area with the shorter bed, and that makes room for a car seat. The bigger interior space is important to us, and I can sit back there, belt up and take a nap in comfort when Melanie drives.”
Pipkens is joined by wife Melanie and daughter Emerie Rae on the long road trips to the Bassmaster Elite Series. He owns the short bed Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax for that reason. “You get a bigger back seat area with the shorter bed, and that makes room for a car seat. The bigger interior space is important to us, and I can sit back there, belt up and take a nap in comfort when Melanie drives.”
Chad Pipkens puts over 50,000 towing miles on his 2020 Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax. That’s a lot of driving. Listening to a variety of genres on his SiriusXM radio keeps him entertained, day and night. “I like comedy for long drives, techno for the late, all-nighters, and a mix of ’90s and even some country. Yeah, I’m all over the board.”
Chad Pipkens puts over 50,000 towing miles on his 2020 Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax. That’s a lot of driving. Listening to a variety of genres on his SiriusXM radio keeps him entertained, day and night. “I like comedy for long drives, techno for the late, all-nighters, and a mix of ’90s and even some country. Yeah, I’m all over the board.”
Bassmaster Elite Series veteran Bernie Schultz has owned two Toyota Tundras, and just ordered his third one this year. His current rig is a 2018 Limited 5.7L V8 CrewMax.
Bassmaster Elite Series veteran Bernie Schultz has owned two Toyota Tundras, and just ordered his third one this year. His current rig is a 2018 Limited 5.7L V8 CrewMax.
“I love the towing features on these trucks,” Schultz said. “It tows so efficiently. For the number of miles I’ve put on this truck, the engine has been superb.”
Schultz knows that he can load up his boat and truck to the max with equipment and still have plenty of power.
Schultz knows that he can load up his boat and truck to the max with equipment and still have plenty of power. “I’ve got a big boat at nearly 22 feet long and I carry a ton of gear in both the boat and the truck and it never feels laboring to tow,” he said.
This Tundra has 66,429 towing miles before the long haul back to Florida with only routine scheduled maintenance. Besides a leveling kit, Schultz has never added anything to his truck.
This Tundra has 66,429 towing miles before the long haul back to Florida with only routine scheduled maintenance. Besides a leveling kit, Schultz has never added anything to his truck.
One of Schultz's favorite exterior features of his Tundra is the lines.
One of Schultz’s favorite exterior features of his Tundra is the lines. “I think it’s the best-looking truck on the market,” he said.
While Schultz is traveling across the country fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series, he spends the majority of his time listening to talk radio.
While Schultz is traveling across the country fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series, he spends the majority of his time listening to talk radio. “The acoustics are great and the speakers are strong,” he said. “I listen to music periodically but mostly listen to talk radio now.”
Schultz was not thrilled about how the back of his Tundra looked while giving us a tour, but it gives an authentic view of how much gear you can pack into this truck.
Schultz was not thrilled about how the back of his Tundra looked while giving us a tour, but it gives an authentic view of how much gear you can pack into this truck. “It’s a sardine can in my backseat right now,” he said. “There’s no room for extra people because I carry so much gear. When we travel across the country I have to pack all kinds of clothing and fishing gear.”
Another one of Schultz's favorite features of the truck is the lane-change safety feature that notifies the driver if he or she is too close to another vehicle.
Another one of Schultz’s favorite features of the truck is the lane-change safety feature that notifies the driver if he or she is too close to another vehicle. “That feature has saved me a few times,” he said. “It’s hard to stop quickly when you’re towing a boat but that advanced warning is a big help.”
“These trucks just don’t break,” Schultz said. “As long as you maintain these trucks according to Toyota’s recommended schedule, you’re never going to have a problem. These trucks are bulletproof.”
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jamie Hartman has owned three Toyota Tundras. His latest is a 2019 TRD 5.7L V8 Double Cab. “The towing power is unmatched, like the good looks.” This Tundra has 66,000 towing miles and counting, with only routine scheduled maintenance. “That says a lot about the dependability because I put more miles on my Tundras in one year than most owners.”
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jamie Hartman has owned three Toyota Tundras. His latest is a 2019 TRD 5.7L V8 Double Cab. “The towing power is unmatched, like the good looks.” This Tundra has 66,000 towing miles and counting, with only routine scheduled maintenance. “That says a lot about the dependability because I put more miles on my Tundras in one year than most owners.”
Hartman carries a heavy load of tackle and gear in his Toyota Tundra on his travels to nine events from New York to Texas. To balance the load, he added a 3-inch Rocky Ridge Suspension Kit. “I need it to be higher in the back to balance the load, so when I run with the boat, which is all the time, it’s completely level.”
Hartman carries a heavy load of tackle and gear in his Toyota Tundra on his travels to nine events from New York to Texas. To balance the load, he added a 3-inch Rocky Ridge Suspension Kit. “I need it to be higher in the back to balance the load, so when I run with the boat, which is all the time, it’s completely level.”
He drives across the country in his Toyota Tundra to tournaments, and the tunes are always turned on. Loud. “I removed the cargo tray beneath the back seat and added a box with a subwoofer. It keeps me going on the long trips and impresses the heck out of my friends.”
He drives across the country in his Toyota Tundra to tournaments, and the tunes are always turned on. Loud. “I removed the cargo tray beneath the back seat and added a box with a subwoofer. It keeps me going on the long trips and impresses the heck out of my friends.”
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jamie Hartman has 66,000 miles on his Toyota Tundra, most of it with a fully rigged bass boat. That’s a lot of braking. “At my last service they said the brakes are at 88%. That’s because of the oversized brake discs. Toyota thought of everything when they designed this Tundra.”
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jamie Hartman has 66,000 miles on his Toyota Tundra, most of it with a fully rigged bass boat. That’s a lot of braking. “At my last service they said the brakes are at 88%. That’s because of the oversized brake discs. Toyota thought of everything when they designed this Tundra.”
Hartman added these MBRP Dual Exhausts to his Toyota Tundra. “I used them in my snowmobiles, and I just like to hear the engine when I’m driving, to keep in tune with how it’s accelerating and performing.”
Hartman added these MBRP Dual Exhausts to his Toyota Tundra. “I used them in my snowmobiles, and I just like to hear the engine when I’m driving, to keep in tune with how it’s accelerating and performing.”
Elite Series pro Hartman is high on the towing power of his Toyota Tundra. “I’ve driven RAMs and other trucks, and they don’t come close to the Tundra’s towing power. How Toyota set up the transmission and the Tow Haul mode feature are why. I get more towing, steering and stopping power with the system holding lower gears, longer.” <br><br> Thanks for the tour, Jamie!
Elite Series pro Hartman is high on the towing power of his Toyota Tundra. “I’ve driven RAMs and other trucks, and they don’t come close to the Tundra’s towing power. How Toyota set up the transmission and the Tow Haul mode feature are why. I get more towing, steering and stopping power with the system holding lower gears, longer.”

Thanks for the tour, Jamie!

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Keith Combs will begin the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series driving his fifth Toyota Tundra, a 2021 CrewMax. Toyota Bonus Bucks is the only program that pays anglers to fish. Qualifying owners earn tournament contingency bonus cash when they place highest in a tournament, and among other program participants.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Keith Combs will begin the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series driving his fifth Toyota Tundra, a 2021 CrewMax. Toyota Bonus Bucks is the only program that pays anglers to fish. Qualifying owners earn tournament contingency bonus cash when they place highest in a tournament, and among other program participants.
“You have to be the highest finisher in an eligible Toyota to win Bonus Bucks. A thousand bucks here, two thousand bucks there adds up over the course of the year, and you’ve made your payment on the truck.”
“You have to be the highest finisher in an eligible Toyota to win Bonus Bucks. A thousand bucks here, two thousand bucks there adds up over the course of the year, and you’ve made your payment on the truck.”
“It’s already set up to go. It’s a comfortable drive that comes fisherman ready.”
“It’s already set up to go. It’s a comfortable drive that comes fisherman ready.”
“This truck has got all the power I ever need to tow my boat”
Comb's Tundra comes equipped with step rails which makes accessing the truck much easier.
Comb’s Tundra comes equipped with step rails which makes accessing the truck much easier.
“It’s such a comfortable truck to drive. I’ve rode in a lot of other trucks and this one is just like driving a car on longer trips which I really like.”
“This is something my wife gave me, she said I got you something stupid. I always put it in my truck and carry it with me when I’m driving.”
“This is something my wife gave me, she said I got you something stupid. I always put it in my truck and carry it with me when I’m driving.”
When asked about his favorite interior feature, Combs said, “Probably the amount of storage I have in the back. I’ve got plenty of room to store all my stuff.
When asked about his favorite interior feature, Combs said, “Probably the amount of storage I have in the back. I’ve got plenty of room to store all my stuff.”
Combs added aftermarket storage systems to the bed of the truck to organize his equipment.
Combs added aftermarket storage systems to the bed of the truck to organize his equipment.
“I won the cap at a tournament in Texas for big bass, and I’ve had it on every Tundra I’ve owned now so it’s 8 or 9 years old.”
“I won the cap at a tournament in Texas for big bass, and I’ve had it on every Tundra I’ve owned now so it’s 8 or 9 years old.”
Thanks for the tour, Keith!
Thanks for the tour, Keith!

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