Bet You Didn't Know the Tundra Was This Powerful

What's that, you say? Why, that would be a scale drawing of a Toyota Tundra pickup truck towing the space shuttle Endeavour. If you ever needed proof of the old saying "Toyota Tough", this would be it. Toyota has been entrusted with hauling the nearly 300,000 pound relic of history a quarter of a mile to the California Science Center.

The opportunity was put together by Saatchi & Saatchi (the same company that helped produce the "world without hybrids" video). Which Tundra will be used to tow the space shuttle? It's a 2012 CrewMax 1/2 ton pickup, with no additional modifications. In other words, the same kind you can find at a dealership! The CrewMax is designed with a 5.7L V8 engine and normally has a 10,000 lb towing capacity. To move this giant space shuttle, they had to engineer a special dolly that was specifically made for the transport of the Endeavour. Seeing a feat like this pulled off reminds me of those strong man competitions you sometimes see on television, where the guy is hauling a bus attached to a rope and simultaneously yelling out loud grunting noises.

"There is no larger or more recognizable icon of the U.S. space program's success than the shuttle, and to have it towed by the Toyota Tundra is not only an incredible example of the capabilities of the truck, but an honor to be part of history," said Ed Laukes, Toyota's vice president of marketing communications. "The entire journey is something the world will be watching, and gives us a chance to prove that the 'overbuilt' Tundra is built to do any job – even tow the space shuttle."

The Endeavour will be on display at the end of October at the California Science Center.

What's the largest thing you've ever hauled (or tried to haul) with your vehicle? Leave a comment below!