First Tow Report

[rtql8]

Thought I'd post a few impressions from my first outing. The route was I75 south to the KY/TN state line, and then up into the hills with a lot of switchbacks. I was towing my Jeep on an 18' steel deck trailer, and estimate the weight at 4650/1800 and with tools, gear etc. I should have been pulling about 6600 pounds. There are some fairly signigicant hills to deal with, and overall I will say I was quite happy.

I have towed the same setup with an 02 F150 5.4L, and also a 2500 Dodge Cummins. As expected, the Tundra is between the two, but it was a significant step above the F150. Without getting real wordy, it felt solid, it responded to throttle demand, and handled the steep stuff without digging deep into it's reserve. On hills that would require the F150 to hit 4200 rpm to hold 65mph, the Tundra did it at 3000 rpm with a lot less stress. It handled the switchbacks uphill with good shifting and power, and there was no "wag the tail" coming down, with amazing braking capability compared to the F150.

It was a 270 mile round trip, and I got 10.5 mpg while only having 800 miles total on the Tundra. And that was with some significant climbing. The only real negative, is that I most definately experienced the torque converter shutter. That was only thing that was aggravating.

Dont get me wrong, I have loved my F150, but not for towing more than 4k pounds. The 600+ ft lbs of a diesel is nice, but I can say that I'm pleased with the Tundra's performance, and since I tow 8 or 10 times a year this is going to work out really well.

[gboffroad]

Not to get off subject but were you trail riding in the Jeep? If so where were you at?

[Kens toy]

Glad to hear that someone else is towing. We have just towed to Texas a
5th wheel trailer weighing about 8000 lbs. We have towed this rig before
with a Dodge Hemi which I liked real well, except for towing. The Hemi always seemed to never be happy in only one gear, always hunting. The Tundra is handling the trailer like a truck should. No problems of any kind, averaging about 8.5 or so towing. Lots of hills, but this truck seems to enjoy them. We are pulling in 5th gear with an ocassional shift to 4th on a long hill. Less than 4 or 5 times during the whole trip. We now have over 3000 miles on the engine. Looking forward to the trip back home.

[rtql8]

Originally Posted by gboffroad

Not to get off subject but were you trail riding in the Jeep? If so where were you at?

Are you familiar with the JROCC competition site outside of Jellico? Well there's new owners, and there will be some good news for this spring when a new park opens for general trail riding, along with new rock racing/crawling events for the pro's. Theres a few threads on Pirate and some on our club site. Kentucky Krawlers. It's not open to the public yet, but it will be this spring.

What do you wheel?

[tedstundra]

Originally Posted by Kens toy

Glad to hear that someone else is towing. We have just towed to Texas a
5th wheel trailer weighing about 8000 lbs. We have towed this rig before
with a Dodge Hemi which I liked real well, except for towing. The Hemi always seemed to never be happy in only one gear, always hunting. The Tundra is handling the trailer like a truck should. No problems of any kind, averaging about 8.5 or so towing. Lots of hills, but this truck seems to enjoy them. We are pulling in 5th gear with an ocassional shift to 4th on a long hill. Less than 4 or 5 times during the whole trip. We now have over 3000 miles on the engine. Looking forward to the trip back home.

Question???? What is the hitch weight for your 5ver. My big problem (and worry) in buying a fifth wheel trailer to tow with my new tundra is the total hitch weight of the trailer, causing the truck to exceed it's maximum payload (about 1680 lbs). A 8000 lb trailer should have about 1600 to 2000 lbs on the hitch. That would seem to exceed the allowable weight by far when you consider all the other weight in the truck while it's on the road. But, maybe that number isn't as strict as I seem to think. Or, do you have airbags or someother device installed to help carry the extra weight?

[Kens toy]

Originally Posted by tedstundra

Question???? What is the hitch weight for your 5ver. My big problem (and worry) in buying a fifth wheel trailer to tow with my new tundra is the total hitch weight of the trailer, causing the truck to exceed it's maximum payload (about 1680 lbs). A 8000 lb trailer should have about 1600 to 2000 lbs on the hitch. That would seem to exceed the allowable weight by far when you consider all the other weight in the truck while it's on the road. But, maybe that number isn't as strict as I seem to think. Or, do you have airbags or someother device installed to help carry the extra weight?

I have no problem with the weight of our 5th wheel. Each 5th wheel model has different hitch weights. Also how you load the front end of the coach adds to the hitch weight. Most actually will weigh possibly 1300 to 1500lbs plus, in this catagory of trailer. I do now that the Dodge 1500 did hit the axle bumper more than a few times. However, the Tundra has not as yet done so. So obviously the Tundra has more reserve. I will weigh the unit when we get back from our trip. At the present time I am very happy with the way the Tundra is handling. Also we have a short bed and reg cab truck. Our payload may be a few hundred pounds more that other truck combinations. We did eventually use overload add ons on the Dodge Hemi, to compensate for its deficiency in handling the weight. Actually it may have been its lack of ability to control bounce, ie shocks absorbers.

[tedstundra]

Originally Posted by Kens toy

I have no problem with the weight of our 5th wheel. Each 5th wheel model has different hitch weights. Also how you load the front end of the coach adds to the hitch weight. Most actually will weigh possibly 1300 to 1500lbs plus, in this catagory of trailer. I do now that the Dodge 1500 did hit the axle bumper more than a few times. However, the Tundra has not as yet done so. So obviously the Tundra has more reserve. I will weigh the unit when we get back from our trip. At the present time I am very happy with the way the Tundra is handling. Also we have a short bed and reg cab truck. Our payload may be a few hundred pounds more that other truck combinations. We did eventually use overload add ons on the Dodge Hemi, to compensate for its deficiency in handling the weight. Actually it may have been its lack of ability to control bounce, ie shocks absorbers.

Thanks for your reply. I have been seriously looking at a Jazz (by Thor) fifth wheel that has a dry weight of 8820 lbs and a hitch weight of 1480 lbs. This may be a little steep for the Tundra, I'm not sure, but every thing I have read seems to indicate that the truck will pull 10,000 lbs without straining. So the major problem I saw was with the hitch. With a payload of 1680 lbs specified by Toyota, that would leave only 200 lbs for the rest of the truck contents. That likely would be exceeded by at least a couple hundred pounds, even if we minimized the truck loading. I would appreciate any input from some more expierenced RVers on this setup.

[Jackleg]

Originally Posted by tedstundra

Thanks for your reply. I have been seriously looking at a Jazz (by Thor) fifth wheel that has a dry weight of 8820 lbs and a hitch weight of 1480 lbs. This may be a little steep for the Tundra, I'm not sure, but every thing I have read seems to indicate that the truck will pull 10,000 lbs without straining. So the major problem I saw was with the hitch. With a payload of 1680 lbs specified by Toyota, that would leave only 200 lbs for the rest of the truck contents. That likely would be exceeded by at least a couple hundred pounds, even if we minimized the truck loading. I would appreciate any input from some more expierenced RVers on this setup.

Have you looked into a product called "Super Springs"? I believe it is supposed to increase the payload capacity to 3000lbs.

[tedstundra]

I have looked up the product "Super Springs" on the internet and it really seems to be really good idea. But, the promotional material and reality may not be the same. Has anybody got some experience with the Super Spring? Is it difficult to install, i.e. is it something for a pro to do or is it easy enough for the do it yourselfer. I love the fifth wheel trailers but am kind of leary of the hitch weight. The lightest fifth wheelers have hitch weights that seem to exceed the Tundras load capacity specs.

[gboffroad]

Originally Posted by rtql8

Are you familiar with the JROCC competition site outside of Jellico? Well there's new owners, and there will be some good news for this spring when a new park opens for general trail riding, along with new rock racing/crawling events for the pro's. Theres a few threads on Pirate and some on our club site. Kentucky Krawlers. It's not open to the public yet, but it will be this spring.

What do you wheel?

I spend quite a bit of time at Brimstone and Windrock on ATV's. I am in the middle of building a 70 model Dodge to play in the trails but it still has a way to go.

[Kens toy]

Originally Posted by tedstundra

Thanks for your reply. I have been seriously looking at a Jazz (by Thor) fifth wheel that has a dry weight of 8820 lbs and a hitch weight of 1480 lbs. This may be a little steep for the Tundra, I'm not sure, but every thing I have read seems to indicate that the truck will pull 10,000 lbs without straining. So the major problem I saw was with the hitch. With a payload of 1680 lbs specified by Toyota, that would leave only 200 lbs for the rest of the truck contents. That likely would be exceeded by at least a couple hundred pounds, even if we minimized the truck loading. I would appreciate any input from some more expierenced RVers on this setup.

We have returned from our trip to Texas a week ago. Again on this trip we have had no problems. We have just towed our Sportsmen 5th wheel to storage for a few months. On a level section of the lot I looked at whether the truck was riding level, as I normally do each time we tow. The Tundra was level front to back, indicating it was handling the weight just fine. I do however add a few pounds extra to the rear tire pressure (35 lbs). Always have, it seems to allow the tires to roll easier, but do not go over the sidewall rating. The only sugestion I have is that you reconsider the 5th wheel you plan on towing, to get a weight that is in your comfort zone or since this weight is so close to the 1680 lbs which is your trucks limit, get the short leaf type of add on springs. Some of these spring are adjustable in 500 lb and 1000 lb settings this will give you the extra capacity you are looking for. The Tundras axle has a lot of reserve built into it. This is what I did to make the Dodge 1500 ride level and they worked great. I used just the 500 lb setting. By the way my hitch weight is 1337 lbs per the factory. I have not weighed our combination as it rides level, to actually see what is on our rear axle.

I believe the choice is yours. Add a spring set or look for a lighter hitch weight trailer. The Tundra will pull a 8800 lb trailer. This I believe would be the heaviest 5th wheel I would try to pull. In my experience of 14 years it is not just the weight you try to pull, but also the height of your unit that will take away from your tow capacity. The larger the frontal area the greater the air resistance. If the Tundra cannot pull this unit, then you are out of luck using a 1/2 ton truck of any make. (Sorry) However, the Tundra will pull this trailer in 4th gear with no problem, just don't expect the best gas mileage.

Personally I believe you should get a 3/4 ton truck, especially with a heavy 5th wheel. Believe me a 8800 lbs dry weight could be well over 10,000 lbs by the time it is loaded and wet. With 10,000 lbs. get a 3/4 ton any brand will do.

[jbk23]

Glad to here Your tundra did good on your trip .

[tedstundra]

Originally Posted by Kens toy

We have returned from our trip to Texas a week ago. Again on this trip we have had no problems. We have just towed our Sportsmen 5th wheel to storage for a few months. On a level section of the lot I looked at whether the truck was riding level, as I normally do each time we tow. The Tundra was level front to back, indicating it was handling the weight just fine. I do however add a few pounds extra to the rear tire pressure (35 lbs). Always have, it seems to allow the tires to roll easier, but do not go over the sidewall rating. The only sugestion I have is that you reconsider the 5th wheel you plan on towing, to get a weight that is in your comfort zone or since this weight is so close to the 1680 lbs which is your trucks limit, get the short leaf type of add on springs. Some of these spring are adjustable in 500 lb and 1000 lb settings this will give you the extra capacity you are looking for. The Tundras axle has a lot of reserve built into it. This is what I did to make the Dodge 1500 ride level and they worked great. I used just the 500 lb setting. By the way my hitch weight is 1337 lbs per the factory. I have not weighed our combination as it rides level, to actually see what is on our rear axle.

I believe the choice is yours. Add a spring set or look for a lighter hitch weight trailer. The Tundra will pull a 8800 lb trailer. This I believe would be the heaviest 5th wheel I would try to pull. In my experience of 14 years it is not just the weight you try to pull, but also the height of your unit that will take away from your tow capacity. The larger the frontal area the greater the air resistance. If the Tundra cannot pull this unit, then you are out of luck using a 1/2 ton truck of any make. (Sorry) However, the Tundra will pull this trailer in 4th gear with no problem, just don't expect the best gas mileage.

Personally I believe you should get a 3/4 ton truck, especially with a heavy 5th wheel. Believe me a 8800 lbs dry weight could be well over 10,000 lbs by the time it is loaded and wet. With 10,000 lbs. get a 3/4 ton any brand will do.

Thanks for your input. After some research on the internet, a lot of it in this forum, I have come to the conclusion that the Jazz I was looking at is just too much trailer for the Tundra. I have since looked at lighter trailers, more in the vicinity of 7400 lbs dry weight or less. There are fair number on the market. It's hard to get over the heavy hitch weight however. Even the light 5vers seem to have hitch weights at or near 1400 lbs. Lighter hitch weights for a 5ver is hard to find.