Tundra/Fifthwheel Trailer Pics

[Sonic 182]

My dealer sold me a Tundra and when I asked if it would pull my small fiver, they said, "Yeah, no problem."
After I bought it I saw Toyota doesn't recommend pulling a fiver with the Tundra.
Now I have a $35k car.

[tedstundra]

Originally Posted by Sonic 182

My dealer sold me a Tundra and when I asked if it would pull my small fiver, they said, "Yeah, no problem."
After I bought it I saw Toyota doesn't recommend pulling a fiver with the Tundra.
Now I have a $35k car.

Although I have read that the Tundra has limitations with towing a 5ver, I have never heard that Toyota doesn't recommend towing a fifth wheel at all. I assumed that as long as you stay within the hitch and towing weight constraints of the truck that there would be no problems. I know (from a little internet reading) that a lot of people are pulling 5vers, most with no problems. In fact it seems that the truck does fine in cases where the trucks boundries are adhered to. But, it does seem that the best trailer for the tundra over a broader range of options (larger trailers, etc.) is the conventional travel trailer. Where did you get your information? Was it from an official Toyota site, or with talking to someone?

[TOYota STORY]

Originally Posted by tedstundra

Although I have read that the Tundra has limitations with towing a 5ver, I have never heard that Toyota doesn't recommend towing a fifth wheel at all. I assumed that as long as you stay within the hitch and towing weight constraints of the truck that there would be no problems. I know (from a little internet reading) that a lot of people are pulling 5vers, most with no problems. In fact it seems that the truck does fine in cases where the trucks boundries are adhered to. But, it does seem that the best trailer for the tundra over a broader range of options (larger trailers, etc.) is the conventional travel trailer. Where did you get your information? Was it from an official Toyota site, or with talking to someone?

Just try to stay within the limitations...I bought a Tundra to pull my 23 foot lightweight fifth wheel, but the pin weight, with my family on board, puts me well over the gross vehicle weight. 10,000 pound towing? What a joke!
Now my tundra is a for sale.

[tedstundra]

It's too bad that some of the lighter 5vers have pretty heavy hitch weights. That turns out to be (in most cases) the biggest single factor in limiting the fifth wheel that a Tundra can tow. I'm surprised that something as small as a 23 ft trailer would have a hitch weight so heavy that it would overload the truck. Unless of course, you're really loading the truck, or the front end of the trailer. The Iforce SR5 DC has a rated 1680 lbs of payload. I did some rough estimates about the loading of the truck and the weight distribution of that weight, and concluded that the tires and axles (using the ratings given) will reasonably support a load of about 2500 lbs in the bed of the truck. It will take an actual measurement on scales with truck fully loaded to really tie the number down, as weight distribution is all important. It seems that the weak link in the chain is the rear springs, built for comfort, not to carry a heavy load.

[Tundra#2]

Originally Posted by TOYota STORY

Just try to stay within the limitations...I bought a Tundra to pull my 23 foot lightweight fifth wheel, but the pin weight, with my family on board, puts me well over the gross vehicle weight. 10,000 pound towing? What a joke!
Now my tundra is a for sale.

I am a little confused.....you mentioned Gross Vehicle Weight which I can see exceeding with pin weight, and cargo loaded into the truck, but as for the 10,000 lb towing, the Tundra will do it. I tow a 30ft TT that weighs approx. 8,500lbs with a hitch weight of approx 600lbs plus. This set up is combined with the weight distribution hitch including 1000 lb torsion bars, to assist with the tongue weight. The Tundra tows this combination no problem. Sure on the hills you notice it, but with any comparable GM, Dodge, Ford, p/u it would be the same. Occasionally I will put in my ATV in the back of the truck which weighs 620 lbs, plus the hitch weight. The Tundra obviously does sag with this kind of weight, but all I do is tighten the torsion bars up one more link. I have towed this combination with my old 04 GMC 5.3 ltr and it towed it with some difficulties compared to my new Tundra. This new truck eats up my old GMC. The only thing I added to the GMC was Timbrens to the suspension to assist with weight. I am considering adding airbags to the Tundra for the same reason. I have also been told that the Tundra has difficulty towing 5vers because of the sides of the box and tailgate are so high (Ford has this same problem). There are different styles of fifth wheel hitches that will accommodate the height issue. I agree that 1500 lbs of direct tongue weight is too much for any 1/2 ton p/u, without any suspension upgrades.

[Survivor61]

I will let you all know how it goes (and take pics) as soon as I can. I just got my 08 Tundra and plan to pull my 1993 Salem 27' 5th Wheel. Total trailer weight is around 5800lbs and pin weight around 700lbs. I wlll be using a Husky Slider for my hitch.

[tedstundra]

Originally Posted by Sonic 182

My dealer sold me a Tundra and when I asked if it would pull my small fiver, they said, "Yeah, no problem."
After I bought it I saw Toyota doesn't recommend pulling a fiver with the Tundra.
Now I have a $35k car.

I went on the offical Toyota WEB site and looked at the Owners manual. The only conclusion I can came to is that the Tundra is alright pulling a fifth wheel, as long as you don't overload the truck. The WEB and Manual is replete with details about towing with a fifth wheel. No recommendation against such an application is mentioned.

[Bizzyboy]

My dealer told me: DO NOT pull a fifth wheel, it will void the warranty.

He didn't say why, but I don't plan on it. I only pull a boat anyway.

[jtbmoore]

I doubt it will void the warranty since it explains towing a fifth wheel in the towing guide.

[tedstundra]

Originally Posted by Bizzyboy

My dealer told me: DO NOT pull a fifth wheel, it will void the warranty.

He didn't say why, but I don't plan on it. I only pull a boat anyway.

It has been my painful experience that the dealers (read sales staff) seem to know less about their trucks than the people who buy them. Reading this forum reenforces that a great deal. They don't seem to know much of anything except what's in the big sales posters plastered around their sales room... And they will tell you anything to sell you the truck. The most disturbing thing however, is the different stories you get from the service people. Enough said.

[THEGOLDPRO]

ill let you guys know how it does as well i just bought a 32 foot TT with 2 pop out sides, weights over 8k dry so ill be hovering in the 10k tow rating range if not over, i usualy load the bed with wood as well, so well see.

[homedawg]

Please don't bite my head off, but why would anyone buy a 1/2 ton truck and expect it to pull a 5th wheel? I have always assumed that 1/2 ton trucks are not designed or intended for this type of duty. I tow with my 5.7 CM 4X4 about once a week and couldn't be happier with it's performance, but I am pulling off the hitch and my load is usually less than 7500 lbs. If I needed a truck to pull a 5th wheel, I wouldn't consider any of the 1/2 tons. Am I wrong about this?

[Survivor61]

Originally Posted by homedawg

Please don't bite my head off, but why would anyone buy a 1/2 ton truck and expect it to pull a 5th wheel? I have always assumed that 1/2 ton trucks are not designed or intended for this type of duty. I tow with my 5.7 CM 4X4 about once a week and couldn't be happier with it's performance, but I am pulling off the hitch and my load is usually less than 7500 lbs. If I needed a truck to pull a 5th wheel, I wouldn't consider any of the 1/2 tons. Am I wrong about this?

Well in my case, no need to get a bigger truck. I have a 1993 Salem 27' 5th Wheel. Total trailer weight is around 5800lbs and pin weight around 700lbs. This is plenty light enough for a 1/2 ton truck. If we were to get a newer RV and I wanted to keep the Tundra, then yes, I would probably end up with a TT since the newer and bigger 5ers would have a heavier pin weight which would far exceed the Tundra's capacity.

[jtruck618]

This concerns me a bit. I want to buy a truck which I can keep for 8-10 years and will meet all my needs. I plan on buying a camper in the future and want to buy a 5 wheel if I want. Sounds like the Tundra cannot handle it. I like the Tundra and think it is a great truck, but this is another mark in the con list.

[Survivor61]

Originally Posted by jtruck618

This concerns me a bit. I want to buy a truck which I can keep for 8-10 years and will meet all my needs. I plan on buying a camper in the future and want to buy a 5 wheel if I want. Sounds like the Tundra cannot handle it. I like the Tundra and think it is a great truck, but this is another mark in the con list.

Oh for sure. If you want a camper then the Tundra is not a good choice. Its a great choice if you want a TT or old/light weight 5ver.