5ver and a heavy trailer

[tedstundra]

Thought I would share thoughts on my recent experiences pulling a relatively heavy 5th wheel trailer with my 2008 5.7L 4X2 SR5 standard bed with the tow/haul package. I was a little concerned about several things before I towed the rig some distance and begin to get a feel for it's capablities. I will give you my observations for what they are worth, to anyone interested.

1. Power---This is where the Tundra shines. It has plenty of power to pull the almost (estimated) 9000 lbs of trailer fully loaded. The tow rating of 10,600 lbs is not overrated. I towed the trailer up some fairly steep inclines with little or no problems. The accerleration from a standing stop to gain speed is excelent, probably as good as it gets with this much trailer.

2. The ride---- Here is where the light weight of the truck causes some problems. With this much weight the trailer influences the ride of the truck when going over rougher roads. When the trailer bounces, the truck feels it. Not enough to lose control, I would think, in all but the most extreme conditions. I felt that at highway speeds, and a big rough spot in the road, that I would have to be alert in order to maintain control. But, the ride can be sort of uncomfortable over rougher roads due to the kick the tailer imparts to the truck as it is knocked around by the road. After all the tailer outweighs the truck by about 3000 lbs. On better roads the rig rode very smoothly.

3.Braking---After getting a feel for the brake controller, I found that a relatively high setting was needed to brake this much weight... When I got it figured out the braking was more that sufficient to slow down and stop the rig with relative ease.

4. Tonque Weight--- This particular trailer is relatively light at the hitch dispite the weight of the trailer. It is spec'ed at 1100 lbs, but I doubt it's really that light. I would guess that it's more like 1500 lbs at the hitch fully loaded. Which means I'm certainly over the GVWR of 1680 lbs. The hitch comes in at 85 lbs and with passengers and luggage there is probably about 400 more lbs on the truck (which means about 200 more lbs on the rear axle). I need to weigh this rig so I will really know. Unfortunately there are no public scales anywhere near where I live.
I installed the Firestone airbags which helps the springs, and with a rear axle GAWR of 4100 lbs, I don't think I'm taxing the axle ratings. The tires are rated a little higher than the axle rating so I believe I'm safe there.

5. Mileage--- The drive encompassed a wide variety of different types of terrains, freeways, hills and town traffic. I averaged 10.6 mpg for the trip. I was worried it would be worse. But, with gas selling at over $4.50 per gal it isn't cheap making a trip in an RV.

6. Stabilty-- No problems at all on the road. Never felt the effects of big rigs passing of any of the other problems associated with the regular travel trailer. No sway or any thing like that under all conditions encountered.

Hope this might help somebody. I'll update these observations as I get more experience with this setup.

[Andres]

wow great info man

thx for posting

[jproell2]

Good write up. Where are the pictures of this rig?

[jbk23]

Was it a crewmax, double cab or what ?

[Hawaii 5.7]

Thanks for the towing input. Where's the pics?

[ramoine]

Thanks for the towing report , this will help alot of people asking how well the tundra tows .