Hello,
I have a 2001 V8 Tundra.
I've been towing a 5 X 8 enclosed aluminum trailer for years without a problem.
I just bought a 7.5 X 16' aluminum enclosed trailer and the truck seems like it is struggling to tow with it.
Also,
I definetely need an airbag lift kit, extended mirrors, reverse mirrors and possibly other accessories.
I haven't taken my truck to the dealer for replacement frame yet but I'm hoping to do so next week (I live in CT and have a lot of fram rust).

Does anyone have any suggestions on any of these accessories listed above?
Also, any suggestions about towing this beast of a trailer.
I'm towing about 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of stuff.

Thanks in advance for helping me out.

-Kenny Q

You need to get it on a scale to know what you're dealing with. Note that the larger cross-section is going to substantially increase wind resistance.

Also, if you are addressing frame rust/rot issues, the last thing I would be doing is towing anything.

Agrred on what Remmy said. Wait to you get the frame replaced or cleared before you put that kinda stress on it

That said though, first, you have to weigh it with a typical load, a full tank of gas, and all the in cab accessories you would take on a trailer trip. It needs to be less than 7000#s and I don't remember tongue weight figures but that needs to be checked too.

After that:
Many member run Firestone air bags or helper springs. The Firestones can either be had with just the bags which you inflate and deflate by hand or in a complete set with a compressor. Some have got helper springs off Amazon and they can point you in the right direction should you want to do that.

There are no extended mirrors from toyota or any aftermarket company that bolt in place of the stuck ones. Only slip on covers. There have been a few that got Dodge tow mirrors to work but this requires a bit of custom fabrication.

Also, make sure you have a good brake controller to stop that thing, provided it has them. Otherwise, avoid sitting motionless after stops or you will warp the rotors.

Turn overdrive off using the button on the column shifter (light on dash should be ON)

what exactly are you talking about when you say it seems like it is struggling to tow it? Meaning the transmission is struggling, or the engine seems weak? If you can give us the run down on that, we can try to figure out some things that might help with the towing. But yeah need an idea on how much that trailer weighs.

Can't stress the Over Drive off any more!

These early trucks had bad planetary gears and you will have a tranny grenade if you mess up!

Can't stress the Over Drive off any more!

These early trucks had bad planetary gears and you will have a tranny grenade if you mess up!

Remmy will probably chime in on this but it was a bad metallurgical run of some bearing if my memory serves correctly. I've been set straight in the past...

Remmy will probably chime in on this but it was a bad metallurgical run of some bearing if my memory serves correctly. I've been set straight in the past...

Really? I thought I read on multiple occasions that it was the Planetary gears.

Remmy, please chime in!

See pictures of imploded transmission

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/1gen-tundra/203256-1-gen-tundra-transmission-tech-thread/

Remmy - where are you? I know your radar is on; send us a return echo there seven zulu zulu

Hey guys. The problems in the '00-'02 A340X Aisin trannies (which were deployed in a number of vehicles, i.e. late 90s Jeep Cherokees, etc) were tied to weak Torrington bearing cages in the planetary gearset. The cages failed under heavy torque (i.e. towing in OD) and released the needle bearings into the gear teeth.

This is an example of a Torrington bearing of the type used in automotive transmissions (notice the "needle" bearings contained by the "cage"):

http://www.daltonbearing.com/uploadImages/product/Product_2021273_th.gif

You can see the loose (and ground up) needle bearings in the bottom of this A340F tranny gear housing from a 2000 Tundra 2UZFE with a failed bearing:

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/gallery/files/1/0/0/0/70979c02c9e9e2683022e7bc29b1dcdd_2591.jpg

Awesome,
So it was a bearing in the Planetary gear that messes up? It essentially shreds all the teeth off of the planetary gear, correct?

Awesome,
So it was a bearing in the Planetary gear that messes up? It essentially shreds all the teeth off of the planetary gear, correct?

Yep. It looks like this after its done:

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/gallery/files/1/0/0/0/f7cbdd083aa8628c6bb2b0deab839165_2590.jpg

Probably makes a helluva racket to boot...

Thanks for your replies.
When towing the trailer, the truck seems sluggish.
Much slower, and the transmission is not the same.
Also, the rear of the truck is way too low. I need to use a floor jack to unhook the trailer.

Please give me links or an idea of things I need. I would like to get new shocks, Automatic airbags,
Helwig Swaybars and anything else.
This might be overkill but I want to get these cameras (one for each side of the trailer, One for the rear of the trailer and one for the back of the truck). Rear View Backup Camera Systems with 4 Cameras | RVS-7707100 | RearViewSafety.com (http://www.rearviewsafety.com/products/rvs-7707100-quad-view-backup-reverse-camera-system-ccd-cameras-digital-lcd.html)

Thanks again for your help.
Please reply.
- Kenny Q

83973

I don't remember the trailer's weight or maximum weight it can handle.
I need to look and post it but is was less than 6,000lbs with the equipment in it.
My tuck has one of those Jereco, High rise caps (I'm sure it is pretty heavy).

-Kenny Q

Kenny, it will go a long way to take 20 minutes and weigh your rig. Guessing will not help us help you.

Find a truck stop nearby that has a set of scales. Pull onto the scales with the trailer attached. There are usually 3 weight pads. Put the truck front axles on the first pad, the truck rear axles on the second and the trailer axles on the third. Get a weight chit. Then unhook the trailer and weight just the truck (on the front two scale pads. Get a weight chit.

Post the numbers and we will go from there. Until you do that, it's like diagnosing a patient over the internet.

Tom

Reading this thread makes me wonder if my 02 Tundra 4x4 AC is up to the task. I just bought a 7x16 enclosed trailer that's somewhat modified for camping and hauling motorcycles. A friend of mine purchased it new and had several RV features built in from Haulmark.
The title says it weighs 2800 lbs. He says it weighed 3400 with roof air conditioning when he put it on a scale. He later added kitchen cabinets, a small frig and a microwave in the very front of the trailer. All those items are not only adding to the overall weight but especially the tongue weight. The motorcycle tie downs position the bikes directly over the axles.
He pulled it with a 1/2 ton 4x4 Chevy with a standard hitch.
Knowing two motorcycles are going to add 1100 lbs plus any extra gear we carry in the trailer, I'm pretty sure the 500 lb limit of the class III hitch will be exceeded and the total trailer weight will end up real close to 5000 lbs. I bought a used weight distribution hitch with 750 trunnion bars. I've got a list of things to order to accommodate the trailer brakes and 7 pin electrical connection.

Like you, I won't know exactly what I'm dealing with until I can weigh the trailer and tongue weight. Assuming the tongue weight is 500-550 lbs and the load in the bed in minimal, I hope I don't need air bags.

I have towed the same two motorcycles on a flat open trailer with a total load of 1800 lbs and very little air drag. We've been to Colorado twice with that rig, 1300 miles each way with no problems at all. The additional trailer weight and air drag will make this a far different experience I'm sure.

Please report back with more info as you get it along with any mods you make to your Tundra. Thanks!

One more thing. Do have your frame inspected if rust is a concern! Could be a major safety issue. I just had mine done last month. It was in very good shape with minimal rust so they did the coating. I crawled under it before and afterward. They did a good job!

2002 Tundra Tow Vehicle Update...

Got the trailer brake wiring done and have pulled the 7x16 Haulmark toyhauler a few times now. With tow/haul mode on, the Tundra has enough power and should be fine going cross country. I can tell there's a big difference from 60 mph to 70+ mph. The air drag on the front of the trailer is noticeable. The Tundra will do it but what's rush? I have no problem with a slower pace and may look for two lane roads across Kansas where 65 mph is legal rather than the 85 mph pace which is the norm on I-70. Three grand on the tach equals 65 mph and feels real comfortable.
The Tekonsha Voyager brake controller was easy to dial in and works real well. I just got new Maxxis radial trailer tires to replace the original 12 year old Goodyear Marathons. I'll give the original owner credit for nursing those tires along. He covered them with a sheet of plywood to minimize UV exposure and he jacked the trailer up each winter to take the load off when sitting for several months. Still, there was no way I was heading out on a long trip with 12 year old tires. Once off the trailer, I could see there were more tiny cracks in the tread than I was aware of.
With no motorcycles in the trailer, the tongue weighs 340 lbs per my bathroom scale and 4 ft beam weighing method. It looks like I'll be well within the hitches' rated limits so no weight distribution hitch is necessary. With no load in the bed of the truck, rear suspension sag isn't bad but add a load of camp gear/ firewood in the bed and three people in the cab, the rear sag becomes worse. I decided to add a set of Firestone air bags. A friend just added the same bags to his half ton Dodge. He pulls a nearly identical trailer and said the bags really help firm things up.
My wife asked if we should just get a different truck. I must be cheap. I know a lot of guys who would take that as a free pas to get a new truck. I can't see doing that for occasionally towing just under 5000 lbs. The cost of adding an electric brake controller and air bags is less than two truck payments. Besides that, I really like my Tundra!