Error on 5th-wheel Towing in 2007 Tundra iGuide (CD)

[TrailerFool]

Thought you 5th-wheelers would want to know...
The 2007 Tundra iGuide (CD) states the following:
"Keep in mind that current 5th-wheel trailer designs are not compatible with Tundra Standard Bed models."
Having just bought a 2007 Tundra double-cab standard bed model to tow a trailer, I was HORRIFIED! I quickly wrote to Toyota for clarification. Here is our exchange:


Subject2007 Tundra Standard Bed Discussion Thread Response (Anissa Powe)09/14/2007 09:32 AMThank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Your feedback is appreciated. It is through comments such as yours that we are able to review and improve our service.
Toyota Customer Experience
Customer09/12/2007 04:56 PMThank you for your prompt reply. My feeling is that your 2007 Tundra iGuide should be corrected to reflect the information you provided below. Otherwise, it will be distressing to some buyers to hear the iGuide state that Standard Bed models are incompatible with current 5th wheel trailer designs. I know that I am relieved to find out that that is NOT the case! Thanks again.

*ASK TOYOTA <TOYOTA_CARES@TOYOTA.COM>* wrote: Response (Sandra)09/12/2007 01:52 PMThank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
We apologize for your concern regarding which 2007 Tundra model can tow a 5th wheel trailer.
The 2007 Tundra standard bed and the 2007 Tundra long bed has the capability to tow a 5th wheel hitch.
Toyota has not tested the Tundra to tow a 5th wheel, therefore we do not have any conversion kits available to covert a 2007 Tundra vehicle to use a 5th wheel trailer.
If a condition arises on the vehicle and that condition can be attributed to an improperly installed or improperly fitting part, the warranty on the affected component may be voided. Vehicle manufacturers warranty covers defects in material or workmanship and would not cover a condition caused by factors beyond the manufacturer’s control. Toyota Customer Experience
Customer09/11/2007 10:33 AMYour 2007 Tundra iGuide states that the 2007 Tundra Standard Bed model is not compatible with current 5th wheel trailer designs. I thought that is ONLY true for the short bed model (Crew Cab model) and not true for the other models (Standard Bed model and Long Bed model). Is the Long Bed model the ONLY Tundra model that is compatible with 5th wheel trailers?

[Stripped Honda]

i just got a update in the mail from toyota to correct this ... its a sticker to put in my owners manual

[DavidT.]

Originally Posted by TrailerFool

"Keep in mind that current 5th-wheel trailer designs are not compatible with Tundra Standard Bed models."
Having just bought a 2007 Tundra double-cab standard bed model to tow a trailer, I was HORRIFIED!

Sometimes the humor on this board cracks me up.

[shadyskins]

Originally Posted by Stripped Honda

i just got a update in the mail from toyota to correct this ... its a sticker to put in my owners manual

Same here.... just threw it away this morning.... no 5th wheel for me

[jkd]

I don't know, Only Toyota For Me (screen name) already has a gooseneck hitch installed in his new Tundra and he says he has no problems pulling his horse trailer and travel trailer (like mine, his 5th wheel tvl tlr is converted from kingpin to gooseneck). He PM'ed that he *does* have to watch how sharply he jack-knifes his travel tlr though. Hopefully he'll add more to this thread.
Speaking of, B&W has now come out with a 4" ball extender just for all these short bed P.U.s that allow the hitch assembly to be installed at or forward of rear axle centerline for proper weight distribution, but yet the ball sits 4" further back to allow for better rear of cab clearance when jack-knifing a trailer.

[Only Toyota for me]

Originally Posted by jkd

I don't know, Only Toyota For Me (screen name) already has a gooseneck hitch installed in his new Tundra and he says he has no problems pulling his horse trailer and travel trailer (like mine, his 5th wheel tvl tlr is converted from kingpin to gooseneck). He PM'ed that he *does* have to watch how sharply he jack-knifes his travel tlr though. Hopefully he'll add more to this thread.
Speaking of, B&W has now come out with a 4" ball extender just for all these short bed P.U.s that allow the hitch assembly to be installed at or forward of rear axle centerline for proper weight distribution, but yet the ball sits 4" further back to allow for better rear of cab clearance when jack-knifing a trailer.

Yeah, toyota recomends you not to tow with the standard bed, only the long bed. They're simply covering their a$$es on that.
They don't want you blaming them if you take out the side of your cab by turning too sharp & not paying attention.
However, if i didn't need the d-cab, i would have got the longbed 2 door truck. But i still have kids at home.
I can almost make a 45 degree angle when backing up, almost. If i had that 4" ball extender, i could do it no problem.

Gooseneck trailers are the way to go IMO. Up or down hill, 65mph or 80 mph, it doesn't matter when it comes to stability & sway. They just simply tow better thus making it a more enjoyable experience.

Just got back from horseback riding on a 100 mile roundtrip. This trailer loaded with only 2 horses weighs about 7000 lbs.

What a dream to pull. And the truck handles it sooooooo well.
You almost don't even FEEL it behind you, it feels like you're empty. That is until you come to a hill.

[shadyskins]

Dumb question, but can someone explain the difference between a gooseneck and a 5th wheel? or are they the same thing?

[mxsjw]

Originally Posted by shadyskins

Dumb question, but can someone explain the difference between a gooseneck and a 5th wheel? or are they the same thing?

Gooseneck has a ball mount much like a bumper pull, just mounted in the middle of the bed.


5th Wheel has a coupler much like a Semi Truck and trailer.

[jkd]

Only Toyota for Me, I was thinking of you when I saw the 4" extender. Since most of the removable balls on the slip in type hitches are welded to 2" or 2 1/2" square tubing, maybe the B&W extended ball would fit your brand hitch assembly. Might have to drill different holes in the square tubing section but that wouldn't be a big deal. They have a good pic of it on the B&W website.

[brianx]

The best thing you can do to avoid hitting the cab with sharp turns is to get a slider hitch. We had one in our Dodge one ton quad cab and never had any issues. I think the standard bed on the double cab is about 3 inches longer than on my old Dodge. The only drawback to the slider hitch is cost. Google pullrite slider hitch for more info. I'm sure there are cheaper models out there. The hitch weighs about 200lbs (moved it myself and almost threw out my back). I wouldn't pull a fifth wheel with the crewmax though.

[mxsjw]

Originally Posted by Toxarch

Not that I would need to pull one anytime, but there isn't a problem pulling a goose neck trailer with a CrewMax, right?

Yes and No...

If you stick to the type I pictured, then you wouldn't have much of a problem.

But If you converted your 5th wheel horse trailer or Travel trailer to goose neck, then you run into (literally) turning problems.

[jkd]

It has nothing to do as to whether it's a 5th wheel or gooseneck. Both, 5th wheel kingpin, and gooseneck ball have to be mounted from zero to 3"+ in front of the rear axle centerline. All horse/stock trailers are goosenecks by the way. When you convert a 5th wheel tlr to a gooseneck, the gooseneck coupling extends vertically directly below the kingpin so all the cab to trailer front distances stay exactly the same. If the trailer is a V-nose gooseneck like mine in this link below it can't hit the cab even in a short bed Tundra unless I went somewhat over 90 degrees to the truck, however I'm sure I'd have to watch my tight turns with my gooseneck converted travel trailer due to it's wide front end.
TheDieselStop.Com Photo Hosting - LMJD's Personal Album - Powered by PhotoPost

Not that I would need to pull one anytime, but there isn't a problem pulling a goose neck trailer with a CrewMax, right?

You'd have to back under that specific trailer at various angles until the hitch coupling is over or a bit forward of your rear axle and make a judgement call. It would definitely have to be a V-nose I bet.

[Only Toyota for me]

Originally Posted by shadyskins

Dumb question, but can someone explain the difference between a gooseneck and a 5th wheel? or are they the same thing?

The gooseneck gives you more adversity, and you have the whole bed when you remove the ball. I need this type because horse trailers are gooseneck only. Car hauler type trailers are gooseneck as you see in the pic.
I could have gone with the rail kit which is the metal pieces on the 2nd pic in post # 8 where the pins are in. The problem with this set up is these rails stay in the truck when the pins are removed and hitch removed. The only plus side to the rail setup is that i could buy another goose-type hitch that would mount to the rails, or use the fifth wheel hitch.
As it is now, i cannot tow a fifth wheel trailer without a Colbert goose adapter which i have shown here:



Here is another pic of my setup as well. You only need safety chain hookups for horse trailers only. 5th wheel house trailers don't even come with safety chains.

[Only Toyota for me]

Originally Posted by jkd

Only Toyota for Me, I was thinking of you when I saw the 4" extender. Since most of the removable balls on the slip in type hitches are welded to 2" or 2 1/2" square tubing, maybe the B&W extended ball would fit your brand hitch assembly. Might have to drill different holes in the square tubing section but that wouldn't be a big deal. They have a good pic of it on the B&W website.

I appreciate it, thanks.

I will probably consider it however, i would want to do my homework on it before i got it.
You're packing a lot more weight on that ball, and i would just want to make sure it's safe.
Yeah, my removable ball is different from the b&w. Mine is Hidden Hitch brand and the ball is taller.