fulltime RVing in Tundra (necessary upgrades)

[frankie stockboy]

I’m starting to prep the Tundra for a year-long jaunt of full-time rving. Woohoo! I can’t wait. I’ve read through a lot of towing posts here, but I’m still not sure if a few things are necessary or just icing.

Keep in mind that when we start, the truck be 3 years old with 80,000 miles. Travel trailer will be right around 5,000#.

Definately:
new tires, new timing belt, bigger trans cooler (replace stock) with electric fan, trans temp gauge, Equal-i-zer hitch, prodigy brake controller.

Maybe:
Bilstein shocks – it’s due for shocks anyway, might as well go for these, no?
Air Lift air bags – how necessary are these with the Equal-i-zer hitch?
battery – replace it (with Optima?) to eliminate aging battery problems on the road?
Powerstop brake rotors – needs new rotors. not sure if these would be worth the money?
springs – they’re stock and they’re 3 years old, should I care?
did I miss anything??

We’re looking to do whatever we need to to be safe, but it’s not like we’ve got an unlimited budget. It's been tough trying to sort thru what's “necessary” rather than “would be nice.” Any advice is mucho appreciated.




Note to moderator: Please don’t merge this thread with the gargantuan towing-catchall post!
Ok, but if you go to "search" there are other threads that discuss this as well. --- Possum

[DeMello OR]

You got allot of good stuff! Don't forget a big tune up spark plugs belts fuel filter and take your old stuff with you and some tools! Infact bring as many tools as you can carry you never know!
Buy and extra airfilter!

Windshield wippers

I would get the air bags for the springs and the equalizer for sure!

A camper shell would be nice to store stuff out of the weather unless you already have one or it's a 5th wheel your towing.

I would start making the list now and putting parts and stuff asid.

Good luck!

[bearsfolks]

I spoke to the chief mechanic at my local dealer a few months ago regarding the electric fans. He stated the additional load on the alternator would create problems. Have you heard of Tundras having overheating problems ? I tow a 25 foot travel trailer in California, and have towed it in 100 degree days. I have a stock trans cooler. Never had any problems yet. Oh, by the way, the dual electric fan setup is about $800.

[geneowens]

We would like to get reports of this year-long trip!! My towing has been problem-free so far with approximalely 10k while towing in 12 months. My small fiver is about the same weight as your rig when loaded for travel. Your evaluation of the "full timing" lifestyle would be appreciated also!!!

[TundraToad]

I plan to do the same thing within a few months!! Except I will be doing it until....


*** I suggest looking into using synthetics in the differential, trans and engine. I have heard from several RVers that there IS a difference, especially the diff.

Going up those long hills on the torque converter will really heat up the trans!!

Dodge goes so far as HIGHLY suggest synthetics in the differential, when towing, why not in the transmission too!!

Have a great year!!!!

[frankie stockboy]

Whew. I've been away for awhile.

DeMello OR -
I'll bring as many tools as I can without going overweight. I've got a fiberglas lid, so that'll make a nice storage area. I've since decided against the air bags because I cringe too much thinking about someone drilling thru the frame rails. Thanks for the listing and squirrel-ing tip.

bearsfolks -
I don't know terribly much about electrical systems, but what I have in mind is a cooler/fan combo that they offer at summitracing.com--$140.00, 7.0 amp draw, hooked up to a manual switch so it won't be on 24/7. I haven't heard of Tundra overheating problems, I just want to be on the safe side. Is there such thing as trans fluid being kept too cool, by the way?

geneowens-
Thanks for the interest. We plan on having some sort of online journal website. No details on that yet. We'll definately be online while on the road, but there sure are some lame options for "staying connected" while on the road. I'm still unsure how we'll be able to upload files.

TundraToad-
Good points. I'm already running synthetics in everything except for the diff. Will switch to synth there very soon. I think we'd stay fulltiming until "..." too, but unfortunately our money isn't going to last that long.


I've decided on Bilstein shocks and the Optima deep cycle battery. Where I'm at now is deciding what else to do to the rear. It's one of the following:
SuperSprings stabilizers,
Roadmaster Active Suspension, or
Timbren helper springs.

I need to decide quickly....

[White Rose]

2001 tundra pulling 4000 pounds,never a problem,never heats up even on the steepest hills,running everything Amsoil. This is the best truck i ever owned and just add fuel.

[frankie stockboy]

Thought I’d check back in. We’ve been on the road full-time for just about eight months now and everything is going a-ok. Been a blast, actually. We’ve logged about 38,000 miles, more than half of that towing the 27’ trailer (ended up weighing in the mid-6,000#). The Tundra has done grand so far—no issues either small or large. We have yet to get through the western mountains though.

Here’s what we ended up going with:
Equalizer hitch (I have nothing to compare it to, but it’s working excellently)
Prodigy electronic brake controller (some thoughts as on the Equalizer)
extra rear leaf added (custom, not TRD)
transmission temp gauge (hasn’t reported anything excessive)
Optima battery, Bilstein shocks, all synthetic fluids

Our online access is highly limited, so it’s difficult to regularly check in, but let me know if you have any questions. There’s a bunch of trip highlights (non-Tundra) on our site www.cheesedeluxe.com if you’re interested.

Daryl