Weight distributing hitch requirement for 08 Tundra

[Zhukov]

I know there are several threads which discuss this already. In particular, I saw one of the esteemed moderators discuss that although his trailer should have been able to be towed without a WD hitch, it still needed it after being weighed.

A little background: I tow a Jayco 23B hybrid, a little over 4,000# empty, just under 5,000# @ max capacity. My previous tow vehicle was a 2001 Chevy Silverado. The WD hitch was definitely needed. The owner's manual for the 2008 Tundra (I have a CMSB with the 5.7) states that a WD hitch is needed over 5,000 pounds. We don't keep much in the camper - towels, sheets, some plastic plates and stuff. It probably adds up, but not to take the camper to 5,000# I would imagine.

While I do plan to follow previous advice and get my rig weighed soon, has anyone towed a trailer close to the 5,000# mark with a CMSB, and did you use a WD hitch?

[fivecodys]

Originally Posted by Black_Rifle

I know there are several threads which discuss this already. In particular, I saw one of the esteemed moderators discuss that although his trailer should have been able to be towed without a WD hitch, it still needed it after being weighed.

A little background: I tow a Jayco 23B hybrid, a little over 4,000# empty, just under 5,000# @ max capacity. My previous tow vehicle was a 2001 Chevy Silverado. The WD hitch was definitely needed. The owner's manual for the 2008 Tundra (I have a CMSB with the 5.7) states that a WD hitch is needed over 5,000 pounds. We don't keep much in the camper - towels, sheets, some plastic plates and stuff. It probably adds up, but not to take the camper to 5,000# I would imagine.

While I do plan to follow previous advice and get my rig weighed soon, has anyone towed a trailer close to the 5,000# mark with a CMSB, and did you use a WD hitch?

I don't have the CM but I do have the DC Shortbed.
When I was pulling my TT (25' 6,200 lbs) I used a WD hitch.
My original truck (05 Tundra) needed the WD hitch and it worked well. When we stepped up to the 07 Tundra I chose to keep using the hitch just to help keep the truck level. I would recommend using it.

Just my 2 cents
(if you take that and 4 bucks you might be able to buy a gallon of gas)

Bill

[Zhukov]

Well - in case anyone is interested - I towed my trailer for the first time today. The dry weight of the camper without water and cargo is listed as 3,950#. We never carry water, and our cargo is limited to clothes, towels, sheets, and canned goods, which I seriously doubt approaches 1000# (max cargo carrying capacity).

Hitched up without the WD hitch, the rear end sagged only 1.5", so I think that there's no need to use the WD hitch. Towing it didn't feel like the front was unloaded in any way, shape, or form.

I'll take the WD hitch with me for the next few trips in case I feel we need it, and hopefully I'll make it to a scale to get the exact weight before too long.

[wawagoosie]

Towed my 24' Jayco about 5000Km without a WD hitch, never felt the need for one, it weighs about 5000lb when on the road, depending on water carried. Truck drops about an inch when hitched

[d100bear]

I have always had A class A home just bought 08 tundra dbl 5.7 6.5 box some one tell me what a WD is and how big of a fifth wheel I can pull thank

[quarque]

d100bear - a WD hitch is for regular travel trailers not 5ers. It Distributes Weight fore and aft by introducing a torque at the hitch. This forces the front of the truck down and lifts the back end up to level the whole affair. For a fifth wheel your limitations are hitch weight and gross trailer weight. Tundras have around 1500 lbs. payload rating and that includes hitch, pin weight, cargo and passengers. So most people would be looking for a 5er with a pin weight below 1100 lbs. to allow for cargo etc. There are several mfg. of 5ers that have a lightweight line of trailers meeting these requirements. Tundras can tow 10,000 lbs. but it would be very difficult to get to that or exceed that without exceeding the payload rating. I am considering a Forest River Surveyor myself since it is 7500 gross and pin weight is 967 lbs. I think it is good not to push the limits when towing.