Towing during high winds/crosswinds - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

noworries19 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 01:45 PM

I am a new member and currently tow my 28ft outback with my 01 tundra. I have wd hitch and sway control and never experienced sway during high winds, however I feel like I am being pushed and pulled around in the lane. My trailer weighs about 6000lbs fully loaded and wanted to know if anyone else is experiencing these problems. I am in the market for a new truck and hae been looking at the 08 crewmax but I am afraid I will experience the same problems. Because of this I am considering the 08 chevy hd diesel. Anyone towing a similar load having the same problems with there crewmax?

quarque · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 09:53 PM

My suggestion is seriously consider the duallies made by the non-Toyota folks. They weigh more (good) and have a wider stance at the back (also good). I've heard they seem really solid while towing. I almost bought a GMC 2500 but decided it was too much truck for what I needed. I think the 2500 series does not include a dually configuration - may need to go 3500 and that turbo diesel. Now that can really tow. Too bad the turbo is $7200 extra!

noworries19 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 11:57 PM

I was curious but does your tundra have the same problems while towing, I really want to stay with toyota and like the way the 08 tundra looks. I think the 3/4 ton chevy will be to much truck for what I am towing. My trailer only weighs 4900 lbs dry, maybe 6000 lbs fully loaded, the hitch is only 600 lbs. It seems like there are a lot of people here towing more than me, just wondering if the 08 crewmax tundra has had any problems during high winds.

mudfuel07 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 07:55 AM

I used to tow a 32' TT with my 07 DC Tundra. I didn't have a WD hitch, just sway control. I could feel the wind a little, but with safe driving habits, it was nothing that I was overly concerned with. To be honest, I traded in a Chevy 2500HD on the Tundra and the Tundra seems safer and more stable to me. My old TT was around 7500-8000 lbs loaded.

rcdave · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 12:05 PM

I did a lot of towing with a 2000 and 2005 Tundra's. My 2007 Crewmax is a much enhanced and more stable platform for towing duty. The difference is significant in all areas for the better

noworries19 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the response, I will probrably pick up the crewmax sometime this month.,

Only Toyota for me · #7 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noworries19

Thanks for the response, I will probrably pick up the crewmax sometime this month.,

You won't be sorry, i promise you.

The tundra's with the integrated-to-the-frame hitch works very well. I know what you're talking about when it comes to sway on the 1st generation tundra's. They are simply a lighter duty truck vs. the 2nd gen. These new one's are a totally different animal, and the 5.7 rocks when it comes to towing. I don't beleive there's any other truck on the road that can compete powerwise (except maybe the diesels). Even with the diesels, there isn't enough difference for me to justify a purchase.

There aren't any hills around here that i haven't been able to gain speed on when pulling. And i'm talking as much as 9k lbs as well.
I am very satisfied with my tundra's power. And mileage is a lot better than my 1st generation tundra. Pulling 9k lbs i get between 8 & 11 depending on speed and conditions.

funfinder4 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noworries19

I am a new member and currently tow my 28ft outback with my 01 tundra. I have wd hitch and sway control and never experienced sway during high winds, however I feel like I am being pushed and pulled around in the lane. My trailer weighs about 6000lbs fully loaded and wanted to know if anyone else is experiencing these problems. I am in the market for a new truck and hae been looking at the 08 crewmax but I am afraid I will experience the same problems. Because of this I am considering the 08 chevy hd diesel. Anyone towing a similar load having the same problems with there crewmax?

I know the exact feeling. I really only feel it when there is a stiff side wind. I tow a '05 27BH Jayco that is 30ft long 5,000 lbs dry ~5800lbs loaded with my '06 DC.

My last trip out we had heavy winds all weekend. Towing home I ended up taking 20-25mph constant side winds. There where times when I had to turn WITH (not into) the direction of the wind in order to maintain a straight line. Only explanation I can come up with is the trailer was getting pushed so much to the side that it was pushing the back of my truck over slightly. It's kind of like when your back end whips around on wet pavement you steer with the direction of the slide. Needless to say it wasn't one of my most fun towing memories and I bought a friction sway control the next weekend.

Hind sight, I think I might loosen my WDH one chain link next time I encounter such gusting side winds. My theory is it will put more weight on the back end of the truck, making it not so easily pushed around.

noworries19 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008, 12:36 PM

I have been doing a lot of research and so far the Tundra seems to be the best choice for my needs. I will be towing my travel trailer up to the mammoth lakes area which will make me drive on the 395 highway, and for people who have driven this road they know that there are high winds and crosswinds because it is a two lane highway through the high desert. I am pleased to hear all the positive comments about the tundra.

I really wanted to avoid buying a diesel because I think it would be overkill for the things I do while not towing. It looks like the crewmax is the one for me.

tomhole · #10 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008, 05:32 PM

If your main concern is stability while towing in a cross wind, then you need mass and wheelbase. The Tundra double cab long bed has the longest wheelbase of the Tundras at 165". The crew max is 146". That extra 20" will help. They both weigh about the same. A 3/4 ton oil burner will not be longer than the DC LB, but it will weigh a LOT more. Probably 1,000 lbs more, base weight. That will help.

I would recommend the Hensley Arrow and your choice of Tundras. The Hensley should provide the best towing stability and the 5.7L Tundra will provide the power. Cost a lot, but might be worth it for the peace of mind.

Tom

Hensley Ron · #11 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 01:42 PM

Thanks, Tom. I feel the need to add this: a large truck doesn't control trailer sway. You just don't feel it is as much. You can still lose the trailer. Fix the problem at the source: the hitch. As long as the trailer can pivot on the ball, you'll get sway. Save yourself the money on a larger truck and gas. Go with the Hensley.

asianflava · #12 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 08:30 PM

I posted this thread a while back, Towing Advice I ended up moving the car back about a foot. The car's rear wheel hub was lined up with the rearmost part of the trailer's fender. The car is 4000lbs and the trailer is 1750lbs.

Granted, it doesn't have the cross section of a Travel Trailer but, the entire trip was made with a 25-30 crosswind. It was so bad that you couldn't see the road from all the dust kicked up when the interstate was close to a freshly plowed field. Towed the 600mi trip with no sway problems or anything. Didn't use any WD hitch or anti sway, it was nice and stable. The truck got 14.1MPG to boot!

Got to My parent's ouse and the interstate was closed due to fires. Those cross winds are making the fires crazy.