2007 Tundra with pop up camper and horse trailer

[joh909]

I have a 2007 Tundra with 5.7 and tow package and a 2 horse bumper pull trailer (6000 lbs loaded). I recently bought a pop up truck camper that weights 1,090 lbs dry. I took the combination on a weekend trip without problems. However, the truck was certainly not level. I even had to take up some links in the tow chains so they wouldn't drag. I was way overloaded. I figure 350 lbs for 2 people, 1,400 for the camper loaded, and 800 tongue weight on the trailer for 2,550 lbs. total which was about 800 pounds over the payload capacity of the truck. I would lose too much money by selling the Tundra in today's market if I wanted to upgrade to a 3/4 ton truck. Someone said to install airbags or a Timbren SES. But this will not work if I am still over the payload capacity, right?

[Songdog]

Originally Posted by joh909

I have a 2007 Tundra with 5.7 and tow package and a 2 horse bumper pull trailer (6000 lbs loaded). I recently bought a pop up truck camper that weights 1,090 lbs dry. I took the combination on a weekend trip without problems. However, the truck was certainly not level. I even had to take up some links in the tow chains so they wouldn't drag. I was way overloaded. I figure 350 lbs for 2 people, 1,400 for the camper loaded, and 800 tongue weight on the trailer for 2,550 lbs. total which was about 800 pounds over the payload capacity of the truck. I would lose too much money by selling the Tundra in today's market if I wanted to upgrade to a 3/4 ton truck. Someone said to install airbags or a Timbren SES. But this will not work if I am still over the payload capacity, right?

I wouldn't worry too much about the market since you would be going from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 or 1 ton. Car dealers here are practically giving them away so any reduction in the Tundra's value would be offset by the reduced price of the new vehicle. In fact, you'll probably come out ahead since you will be trading in a Toyota for one of the domestics.

[Marazzito]

Originally Posted by joh909

I have a 2007 Tundra with 5.7 and tow package and a 2 horse bumper pull trailer (6000 lbs loaded). I recently bought a pop up truck camper that weights 1,090 lbs dry. I took the combination on a weekend trip without problems. However, the truck was certainly not level. I even had to take up some links in the tow chains so they wouldn't drag. I was way overloaded. I figure 350 lbs for 2 people, 1,400 for the camper loaded, and 800 tongue weight on the trailer for 2,550 lbs. total which was about 800 pounds over the payload capacity of the truck. I would lose too much money by selling the Tundra in today's market if I wanted to upgrade to a 3/4 ton truck. Someone said to install airbags or a Timbren SES. But this will not work if I am still over the payload capacity, right?

Well, you will still be over payload capacity, but it should make it a better safer drive. I would add airbags!

[joh909]

I read in another post that a weight distribution hitch distributes the tongue weight to the trucks' front and rear axle and trailer axlex. Does this apply to my situation and would this help? Would this relieve weight on the rear? I am thinking also about removing things from the camper to save weight (sink, furnace, refrigerator, cabinets - thus having a shell, anything to make things more safe as well as not losing a lot of money on replacing the Tundra).

[dmented69206]

on monday im gettin super springs put on my truck and its supposed to increase the payload to 3000lbs. Maybe you should look into that?
www.supersprings.com

[quarque]

Originally Posted by joh909

I read in another post that a weight distribution hitch distributes the tongue weight to the trucks' front and rear axle and trailer axlex. Does this apply to my situation and would this help? Would this relieve weight on the rear? I am thinking also about removing things from the camper to save weight (sink, furnace, refrigerator, cabinets - thus having a shell, anything to make things more safe as well as not losing a lot of money on replacing the Tundra).

Yes a WDH would help distribute the weight from the rear to the front and to the trailer axle. Unless you cut some serious weight you'd still have a dangerous setup. Don't forget that other things are not set up to handle that weight (like tires!). If it were me I'd trade in on a 1-ton ASAP.

[joh909]

I just got back from looking at a 1 ton truck, a F350. The price was right. However, the dealer would only give me an amount that was 1/2 of what I paid less than a year ago on my 2007 Tundra. Because of gas prices, the used truck market is terrible. So that option won't work for me.

I saw on the website for Lance campers that they match a truck camper that weights 1610 dry with the Tundra. However if you add the weight of 2 people and fill the 30 gallon fresh water tank and allow for 200 lbs for all other items, the payload would come up to over 2,400 lbs. This is close to what I have with my rig. How can Lance match a camper to the Tundra? I emailed them to find out.

[Marazzito]

Originally Posted by dmented69206

on monday im gettin super springs put on my truck and its supposed to increase the payload to 3000lbs. Maybe you should look into that?
www.supersprings.com

They don't increase your payload to 3,000 lbs. They do however increase your rear suspension capacity.

[joh909]

A technical rep from Lance told me that a truck camper towing a horse trailer on a 1/2 ton just would not work. I thought more about a 1 ton F350 I looked at earlier today and decided to get it. All payload issues have been resolved. I just no longer own a Toyota. Thanks to everyone for educating me and ensuring my rig is safe.

[dmented69206]

sorry to hear about your loss!!