Question Towing with a Tundra? - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

defenderjw · #1 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 01:07 PM

I have a 2007 double-cab, 5.7, 4x4, Limited with tow and off-road packages. I'm wanting to buy a toy-hauler trailer. If the GVW of the trailer, toys, water, fuel, and gear is approx 9K; is my Tundra going to handle the weight in the mountains? Love my Tundra and don't want to upgrade to a 3/4 ton, but don't want to overload my Tundra either. Any tips or advice on towing 8-9K loads with a Tundra is appreciated. Also, does anyone have any info about using a slider 5th wheel on a tundra? Defenderjw

tbaxl · #2 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 01:28 PM

i see no problem towing that with the tundra, if it is a one a month or so thing it does fine and i would not trade just for trading sake. i will say having towed many heavy items for many years that if i was doing regular trailer work with my truck especially in mountainous ares nothing can top a turbocharged diesel, it compresses the incoming air and at altitude that is priceless. brakes and frame wise your truck will do just fine, and if pullrite makes a slider for our trucks i would go that route.
tim

scottnmos · #3 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 01:35 PM

Youll be fine, but make sure to actually weigh the trailer fully loaded to make sure you are where you think you are. Use all the normal safety devices as well of course. No, the tundra will not replace a diesel. Its not intended to, but youll be safe, just dont expect diesel performance in the mountains.

RONE · #4 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 01:36 PM

The Tundra will pull 9K without a problem. The 5.7 is one hell of a motor. Do some searches on this site, as there are LOTS of threads about towing.

defenderjw · #5 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 01:37 PM

Thanks----appreciate the info.

stumpm2 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 04:53 PM

I tow a 21' toy hauler that has to be around 9,000 lbs with two full size four wheelers, 100 gallons of water and gear. I use a wd hitch, ride rite air bags, and 10-ply load range E tires. Last weekend I towed the trailer up to 9500 ft. Elevation and didn't have any problems. The Tundra doesn't pull like a diesel, but it will out pull any gas truck out there period. I have friends with V10's and one withan 8.1 liter GM. The 8.1 is close, but burns twice the fuel and a quart of oil every 3,000 miles (normal for that motor from GM). Just be careful on your weights, I don't know any fifth wheel toy haulers that are that light loaded. Let me know what you found. I would love a 25' fifth wheel toy hauler if anybody made one.

bnardini · #7 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 06:42 PM

I also use my Tundra for towing a rather large travel trailer (34' Jayco G2) which weighs in at about 9000 lbs. The Tundra does it without hesitation. A WD hitch with anti-sway bar is all I need. No suspension mods are needed. It has the best gas engine on the market bar none! Former GM man.

TundraBay · #8 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 08:29 PM

Traded up from a 2500 Dodge 4X4 with 8 L V-10, it was 8,800 RGVW but I can't remember what the dry weight was so I'm not sure on it's payload rating. The frame and suspension is not as beefy on the Tundra, but not much less so. It handles better, stops better and pulls uphill better while getting almost double the miles per gallon. My trailer is ~11,000 fifth wheel when loaded (from scales) and so far -- two years, 40K miles (but only 5K of that towing) absolutely no issues.

greenfire · #9 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 09:04 PM

On the same topic... If I am going to tow between 6 and 7k lbs, do you guys feel a WDH is necessary?? Ive done this before with a Uhaul trailer and no WDH, the Tundra sat level. Im thinking of adding Timbren springs to the rear and definetly upgrading tires.

RONE · #10 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenfire

On the same topic... If I am going to tow between 6 and 7k lbs, do you guys feel a WDH is necessary?? Ive done this before with a Uhaul trailer and no WDH, the Tundra sat level. Im thinking of adding Timbren springs to the rear and definetly upgrading tires.

Aren't you supposed to have a WD hitch over 5K pounds?

bilztrd · #11 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 11:44 PM

I pull @ 9k toy hauler. Pismo, Glamis in the sand with the rugged trails aired down to 12. No problemsat all, just remember to turn off the nannies or you'll bury like the GM duallies we have to pull out. I did recently upgrade to the BFG ko 285/65/ 18 but havn't towed yet.

zeeya2000 · #12 (**permalink**) 09-14-2009, 01:33 AM

Can you guys tell me on the 5.7 with the 6 speed and towing package, TRD package DC, When you engage the tow haul mode button, do you leave it in 5th or 6th and let the tow haul handle the gear shifts for you?
Thanks for any help.
My last truck was a company truck, 2007 Ford F-150 4x4 with the 355 hears. I towed a trailer out to West texas probably not over 2,000 pounds on the way out there and the wind just kicked my butt. To keep it at 75 you had to keep it in drive and let the tow haul do the work and it still strained it butt off against the wind. I am hoping for better results with the Tundra...
zeeya

tomhole · #13 (**permalink**) 09-14-2009, 05:45 AM

zeeya,

I accellerate in tow/haul + drive. This gives you wide open throttle in 1-4. If you accellerate in S mode, you don't get that. Once I'm up to speed, I put it in S5 and let it do the shifting. If I have to slow down and then accellerate again, I put it back in D for the accelleration. Tow/haul is very well implemented in the 5.7 drive train.

I tow at 68 mph. Matches well with S5. It could go 90, but ST trailer tires are only rated for 65 mph, so I keep it close to that. Wish I could drive 55 as I get 1.5 mpg more at the slower speed.

Tom

TundraBay · #14 (**permalink**) 09-14-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeeya2000

Can you guys tell me on the 5.7 with the 6 speed and towing package, TRD package DC, When you engage the tow haul mode button, do you leave it in 5th or 6th and let the tow haul handle the gear shifts for you?
Thanks for any help.
My last truck was a company truck, 2007 Ford F-150 4x4 with the 355 hears. I towed a trailer out to West texas probably not over 2,000 pounds on the way out there and the wind just kicked my butt. To keep it at 75 you had to keep it in drive and let the tow haul do the work and it still strained it butt off against the wind. I am hoping for better results with the Tundra...
zeeya

Tow/Haul yes, leave it in D and let the transmission figure it out. In hills and strong winds, you'll find it shifts to 4th and occasionally 3rd, rev up to 4,000 RPM (remember, that's where the HP is) but in my case, never overheated the engine or transmission. When going downhill, I'd click over to Sequential shift and manually downshift to avoid riding the brakes. If you want to keep this truck at 75 hauling a trailer, you'll burn a lot of gas, and it will rev higher than a diesel. That being said, I towed a trailer with the F-150 5.3 not sure what the rear axle was but this Tundra is a far more capable towing machine.

nomadic · #15 (**permalink**) 09-14-2009, 10:02 AM

Probably have 8,000 + miles towing a tool trailer that is easily over 10,000 pounds, the WDH is a must for to me, the E rated tires and air bags took all the sway out. I get about 9 – 10 mpg when I drive and dad gets 7 – 9 when he does, I normally just follow a faster 18 wheeler, while he just drives 75. as far as hills, we never have had a problem, but we have yet to take it over anything as big as the Rockies, but been in a lot of east coast hills. We leave the truck in D and in tow. I find that the truck seems to hang to long in lower gears. I think if I had a manual with the same gearing I could get 2 mpg more.