Question Fifth wheel on Tundra 08?

[jyc]

Hi,
I'd like to know the maximum wheight for a fifth wheel for my Toyota Tundra limited crew cab 08 (4X4 - 5.7)
Thanks a lot
JYC

[TundraBay]

Originally Posted by jyc

Hi,
I'd like to know the maximum wheight for a fifth wheel for my Toyota Tundra limited crew cab 08 (4X4 - 5.7)
Thanks a lot
JYC

What is your rated payload? The pin weight of the trailer can be expected to be ~20% of the trailer weight. From your rated payload, you have to subtract the weight of your hitch (with a CM that will be a slider, so = heavier). Also, any other gear and passengers beyond 150 lb driver must be subtracted from the payload. So if you start with rated payload of 1,300 lbs, subtract 300 lbs for hitch, another 150 for passenger, another 100 for various gear, you're at 750 lbs pin weight, and that's 20% of 3,750 lbs. If the pin weight is only 15% you would be rated to tow a 5th wheel of 5,000 lbs, and if you are comfortable exceeding your rated limits of course you can go heavier than that.

In the real world, the trailer I haul has rated dry weight of 8,400 lbs and a rated pin weight of 1,370 lbs (which I trusted when I bought it) and I conveniently forgot about the weight of the hitch, and figured I'd just load all the heavy stuff in the trailer so I wouldn't be reducing the available payload on my truck which was 1,530 lbs so I'd be within any specs. However, when I recently went over the scale, fully loaded up for camping, I was over ratings, particularly my rear axle rating which is 4,150 lbs actually weighed in at 4,818 lbs, and my truck overall weight was 8,670 lbs (the rating is 7,200 lbs). The trailer axle weight was 8,470 lbs and the best guess I can come up with is a pin weight of about 1,800 - 2,000 lbs (the rest of the weight on my truck being comprised of 5th wheel rails & hitch, generator, chainsaw, winch, fuel, water pump, etc etc that were in the bed of the truck). If I wanted to know the exact pin weight, I'd need to unhook the trailer and weigh the truck on it's own; I did that once and it weighed in at 6,270 without the trailer hooked up but also the other stuff that I mentioned weren't in the back and I estimate it all to be somewhere around 500 lbs.

I am not advocating for anyone else to follow this example, you do your own due diligence and this is only an internet forum, not to be taken as professional advice. But let it be a cautionary tale if you think, looking at raw numbers, that you'll be within the ratings your truck has: you probably won't be.


There are a number of threads on payload and trailer and 5th wheel towing around here, worth the read. Upgrade your truck with air bags and better tires if you intend to tow or haul heavy loads. Keep it well maintained and don't go too fast.

Good luck

[harper223]

My lord, just DONT go over to rv.net
To them, your Tundra won't tow a new fridge in a 10' trailer.
I have nothing against what Tundrabay has been doing as far as his towing a 5th wheel. I have read all of his specs and posts, watched him get mutilated by the weight police over at rv.net in a post that went on for ages. Just stay here. Stay here.

[TundraBay]

Originally Posted by harper223

My lord, just DONT go over to rv.net
To them, your Tundra won't tow a new fridge in a 10' trailer.
I have nothing against what Tundrabay has been doing as far as his towing a 5th wheel. I have read all of his specs and posts, watched him get mutilated by the weight police over at rv.net in a post that went on for ages. Just stay here. Stay here.

Thanks for your kind words.

I have a thick skin, and it IS only an internet forum.

I hope I wasn't too verbose in my message (above), but I guess the answer to the O.P.'s question, like the answer to many questions, is, "It depends".

My truck is rated GVW 7,200 lbs, loaded and with the trailer attached it was 8,670, so 1,400 lbs over.
My rear axle rating according to Toyota is 4,150 lbs, I weighed in at 4,818, 700 over
My front axle rating is 4,100 lbs, it weighed 3,852, 250 under
My trailer weight, according to the scales, was 10,600 lbs (300 lbs too high)

I have towed this two years, 2 lane highways, freeways, back dirt roads (the latter s l o w l y) and the truck has withstood this punishment much better than my prior truck did (a Dodge 3/4 ton)

[harper223]

Originally Posted by TundraBay

Thanks for your kind words.

I have a thick skin, and it IS only an internet forum.

I hope I wasn't too verbose in my message (above), but I guess the answer to the O.P.'s question, like the answer to many questions, is, "It depends".

My truck is rated GVW 7,200 lbs, loaded and with the trailer attached it was 8,670, so 1,400 lbs over.
My rear axle rating according to Toyota is 4,150 lbs, I weighed in at 4,818, 700 over
My front axle rating is 4,100 lbs, it weighed 3,852, 250 under
My trailer weight, according to the scales, was 10,600 lbs (300 lbs too high)

I have towed this two years, 2 lane highways, freeways, back dirt roads (the latter s l o w l y) and the truck has withstood this punishment much better than my prior truck did (a Dodge 3/4 ton)

Is there a hitch pin rating on your 5th wheel like there is with a bumper-pull trailer? I'm not familiar with 5th wheels. For example, my hitch weight is 850 lbs. So I'm comfortable with that number with a WD system.

[TundraBay]

For a 5th wheel they term it "Pin Weight". On mine, the manufacturer states 1,370 lbs. And in my ignorance (or arrogance, or good fortune, or what have you) I looked at that number, and the payload rating on my truck (1,530 lbs) and thought I'd be well within my limits. I later learned that you have to add the weight of the hitch and all the other crap you bring in the truck with you, and that the manufacturers lie when they post pin weights, and I also loaded a bunch of stuff into the trailer which increased it some more.

However, I'm not complaining, it does it's job very well.

[fivecodys]

If I remember right, the cargo capacity for the truck is about 1,500 lbs.
Cargo= Pin Weight + Hitch + Family + any junk you carry.

My pin weight is 1,200 lbs.
The hitch weighs 280 lbs
Wife and kids 450 lbs.

I'm over the cargo capacity by 300-400 lbs. I'm ok with that.
You may not be.

My 5ver GVWR is 7900 lbs.

The truck pulls it great.

You will probably want air bags to pull the sag out of the rear end.
There's a great thread running here about air bags and shocks and tires.

Hunt it down and check it out.

Bill

[droolingmess]

Originally Posted by jyc

Hi,
I'd like to know the maximum wheight for a fifth wheel for my Toyota Tundra limited crew cab 08 (4X4 - 5.7)
Thanks a lot
JYC

what is standard or optional varies wildly by manufacturer but remember that the advertised weight of the trailer is without options. ad one or more air conditioners, awning, 10 or 15 gallon hot water heater, microwave, stab jacks and so on and the weight grows quick.

[Lono33]

indeed. meaty tires like (BFG AT/ko), a trailer brake controller, and air bags and you are set. That is what I have on mine and everything is working quite swimmingly.