Thanks to all that replyed to my post. I finally talked my wife in to not getting that trailer. I did take my Tundra to a couple dealers to look at 3/4 Chevys (new and Used), the truck really is way better then the chevy. Thanks again. KCJ
Originally posted by tracy stein: I pull a 32 ft 5400 pound travel trailer. The problem is the wind and semi trailers. On a recent 200 mile trip we left on a Friday night. There was very heavy traffic. All the semi trucks were driving very fast (trying to get home I suppose) we were constantly being sucked over by what I will call a vacuum effect as the trucks passed us. On the trip home on Sunday afternoon we encountered no problems whatsover, light traffic, very few semis, the vacuum effect seems to occur when the semi is going about 15 miles an hour faster than me. Ive noticed if I speed up when I see them approaching from behind I can eliminate the problem. This is not always possible or practical. Now we get to the weight thing. My 4x2 is supposed to way under 4300 according to the brochure. I took it to the scales. With a full tank of gas, empty bed, 2 adults and 2 small kids and a few accesorries it weighs 5100.
Tracy, The sway you describe can be dangerous. Although it costs a LOT of money, I urge you to consider buying a Hensley Arrow hitch. I tow with one, and it almost totally eliminates sway. It'll make your trip safer as well as much more comfortable and relaxing. If you can find a good used one on ebay, in computer classified ads, or anywhere, don't let it get away. http://www.hensleymfg.com/whatisthearrow.html http://www.hensleymfg.com/whatisthearrow.html
Ken
__________________
You get what you inspect
Not what you expect.
S&S Long Tube Hi-Torque Headers
TRD/Eaton Limited Slip Differential
Gibson exhaust system
Hellwig Rear Antisway Bar
Sylvania Xenarc H.I.D. X1010 Auxiliary Low Beam Driving Lights
Schaeffer Engine Oil, ATF, Differential Oil
Racor LFS22825 full-flow transmission filter
Towing a 21' Bigfoot trailer using a Hensley Arrow hitch, Jordan brake controller, McKesh mirrors
I've been trying to follow another discussion regarding the use of overdrive and attempting also to apply this discussion to towing. Here's my problem: I'm about to take possession of a 2500# sailboat on a ~1000# trailer. My initial move of this unit will be ~125 miles (inland Mass. to RI coast for launch). The instruction book for the Tundra seems to say no more than 45 MPH, and also seems to say take it out of overdrive. Can anyone tell me if I've read these instructions correctly, and should operate the vehicle in this manner? I've got a 2002 4WD V-8 and automatic. I also have the Toyota factory Limited Slip. Any insights, experiences, war stories will be helpful.
The thread "Tundra Towing" merged with the thread "Fifth Wheel Towing Questions/Help" as they are the same subject. ~MustangSally
As I understand it, locking out the overdrive actually does two things:
First, it locks out fourth gear. Good idea, because with your load, the tranny will tend to "hunt" between third and fourth.
Second, I think it actually locks up the torque converter most of the time. That reduces the amount of heat your tranny generates -- a very good idea!
Thus, the info in the book seems right to me. Well, I would find it hard to creep along at 45, but if you wreck doin' 80 with that rig, I sure didn't tell you it was OK! <G>
__________________ Larry Lawton
Retired in Wyoming
I tow my boat and trailer in Overdrive doing about 80MPH!
It is a Yamaha Jetboat that weighs about 2000lbs dry.. Add fuel and the trailer and you're up to about 3000lbs...
I don't have any problem and the trans doesn't jump between gears like it did on the "Domestics" that I owned in the past...
Officially: Do what the manual says...
Unofficially: Watch the RPM's... If it isn't jumping, it shouldn't be a problem.
The manual only says to lock out overdrive for engine braking purposes. That is it. You can tow in overdrive, but not over hills.
I tow a 4000 lb car and trailer for approx 300 miles round trip once a month. I tow at 70-75-80 mph. I have electric brakes on the trialer and the best trailer brake controller, a prodigy by Tekonsha.
I have had no problems whatsoever towing with the Tundra. I tow up a very nasty incline for a section of the drive (grapevine for those woho live in CA) and most of the time I am in third gear. On occasion I lock it into 2nd gear and pull up a very very steep incline.
The Tundra is a dream to tow with. I cannot wait to do it again.
My manual specifically says to "NEVER TOW IN OVERDRIVE"
It's not in the towing section... It's in the section about overdrive.
Towing uphill (Steep)in overdrive is fine... The tranny won't search for gears then... It'll just stay in 3rd...
The problem is when you are at a slight incline... or driving against a heavy wind where the optimal gear position (According to the computer) is right at the point where it needs to downshift to 3rd... or upshift to 4th...
As it rapidly goes back and forth between 3rd and 4th the trany overheats, overflows the coolant and totally trashes itself.
That's why you just have to watch your RPM's... If it's jumping... take it out of overdrive... If it isn't.... you're fine...
OK, I would like to hear from you all on how well your Tundra tows a load. I am looking to purchase a travel trailer that has a GVWR of 6200lbs. I am told this truck will tow this fine with an equalizer hitch. But the best knowledge is you.......who are doing the towing. I am particularly interested in people that tow in the mountains pulling large hills. But all input are appreciated. Thanks for your inputs!!
I have towed my new fifth wheel a couple times so far. The fiver has a GVWR of 5800 but weighs approximately 4600 loaded for travel. My Tundra tows the load well; plenty of power; tow at 70 MPH but have reached 80 a time or two. Gas mileage suffers with OD off - approximately 10 MPG so far. The dealer who installed the hitch said he would not install on a access cab due to clearance, etc. Mine is standard cab, 4X4.
The REAL tow rating of all trucks is the GCWR minus the actual weight of the loaded truck. The published Tow Rating is usually fiction. You need to weigh your fully loaded truck with all people, equipment, hitch, full fuel, dogs, car-top junk, and everything else. Subrtract this from the Gross Combined Weight Rating of 11,800# for the V8 and you'll have the max you can tow. My empty SR5 V8 4WD with just myself weighs 5020#.
In any case, 6000# is pushing the limit for any 1/2-ton pickup. You'll pull it OK, especially if you always tow with overdrive off. The problem is controlling the rig when a side wind hits that trailer, it sways, and it pushes the rear of the truck to one side or the other.
A weight-distributing hitch (often called an equalizing hitch) is necessary. Lots of folks use a friction sway damper (sway bar), and they don't work very well. An "Equal-i-zer" brand hitch or Reese/DrawTite Dual-Cam hitch (if the tongue weight is >500#) works better. A Hensley Arrow hitch works best and truly is worth the money. http://www.equalizerhitch.com/ http://www.hensleymfg.com/whatisthearrow.html
I really like my Jordan 2020 brake controller. The Tekonsha Prodigy is the only other brake controller worth considering. All others are old style and don't work as well as these two. http://www.jordanbrake.com/id20.htm
My standard cab SR5 4X4 weighs approximately 4500 pounds including me [193+-]. Probably not a full tank of gas though? I have towed so far with OD Off and will continue to do so. I did for a few moments try OD On in a flat section of interstate Hwy and she seemed to do OK but I am not going to take any chances of damaging my tranny. I used to tow with my T-100 and the fiver weighed about 4400 pounds loaded. I always used fourth gear [never fifth]. The T-100 was an extra cab so a fifth wheel hitch will work in the Tundra also but you must exercise care with sharpe turns and backing up.
Well all I am taking delivery of my 24 foot Jayco Travel Trailer tomorrow. It has a dry weight of 3970lbs, GVWR of 6200lbs. I have an equalizing hitch for it. I have read the posts on here and feel I am in the ball park without going over. So I will let you all know how she does.
Re: Towing Travel Trailers
Larry Lawton
Linear Mode
