I am towing a fifth wheel with my V8 Standard Cab. The total weight of the fiver is 4800 pounds and it pulls fine. You may have to search for a installer who will put a reese hitch or other in your truck. Mine stated that he would not install in short bed Tundra. Installers are concerned about the position of the rear axle in relation to the cab of the truck. However, the dimentions are similar between the tundra and the T-100. I pulled two fifth wheels thousands of miles with a 1995 T-100 extra cab. The heavier fiver topped out at 4400 pounds loaded for travel. The T-100 hitch was a LiL Rocker 14K non-slider. I had to be cautious in tight turns, etc. But never had a crash of fiver into truck cab. My driveway at the time was perhaps the closest call and I made that one many times.
It would take me all day to cover all the issues involved with pulling a fifthwheel with a 1/2 ton shortbed Tundra. So with that being said, do yourself a very big favor and visit one of the best sites for RV information on the net. Make good use of the search engine before posting your questions. If you want to contact me, send me a private message and ill get back to you asap.
Another bit of info - one of the fivers I towed with the T-100 was a Scamp 19 which I purchased new and picked up in MN at their plant. The unit pulled great but it was very expensive for what you get and somewhat cramped once you get over the initial thrill. Scamp installs a "homebuild" hitch which is specific to Scamp and no one else. It is not even attached to the truck frame but only to the bed. Also, the 19 weighed over 3000 pounds - not the 2000 advertised - of course we had to have most of the "goodies" put on it. Our second fiver was an Aerolite 523RB which weighed 4400 loaded. It pulled beautifully and had much more "living space" than the Scamp and it was 2 years newer [1998] and cost $3000 less and had even more goodies as standard equipment.
Present unit is a 2001 Starcraft Starlite 230 RB which has larger fridge, gas/electric DSI water heater, Roof AC, furnace, torsion axle [an important item for a smooth ride down the road]. This is the one towed by out 2000 Tundra 4X4 Standard Cab. Have about 1000 miles logged so far and no problems.
Just looked upt the Starlite 230RV in the RV ratings book and the numbers look good. I got a question or five for you. Does it ride level when towed? Can torsion axels be switched? Did you have to put air bags or helper springs on your truck? How much space to you have between the bed rails and your fiver.
We just put in an order to build a K-Z Sportsmen Ultra-lite 2253 without the rear slide. The weight is about the same as your trailer. I am really concerned about riding level. We are having them put in two inch risers and shocks all around. Also, I am getting the 22 inch extended pin box and I am hoping this will be enough to level the ride. My Reese slider is lowered to the max now, so its going to be fun if doesn't ride level. I could switch the axels but that means dumping the shocks and using shorter ones. The factory wouldn't reverse the axels but the dealer will if needed.
What kind of towing mirrors are you using? I plan on getting the CIPA Universal Towing Mirrors that clamp on to the Tundra mirrors. Our Komfort 21 L class is only 6'9" wide and the stock mirrors work fine, but the new trailer will be 7'6" wide and the stock mirrors won't do.
I switched over to the Prodigy controller back in July and it is the greatest thing since rubber tires. I have a gray interior and the Prodigy matches it to a tee.
Lots of Questions!!! My fiver rides 7 inches above the bedrail. I lowered the Reese Hitch one notch from where the installer had it. It is an unusual Reese called Pro Series - 15K but smaller than one I had in an F-250 - narrower on the cross bars by one notch I guess and it weighs less when you lift it out, etc. It does swivel a little more on the head which has made hook up and unhooking easier than with the Lil Rocker.
The unit rides "almost" level. I haven't measured to get an exact reading from front to back but it is not noticeable like some I have seen on the road. I think it is OK for the fridge to run in transit and no problem when stopping off at a rest area or Walmart, etc.
I purchased some mirrors at a RV dealer that attach to the Tundra mirrors using rubber straps. The Starlite is 91 inches wide by the way while the older Aerolite was 84 inches. The factory mirrors on the T-100 were fine for the Aerolite and of course the Scamp which was only 78 inches wide.
My hitch installer had problems getting the Prodigy to work. It was the first one they had installed and they said that Toyotas were "difficult" due to "ground" problems, etc. Anyway, we finally decided to try the Voyager [This is the model I had on the T-100] and it worked fine.
Thanks for your responses. I have learned a lot about fifth-wheel towing although it seems that no one knows the answer to my original question. I was told that the 5th wheel towing capicity should be greater that the hitch towing capacity which is 7100 lbs (4x4, extended cab, etc.).
My rule of thumb has always been to tow 75% of capacity or less (.75 x 7100 = 5325 lbs). From the responses I read, the only fifth-wheel trailers being towed are much lighter than this. Since my wife and I would like to use the Tundra to tow a 25 - 27 foot trailer with the Tundra, our options for towables are very limited in this weight range. We were hoping that looking at a fifth-wheel would expand our options.
I was hoping that someone could point me to some published fifth-wheel towing specifications.
The Gross Combination Weight Rating [weight of Tundra, Passengers, gasoline, loaded trailer, items in truck bed, etc] is fixed regardless of the type load you pull - fifth wheel or standard trailer, horse trailer, etc.
The advantage of the fifth wheel is that the pin weight is centered over the rear axle and is greater than the hitch weight of a standard trailer which is behind the axle by several feet. This allows the fifth wheel combination to be much more stable on the road and much less subject to "sway". I have towed both types and believe me the fifth wheel is the only way I will ever go!!!
My fifth wheel is 24 feet long with about 10 inches of extended pin box added on to this. Total weight is approximately 4800 pounds loaded for travel with trailer GVWR of 5800 pounds. It is a Starcraft Starlite 2001. It is not being mfg for 2002. Flagstaff and Coachmen are making smaller fivers for 2002. I looked at the Flagstaff but was not impressed. There are some used Starlites and Aerolites out there. My previous fiver was an Aerolite which I enjoyed much and should have never gotten rid of. We thought we needed more room. These fivers are perfect for road trips and short stays of a week maybe two but too small for extended stays. We have learned that our emphasis is on the journey and lots of destinations without pulling a "mountain" behind us. Of course our largest fiver was only 28 feet which we towed with an F250, V10. This size is adequate for extended stays, we think.
Again, we have realized that our most extensive and carefree travels were with the 23 foot Aerolite fiver and now we have gotten back to a similar situation and "lovin it"!!!!!
Help, Please!
I am looking for help from my fellow TS members. In mid-May I am getting my new PACE Shadow Enclosed car trailer. The trailer is 23’9” long with a listed weight of 3530 lbs. Hitch weight of 353lbs. I will have about less than 1000 lbs in the trailer. I am installing a weight distribution hitch on the trailer; I have a class 4 hitch on the truck currently (stock from factory). NO other mods to the truck (stock).
The question is, Is this too much for the truck. DO I need to get something different, maybe a F250, or 2500 GMC? I love my Tundra and I don’t want to part with it. I am very concerned that the new trailer will just be a little more that it can chew. I cannot seam to find a great or “true” answer on the TS website for what TS members, tow and how much weight they are towing.
Thank you for all the help, and or any suggestions!
Kipp(race125)
The thread "Towing HELP!" merged with the thread "Towing Questions/Help" as they are the same subject. ~MustangSally
You should be just fine. The Tundra's towing capacity is 7200 lbs. (or close to there) and the tongue weight capacity on the hitch is 750 lbs. So, you are okay.
hockeyfreak
__________________
"If your not obsessing about something, you're probably not into it enough." - Chris Thile
2001 Tundra Limited *SOLD*
2005 Ford Excursion Limited PSD
1996 Ford F-250...Runnin' on Veggie Oil
1946 John Deere A
MODS: Hellwig, Custom Duals w/ Flowmaster 40 Series and Dr. Gas X-pipe, Daystar Bushings, Cornfed 2" Front Spacers, TRD AAL, K&N FIPK, 16x8 Weld Outbacks, 285/75R16 Yokohama Geolandar's, Access Cover, BedRug, Putco Bed Rails, PP Bull Bar, WeatherFlectors, Prodigy Brake Controller, Brown Bread Sound Deadener, '05 Taillights, AMSOIL ATF
Originally posted by race125 The trailer is 23’9” long with a listed weight of 3530 lbs. Hitch weight of 353lbs. I will have about less than 1000 lbs in the trailer. I am installing a weight distribution hitch on the trailer; I have a class 4 hitch on the truck currently (stock from factory). NO other mods to the truck (stock).
I've towed an 18' flatbed trailer up the hill with 3 pallets of tile weighing in at over 1500 lbs. each with no problem. (Don't know what the trailer weighed!) What you're talking about is less than 5,000 lbs. so I wouldn't think you'd have a problem. (Just make sure you take it out of overdrive going up hills and get yourself a good electronic trailer brake control if you don't already have one!)
I’ve also towed a 3500 pound 2 horse trailer, (With one great big horse!), up the hill without any problems. If I had it to do over I’d get something with a little more power, (Probably a Diesel Something!), but the Tundra should be able to handle what you’re describing quite nicely.
I would add two items. One is the Helwig anti-sway bar and some sort of added spring helper system. Minimum system would be a helper spring bar or best would be air springs. This would level the truck and control the added weight. This would be in addition to a good anti-sway trailer control system. You will love the Helwig anti-sway bar for every day use. Your truck will corner flat and elimate sway in sharp lane changes. I do think you should not have a problem pulling your load. There was a test with the big three and the Tundra pulled 5500 Lbs better then the other trucks in the 1/2 ton class.
I towed towed a 4700 lb. 21 foot boat, 24 feet with trailer. I have a 2000 LTD 4x4 TRD with a Class IV hitch. My boat didn't have the frontal area yours has but pulled My Tundra did great, towed the boat easily. No sway problems. I did have 480 lbs. of tongue weight and that DID present a problem, as the rear sagged badly. If you have that problem once you hook up I would suggest the non-TRD Bilsteins which are valved stiffer (they worked magic on my T100 with the same boat) or some of the air suspension systems, such as the one Performance Products carry. Even though the rearend sagged badly it was still very stable overall. So as far as your trailer weight, acceleration, braking, trans operation and overall stability, the Tundra did great.
Hello,
I have to ask - With such a large cargo trailer why is the amount carried only 1000 pounds?
Also, the frontal area of these type trailers appears to be less than that of camper trailers which a number of Tundra owners, including myself, are towing without difficulty.
I have seen some of these cargo type trailers that are "gooseneck" design which I bet are much more stable on the road with little or no "sway" - I would recommend you try one first if it is not too late.
The reason I am getting a rather big trailer like this is, my wife.
Second, My daughter and myself race motorcross, when we race on the weekends we need some place to sleep and get out of the weather. the "gameplan" for the trailer will be front 10' will be sleeping/living quarters, second 10' will be shop/bikes.
Its to late to cancle the order. I did "hook" up to a 20' V-nose, just about the same hitch weight. The rear end didnt sink to bad?
I love this truck and really dont want to give it up, my lease is up in Feb 03 and I think I will keep it after the lease is up.
I forgot this, My tundra is a 2000 4x4 Access Cab Emerald Green,
Not that this will make it tow better
Dogster,
How and why does your boat have a Hitch/tongue weight of 480lbs? Does it have daul axles? Thats a 100 more lbs than my 20' Pace that is comming in. Wow.
Fifth Wheel Towing
Towing HELP!
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