We own a 2008 Double Cab Tundra LTD 5.7 with a trailer towing package installed, and 20" tires
We are in the process of buying a travel trailer that is 35' and has a gross vehicle weight of 10,250, and a dry hitch weight of 1155 lbs., unloaded weight of 8150 lbs.
I am confident I won't exceed the 10,250 but my question is; when I add the hitch weight of 1155 lbs to the max payload and then add ourselves, gas, and 500 lbs in the trailer of misc, do I exceed my max Payload of 1455 lbs?
Most likely. If you know how to drive/tow, you should be safe. It doesn't seem to bother some, they just tow it anyway. Others, say it is illegal and you will not be insured if an accident happens.
Last edited by RLitwin; 04-01-2009 at 02:01 AM.
Reason: typo
It all comes down to if you can handle it or not. I suggest a rear spring mini pack to increase your pay load, and perhaps beef up your tires if they are stock. If you plan on towing a lot, maybe you want to do air ride.
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You will likely exceed your max payload weight without anything in the trailer if the hitch weight is 1155 pounds. That leaves only 300 pounds for you, your passengers, and any gear, toys, etc. you want to put in the back of the truck. That tongue weight seems a little high for the weight of the trailer, though. It's usually about 10-13% of the dry trailer weight. You will need a weight distribution hitch to tow a trailer that heavy. The hitch won't increase your payload capacity, but helps distribute the weight properly on your truck to help maintain proper handling.
You will likely exceed your max payload weight without anything in the trailer if the hitch weight is 1155 pounds. That leaves only 300 pounds for you, your passengers, and any gear, toys, etc. you want to put in the back of the truck. That tongue weight seems a little high for the weight of the trailer, though. It's usually about 10-13% of the dry trailer weight. You will need a weight distribution hitch to tow a trailer that heavy. The hitch won't increase your payload capacity, but helps distribute the weight properly on your truck to help maintain proper handling.
I hate to be the math police here, but 1155 lbs. is only 11.26% of 10,250... Which would put it in the normal realm.
Another concern of mine would be if the tires could handle it and like others have said air bags and helper springs will help increase your trucks suspension towing ability, if you need it. Hooking up the trailer and seeing how it tows before the long drive is also a good idea. I am assuming the trailer has brakes too!
Like anything else the trucks max payload and tow ratings are based on the "weakest" link in your truck. I don't plan on going that heavy so I haven't bothered to find out what that is.
Since you have a Maximum Payload of ..... ... 1455 lbs
and you have a Trailer Tongue weight of ... ..... -1155 lbs
That leave you ........................................... = 300 lbs
That 300 lbs is the most that you, your passengers, your gear, your gas, and your dog ... can total ...
And .... don't forget your rear GAWR ... (the most weight you can put on your rear axle ....) I think you are overloading the rated limits of your truck. Just because others have done it, does not make it safe..
I would find a trailer with a rear kitchen ... they have lighter tongue weights..
And dude, you gotta lose some weight .. (so has your dog)
Being that this is a permanent long term setup, I say find a way to make the numbers work. Don't foget a full tank of gas adds wieght too. 300lbs isn't even enough for 2 people. Find another way.
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07 Tundra, White
Regular cab, short bed
TRD
I was referring the dry weight of 8155, which would put the tongue weight at over 14%. Regardless, if you want to stay within Toyota's specs, the 1155 lbs tongue weight places considerable restrictions on what you have in the truck.
Another option is to go to the dealership (assuming your buying new), have them hook it up with a properly adjusted WDH, tow it to a local scale and get your actual weight per axle. If your family is with you, even better. Total GVW should be under 16,000lbs, and the weight as even front to rear on the truck as possible.
I was referring the dry weight of 8155, which would put the tongue weight at over 14%. Regardless, if you want to stay within Toyota's specs, the 1155 lbs tongue weight places considerable restrictions on what you have in the truck.
Yep... I see that now. Still tongue weight would be subjective depending on where and how much weight was "loaded" in the trailer and the type/length of hitch and ball being used. I have found that published weights and "actual" weights are off. Finding a local CAT scale would be a good thing to do.
I still think that you could figure out what the weak link(s) in our setup is and beef them up to handle the weight. We are not talking about overloading by 10,000 pounds.
For example, Chevy and Ford both speed limit their diesel trucks based on the speed rating of the tire. The F450 or 4500 trucks were limited even lower than the F250/350 and 2500/3500 because the tires had heavier weigth ratings, but lower speed ratings. It didn't mean the truck couldn't or shouldn't go faster, but if you wanted to "safely" (as safely as you can go over 85 MPH in one of those) you had to change tires.
While every post is correct, I want to add that the loaded trailer ALONE + you and your cargo is over the Tundra's COMBINED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING. (seem to recall it's 16,000#'s)
When Toy says we can tow 10,200, that's based on a totally empty truck. All cargo/passengers/fuel etc....lowers that max weight.
You'll get many here that foo-foo those numbers, and for short trips I, too, would push the envolope. But I'm not sure I'd want to pull 10K regulalrly with a 1/2 ton.....and that's ANY 1/2 ton.
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It can get confusing trying to figure out exactly what you can tow. Here's a link to a good towing web site that will explain alot about towing and how to determine what your truck's towing capabilities are. Howstuffworks "Towing Guide"
Your pushing it to the limit, you should be alright, but based on my experience will be driving a lot in 4th gear, especially on the prairies pushing a head wind. I went to a shorter lighter trailer for long distance towing.
Tundra Max Cargo Weight
Linear Mode
