Best Towing Upgrades

[2uprup]

I have read almost all the threads on here about towing with the Tundras. I have a 2007 Tundra SR5 Crewmax 5.7L TRD 4x4. I tow a 4,000 lbs tractor with a trailer that is about 1,500 lbs. I have a brake controller and regular 2 inch ball but that's it for equipment. It feels like I am pulling a tank when I am on the highway, especially long inclines. Also, the rear suspension will bottom out occaisinaly. What are the best upgrades to solve the power issues and rear sag in the truck? I am thinking about adding airbags to the rear suspension and upgrading to a weight distributing hitch. Before I spend all this money I'd like to know what you guys reccomend. Thanks.

[RudyDep]

I really dont tow anything w/substance, BUT...I would say airbags for the rear to level the vehicle with that trailer attached. I would also recommend a TRD rear swaybar. I cant imagne that your truck would have ANY issue towing that light load and CERTAINLY dont think that 5500 lbs would be an issue. Hang in there, you will get TONS of responses.

[2uprup]

I think it has to do more with the awkward shape of the load (tractor) being towed because I also tow a 23 ft boat that is about 5,000 lbs and I barely notice that behind me.

[kf4qvi]

Is your trailer a dual axle? I have a 02 Tundra with 4.7L a pull a trailer with tractor and equipment from time to time. Probably about the same wieght you mentioned. I have to pay very close attention to where exactly the tractor is positioned. Too far forward or backward will make a huge difference, even just a foot or so.

[Trucker1967]

Sounds to me like you need a longer trailor, why do you have that kind of tongue weight?

You need to either put that tractor back further on the trailor to reduce tongue weight or if you cannot you are using to short of a trailor or one that doesnt quite accomadate your item correctly, I have had full size cars on a trailor and they dont sag what so ever, why? because I have the car using the trailors suspension, I used no weight distributing hitches, didn't need one for that light of a load, as far as power I had gobs of it.

Sometimes I couldn't get the tongue the way I would like so I would back the car on because of the front engine weight, maybe the tractor could be backed on and that would change the weight distribution better.

Now sometimes you can have to few pounds on the tongue and you will get waggle, I usually had mine around 300 pounds or so just a guess, I would usually try and get it to compress a inch or two using a yard stick ... you must have yours at 1200 to 1500 pounds if you are bottoming out your suspension, thats way too much when its not needed.

Now some things like 5th wheels and other items that are flat out heavy and not adjustable, you cannot do anything about, so you have to use air bags, but a trailor with a movable object on it can be adjusted by moving that item forward or backward to adjust tongue weight.

[2uprup]

Originally Posted by kf4qvi

Is your trailer a dual axle? I have a 02 Tundra with 4.7L a pull a trailer with tractor and equipment from time to time. Probably about the same wieght you mentioned. I have to pay very close attention to where exactly the tractor is positioned. Too far forward or backward will make a huge difference, even just a foot or so.

Yes it is a dual axle trailer rated for 7k lbs. I have noticed the position of the trailer makes all the difference in the world. I have marked the spot I like best in the trailer floor.

[2uprup]

Originally Posted by Trucker1967

Sounds to me like you need a longer trailor, why do you have that kind of tongue weight?

You need to either put that tractor back further on the trailor to reduce tongue weight or if you cannot you are using to short of a trailor or one that doesnt quite accomadate your item correctly, I have had full size cars on a trailor and they dont sag what so ever, why? because I have the car using the trailors suspension, I used no weight distributing hitches, didn't need one for that light of a load, as far as power I had gobs of it.

Sometimes I couldn't get the tongue the way I would like so I would back the car on because of the front engine weight, maybe the tractor could be backed on and that would change the weight distribution better.

Now sometimes you can have to few pounds on the tongue and you will get waggle, I usually had mine around 300 pounds or so just a guess, I would usually try and get it to compress a inch or two using a yard stick ... you must have yours at 1200 to 1500 pounds if you are bottoming out your suspension, thats way too much when its not needed.

Now some things like 5th wheels and other items that are flat out heavy and not adjustable, you cannot do anything about, so you have to use air bags, but a trailor with a movable object on it can be adjusted by moving that item forward or backward to adjust tongue weight.

Great points. I do try to center the tractors center of gravity of the center of the axles. I have an 18 ft trailor so there is plenty of room to place the tractor. I have not tried backing it on the trailor because it looks like the center of gravity would be way too far toward the tongue of the trailor. As far as tongue weight, there is not much because the truck only squats about an inch or 2 when the tractor is loaded.

[kf4qvi]

I usually back my tractor on, unless I have a heavy attachment hooked up. It seems to ride much better. Centering over the axles is the way to go on a dual axle.

[2uprup]

Originally Posted by kf4qvi

I usually back my tractor on, unless I have a heavy attachment hooked up. It seems to ride much better. Centering over the axles is the way to go on a dual axle.

I always end up towing the tractor with the backhoe attachment connected which weighs about 1,800 lbs itself. That's why I haven't tried backing it on yet but might give it a try to see how the truck sits with the tractor in various positions on the trailor.

[MTeator]

If you're bottoming out the rear suspension, get a WD hitch. Airbags won't stop you from lifting the front when the weight goes on the rear. You might not need airbags anymore after you distribute the weight.

Best option is to trade your trailer for a gooseneck trailer

[bilztrd]

E range tires! Just got back, first time with the BFG ko's and they are great !

[2uprup]

Originally Posted by MTeator

If you're bottoming out the rear suspension, get a WD hitch. Airbags won't stop you from lifting the front when the weight goes on the rear. You might not need airbags anymore after you distribute the weight.

Best option is to trade your trailer for a gooseneck trailer

I'd love to get a gooseneck but the wife drives the truck daily and she would kill me if I installed the hitch in the bed!

[MTeator]

Originally Posted by 2uprup

I'd love to get a gooseneck but the wife drives the truck daily and she would kill me if I installed the hitch in the bed!

It's just a little ball! Get one that has the hidden ball and there's almost no evidence of it in the bed when not in use.

[Tbirdness]

I agree with all of the above. Get the load on the trailer to be about 60% on hte front half of the trailer and get a equalizer hitch. I just sold one for $200 that is rated for a 750 pound tong weight. Bought another for $200 that has a 1000 pound tongue weight. My trailer is a 20 footer with a total load of about 9200 pounds. Truck sets nearly level. Biggest hazard with too much sag is the lack of braking ability with the front wheels.

T

[wassup8687]

Not sure if they are available for the Tundra but check out Timbren's. They reduce sag by providing a larger bump stop.