Just wanted to make a quick report on a recent trip we made. I posted this on a boating forum but then thought that it would be well served here on TS as well. Maybe should be in the towing section but thought it would get more exposure here. :thumb:
Trailered a 2007 Donzi 29 zfc from Maryland to Ohio ~400 miles of mostly mountainous terrain.
I knew it would be close so I calculated the numbers over and over...and then a few more times. I prefer to use the 80% rule when it comes to the limitations of towing and went into this knowing I would be out of my personal comfort zone but within the manufacturers published limitations.
Here are my calculations -
2007 Toyota Tundra 5.7
Curb weight - 5570lbs
Me - 150 lbs
My buddy - 200 lbs
our junk / misc / fudge factor - 100 lbs
= 6020 lbs
29 Donzi ZFC - 6000lbs
2 x 250 Verados - 635 lbs each
90 gal fuel on board - 558 lbs
Trailer - 2000 lbs
= 9828 lbs
= 15,848 GCVW
Max towing - 10200 lbs
GCWR - 16000 lbs
The truck was most definitely working hard. I'd love to say "you couldn't even tell it was there!" but that would be very far from the truth. It stopped ok (triple axle trailer with disc brakes on each axle) sagged a bit but was compensated for with Firestone airbags, and actually accelerated pretty well (at 0.9 mpgs
!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
That being said the engine temp and tranny temp gauges DID NOT BUDGE at all through the mountains on the PA turnpike.
The only real downfalls were the engine noise (mostly in 4th gear at 55 mph in the mountains and 5th gear at 65mph on the flatter portions) and we averaged 6.5 mpgs over the ENTIRE trip for 400 miles which absolutely sucks! I exponentially increased my carbon footprint and am now a prime contributor to global warming
All in all I was VERY impressed with this truck's capabilities. I do not plan to ever do this again or make a habit out of long hauls with this rig but must say that if needed to rise to the occasion that I have utmost confidence in this truck.
Trailered a 2007 Donzi 29 zfc from Maryland to Ohio ~400 miles of mostly mountainous terrain.
I knew it would be close so I calculated the numbers over and over...and then a few more times. I prefer to use the 80% rule when it comes to the limitations of towing and went into this knowing I would be out of my personal comfort zone but within the manufacturers published limitations.
Here are my calculations -
2007 Toyota Tundra 5.7
Curb weight - 5570lbs
Me - 150 lbs
My buddy - 200 lbs
our junk / misc / fudge factor - 100 lbs
= 6020 lbs
29 Donzi ZFC - 6000lbs
2 x 250 Verados - 635 lbs each
90 gal fuel on board - 558 lbs
Trailer - 2000 lbs
= 9828 lbs
= 15,848 GCVW
Max towing - 10200 lbs
GCWR - 16000 lbs
The truck was most definitely working hard. I'd love to say "you couldn't even tell it was there!" but that would be very far from the truth. It stopped ok (triple axle trailer with disc brakes on each axle) sagged a bit but was compensated for with Firestone airbags, and actually accelerated pretty well (at 0.9 mpgs

That being said the engine temp and tranny temp gauges DID NOT BUDGE at all through the mountains on the PA turnpike.
The only real downfalls were the engine noise (mostly in 4th gear at 55 mph in the mountains and 5th gear at 65mph on the flatter portions) and we averaged 6.5 mpgs over the ENTIRE trip for 400 miles which absolutely sucks! I exponentially increased my carbon footprint and am now a prime contributor to global warming

All in all I was VERY impressed with this truck's capabilities. I do not plan to ever do this again or make a habit out of long hauls with this rig but must say that if needed to rise to the occasion that I have utmost confidence in this truck.
