Can a Tundra "carry" a 5th wheel? - Page 2

jimh · 10-10-2010, 06:21 AM

i chose the duelly for the extra rubber on the road to stop the trailer with. the neg to a long base crew duelly is parking it at a store.

Michigan-traveler · 11-27-2010, 08:26 PM

I just became a member yesterday and after reading these replies I thought I would share my experiences with the Tundra. I have a 2007 Tundra 5.7 4x4 DC with towing package. We left western Michigan Aug. 1st. 2010 with four other couples for Alaska. I was towing a fifth wheel which with all the contents for the trip weighed about 8000 lbs. Our trip which was 9500 miles thru Canada including the Alaskan Highway and much much more and then on to Fairbanks, Anchorage, Valdez, Skagway and our return trip was over some great roads and some rough sections as well. For any that have made this trip you can appreciate all the mountains and wind that you encounter along the way. My Tundra handled the fifth wheel remarkably well. The only issue I had with the truck was a couple of dings from stones along the way. The power was never an issue, and I averaged just over 11 mpg. for the entire trip. The closest mpg. to my ntruck was a 38' diesel pusher which got just over 10 mpg. The hitch weight of the fifth wheel was 1,124 lbs. dry. I have the stock suspension and never had a problem handeling the bumps and dips along the way. We had a great trip and trouble free vacation. We arrived home the end of september

**Herk7769** · 11-27-2010, 08:51 PM

That was a torture test if I ever heard one and a real testament to the ruggedness of the Tundra. Good job on the mileage too.

You stated your rig weighted approximately 8000 pounds loaded and that is pretty light for a 5th wheel. What model and GVW was the 5th wheel?

you also stated the dry pin weight as 1124 pounds. I am curious as to what the loaded pin weight was. Did you get a chance to weigh your rig before you left?

Michigan-traveler · 11-28-2010, 11:51 AM

It was a 1996 Terry 24 5P which has a small slide. I purchased the unit used and the only information as to weight was the title which showed 6335 lbs. However units back then were not actually weighed as they are required to be now. A dealer that used to sell them told me if I weighed it I would be surprised how heavy it actually is and it did surprise me when I put it on the scales as the dry weight was 7120 lbs. and the hitch weight being 1124 lbs. I did not weigh it loaded so the 8000 lbs. is a bit of a guess, but we were packed to full capacity. We had been thinking about getting the Rockwood 8265 WS for sometime, so after I cleaned and polished the Terry after returning I decided to put it up for sell this fall and it sold within five days so we have that unit on order now.

**Herk7769** · 11-28-2010, 02:00 PM

The 8526 WS might be a bit too heavy for your Tundra.
Make sure you don't overload the pin.

No matter how hard we try, we seem to carry about 1500 pounds of "MUST HAVE" every time we go camping. We have even kept a log as to what we actually used. Does not help.

You may be looking at a newer TV after you have pulled the new camper for a while.

Michigan-traveler · 11-28-2010, 03:41 PM

Actually the 8265WS that I looked at with the options we want is a few pounds less with the same hitch weight that the Terry had, so it should match up well. Thanks for your imput. This seems to be a great site with lots of useful information.

**Herk7769** · 11-28-2010, 03:54 PM

We do try.

Everyone seems to have an opinion about TV load limits. Seems many of the most vocal have never weighed their rigs loaded for camping.

I was totally shocked my first trip to the scales. I have a 3/4 ton TV with a 9200 pound GVW and a camper with a 9300 pound Max GW limit.

With it loaded for a one week jaunt, I headed for the scales and discovered my camper was at its max and my TV was overloaded by 1100 pounds. I do have a diesel and that adds quite a bit of weight to the TV that is not reflected in the "curb weight" in the documentation.

Still I would have thought I could haul a bigger camper than that since the "max trailer weight" in the GMC booklet would lead you to believe I can tow a 15,000 pound camper with my engine.

That might be true if I was able to CARRY the 2500 pound pin weight required of a 15,000 pound camper. Which I can't.

bigdaddy23 · 12-22-2010, 01:46 PM

Yea your Tundra will tow it with the right hitch. Great stuff here !!!

Lakeshore RV Dealer: #1 Keystone RVs, Forest River & Heartland RV Dealer

bill and theresa · 12-22-2010, 07:12 PM

I towed a 31 foot prowler fifth wheel for some time I had a 2500 dodge diesel and it was not a dually.Later I got a 2500 that was a dually and also cummings diesel. My feelings are only buy a dually if you want to buy 6 tires instead of four. Could not tell any difference.

riversedge · 01-28-2011, 09:13 AM

A newby here, tow a 2011 Sabre Silhouette 290 RES with a 2007 Toyota Tundra reg cab TRD. The 5er has a listed dry weight of 7910 and the actual weight shipped was 8187. Anticipate actual weight loaded will be around 9500.
The tundra tows this unit great, independent tests have the rear axle rated at 5500 lbs and the brakes are as large as any 3/4 ton on the market. The weak points of the tundra are the P rated tires and rear springs. By upgrading these you will not increase the GVWR set by the manufacturer but it will increase your towing experience.
Last trip of 1500 miles averaged 10.5 mpg (US) and both TV and 5er worked perfectly.

Michigan-traveler · 01-28-2011, 01:08 PM

Riversedge. I have been very happy with the Tundra's ability to tow. There six speed transmission with the 4:30 low gear is a great combination. Our new Rockwood came in 140 lbs. more for dry weight, and the same for hitch weight than our Terry that we pulled to Alaska and back and got just north of 11 mpg. Enjoy your camping. Larry.

riversedge · 01-28-2011, 04:56 PM

Thanks Michigan-traveler (Larry) this is our second 5er, the first being a Terry Resort that we bought new in 93. Hauled it to Alaska in 96, what a fabulous trip, would love to do it again sometime however there are many other places we haven't seen yet so will have to wait. Our next trip is planned for Florida at the end of March. Hopefully the grand canyon and area in a couple of years. Wayne

colorado4me · 02-07-2011, 02:54 PM

I have a 2005Ford F150 SuperCrew with the 51/2 foot bed with towing capacity 9200 pounds. We were looking at a PullRite Super Glide 5er hitch made for short beds when we stopped in our tracks by tech support from PullRite. RV dealer called with the news and then I spoke to PiilRite and it was explained why they didn't recommend it. Basically we would stand a chance of hitting my truck. I would talk to the hitch people if you had concerns . Linda at PullRite was really nice and sent me a diagram with what measurements they needed; width of trailer and king pin position.Will try to attach measuring diagram. I'm working on truck upgrade because the 5er we found we really like.
superglide.pdf

leencharlotte · 02-07-2011, 11:38 PM

Hello everyone. I am also an owner of a 2wd CM 5.7 Tundra and recently bought a TT. I have only been towing locally and my gas is 7.5-8.. i am heading on a 1000+ mile rountrip in2 months. Please tell me your gas mileage secrets. Using tow/ haul? Manually shifting?

Any advise would be appreciated.

Lee

riversedge · 02-08-2011, 06:35 AM

leencharlotte - I currently tow a 9000 lb fifth wheel with a 2007 tundra RCSB, 2wd and 5.7. We picked the trailer up in Ohio and hauled it 1500 miles to Nova Scotia in October and averaged 10.5 mpg (US gallons). I tow in S5 and highway speed of 55 - 60 mph. I did not use tow/haul on that trip. Any faster and your mileage drops like a rock. Enjoy your TT.

leencharlotte · 02-08-2011, 06:45 AM

Riversedge: thanks! I have been toying with the manual gears and no tow/haul mode and it seemed to help a little but have not tried on the interstate yet. I will though

fivecodys · 02-08-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riversedge

leencharlotte - I currently tow a 9000 lb fifth wheel with a 2007 tundra RCSB, 2wd and 5.7. We picked the trailer up in Ohio and hauled it 1500 miles to Nova Scotia in October and averaged 10.5 mpg (US gallons). I tow in S5 and highway speed of 55 - 60 mph. I did not use tow/haul on that trip. Any faster and your mileage drops like a rock. Enjoy your TT.

I agree with this statement.
61 mph is the sweet spot for my rig.
I do use Tow/Haul but can't say what good it really does on flat land.
"Slow down and enjoy the trip" was the advice I was given by a friend of mine.

Have fun.

Bill

Michigan-traveler · 02-10-2011, 09:08 AM

I unlike several pull my fifth wheel in sixth gear as long as the truck does not shift back and forth. I try to drive as close to 60 mph. as possible and agree that 61 mph. seems to be a good target. My transmission guage has never varied under any condition. I use the tow haul and the select lever. The ease in down shifting for both hills and braking is wonderful with these vehicles. I am very light on the gas petal and never use cruise control when towing. Also if your tires have an aggressive tread you will notice very big drop in mileage when towing. That is the same without towing as well as I have found about a 2 mpg. difference both towing and non-towing depending on the tread. This has been my experience. Hope it is helpful. Larry.

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