2006 Toyota Tundra towing capacity question

Hi everyone. Yet another "what can I safely tow with this thing?" question...

My tow vehicle is a 2006 Toyota Tundra 4x4 double cab (4.7 liter)

mileage: 60,000 (runs great)
towing capacity: 6700 lbs.
payload max: 1580
curb weight: 5100
GVWR: 6600
GCWR: 11,800
GAWR: 3500/3700

We currently tow a 2002 Trail-lite Bantam B19.

GVWR: 5000
GAWR: 2500/2500
Dry weight: 2800

Our kids are growing, and we now have a second dog, so we'd like to upgrade our TT. Staying with a hybrid, we are looking at a TT with a third bed and a slide. Here are the specs for the 2011 FR Rockwood Roo.

GVWR: 6278
GAWR: 2856/2856
Dry weight: 4550
Cargo max: 1689
Hitch weight: 532

The Tundra has towed the Bantam with ease for the past five seasons. We camp locally in the Adirondacks, always within 100 miles, and our stays range from 2-6 days. We camp 2-4 times a year. We are a family of four (two pre-teen kids) and two smallish dogs. We don't bring bikes or boats. We do bring clothes, bedding, food, a small generator when needed, and lawn chairs. We have minimal kitchenware, and our camping supply box includes a lantern, flashlights, rope, hatchet, and a few tools. And duct tape. :)

In short, we pack light and have no intention to drive distances longer than 100 miles. On many trips, we bring a second vehicle so my wife or I can go back home for work as needed. In these cases, I am in the Tundra by myself.

I hope this is enough information (and I apologize if it's too much.)

One of my brothers says I'm already at my 'safe maximum' with the Bantam. However, my FIL says towing the Roo will be no problem. I used a few online calculators, which say I'm in the 88-92% range of the Tundra's GCVWR.

To say the least, my head is spinning.

We love the Roo that we found (and we aren't in the position to upgrade the Tundra) but of course, safety is top priority. If we don't go with the Roo, we either keep looking for a lighter camper with the room we want or we keep the Bantam (actually...that's not an option) ;)

Any insights are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2014
The problem with the old Tundra is it is not a full sized 1/2 ton. When I changed to the second gen Tundra, it was like night and day. Not just the power of the 5.7 V8, but the fact it's a much bigger, heavier, stouter truck. But to answer the OP's question, yes he can tow that trailer.
BenK
Explorer
Jul 31, 2014
Welcome to the forum !

Comments embedded in bold, red below.

Will just refer to your 'half ton', as the badging begets too many
oblique comments/directions.

There are three classes of 'half ton' TV's. From +6K GVWR to the
regular half ton at +7K GVWR to the fake half ton +8K GVWR. Yours
is the lower GVWR half ton, typically run into ratings issues quickly
On that, mainly the rear GAWR.

Also, I do NOT say 'sure you can', or 'no can not', but provide the
info to figure it out yourself. As the only person responsible for
the setup is the driver. Even you set it up and someone else is driving,
they are responsible for the setup

Normally say to decide if you believe in the ratings or not, but your
post says to me, that you believe in the ratings system.

Being over the ratings/limits won't have the wheels instantly fall off...
they will sooner.

But the main issue is the ability of the TV to manhandle the setup
in the worst day out there when Mr Murphy crosses your path. Either
you have the proper sized components/systems or not...or setup correctly
or not. No time to go back to the store for bigger/better or re-setup
Either it's there spot on or not...

gem1122 wrote:
Hi everyone. Yet another "what can I safely tow with this thing?" question...

My tow vehicle is a 2006 Toyota Tundra 4x4 double cab (4.7 liter)

mileage: 60,000 (runs great)
towing capacity: 6700 lbs.
payload max: 1580
curb weight: 5100
GVWR: 6600
GCWR: 11,800
GAWR: 3500/3700

You have everything except for the actual weight. Without that you
are just guessing. Normally, the curb weight is the base model (AKA
stripper model, that is not ever sold, just the test mule they used
to derive the ratings)

Things like the optional 4x4 adds a few hundred pounds and that will
take, pound for pound, away from the cargo capacity and MTWR

We currently tow a 2002 Trail-lite Bantam B19.

GVWR: 5000
GAWR: 2500/2500
Dry weight: 2800

'Dry' is the stripper model and recommend you get it's actual weight

Our kids are growing, and we now have a second dog, so we'd like to upgrade our TT. Staying with a hybrid, we are looking at a TT with a third bed and a slide. Here are the specs for the 2011 FR Rockwood Roo.

GVWR: 6278
GAWR: 2856/2856
Dry weight: 4550
Cargo max: 1689
Hitch weight: 532

Are the GAWR's correct? They don't add up to the GVWR. If correct,
then the true GVWR is 2,856 + 2,856 + 5,712. Or 566 less than the
published GVWR.

The hitch weight is normally with the 'dry' weight of the trailer. It
will be more with the options and stuff you load into/onto the trailer

The tongue weight should be in the 12%-15% of the actual weight of the
trailer.

The Tundra has towed the Bantam with ease for the past five seasons. We camp locally in the Adirondacks, always within 100 miles, and our stays range from 2-6 days. We camp 2-4 times a year. We are a family of four (two pre-teen kids) and two smallish dogs. We don't bring bikes or boats. We do bring clothes, bedding, food, a small generator when needed, and lawn chairs. We have minimal kitchenware, and our camping supply box includes a lantern, flashlights, rope, hatchet, and a few tools. And duct tape. :)

In short, we pack light and have no intention to drive distances longer than 100 miles. On many trips, we bring a second vehicle so my wife or I can go back home for work as needed. In these cases, I am in the Tundra by myself.

I hope this is enough information (and I apologize if it's too much.)

One of my brothers says I'm already at my 'safe maximum' with the Bantam. However, my FIL says towing the Roo will be no problem. I used a few online calculators, which say I'm in the 88-92% range of the Tundra's GCVWR.

To say the least, my head is spinning.

We love the Roo that we found (and we aren't in the position to upgrade the Tundra) but of course, safety is top priority. If we don't go with the Roo, we either keep looking for a lighter camper with the room we want or we keep the Bantam (actually...that's not an option) ;)

Any insights are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

This is how the ratings system looks like in graphical form and
has helped folks 'see' where the numbers plug and play with other
numbers/ratings

howmuchshoulditow howmuchcanitow
Campfire_Time
Explorer
Jul 31, 2014
I have twice over the years towed very close to my limits. It's doable, it's safe so long as you mind the limits, but there are limitations. It really doesn't matter what you are towing with or what you're towing, the closer you get to your limits the less pleasant your towing experience will be. For the short term I think you're Tundra will be fine with that Roo. It certainly won't be unsafe. But I think even for the short drives you'll be thinking about a bigger TV after the first year.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2014
I towed around 6500 lbs with our old 2000 Tundra 4.7 V8 for around 4 years. I always felt like the truck was towing at its limit. It was fine on the flats but slow on the hills. We mostly did local camping but once took a 1500 mile trip. While not ideal, the truck could handle it. Later upgraded to second generation Tundra. Yes, you can do it, but a bigger truck would handle it better.
MitchF150
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2014
What are your ACTUAL weights with the Bantam hitched up to the Tundra?? Oh, never got those huh?? ;)

Then, it's just a guess on anyone's part, but you will be increasing your GVW of the trailer by about #1000 at most and adding a bit more tongue weight, so I'm sure it'll get down the road just fine... :)

Since you don't know your weights now, you won't know them with the Roo either, other than it'll be heavier.. ;)

So, it'll just come down to towing performance and that's only what you can determine really..

Good luck!

Mitch
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2014
Good specs. Makes helping much easier.

You have a wise FIL.

The biggest unknown is how much heavy necessary "junk" in the truck but assuming no more than the normal.
That particular Tundra has a 3700 RAWR/P tire load ratings so its important not to exceed that number.
Looks like good match for the Tundra.

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2006 Toyota Tundra towing capacity question

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