Hello, we are looking at a 2015 heartland prowler 26p bhs. We have a 2011 Toyota tundra and we are confused if the GVWR of the double cab tundra will be overweight? Here are the numbers:2011 Toyota tundra double cab 5.7 liter 4x4GVWR 7100 lbsApprox weight of truck is 6000 lbsTowing capacity is 9300 lbs2015 heartland prowler 26p bhsDry weight is 6246 lbsGVWR 9000 lbsHitch weight is 760 lbsWe are concerned that the hitch weight is taking away from the GVWR of the tundra and will only allow for approx. 340 lbs in the tow vehicle (including persons in the vehicle). Are we doing our math right or should we look at other numbers? Thanks, we are so confused, we are used to towing a 1988 popup and want to graduate to TT towing! Thanks in advance.

Yes, you will be over your GVWR, with that trailer. Your loaded hitch weight will be close to 900 lbs. You also have to figure the WDH, will be almost another 100 lbs.If you don't load the truck will firewood, gear, etc., you will likely get by, just like many others.If everyone towing over their GVWR stayed home, there would be much more room in the CGs.Jerry

That's not a good combination, IMO. We towed a TT for 6 years that weighed approximately 7000-7500 lbs loaded, and though the truck pulled it well, I always felt the tail was just a bit bigger than the dog would like. We downsized last year to a TT with a GVWR about the same as your trailer's "dry" weight and it's going much better. Good luck with the decision.

Your concerns are valid. If your calculations on the truck are correct, you have 1100 lbs payload to work with.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------If you subtract the actual truck weight from it's GVWR, the remainder is your payload.From your payload you need to subtract loaded tongue weight, 100 lbs for the weight distributing hitch, the weight of your occupants, and the weight of any cargo in the truck.With 6246 dry weight, the trailer will weigh (average load of dishes, pots and pans, camping gear, BBQ, tools, groceries, water, and bedding, etc, is 800 - 1000 lbs) 7000 - 7300 lbs loaded. Average tongue (hitch) weight is about 12.5 percent of loaded trailer weight. That would give you tongue weight between 875 and 912 lbs. The 340 lbs, you are concerned with, will more likely be under 100.

Too much of one and not enough of the other.

Keep the trailer weight to 7k or less and you will be much happier. Make sure you have L T tires on your truck. My trailer wouldn't be more than 6,500 lbs. and tows quite well with my Tundra.

Help with tow rating for 2011 Toyota tundra and new TT

16 Replies

Slate_CM
Explorer II
May 06, 2015
APT wrote:
Slate CM wrote:
As far as having to subtract for passengers and hitch, that doesn't fully apply to the Tundra or any truck that uses J2807.

J2807 does not take into account payload/GVWR or receiver ratings of the tow vehicle. It is WOT performance based metric, which most people who purchase vehicles never do. Take one very powerful crew cab 4WD Platinum Denali Longhorn half ton with 1200 pounds of payload (there are even some with 800). They should not be towing 80000 pound travel trailers.

This one explains it pretty well J2807 There are tests for braking and stability while towing in addition to acceleration.

I re-read a couple articles and the ratings are slightly different for 3/4 and 1 ton. Although if it passes the tests, wouldn't a truck then be considered one of those?
APT
Explorer
May 06, 2015
Slate CM wrote:
As far as having to subtract for passengers and hitch, that doesn't fully apply to the Tundra or any truck that uses J2807.

J2807 does not take into account payload/GVWR or receiver ratings of the tow vehicle. It is WOT performance based metric, which most people who purchase vehicles never do. Take one very powerful crew cab 4WD Platinum Denali Longhorn half ton with 1200 pounds of payload (there are even some with 800). They should not be towing 8000 pound travel trailers.
Slate_CM
Explorer II
May 05, 2015
As far as having to subtract for passengers and hitch, that doesn't fully apply to the Tundra or any truck that uses J2807.

The engineering standards allow for two 150# passengers, I know many of us weigh a touch more, and I believe 70# for the hitch.

Those ratings also allow a dually to be just a little slower in acceleration and climbing than single rear wheel trucks.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
May 05, 2015
Geeallan wrote:
Great! Thank you all so much! We are planning on making a decision soon. It's nice to hear from experienced rver's What is your take on the length of the rv? 28brs is 32ft tongue to bumper....I have a wheel base of 145.7 " thanks again!

I would have no problem with that length considering everything else is set up correctly.
Geeallan
Explorer
May 03, 2015
Great! Thank you all so much! We are planning on making a decision soon. It's nice to hear from experienced rver's What is your take on the length of the rv? 28brs is 32ft tongue to bumper....I have a wheel base of 145.7 " thanks again!
Ron3rd
Explorer III
May 03, 2015
Tundra owner here, and if you're comfortable towing at the Tundra's upper limit like I have been doing for 8 years, go for it. If you're not, pick something smaller. I would have no problem towing that trailer with my Tundra.
LakeN
Explorer
May 03, 2015
We are towing Everlite in signature which is about 5200 dry wt. Tundra tow wt is 10,500. Great combination. You will read a lot of negative comments on the lack of payload for Tundras. We previously owned a North Trail 26RK (2009) which we enjoyed. North Trails do tow well. We use a Reese Dual Cam WD system & Prodigy brake controller. Keep speed 60-62 and you should be in good shape.
We do carry 2 bikes, firewood, fairly heavy gazebo, 80# of dog & 2 humans average weight. :)
Also a double cab V8 Tundra, 4 X 2/ We have 20" Michelins on Tundra.
jmtandem
Explorer II
May 03, 2015
We are concerned that the hitch weight is taking away from the GVWR of the tundra and will only allow for approx. 340 lbs in the tow vehicle (including persons in the vehicle). Are we doing our math right or should we look at other numbers? Thanks, we are so confused, we are used to towing a 1988 popup and want to graduate to TT towing! Thanks in advance.

Use 13 percent of the trailer's total weight for the tongue. At 9000 GVWR pounds that would equal a tongue weight of 1170 pounds plus the hitch, proably around another 75 pounds. Even if you are only loaded to around 7500 pounds total trailer weight you still will have a tongue weight of 975 pounds plus the hitch or around 1050 pounds. Approximately 20 percent of the redistributed tongue weight is moved to the trailer's axles with a weight distribution hitch.
jerem0621
Explorer II
May 03, 2015
Time to up truck.

Currently we are towing a pop up with a minivan.

My next vehicle will be a 3/4 ton truck as I know our next RV will be a TT.. Yep, I'll be skipping right over half ton.

I think you could make it work well with your tundra. But if you are considering changing vehicles, I recommend going to a 3/4 ton.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
scbwr
Explorer II
May 03, 2015
At 5,180 dry, you should be fine once loaded. What tires do you have on the Tundra? I had P rated tires (should have never bought them, but a long story) and replaced them with 10 ply E rated tires. On our last trip, I felt just a little flexing or movement of the truck while towing...not any sway, but I wasn't happy with what I felt. Did some more homework when I got home and it became obvious that the tires had to be replaced. Just the tire change eliminated an inch or two of sag at the hitch which I suspect is due to less flexing of the sidewall. I've towed my trailer for a few miles locally, but I need to take it out on the highway and make sure the current setup will be ok.

Now I know why there have been so many posts about LT tires on 1/2 ton trucks as they really make a difference.