Newbie with questions

Well, two things did not last long. The Outback and the TV. We upgraded the trailer to a 2006 Keystone Copper Canyon and after the first trip, the Tundra never got to tow the TT again.
The only problem is that now that I am back on a HD truck, I am itching for a 5th wheel trailer:R

Does this upgrading thing ever end???

rbpru wrote:
I agree, you will most likey run out of max cargo capacity with kids and toys.

My wife, dog and I weigh 500 lbs. the truck cap 250 lbs the tongue wieght is 600 lbs. that does not include tools and sports gear or toys.

We eat up our max cargo pretty quick.

Yea, I don't think I'd be able to put much on the back of the truck, most will end up in the back of the TT. I will not be carrying water, allowed fluids will be beer, wine and perhaps some milk...
We have this season to learn and figure out what our needs will be, from there we need to adjust accordingly. I still don't see a HD tow vehicle in my future, and with under 20K miles on the clock, the Tundra will have to suffice. A larger TT will possibly come in a year or so, as long as I can still be within the trucks payload

I agree, you will most likey run out of max cargo capacity with kids and toys.

My wife, dog and I weigh 500 lbs. the truck cap 250 lbs the tongue wieght is 600 lbs. that does not include tools and sports gear or toys.

We eat up our max cargo pretty quick.

APT wrote:
Congrats on the new RV! I have always like the Outbacks and am hoping to buy one in the next year.

Take a look at this thread on WDH principals and this one on how to adjust it. I am also of the opinion that air bags have little place with bumper pull trailers. My prior tow vehicle was at to 500 pounds over GVWR every camping trip. With the WDH adjusted correctly, the rear end never dropped more than 1.5" and handling was fantastic up to 75mph.

Thanks, we really like the outback. A bunk house with a rear slide out queen bed would have been the best set up for us, but the condition and price ($6K with WDH) were hard to pass. We feel that after a couple of seasons of enjoying the outback, we could upgrade to a larger trailer with bunks and not loose (much) money if we maintain the outback well.
Thanks for the links, wow, lot of great info!

Congrats on the new RV! I have always like the Outbacks and am hoping to buy one in the next year.

Take a look at this thread on WDH principals and this one on how to adjust it. I am also of the opinion that air bags have little place with bumper pull trailers. My prior tow vehicle was at to 500 pounds over GVWR every camping trip. With the WDH adjusted correctly, the rear end never dropped more than 1.5" and handling was fantastic up to 75mph.

wmoses wrote:

65aircooled wrote:
My truck just clears 2K# of max payload so I am good and can still be safe.....
The reason I mentioned the airbags

I was not aware that the Tundra had a 2000# payload rating. For some reason I thought that it was on the lower end of the scale for 1/2 ton trucks.

Airbags don't increase payload. As kknowlton mentioned a properly adjusted WDH should be the answer for your problems.

Mine is a very special Tundra;)

On a more serious note, I stand corrected. The Toy site lists my truck at 1640# but the door sticker says 47# for the limited trim package.
I know airbags don't increase payload capability, I never said that. However, for any truck which payload capability is maxed or near, airbags provide a more comfortable and even safer ride depending on conditions. That's why I originally asked the question.

I didn't buy the KZ because it fell way short from the owner's description. His 9 out of then was more like 6 out of 10. Really rusted frame and undercarriage, missing tail lights, missing silicon seal around windows, and beat up interior. So I went with a Keystone Outback 26RLS. Hardly used but filthy dirty, my wife and I spent all day cleaning it in and out and we still ran out of time. No bunks for the kids but in the end they both liked it better than the KZ. They said "This is it, this is the one we have to buy" and to top it all off the price was very low!

The included WDH pictured helps get rid of the squat.

65aircooled wrote:
My truck just clears 2K# of max payload so I am good and can still be safe.....
The reason I mentioned the airbags

I was not aware that the Tundra had a 2000# payload rating. For some reason I thought that it was on the lower end of the scale for 1/2 ton trucks.

Airbags don't increase payload. As kknowlton mentioned a properly adjusted WDH should be the answer for your problems.

A good weight-distributing hitch will also help with the squat and the rear GAWR. Our last TT probably weighed close to its GVWR of 7600 lbs and our Tundra towed it handily. We have never tried airbags, but are pretty content with how things have been with this truck.

Thanks handye9, I am no stranger to towing and it's math which I already did. That's why I mentioned it to be close to marginal, adding the weight of my wife and kids. My truck just clears 2K# of max payload so I am good and can still be safe. I know lots of ppl who own TT's and larger fishing boats (I own a grady white walkaround fishing boat) would recommend a dually for most anything above a single axle pop up, but I don't feel it to be necessary. Sure is nice to have the largest TV available, but I don't think it is imperative, as long as one can tow within the safe recommended limits.
The reason I mentioned the airbags is because among the 1/2 ton lineup, the Tundra has the smoothest ride, which affects the stiffness of the rear suspension or lack there of. Last year I sold my work horse, a 2006 Ram diesel and bought the tundra as a left over last January. The Tundra has never had a problem towing my haulmark enclosed trailer weighed at 8000# full of tools and equipment. I still miss the torque of the cummins but in reality, since I only tow on occasion, the need for the HD truck is no longer there. The squat of the Tundra with the haulmark is minimal at best and with the boat is just not there, period. Granted, it is just over 5000#
With that said, I realize that the tongue weight with the 2809 will be a bit grater than the haulmark based on it's design, again, that's the reason for the airbag question.
Thanks for the raised flags though, valid concerns for sure.

Forget about that 9800 lb tow capacity. You will run out of payload, long before you get to that. That 9800 tow capacity is, with a 150 lb driver, who is alone, and has no cargo. Adding weight with passengers, heavier driver, or cargo, reduces tow capacity and available payload.

What you need to look at, is your payload sufficient to carry the weight of your family, 100 lbs of WD hitch, any cargo you plan to put in the truck bed, and the tongue weight from that trailer. Your loading capacity should be on a sticker on your drivers door post. That is your capacity for everything and everybody you put in or on the truck, combined.

The trailer has a gross weight around 7000 lbs. Loaded for camping, it will weigh between 6400 and 7000 lbs. Average tongue weight is 12 - 13% of loaded trailer weight. You're probably looking at 768 to 910 lbs of tongue weight. Plus the weight of the WD hitch.

Ask the seller about actual loaded weights on the trailer. You want to know loaded tongue weight and loaded trailer weight.

Adding helper springs or airbags, may help with the ride, but, nothing will increase payload and GVWR.