Potential Tow Vehicle and Weights Question ..

I don't think the OP was referring to hybrid tow vehicles. He was talking about another RV website called "Hybrid Explorer"

jspringator wrote:
I would be anxious to hear reports of anyone towing with a hybrid.

Locomotives are hybrids, and they tow pretty well considering they only weigh a tiny fraction of all the "trailers". I could tell you a lot of railroad stories and how it is done.

But, if you are not joking about asking about Hybrids, I'm sure you are asking about a Hybrid pick-up such as the past Silverado, or Durango(?). I say past, because I believe they do not make them any more. But when they did, the Silverados towed just fine according to their GM website. The brake energy regeneration had little effect on the limitations of the multiple OEM shared modified hydraulic transmission. Not like our Prius all-electric driveline where towing would probably kill it.

The highway mileage was the same as conventional, but city mileage gained a bit from recovering braking during stop-and-go driving. It saved a little precious oil for our grandchildren and the fine folks in other developing countries. Long live America.

It would be nice to hear from an actual truck Hybrid owner. Maybe some of the Chevy forums has an experienced user.

By the way, shown below is a good example of the main reason for listed 1/2 ton load limitations... tires. Photo Courtesy of APT's earlier post in this same thread.



Load capacity can be improved by upgrading tires. Note that this photo shows that higher than typical "Load Range B" tires are used because the inflation pressure is notably increased. In other words, it is easy to gain 500# in 1/2 truck ton load capacity usually by just upgrading the passenger grade tires to better LT (light truck) tires. It's just like putting those rivets back in the airplane wing. Wings and tires hold the rest up.


Wes
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fla-gypsy wrote:


No one is bashing 1/2 tons in this thread, Oh, but you know the Tundra is equal to a 3/4 ton anyway regardless of what Toyota says so go ahead and do anything you want, huh? After all it can pull the Space Shuttle, right? That's what I thought.

And! It had enough power and speed to not be run over by the SS. Chris

bbweasel wrote:
Thanks for feedback and advice from everyone. Since I would be pretty close to the payload limit of the Tundra, I decided to go look at a 2014 RAM 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi which is not much bigger than the Tundra in overall size. In addition, I did find a couple F-150's with the 5.0 and 3.73 including the HD payload in driving distance which could be an option as well. The RAM 2500 6.4 had plenty of power and road very nice compared to the 2013 I drove early fall last year. It is not much more than the Tundra Limited and provides a 3000# payload per the door sticker. Yes, its overkill for my camper but would solve my payload concerns!

I think you've got a great idea!

If you go with Ram are you opting for the rear air suspension?

Thanks for feedback and advice from everyone. Since I would be pretty close to the payload limit of the Tundra, I decided to go look at a 2014 RAM 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi which is not much bigger than the Tundra in overall size. In addition, I did find a couple F-150's with the 5.0 and 3.73 including the HD payload in driving distance which could be an option as well. The RAM 2500 6.4 had plenty of power and road very nice compared to the 2013 I drove early fall last year. It is not much more than the Tundra Limited and provides a 3000# payload per the door sticker. Yes, its overkill for my camper but would solve my payload concerns!

Wishin wrote:
Even if you've weighed the camper yourself and know the weights for sure, I personally would not buy a new truck knowing I'm already over weight. As others have said, weights only go up. Kids get bigger, we find more stuff we like to bring, stuff gets left in the camper, etc. If you don't know the weights for certain by weighing it yourself, I definitely would not do it. Look at different trucks. If you already own the truck, which it doesn't sound like you do, then maybe I'd look at it differently, perhaps see how you can live with it.

I agree with most who've already posted, including Wishin. If Toyota floats your boat, look for one with a higher payload. Surely Toyota has some with a higher payload than listed in your original post. Your trailer is about exactly the same weight as mine and my MaxTow Ecoboost has plenty of payload as determined at the scales last summer while on vacation.

Even if you've weighed the camper yourself and know the weights for sure, I personally would not buy a new truck knowing I'm already over weight. As others have said, weights only go up. Kids get bigger, we find more stuff we like to bring, stuff gets left in the camper, etc. If you don't know the weights for certain by weighing it yourself, I definitely would not do it. Look at different trucks. If you already own the truck, which it doesn't sound like you do, then maybe I'd look at it differently, perhaps see how you can live with it.

If you don't want to participate in the public forum discussions and openly share your views/knowledge then why don't you simply PM the poster initially and not cloud the discussion with what I again will call "fuzzy" EVERYTHING since you IMO basically have said NOTHING to further the discussion in this thread. In my view facts are facts and what you call experience is often only an opinion that is subjective at best and needs to be put in proper context.

So now you're telling me I should have PM'd the op? when before it was considered sketchy and sneaky? Who's clouding the discussion now?

I gave my public opinion at the start. The op was looking for personal experience which is just that, personal. It is my opinion and is subjective, the op can take it for what it's worth. I'm sorry if you feel left out.

camp-n-family wrote:

Also, be very leary about putting any faith in using info offered privately like the one gent that said "PM me if you want some real numbers and info. " ... to me that just screams of even more fuzzy math that won't stand the light of day publically and that's why it's not offered in the public venue.

No fuzzy math at all, I'm well aware of the ratings and limits of the Tundra and have real world experience with it. I'm actually one trying to educate Tundra owners on the other forums (and this one)that it has its limits. Just not interested in the brand bashing that can go on here whenever the Tundra is mentioned.

If you don't want to participate in the public forum discussions and openly share your views/knowledge then why don't you simply PM the poster initially and not cloud the discussion with what I again will call "fuzzy" EVERYTHING since you IMO basically have said NOTHING to further the discussion in this thread. In my view facts are facts and what you call experience is often only an opinion that is subjective at best and needs to be put in proper context.

BTW a lot of what you call "bashing" IMO has been when obviously inexperienced individuals make "outlandish" or for lack of a better word "ignorant" claims about a particular vehicle or any subject for that matter and then get upset when folks call them to task with their opposing views often based on years more experience and actual numbers or logic. Then this inexperienced individual's only recourse since the facts have gotten in the way is to resort to calling that counter view/opinion as bashing since they are unable to publicaly defend their indefensible position and refuse to admit they were wrong or that a view different than theirs might be more correct.

Larry

fla-gypsy wrote:

bmanning wrote:
FWIW, you've clearly stated you don't want a 3/4 ton as you tow less than once a month...and you've stated you like the Tundra...if you truly want a Tundra for the 350 or so days a year you aren't towing, and if you come in less than a few hundred pounds over GVW, I'd say go for it.

Just my thoughts, others will disagree, adamantly perhaps.

Plus, if you've never seen a Tundra on a lift, it's right there with 3/4 tons when it comes to chassis hardware. Of course, many whom haven't been under a Tundra are going to tell me I'm wrong, but I'm right so I'll ignore them LOL. Just do the math and ensure that you aren't more than an NFL wide receiver (~200lb) over your GVW in whatever you choose.

Before I get accused of cheerleading for Toyota, if I was in your shoes I would take the time to look into all the offerings if you haven't already. You may drive a F150, GM 1500, or Ram 1500 and discover you like it even more than the Tundra.

Despite the well-meaning souls who feel they aren't, modern half-tons are quite capable. I think often half-ton bashers are thinking of the half-ton they owned in 1994 and what it could and couldn't do.

No one is bashing 1/2 tons in this thread, Oh, but you know the Tundra is equal to a 3/4 ton anyway regardless of what Toyota says so go ahead and do anything you want, huh? After all it can pull the Space Shuttle, right? That's what I thought.

Good point, not in this thread, but it is an rv.net staple. Didn't say Tundra = 3/4 ton, just that components are of similar size. Didn't say "do anything you want,"said load to a couple hundred pounds over is what I'd be comfortable doing.

All makers have ridiculous commercials from time-to-time, but I agree the shuttle thing was completely over-the-top!

The Tundra is NOT the equal of a 3/4 ton but it is a capable half-ton & used for apps around its ratings it seems to be a good truck. Just my opinion, no cheerleading.