Towing 6-7000# Trailer with Toyota Tundra
I am posting this for my son. He is looking at purchasing a 2017 Toyota Tundra to pull his trailer. We are looking for feedback from other Toyota owners who pull a >5000# trailer. Have you modi...
Forum Discussion
I had a 2010 Tundra 5.7 with the towing package (but not the tow mirrors, I bought them aftermarket) and towed a 6500 lbs 22 foot Nash trailer. The Tundra pulled that sucker like a dream. Always had plenty of power at all times when towing. Brakes were always solid as well. I have an Equal-I-Zer WDH and never felt sway or getting pushed around by bigger trucks on the road. I should mention that I had a TRD package that included E rated tires from the factory. I really feel that the E rated tires helped the truck feel planted at all times.
No need to modify the suspension in any way. Air bags are just a band-aid to cover up other problems. A well set up quality WDH will make the truck handle just fine. I did add the TRD Sway Bar to my truck to tighten up turns, but I don't think that would have any effect on trailer towing.
Like I mentioned before, PLENTY of power pulling grades and plenty of brakes to control the descent. First couple of months that I owned the trailer I took the wife up to the Pocono Mountains. I cannot recall the road gradient of one of those highways, but it was pretty steep. I got stuck behind an 18 wheeler in the right lane and got slowed down pretty good. Finally had a chance to pass him in the left lane, had GOBS of power. I quickly and easily accelerated to over 80mph (by accident, I wasn't paying attention to my speed). I was stunned at how fast I was going and how quickly my speed climbed.
My Tundra had the center console with the user selectable gear range. I was able to easily downshift the transmission and use engine braking when towing. The engine braking isn't nearly as strong as my diesel exhaust brake... but it did a very good job of scrubbing speed coming down the mountains without using my service brakes.
I towed my new 9500 lbs trailer with the Tundra twice and it handled the weight and extra length well, but I realized that I was over my payload by several hundred pounds with the increased tongue weight and the increased amount of stuff that we had to bring along with TWO little children instead of just the first child. I regretfully sold the Tundra and bought a diesel. The Tundra was a great truck and I do miss it sometimes. The biggest drawback is the relatively low payload.
Tell your son to DO THE MATH and weight the Tundra fully loaded for camping with family inside, gear loaded in the bed, etc and figure out his total weight. Subtract that weight from his GVWR (I think its 7200 lbs in the Tundra). Whatever the difference is between his loaded weight and GVWR is all that he has left over for tongue weight from his trailer.
As long as he has enough leftover payload to handle the tongue weight, he will be fine. Upgrade tires to D or E range and that Tundra will handle like a dream while towing!
Try to buy one with factory tow mirrors, because they are a couple hundred dollars to buy aftermarket. The tow mirrors are great for towing and will make his drive a lot easier. Expect tow mileage to be pretty poor though. I was getting about 10.5 towing the little camper. Went down to 7.5 to 8 towing the bigger heavier trailer. Those are at speeds of 65-68 mph usually.
Good luck!
No need to modify the suspension in any way. Air bags are just a band-aid to cover up other problems. A well set up quality WDH will make the truck handle just fine. I did add the TRD Sway Bar to my truck to tighten up turns, but I don't think that would have any effect on trailer towing.
Like I mentioned before, PLENTY of power pulling grades and plenty of brakes to control the descent. First couple of months that I owned the trailer I took the wife up to the Pocono Mountains. I cannot recall the road gradient of one of those highways, but it was pretty steep. I got stuck behind an 18 wheeler in the right lane and got slowed down pretty good. Finally had a chance to pass him in the left lane, had GOBS of power. I quickly and easily accelerated to over 80mph (by accident, I wasn't paying attention to my speed). I was stunned at how fast I was going and how quickly my speed climbed.
My Tundra had the center console with the user selectable gear range. I was able to easily downshift the transmission and use engine braking when towing. The engine braking isn't nearly as strong as my diesel exhaust brake... but it did a very good job of scrubbing speed coming down the mountains without using my service brakes.
I towed my new 9500 lbs trailer with the Tundra twice and it handled the weight and extra length well, but I realized that I was over my payload by several hundred pounds with the increased tongue weight and the increased amount of stuff that we had to bring along with TWO little children instead of just the first child. I regretfully sold the Tundra and bought a diesel. The Tundra was a great truck and I do miss it sometimes. The biggest drawback is the relatively low payload.
Tell your son to DO THE MATH and weight the Tundra fully loaded for camping with family inside, gear loaded in the bed, etc and figure out his total weight. Subtract that weight from his GVWR (I think its 7200 lbs in the Tundra). Whatever the difference is between his loaded weight and GVWR is all that he has left over for tongue weight from his trailer.
As long as he has enough leftover payload to handle the tongue weight, he will be fine. Upgrade tires to D or E range and that Tundra will handle like a dream while towing!
Try to buy one with factory tow mirrors, because they are a couple hundred dollars to buy aftermarket. The tow mirrors are great for towing and will make his drive a lot easier. Expect tow mileage to be pretty poor though. I was getting about 10.5 towing the little camper. Went down to 7.5 to 8 towing the bigger heavier trailer. Those are at speeds of 65-68 mph usually.
Good luck!
