I love camping and I have been a tent camper my whole life. But, the kids are 8 and 12, and it's time for an upgrade. I have been shopping trailers for about a month now, and I have narrowed it down to a few dealers and models. We have a Tundra 5.6 V8 and can tow 10K. I am looking at 30 footers essentially. As of shopping yesterday, I have narrowed it down to two main units. Our biggest requirement is bunks. We wan't the kids to be on the other side of the unit and comfortable. Here are the two units we are currently considering. https://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2017-jay-flight/27bhs/My wife really likes the Jayflight series, and this one met all our needs.The equivalent Forest River brand would be the Grew Wolf series. We also like this one, but the Jayco felt like a better construction for some reason.http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=248&ShowParent=1&ModelID=1629#MainWe want to be somewhat frugal, but I really liked the Sonoma series. It is about 3K more, and has a different outer layer and insulation.http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=429&Image=18425&ModelID=3008#MainIf money wasn't an issue, I would be buying a Airstream but we don't need to be spending that much... well, at least till it's just me and the wife and we can buy a smaller one ;)Does anyone have experience with these brands?

Think smaller.What is the Toyota payload capacity? Everything in the truck plus the trailer tongue weight must be within the payload capacity and axle capacities. A 10,000# trailer will have somewhere between 1,200# and 1,500# of tongue weight.

Before we get into the trailers, let's re-visit your Tundra......I'm afraid you're falling into a common trap with new RV trailer owners. You're looking at tow capacity when in reality you need to be looking at payload first. What model Tundra - crew cab? What's the payload? It should be on a yellow sticker on the drivers door pillar.Now add the weights of your passengers and "stuff" you'll be carrying. And 600# seems light for a hitch weight, it'll probably be closer to 800# and more for the Gray Wolf. And now add the weight of your hitch. Remember - the hitch weight is cantilevered over the rear axle. You'll be unloading the front axle and adding that weight to the rear axle. A WD (weight distribution) hitch will get you some, but not all, of that weight back.As far as trailers, take your pick. Having a good dealer is more important than brand.

Like others have said, payload is your limiting factor. You can look on the door pillar for that info but a trip to a scale with the truck loaded like going camping will give a more accurate number. Once you have the payload capacity you can back into the max numbers for a TT.

mbopp wrote:Before we get into the trailers, let's re-visit your Tundra......I'm afraid you're falling into a common trap with new RV trailer owners. You're looking at tow capacity when in reality you need to be looking at payload first. What model Tundra - crew cab? What's the payload? It should be on a yellow sticker on the drivers door pillar.Now add the weights of your passengers and "stuff" you'll be carrying. And 600# seems light for a hitch weight, it'll probably be closer to 800# and more for the Gray Wolf. And now add the weight of your hitch. Remember - the hitch weight is cantilevered over the rear axle. You'll be unloading the front axle and adding that weight to the rear axle. A WD (weight distribution) hitch will get you some, but not all, of that weight back.As far as trailers, take your pick. Having a good dealer is more important than brand.Thanks for the responses!I will get back to you all later today when I get a chance.

Yes, payload is the magic number and it depends on the exact vehicle. Therefore it is usually posted on the door jamb.The number is based on the specific weight, axle rating, suspension, brake type etc. installed on that vehicle.For a half ton think of a TT advertised as 5000 lbs dry weight. This will be about 750 lbs of tongue in the loaded for the road TT.

TT n00b | Good Sam Community

rbpru
Explorer II
Feb 14, 2017
Yes, payload is the magic number and it depends on the exact vehicle. Therefore it is usually posted on the door jamb.

The number is based on the specific weight, axle rating, suspension, brake type etc. installed on that vehicle.

For a half ton think of a TT advertised as 5000 lbs dry weight. This will be about 750 lbs of tongue in the loaded for the road TT.
drbenzo
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
mbopp wrote:
Before we get into the trailers, let's re-visit your Tundra......
I'm afraid you're falling into a common trap with new RV trailer owners. You're looking at tow capacity when in reality you need to be looking at payload first. What model Tundra - crew cab? What's the payload? It should be on a yellow sticker on the drivers door pillar.
Now add the weights of your passengers and "stuff" you'll be carrying. And 600# seems light for a hitch weight, it'll probably be closer to 800# and more for the Gray Wolf. And now add the weight of your hitch. Remember - the hitch weight is cantilevered over the rear axle. You'll be unloading the front axle and adding that weight to the rear axle. A WD (weight distribution) hitch will get you some, but not all, of that weight back.

As far as trailers, take your pick. Having a good dealer is more important than brand.

Thanks for the responses!
I will get back to you all later today when I get a chance.
hohenwald48
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
Like others have said, payload is your limiting factor. You can look on the door pillar for that info but a trip to a scale with the truck loaded like going camping will give a more accurate number. Once you have the payload capacity you can back into the max numbers for a TT.
mbopp
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
Before we get into the trailers, let's re-visit your Tundra......
I'm afraid you're falling into a common trap with new RV trailer owners. You're looking at tow capacity when in reality you need to be looking at payload first. What model Tundra - crew cab? What's the payload? It should be on a yellow sticker on the drivers door pillar.
Now add the weights of your passengers and "stuff" you'll be carrying. And 600# seems light for a hitch weight, it'll probably be closer to 800# and more for the Gray Wolf. And now add the weight of your hitch. Remember - the hitch weight is cantilevered over the rear axle. You'll be unloading the front axle and adding that weight to the rear axle. A WD (weight distribution) hitch will get you some, but not all, of that weight back.

As far as trailers, take your pick. Having a good dealer is more important than brand.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
Think smaller.

What is the Toyota payload capacity? Everything in the truck plus the trailer tongue weight must be within the payload capacity and axle capacities. A 10,000# trailer will have somewhere between 1,200# and 1,500# of tongue weight.

Forum Discussion

TT n00b

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Quick question from a n00b

Some n00b Questions: tie downs, shocks, swaybars, etc.

First TT

Different TT construction

TT's