Advice for towing a new TT with a 2004 4-door Tundra

[Gillkid]

I know this gets exhausting for you guys to answer, but I'm new to the TT world. I thought I had a pretty good grasp on these things and then I found this forum and realized I only know a fraction of what you guys know. So, this is what I have and what I would like to get. I need to know if I'm going down the right track or if I'm way off on this one.

I just recently bought a 2004 4-door Toyota Tundra. The owners manual has it rated to pull 6500#. I'm assuming it came from the factory with the towing package. I only assume that because the hitch and 7-pin plug look factory mounted. I havent had a chance to see if its wired for a brake controller. I understand that to be the only way to know if it has the factory tow package. Does that sound correct?

I am now looking (we are actually signing the papers this Saturday if we decide to buy it) at a 2014 Heartland TrailRunner with an empty weight of 4900#. My assumption was that I would add another 1000# after all the "extras", gear and full tanks. That would give me 500-600#s to play around with. Is this a fair assumption? One thing to consider, we are simple campers. We always try to take as little as possible with us. Doubt this matters much, but just an FYI.

Assuming that the TT weight is an issue, what's necessary to get this truck tow ready. I've already made plans to install a brake controller and a 2-point sway bar when we buy the camper. Is that enough? I keep seeing WD hitches mentioned on here and wondered if that was something I needed for such a light camper. Also, what's your take on a 2-point sway bar vs. a 4-point sway bar? I haven't found anything on this subject here. My buddy told me that the dealership talked him into buying a 4-point for his truck. Did the dude get swindled? If not, is it necessary for me to get a 4-point?

Once again, I do apologize to you guys for having to read through another post about towing, but its a very confusing subject for a newbie. I would also like to thank you guys in advance for the help. Your shared knowledge is much appreciated.

[6_7_tow_rig]

Depending on options your payload on the truck will be anywhere from 1100 to 1580 from what I can find. It looks like the only trailer on Heartlands website with a 4900 lb dry weight was TR sle 25. The hitch weight empty was 500lbs with NOTHING on it. So once you add propane tanks, batteries, hitch equipment and also that appears to be where your front storage is, you will be pretty heavy. Your payload will be gone before you ever put anything in the bed of the truck assuming you would put something in it. The max loaded weight of the trailer is above your max towing capacity. Some things to consider. That will be alot/too much trailer for that truck. You have to remember too that year was before Toyota came out with the 5.7. I think they still had 4.7 which is a good engine but lacks the power of the newer 5.7.

[spadoctor]

The towing capacity is fixed...meaning yes you can add things to increase PAYLOAD...but you can not increase towing capacity. Towing capacity is all about tow weight...handling and stopping. IMHO...with 30 years and over 250,000 miles experience of rv towing...that is too much trailer for that truck. Keep in mind the tow weight rating is done using a flat trailer loaded with sheet steel NOT a big box with lots of wind drag and side area. I would bet if you do it you will hate every minute of time towing.

[Gillkid]

So the GVWR for the TT is 6900#s. I'll have to check the TVs payload capacity. That's definitely something I hadn't considered.

So help me understand something that confuses me with all of this. If my truck is rated to pull 6800#s, why can't I tow 6800#s? I doubt Toyota would put out a rating that would compromise a customers safety.

I hadn't considered a WD hitch, but will definitely have that added along with the sway bar and brake controller, if we decide to pull the trigger on this TT.

[skipnchar]

Only think I'd say is that NOBODY tows a completely empty trailer so empty weight (dry weight) is a meaningless number. The trailers GVWR and tongue weight are two weights you need to consider. Fully loaded tongue weight can be as much as 15% of the GVWR so be sure that fits with your trucks rating.
Good luck / Skip

[westend]

That's a lot of trailer for that truck. I would suggest you look for something smaller. You will need to know if you have the towing package, including the transmission cooler. A WDH will be necessary.

BTW, if you do some reading and searching on the forum you will find out how others have experienced towing a TT with these smaller trucks. It's no fun and a lot of stress on the owner and the truck pulling that big frontal surface at highway speeds.

[TucsonJim]

Hi Gillkid - I see this is your very first post, so welcome to the forum! You'll get lots of different opinions here, so you have to weigh the posts with some caution.

There are two primary things to consider when matching a tow vehicle (TV) to a travel trailer (TT).

1. Towing Capacity - Most manufacturers list towing capacity of a vehicle. To be safe, you're fully loaded TT should not weigh more than the towing capacity of the TV.

2. Payload Capacity - TVs also list the payload capacity. Usually you can find the payload capacity on the tire placard that is in the door pilar of your TV. Let's say it's 1200 pounds. The payload you add to the vehicle consists of the weight of the passengers, cargo and hitch weight of the trailer. If the passengers weigh 500 pounds (combined), luggage and other cargo is 300, that leaves you 400 pounds for the hitch weight.

Happy trails to you.

Jim - Tucson

You should not exceed the towing or payload capacity of your TV in order to be safe.