5th wheel for Tundra

[nal13]

I own a 2007 Tundra with a towing capacity of 10,300 lbs. Currently, I own a bumper pull travel trailer (2016 rockwood mini lite 2506s) that weighs in at 5,100lbs. The wife has us looking at fifth wheels and asking what I can go up to in weight. My rule before was 7,000lbs, but now that it's a fifth wheel, I'm wondering if I can go a little higher, comfortably. I know to factor in tongue weight and cargo weight, I would add air bags just to keep everything level. Models we are looking at are: Jayco Eagle 25.5REOK and KZ Sportsmen 262RLK. I have been told by a couple people I know who own half ton pickups and went from a bumper pull to a fifth wheel that say they pull way better, even if they are heavier and that they get better gas milage. I do plan on a 1600 mile trip this summer and I tow for a living, I drive a semi, for what that's worth. Would I be safe and would this fifth wheel tow better than the bumper pull?

Also, does anyone else have any camper suggestions? We are looking for a walk around queen, couch and dinette, decent sized bathroom, black tank flush, and we need an outdoor kitchen. The outdoor kitchen seems to be the kicker for this segment of campers.

[azbronco96]

I had a 2007 Tundra Doublecab I towed with for 8 years
6500 pound loaded 26 foot Dutchman bumper pull and it towed very well.
I upgraded to a 30 foot 9600 pound loaded Arctic Fox bumper pull trailer
I put a 26 gallon aux fuel tank in the PU bed along with a generator
Air bags-Load range E tires it pulled pretty good for a 1/2 ton

However-I never felt completely at ease because I KNEW I was pushing the limits of that truck
Plenty of motor-not enough suspension.

[BenK]

Hey Mathew...wondering how many go out and swallow swords down to the hilt...after...seeing someone do that... :B :E :S

[mkirsch]

You "see" a lot of things on the road. Doesn't mean they should be emulated or copied.

Take safety and "the numbers" right off the table. You're not going to be unsafe if you get a 5th wheel with a 2000lb loaded pin weight for your Tundra. It's way over the payload numbers for the truck, yes, but there are safety factors built into all the components on the truck. Barring a freak accident caused to a microscopic flaw in your equipment that would go unseen by the human eye in the most thorough of inspections, you will get from point A to point B.

The question is, "Will you be happy with it?" When you get to overloading trucks like the Tundra, the likelihood of you being truly happy with the rig after the newness wears off, goes way down. Slow, squishy, sluggish... and you'll get sick of it right quick. Then what? You've got 10's of thousands of dollars invested, and now you have to spend tens of thousands more on a bigger truck, or take the hit and trade for a smaller trailer.

[MFL]

While many are happy with their Curt hitch, I would not say it is comparable. The Patriot is IMO, the best standard rail hitch you can get for the money spent. Look at e-trailer, or Tweety's for price, and prompt delivery.

Jerry

[nal13]

IdaD wrote:
With a rail mount Andersen flipped back I don't think a slider would be necessary. That's what I use in my short bed Ram and I can turn at full lock going forward with no contact.

Awesome, thank you.

[nal13]

MFL wrote:

You may want to rethink the slider hitch idea. They are HEAVY. With the 6.5 bed, an experienced tower, and newer style FW contoured front, a slider should not be necessary. Many people buy them, never use/slide them. If not interested in a Lt wt Andersen for rails, I know you would like the 16K Patriot non-slider. It is quite adjustable, up/down, ahead/back, and weighs the short side of 150 lbs. It separates easily to two pieces for easy in/out.

Jerry

Thank you, that's really good to know. I will look into that hitch, but I get a huge discount on curt products, do you think they make a comparable hitch?

[IdaD]

With a rail mount Andersen flipped back I don't think a slider would be necessary. That's what I use in my short bed Ram and I can turn at full lock going forward with no contact.

[MFL]

nal13 wrote:

htss wrote:
Others have covered weight but I would be concerned about clearance to cab. I think some beds are only 5.5' and even on a 6.5' bed the clearance to the cab can get scary on sharp turns. Maybe you have the long bed and it is not an issue though.

I would get a sliding hitch and it's a 6.5' bed. I know a guy that tows with a 5.5' bed, so I know it can be done. Good advice, thank you.

You may want to rethink the slider hitch idea. They are HEAVY. With the 6.5 bed, an experienced tower, and newer style FW contoured front, a slider should not be necessary. Many people buy them, never use/slide them. If not interested in a Lt wt Andersen for rails, I know you would like the 16K Patriot non-slider. It is quite adjustable, up/down, ahead/back, and weighs the short side of 150 lbs. It separates easily to two pieces for easy in/out.

Jerry

[nal13]

2012Coleman wrote:
Grand Design Reflection 150 Series Fifth Wheels are supposedly built to be towed by a half ton.

Ya, their lightest model with the outdoor kitchen, one of our must haves, is over 1,300 on the pin. I want to go weigh my truck this week, see what I have to stay under.

[2012Coleman]

Grand Design Reflection 150 Series Fifth Wheels are supposedly built to be towed by a half ton.

[nal13]

gmw photos wrote:
Of all the fifth wheel/half ton combos I've seen, the Tundra out numbers the other brand trucks it seems. I've seen several Open Range fifth wheels behind Tundra's.

Thanks, that is what I'm looking at currently.

[gmw_photos]

Of all the fifth wheel/half ton combos I've seen, the Tundra out numbers the other brand trucks it seems. I've seen several Open Range fifth wheels behind Tundra's.

[nal13]

souraider wrote:
Like many have stated you will likely exceed the factory numbers...but by how much is up to you. You will be loading it, and as a professional driver you know about load management, and distribution. I am always amazed by some of the exorbitant tongue/pin weights people produce...maybe they are bringing their bowling ball collection with them. I would say use your best judgement...go for it. If it doesn't live up to your expectations, there are lots full of new trucks:)

Ya, that's probably my best approach at this. We travel fairly light, just the wife, myself, and a 10lb dog. We don't bring much more than clothes, a few camping items, and food. I guess if it comes down to it, upgrade to a 3/4 ton.

[souraider]

Like many have stated you will likely exceed the factory numbers...but by how much is up to you. You will be loading it, and as a professional driver you know about load management, and distribution. I am always amazed by some of the exorbitant tongue/pin weights people produce...maybe they are bringing their bowling ball collection with them. I would say use your best judgement...go for it. If it doesn't live up to your expectations, there are lots full of new trucks:)

[nal13]

Ralph Cramden wrote:


LOL......sorry, an attempt at humor.....a DRV LX455 probably has a pin weight of 3500lbs +, it's a 24K GVW rig. But then again the space shuttle in 5th wheel configuration probably has a pin in the neighborhood of the GVW of the LX455, or a little more, so you're good.

Haha, I know. That is my retirement rig though.