Anybody here tow using a Tundra 5.7 w/SR5 and Towing pkg.?

As Lefty stated, most 1/2 tons max out their payload before their trailer towing weight rating. I tow with the Sequoia, which is built on the same frame as the Tundra. It has the power tow my 6500 pound trailer well, but the issue with the Tundra/Sequoia is payload capacity. This is also true of many other 1/2 ton pickups. They have the power to tow a good size trailer, but after you add up the tongue weight and other load in the tow vehicle, you may easily be over your payload capacity (which is noted on a yellow sticker inside the front door panel of your tow vehicle).

Thanks for the many replys to this topic. I will have to find a 2000 lb. lighter T.T. to pull to feel comfortable with payload using the Tundra 5.7L. I was unaware of all the numbers involved in deciding how much to tow. WOW, you guys know a LOT of stuff about T.T.s and trucks. I have never heard of 10 ply tires that were mentioned for rear of truck to prevent fishtailing, I thought that is what sway bars were for. I have a LOT to learn it seems.

LakeN wrote:
We love our Tundra....towing combo in signature. The Evergreen tows like a dream, 5300 dry wt. Previously towed a Holiday Rambler 31 ft which weighed about 7200 loaded. Usually have 2 bikes + stuff in truck bed and 2 medium dogs in extra cab area. Have WD hitch with dual cam/Prodigy brake controller.

Thank you for the reply but I am a newbee and do not understand the lingo you're using here. What is "towing combo in signature"? What is a WD hitch? What is a Prodigy brake controller?

Thanks again.

We love our Tundra....towing combo in signature. The Evergreen tows like a dream, 5300 dry wt. Previously towed a Holiday Rambler 31 ft which weighed about 7200 loaded. Usually have 2 bikes + stuff in truck bed and 2 medium dogs in extra cab area. Have WD hitch with dual cam/Prodigy brake controller.

I have a 2012 Tundra w/tow and 5.7 engine. I have been towing a 27 tt w published dry weight of 6250. I would guess loaded I am around 8,500 lbs. and will weigh it someday. I just traveled to Branson, MO with some very steep grades and had no problems pulling them or any other highways I have encountered. I run 65 mph and pulling steep hills I might drop down to 50/55. The truck does fine and that 5.7 pulls fine. It's not a 3/4 but a powerfull 1/2 heavy duty.

I have a 2011 5.7 SR5 Tundra. My TT is 7200 lbs loaded to camp. The tongue weight is 850-875 lbs. The truck does a good job but I would not want to pull anything heavier. The payload is the limiting factor on 1/2 ton trucks so you need to pay close attention to how you load all of your gear and you should spend some time fine tuning your WDH. I put 10 ply tires on the truck which helped with the rear end of the truck feeling like it was wagging it's tail. I pull in 5th gear and tow/haul mode and get anywhere from 8 to 13 MPG depending upon terrain and wind. I usually tow at or about 55 MPH. I don't expect to get a larger TT but will upgrade to 3/4 ton truck if we do. Just do your homework and pay attention to detail. Happy camping.

As you can see from the posts here along with the other thread about the 9500lb trailer you are getting a lot of information about reigning in your thoughts on TT and hope you don't just pic the biggest number here, but seriously consider all the good advice you are getting. My read thus far is to keep the Dry around 5 maybe south of 6K and don't pick a floorplan with a very high dry hitch wt. since loaded you will still have payload problems.

In your other thread I and some others think you were too optismistic on what wt you will add and being new you need to really be cautious here as a new to towing RVer. Sometimes you don't get a "do over" if you get into trouble out on the road.

Larry

I have an '08 with the tow package. Love the mirrors!

I am towing a 25 foot Airstream at about 6500 lbs and have had no trouble towing it through the plains, in high winds, through the Cascade mountains and the Rockies. It is a great truck but as all half tons do, it is limited in carrying capacity.

I replaced the OEM P-radials with LT tires and it did make a difference when cornering, especially on the curves coming out of the mountains. I tow in 5th most of the time and get about 11 mpg on average.

I have an 09 Tundra, 5.7 DC w/o the tow package. i added the transmission cooler so i have everything minus the tow haul mode. I have a 30ft TT and it does just fine

I do not like the search engine here, or most forums for that matter. I prefer Google to search specific sites. Just add site:rv.net/foum to whatever you are searching for.

Tundra with 5.7L/4.30 axle is one of the best drivetrains. Be careful of payload, the limit of most half tons and RVs. An 8k loaded RV (7k dry) will have 800-1200 pounds of tongue weight, which leaves little left when payloads are in the 1200-1400 pound range. Check the driver's doro for Tire and Loading sticker for as equipped payload on any potential RV TV.