We recently purchased a 2011 Toyota Tundra CrewMax Platinum Edition with the 5.7 Engine, Towing Package, 20 inch wheels and it has the 5.6 Bed. The Tundra is rated to tow 10,000 lb. I'm having the tires replaced with E Rated (10 ply) tires and I'm having rear Timbrens installed over the leaf springs It has also been fitted with an automatic slide 5th wheel hitch for pulling a 5th wheel. We also purchased a 2008 Keystone Laredo 5th Wheel with a 7740 Dry Weight and a 1440 Hitch Weight according to the manufacturers labels. It's a 30 footer with one slide. There are just the two of us and two lap dogs so we won't be loading the camper to the max. Bikes go on the rear of the 5th wheel which should help the pin weight. I've pulled it a couple of times on the Interstate and it pulls fine. A lot of it is using common sense when towing regarding speed and allowing plenty of space to stop. Exceeding the speed limits and riding the guy in front's rear bumper is simply inviting trouble no matter what your towing vehicle is. I've also seen plenty of 3/4's and 1 Tons out there towing a TT that is not set up correctly that are far more dangerous than my half ton rig. I've matched the two up the best I can, added some safety features and will use common sense when we're out there.

Sounds like you've thought it all through. The only thing I'd add is that you visit the scale and verify all the applicable weights to make sure your calculations and assumptions are correct.

The thing that you need to remember is what YOUR rig is designed to tow. Do not rely on dry weight because it can be deceptive. Particularly if you are at or close to your max. weight. The weight you need to be concerned about is the GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating) of your TV. If you are within 80% of that max., you are approaching problems. You will read lots of posts on this forum about how well their rig tows when overloaded. Don't be swayed. Their rig will wear out faster, break down sooner and become unpleasurable to drive sooner than if you have an adequate tow vehicle.It sounds like you are trying to justify towing with an inadequate rig by citing all of the "extras" and safety things you do. Here is the issue: If you are overloaded or close to your max., and you have a panic stop (an unanticipated emergency 'slam on the brakes' stop), you more than likely will find brake fade or failure. You can't plan for that type of stop. You can plan for minimizing the effects by towing within the rating on the tow vehicle. Not only that, but you will spend a lot less money in the long run if you start out with an adequate tow vehicle.I expect to be trashed for saying this, but I have been there-done that with an inadequate TV. When I upgraded to a vehicle designed to tow more than what I was, I never had trouble or expensive repairs.

I am really not an expert on 5th wheels but that 10,000 lb tow rating is not having a 5th wheel hitch in the bed of the truck and the 1600 lbs it will have hooked to it. Loaded weight and actual weight are two different things. Stopping and down hill are another thing altogether. Wishing you luck.

I would never tow anything that heavy with a Toy, even if it is rated. They are just too light a pickup. I love Toyotas, having owned them for 20 years, on our 3 rd Pirus. My friend got rid of a Tundra and his TT because it was'nt enough truck and I bought the TT, a 2004 Arctic Fox 31W. If Toy makes a 3/4 ton diesel, I'll be on the bandwagon, til then I'll stick with my 8000 lb Chevy.

Atlgagent57, I wish you happy trails and safe travels with your setup. I'm not going to say anything but if it works for you great. Only you can determine if your setup is safe and you will find out sometime in your first 2 years of ownership.I say that because once you start traveling outside your comfort zone and find out most other drivers out there have no clue what it takes to stop rigs of this size and cut you off is when you realize the limits of your rig.

Halt Ton Towing | Good Sam Community

TucsonJim
Explorer II
Sep 25, 2013
Sounds like you've thought it all through. The only thing I'd add is that you visit the scale and verify all the applicable weights to make sure your calculations and assumptions are correct.
Leeblev
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
The thing that you need to remember is what YOUR rig is designed to tow.
Do not rely on dry weight because it can be deceptive. Particularly if you are at or close to your max. weight. The weight you need to be concerned about is the GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating) of your TV. If you are within 80% of that max., you are approaching problems.
You will read lots of posts on this forum about how well their rig tows when overloaded. Don't be swayed. Their rig will wear out faster, break down sooner and become unpleasurable to drive sooner than if you have an adequate tow vehicle.
It sounds like you are trying to justify towing with an inadequate rig by citing all of the "extras" and safety things you do. Here is the issue: If you are overloaded or close to your max., and you have a panic stop (an unanticipated emergency 'slam on the brakes' stop), you more than likely will find brake fade or failure. You can't plan for that type of stop. You can plan for minimizing the effects by towing within the rating on the tow vehicle.
Not only that, but you will spend a lot less money in the long run if you start out with an adequate tow vehicle.
I expect to be trashed for saying this, but I have been there-done that with an inadequate TV. When I upgraded to a vehicle designed to tow more than what I was, I never had trouble or expensive repairs.
wmgeorge
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
I am really not an expert on 5th wheels but that 10,000 lb tow rating is not having a 5th wheel hitch in the bed of the truck and the 1600 lbs it will have hooked to it. Loaded weight and actual weight are two different things. Stopping and down hill are another thing altogether. Wishing you luck.
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
I would never tow anything that heavy with a Toy, even if it is rated. They are just too light a pickup. I love Toyotas, having owned them for 20 years, on our 3 rd Pirus. My friend got rid of a Tundra and his TT because it was'nt enough truck and I bought the TT, a 2004 Arctic Fox 31W. If Toy makes a 3/4 ton diesel, I'll be on the bandwagon, til then I'll stick with my 8000 lb Chevy.
JKrussow
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
Atlgagent57, I wish you happy trails and safe travels with your setup. I'm not going to say anything but if it works for you great. Only you can determine if your setup is safe and you will find out sometime in your first 2 years of ownership.

I say that because once you start traveling outside your comfort zone and find out most other drivers out there have no clue what it takes to stop rigs of this size and cut you off is when you realize the limits of your rig.
gmcsmoke
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
5'8" bed and a fifth wheel? good luck
Lantley
Nomad
Sep 25, 2013
You don't mention, what is the payload rating for your Tundra?
schlep1967
Nomad
Sep 25, 2013
The posts about the truck brakes scare me. It amaizes me how many people pulling trailers do not adjust enough trailer brake in. If your truck brakes are over heating and fading you do not have enough voltage going to the trailer brakes. Yes it makes for a jerky ride when you have to go on and off the brakes but you have to realize the trailer brakes are for stopping the trailer. The truck brakes are for stopping the truck. And if you have it adjusted correctly you know it is going to work when you need it for the panic stop situation. OP I would say you are fine for that rig. The suggestion to weigh it at the scales is a good one.
guidry
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
I went from the same Tundra to my TV now, 3500 Duramax. Night and day difference. I'm a little lighter in the wallet but my family's safety is worth every penny! I saw my Tundra starting to have issues because I towed near my max. Using your tranny downhill and the brakes will wear things out quickly. Downhill and panic stops are inevitable. I'm not saying you can't do it; I'm saying we have been where you are and after getting a heavier duty truck, we are so much relaxed towing.
mdamerell
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
You going to do what you want but if you weight it, I bet you will find you are over weight on the rear axle and GVWR or the truck (7,200#) so about 1,600# of payload. Dry hitch weight was 1,440# but a gross trailer is closer to 9,000# and pin weight will be closer to 1,900#. That's before you added the hitch and passengers. Good news with a GCVWR of 16,000# you are probably under that.

As for the 3/4 and 1 ton towing TT's which I'm guessing did not have WD hitches hence the not set up properly comment, are probably haulers delivering new TT's. Since they do not know which system the customer will use they are pulled without.

Good luck and be safe.