Tundra Crewmax shortbed pull a 5th wheel?

[greddy09sc]

I have a 2015 Tundra 5.7L V8 Tundra Crewmax. I'm looking to buy a 5th wheel. I purchased a used 5th wheel hitch with air bags already. Just need to get it install.

I've been having mixed reviews and been told that I can and cannot pull a 5th wheel. Not due to engine size but because of my 5 1/2 feet shortbed.

1. I have a shortbed due to the 4 door crewmax. If I turn with a 5th wheel, then it will hit back of my cabin.

2. You can install an extender on the 5th wheel.

3. You need a slider.

Anybody here with a Tundra crewmax pulling a fifth wheel? I've seen many pictures of a double cabs but not crewmax full four doors.

Currenlty looking at a 29ft 2006 Wildcat.

[goducks10]

Ron3rd wrote:
Former Tundra Crew Max owner here; First things first:

1. Can you tow a 5er with a Tundra? A: If properly equipped, yes, the parameters are all set out in the owner's manual.

2. How big of a 5er can you tow? A: Depends on the pin weight, which counts against your payload and unfortunately, the Crew Max has the lowest payload rating due to the bigger, heavier cab.

3. Can a Crew Max tow a 5er? Maybe, sorta, kinda, ...here's where it gets dicey: The Tundra Owner's manual specifically recommends AGAINST towing a 5er with the Crew Max due largely to the 5.5' bed. So you decide. I've seen it done. Would I do it? NO!

The question I would ask is "why do you want a 5er"? You'll get much more bang for your buck with a travel trailer. To me, a 5er means a Big Trailer; my daughter just bought a 40 foot 5er.

But you will never be able to go very big because the pin weight will put you way over your payload ratings. Once you put people and some stuff in the bed you will have about 800-1000 lbs of payload left. So this means "very small 5er, very little bang for the buck".

So yes, you might be able to do it, but you'll end up with a very small trailer, spend more money, and would have had much more trailer if you went with a conventional travel trailer. JMHO

x2

[Ron3rd]

Former Tundra Crew Max owner here; First things first:

1. Can you tow a 5er with a Tundra? A: If properly equipped, yes, the parameters are all set out in the owner's manual.

2. How big of a 5er can you tow? A: Depends on the pin weight, which counts against your payload and unfortunately, the Crew Max has the lowest payload rating due to the bigger, heavier cab.

3. Can a Crew Max tow a 5er? Maybe, sorta, kinda, ...here's where it gets dicey: The Tundra Owner's manual specifically recommends AGAINST towing a 5er with the Crew Max due largely to the 5.5' bed. So you decide. I've seen it done. Would I do it? NO!

The question I would ask is "why do you want a 5er"? You'll get much more bang for your buck with a travel trailer. To me, a 5er means a Big Trailer; my daughter just bought a 40 foot 5er.

But you will never be able to go very big because the pin weight will put you way over your payload ratings. Once you put people and some stuff in the bed you will have about 800-1000 lbs of payload left. So this means "very small 5er, very little bang for the buck".

So yes, you might be able to do it, but you'll end up with a very small trailer, spend more money, and would have had much more trailer if you went with a conventional travel trailer. JMHO

[bikendan]

I looked at a bunch of Tundras, as a dealership.
I was shocked at how low their payload capacities were. Almost as bad as the Rams I had looked at earlier.

Based on what I saw, only a handful of 5th wheels would have pin weights low enough to work.

[CaLBaR]

jwblock wrote:

guidry wrote:
I had a 07' Tundra Crewmax and a TT. It was barely OK with that. I would never try it with a 5th wheel. Do yourself a favor and get the right tool for the job. You will not be happy with a Toyota and a 5th wheel. Get a diesel one ton (not much more than a 2500) then you can tow a TT or 5th wheel of your choice (within reason, many choices). Good luck

What he said... Everyone else is wrong. Use the Tundra for towing a jet ski, or hauling the kids to soccer practice. Only a Toyota dealer will tell you a Tundra is a tow vehicle.

Are you serious?

My Tundra tows very well thank you. Tows much better than my 2006 GM did. As one of the other posters stated lots of power, excellent brakes and transmission. Very solid truck for towing. Just like all the other trucks out there, stay within the limits and tows great.

[spoon059]

jwblock wrote:
What he said... Everyone else is wrong. Use the Tundra for towing a jet ski, or hauling the kids to soccer practice. Only a Toyota dealer will tell you a Tundra is a tow vehicle.

Are you serious?

Ha... okay dude, whatever you say. The Tundra is a great tow vehicle for trailers within its weight limits. I had a 2010 with the 5.7 and had gobs of power and great brakes. The transmission always felt solid and always knew what gear to be in for a smooth pull. I had stock E-rated tires that helped keep the truck planted, but it towed very well and I was impressed.

If I didn't buy a new trailer with a higher tongue weight that my Tundra was rated to handle, I would still have that truck.

[Hammerboy]

ACZL wrote:
DS and I saw a Tundra pulling a Sprinter 5er last week and we both did a double take. Back of truck was squatting pretty good, but he kept on a trucking w/ his buddy right into local Cracker Barrel. Don't know if it was a crew max but def a ext/double cab. What's just as scary is how truck mfr's are marketing their 1/2 tons to tow 10-12,000 lbs. No thanks. That's 3/4-1 ton territory.

I did a double take on a Toyota/fifth combo a couple of months ago parked in a condo association. I forget the make but it was at least 36' and I remember looking at the wheels and noticing the 8 bolt pattern. The guy was packing for the next trip and I was really tempted to walk over and chat about his rig (politely of course). I'm not a member of the weight police either but that was nuts.

Dan

[ACZL]

DS and I saw a Tundra pulling a Sprinter 5er last week and we both did a double take. Back of truck was squatting pretty good, but he kept on a trucking w/ his buddy right into local Cracker Barrel. Don't know if it was a crew max but def a ext/double cab. What's just as scary is how truck mfr's are marketing their 1/2 tons to tow 10-12,000 lbs. No thanks. That's 3/4-1 ton territory.

[time2roll]

29' will probably put you over on truck GVWR and possibly the GRAWR. That will be up to you to get comfortable with the numbers.
Pullrite makes a fine slider that I have been using to pull mine with a 5.5' bed since 2005. Plenty of clearance for a quick U-turn or to turn in a cul-de-sac at the end of the street.

[AlmostAnOldGuy]

Many folks on this forum tow a 'bumper pull' with a Tundra. Read the door sticker and understand your weight ratings. You want to be safe and you want to have something that handles well. Stay within your weights, ensure you have a good brake controller and weight distribution hitch and you will be good to go.

Credit to you for getting online and asking questions.

Good luck,
Stu

[jwblock]

guidry wrote:
I had a 07' Tundra Crewmax and a TT. It was barely OK with that. I would never try it with a 5th wheel. Do yourself a favor and get the right tool for the job. You will not be happy with a Toyota and a 5th wheel. Get a diesel one ton (not much more than a 2500) then you can tow a TT or 5th wheel of your choice (within reason, many choices). Good luck

What he said... Everyone else is wrong. Use the Tundra for towing a jet ski, or hauling the kids to soccer practice. Only a Toyota dealer will tell you a Tundra is a tow vehicle.

Are you serious?

[Greene728]

greddy09sc wrote:
Thanks for all the input. I appreciate all of your opinion from your experiences. I am a rookie and never pulled a 5ver before.
Only I towed so far is a popup camper and a 20 feet boats.
Guess I got over my head and jumping the gun too quick by buying a 5th wheeler hitch. I'll go ahead and cut my lost and buy a TT. Sure I can sell the hitch on Craigslist.
I wanted the 5ver because read so many reviews how much easier it is to tow and maneuver. But, safety for the family comes first.

Thanks again, much appreciated!

Very wise decision sir! I have no doubt you'll be much happier going this route in the end!

[guidry]

I had a 07' Tundra Crewmax and a TT. It was barely OK with that. I would never try it with a 5th wheel. Do yourself a favor and get the right tool for the job. You will not be happy with a Toyota and a 5th wheel. Get a diesel one ton (not much more than a 2500) then you can tow a TT or 5th wheel of your choice (within reason, many choices). Good luck

[Durb]

You can tow an Escape 5.0TA fifth wheel. 600# dry pin weight, 4,000# dry, 5,500# gross.

[samsontdog]

Set up right the TT will tow and maneuver as well as a 5th w. I have owned many
TT and 5th ws. Still have a 40 ft 5th w but I prefer my 34 ft TT. My son has a Tundra that he tows a big commercial boat and he loves how it tows but complains about the gas mileage