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.

Have you looked at the pin weight on that 5er? NADA list the GVWR as around 8000 lbs which is light, but on most 5er's the pinweight is around 20%, which would be about 1200 lbs empty. Your truck I think has roughly 1500 payload so by the time you get in the truck, and add a hitch setup with it otherwise empty your right up at the payload capacity. The truck will pull it, but she will likely be over the payload limit.

Buy a travel trailer.........can get a bigger/heavier travel trailer then that short-short bed Tundra could carry in 5th wheelShort-short bed and amount of pin weight would mean a very light 5th wheel.2006 Wildcat in 29' dry weights would roughly be 7000# to 7800#.......DRY pin weight would be 1400# to 1600# PLUSAdd in stuff.....pin weight goes up to 2000# PLUSThen add in weight of passengers, stuff in truck, hitch.....AND still can't turn because of that short-short bed Get a travel trailer and reduce your headaches

I would suggest a slider hitch and pin extender. The older 5'ers didn't have the sharper nose on them for tight turning. Can it be done without, I'm sure but just keep an eye when turning and backing. Go on Facebook and search Tundras and Trailers for people.

There are several people on some of the Tundra sites that tow with a a Crew Max. Most if not all either. 1) Use a Pullrite Superglide2) use a Reese Sidewinder thanks!Jeremiah

I towed my current rig with a 2013 Tundra Rock Warrior. It was a double cab, but I will tell you my experience. The truck seemed to to handle the 5er alright, but when I pulled it across the scales, my heart sank. I had done all of the things that you said to get it to handle good, mainly the air bags, but you cannot get around the specs of the truck. I loved that truck, but traded it with under 5000 miles on a 2500 Duramax. I will be the first to tell you I am not the weight patrol and hate those debates, but when I thought about my wife and two children being in there and if I would have an accident and knew I was over limits, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I have since bought a 3500 Duramax, but so you know, the only difference between 2500 and 3500 is a set of helper springs. I have never seen a Crewmax towing a 5er, but not saying it can't be done.

Tundra Crewmax shortbed pull a 5th wheel? | Good Sam Community

goducks10
Explorer
Jul 06, 2017
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
Explorer III
Jul 05, 2017
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
Explorer
Jul 05, 2017
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
Explorer
Jul 04, 2017
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
Explorer II
Jul 04, 2017
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
Explorer
Jul 04, 2017
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
Explorer
Jul 04, 2017
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
Nomad
Jul 04, 2017
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
Explorer
Jul 04, 2017
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
Explorer
Jul 04, 2017
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?