What can I tow with a Tundra DC?

[dieseldan723]

In the last 10 years I had three diffrent Duramax trucks - which are AWESOME tow vehicles. I sold my 5er's and the toy hauler, so we are empty trailer nesters right now. 🙂

We recently purchased a 2011 Toyota Tundra 4X4 with the 5.7l. It does have airbags already installed (PO had a camper on it).

My question: What is a good TT that DW and I could purchase that wouldn't be too heavy? Two of my previous trucks were out-trailered for sure so I don't want to get into that position again.

We prefer slideouts and a king bed (queen would also work). I look forward to the thoughts of the current experts!

Dan

[aftermath]

Dan,

I tow with an '08 Tundra with the 5.7. There is a world of difference between the 4.7 and the 5.7. My Airstream goes down the road between 6000 and 6500 pounds. I have weighed it more than once while on trips. I agree with what has been said. Keep it at or under 7000 and the 5.7 will do well. I am so confident in my truck that I just signed papers today on a new 2017. Great truck. Remember though it is a half ton but a very good one at that.

[dieseldan723]

Thank you all! I have visited Tundra specific sights but, honestly, those folks usually like to brag how much they can tow. I've been there. Towed a 40ft 5er fully loaded at over 13K. Don't want that anymore. I trust your judgement and think that the 6K dry weight is a good range to look in. Appreciate all your help as always!

Dan

[camp-n-family]

Towed our 7600lbs to with an '07 crewmax. Did a great job, plenty of power. To stay comfortable, I wouldn't go much heavier.

[drichardson60]

My 2010 Tundra does just fine even bucking a 35 MPH head wind pulling 26 footer. I averaged about 9 MPG but she hardly grunted

[CaLBaR]

I am at 6200 lbs dry and about 7000 lbs loaded to camp. Truck does really well. As long as you stay within the ratings you will be fine. Truck has lots of power and great brakes. Probably not like your Duramax trucks but if you let it run between 3000 and 4000 RPM when climbing mountains it will do fine.

[Fireballsocal]

6K dry is about the most I would feel comfortable towing with that truck. I would like to see the weight down a little bit more even. The tundra will pull a lot more under good conditions but it's the poor conditions that you need to keep in mind. The steep downgrades and heavy winds are what you should keep the safety cushion for. I tow a Lance that is 4800 pounds dry with my 2006 4.7L Tundra. On steep grades both going up and coming down, I feel the trailer is about as heavy as I would like to tow and I get pushed around in the wind (Common for these slab sided trailers).

[OldSmokey]

I towed a 7000 lb toy hauler with one for a few years and had favorable experience. I wouldn't go much heavier.

[DinTulsa]

If you follow the advice of some people on this site, you should be able to tow a radio flyer if you have a wd hitch.....


In all seriousness, stick with the 6k or less advice.

[TrailerTravele1]

We tow our Lance 1685 with our 2016 Tundra & don't even know the trailer is back there. You'll have many choices, enjoy!

[Ron3rd]

APT wrote:
Stick to around 6k dry and you should be pleased.

X2, former tundra owner here. Great truck BTW

[APT]

Stick to around 6k dry and you should be pleased.

[westend]

A look at your cargo handling label on the front driver's side door pillar will be a good first step. With smaller vehicles, the weight put on the vehicle, the trailer's tongue weight, is the most important. That weight, along with any passenger and cargo weight, will describe the total capacity of the vehicle while towing.
There may also be weight limits on the vehicle's towing capacity (weight on the rear end), intrinsic limits due to comfort and towability, or other reasons not to exceed a certain amount of weight. Your floorplan choices are probably going to push the limit of the Tundra's towing configuration but there are many happy Tundra users that haul travel trailers. I would expect that trailers with a weight of around 5000 lbs, unloaded, would be towable with a Tundra.

Here is a specifications table that lists the weight handling of the Tundra's different models: Toyota Tundra link

You may also wish to check Toyota Tundra Forums where really applicable towing methods are discussed. Towing a large sail down the road is sometimes beyond just the weight numbers.