Can a 2013 Tundra tow a 34' Airstream Classic Limited? (specs for TV and AS included)

[bonginator]

To add to my post, the TSB is TS-B 0151-10 and 0151-10 rev 2.

[switz]

Tongue weights in pounds per the 2011 Airstream specifications sheet:

Classic 27FB 792
Classic 30 773
Classic 31 805
Classic 34 710

Flying Cloud/International 30 880

Note that real world weights could be two to three hundred pounds higher depending on the hitch selected.

[Air-Texas]

Originally Posted by Pedecanada

I own 34 foot and can tell you that you will not be happy with Toyota pulling that trailer you need 3/4 ton or more suspension and brakes to be happy.

When I bought my 2004 34' with a slide, tongue weigh around 1200lbs, I had to trade, my paid for 2010 Toyota Sequoia 5.8 v8, for a Ford F250. The trailer would push the Sequoia around on turns, and wore out the inside of the back tires on the 6 hour drive home. I don’t even know it there with the F250.

[Urbanologist]

Originally Posted by Air-Texas

When I bought my 2004 34' with a slide, tongue weigh around 1200lbs, I had to trade, my paid for 2010 Toyota Sequoia 5.8 v8, for a Ford F250. The trailer would push the Sequoia around on turns, and wore out the inside of the back tires on the 6 hour drive home. I don’t even know it there with the F250.

Well, here we go again. I tow my 34' PanAM with a 2010 Tundra 4x2 CrewMax 5.7L. I do not get "pushed around" or turns or breaking! Google CanAm RV, London, Ontario, CAN. They are the experts on towing and hitch setups. In FACT, they have towed - SAFELY - 34' Airstream Classics with Taurus SHO's and Jags! Anybody getting shoved around NEEDS proper hitch and brake controller to the trailer brakes - not just the vehicle's tow assist. Andy, the owner of CanAm will talk to you and guide you EXPERTLY. He is a liaison to the SAE on the coming 2015 truck towing standards. Standards that Toyota already adopted AHEAD of all other truck builders!!

[Aage]

Originally Posted by Urbanologist

In FACT, they have towed - SAFELY - 34' Airstream Classics with Taurus SHO's and Jags!

Yes, I got my TV and '74 Sov done by Can-Am (and I'm very pleased with it), and we speak from time to time. I did discuss a 34-footer with a S/O and he made it clear that this was over the limit, and off the table. Most of the problem was that it would overload the tongue weight severely.

Andy at Can-Am didn't seem to like the S/O AS TTs much, and I gathered it was from an engineering point of view. I can't speak for him though, so I will leave it for him to comment if he wants to...

[Air-Texas]

Originally Posted by Urbanologist

Well, here we go again. I tow my 34' PanAM with a 2010 Tundra 4x2 CrewMax 5.7L. I do not get "pushed around" or turns or breaking! Google CanAm RV, London, Ontario, CAN. They are the experts on towing and hitch setups. In FACT, they have towed - SAFELY - 34' Airstream Classics with Taurus SHO's and Jags! Anybody getting shoved around NEEDS proper hitch and brake controller to the trailer brakes - not just the vehicle's tow assist. Andy, the owner of CanAm will talk to you and guide you EXPERTLY. He is a liaison to the SAE on the coming 2015 truck towing standards. Standards that Toyota already adopted AHEAD of all other truck builders!!

I did call them, and Andy told me that my 34' Classic Limited with slide-out might be too much for the 2010 Toyota Sequoia, and it was...
But YMMV, best of luck to you.

[Bill M.]

Do not have a thing against the Tundra. Have friends who tow with them. Parked my dodge diesel next to one at a rally last fall. What I do not see is the real advantage of the Tundra. It was just as tall, long, and wide as my Dodge. It cost more. It gets worse fuel milage. I have 125000 miles with few repairs. So what really is the advantage of towing with the half ton?

[Urbanologist]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

Do not have a thing against the Tundra. Have friends who tow with them. Parked my dodge diesel next to one at a rally last fall. What I do not see is the real advantage of the Tundra. It was just as tall, long, and wide as my Dodge. It cost more. It gets worse fuel milage. I have 125000 miles with few repairs. So what really is the advantage of towing with the half ton?

Unless you ALREADY own a 3/4 ton tow vehicle, too many Airstream Newbie's will immediately conclude that they NEED a big truck to safely deal with a Airstream. That makes them pay dearly for more truck than they NEED! The majority of people are not going to need or buy extra big Airstream's, or need a truck that costs more for fuel, as a everyday vehicle. That diesel power plant is a bunch out extra cash just to feel superior for the time that MOST actually USE their Airstreams. The reason Toyota doesn't offer diesel - per my dealer - is that extra power is NOT needed by most people, even guys that grew up with Tonka Toys. Use that money to buy more trailer -- or fuel. Countless Airstream trailers get sold because they really are not used much after being purchased, so why add a costly 'work class' truck to your driveway needlessly?! If you already have a big rig, so be it. If not, don't get one unless it's REALLY going to be put to more than casual use. My Tundra serves as a daily use vehicle. I don't need a 3/4 ton truck to go to the job or shopping.

[Bill M.]

So what is the advantage of the Toyota?

[Urbanologist]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

So what is the advantage of the Toyota?

It will LAST a long time AND be much more reliable than other brands. Look how many other brands are traded in for Tundras -- and even Ford had to up their game due to Toyota Tundra!

[m.hony]

I had the Tundra before I had the trailer-
When I bought the truck I picked out exactly what I wanted.
The Tundra costs more than a diesel- no!
16 mpg is about as good as it gets for the Tundra.
I don't like how diesels sound or smell.
The fuel is more.
The oil changes are more.
To each his own.
Everyone has a reason for and the right to own whatever they want to spend their money on.
I am at a rally now with the only Tundra and the only Airstream.

[Moflash]

If you trade every 3 years or so a F350 or F250 Turbo diesel cost of ownership is about the same as a 1/2 ton(depreciation and upkeep)
There is no diesel smell
Oil changes are $89 at the Ford dealership
When driving a diesel the new ones are as quiet as a gas engine
I drive mine like a car everyday it rides great.
I can take things with me without any worry of going over my payload capacity.A 8 foot box with a crew cab is not available in a 1/2 ton. I can take a Harley or a 2up 4wheeler with me (those little 5.5 or 6.5 boxes don't do it for me)
With 400 horsepower and 800foot lbs of torque I get 20-22 mpg Hwy and 13-16mpg stop and go city.
I have had many 1/2 tons including Toyotas,Fords,Chevys but for what I do when traveling with my Airstream I will never go back to a 1/2 ton.

As you say to each his own.

[Urbanologist]

Originally Posted by Moflash

If you trade every 3 years or so a F350 or F250 Turbo diesel cost of ownership is about the same as a 1/2 ton(depreciation and upkeep) There is no diesel smell Oil changes are $89 at the Ford dealership When driving a diesel the new ones are as quiet as a gas engine I drive mine like a car everyday it rides great. I can take things with me without any worry of going over my payload capacity.A 8 foot box with a crew cab is not available in a 1/2 ton. I can take a Harley or a 2up 4wheeler with me (those little 5.5 or 6.5 boxes don't do it for me) With 400 horsepower and 800foot lbs of torque I get 20-22 mpg Hwy and 13-16mpg stop and go city. I have had many 1/2 tons including Toyotas,Fords,Chevys but for what I do when traveling with my Airstream I will never go back to a 1/2 ton. As you say to each his own.

OMG! Trading every 3 years!! That's real COSTLY "ownership" -- essentially giving new vehicles away. Yes, To each his own. I'm SURE Ford investors just love that concept. Upside- down on every trade-in.

[Libo]

We have an '08 Tundra 4 x 4. We have put on 25000 miles on it just within the past 2 years, pulling a 30 ft. Classic. Last weight was 15360 truck and trailer at the DOT of Florida.

We have traveled many mountains on the west coast and had no problems climbing and coming down. Flat driving is about 14 mpg. Mountains are less.

Just bought a 2013 Tundra double cab 2 x 4. We wouldn't consider buying another truck, judging from our experience.

[RickDavis]

It appears to me it has been pretty well established that the Tundra can do the job, and is for many people. While I personally believe in severe overkill in the TV department, my needs/wants are much different than the person who uses their truck as as a daily drive or family vehicle in the city.
This is one more area where there is no one right way to get the job done .
As long as it is safely done that is the main thing and I have not seen the Median strip full of wrecked Tundras (or other 1/2 ton trucks) and 34 foot trailers.
If it works for you and doesn't endanger me that is good enough.
The thread seems to be becoming some what heated and personal and maybe we should all take a deep breath.

[Moflash]

Originally Posted by Urbanologist

OMG! Trading every 3 years!! That's real COSTLY "ownership" -- essentially giving new vehicles away. Yes, To each his own. I'm SURE Ford investors just love that concept. Upside- down on every trade-in.

My last trade in depreciation was $6100 for 2.5 years usage and 39000 miles.Plus the tax write offs for business usage .But I take meticulous care of my vehicles,I get the right options and color combinations for resale.
My trade in trucks are cleaner then the new ones I purchase.

I like people who think the way you do though as most when it comes time buy a different vehicle they never look at new ones so they end up paying more for a clean used one (and do not catch on).
And by the way I have never been upside down in a trade in.
Just sayin!!

[andreasduess]

I just got introduced to the very best way to buy a car - a personal broker.

We wanted to buy a van for our business, specifically a Grand Caravan with Stow and Go seating. We briefed the broker, she came back with three different options, we chose one and today we picked up a 2012 GC at the dealership with less than 25k on the clock for 8k less than new. All the paperwork was ready and waiting for us, everything was prepared.

The woman offering the broker services used to be a fleet buyer before starting her own business. The dealers love her because she knows the rules, knows the profit margins, knows what deal she can reasonably demand and, most importantly, she moves a lot of cars. As a result, she gets deals that are almost impossible to secure for the average car buyer without doing a lot of research.

This was a business purchase, but I'll be buying all my cars with her from now on. The entire buying process took about 30 minutes of my time and I believe we got an excellent deal.

[RickDavis]

The way we buy is changing.
I found my 13 Dodge Cummins on the internet at what I felt was the right price. After a couple e mails and phone calls it was delivered to my driveway. Very little time invested. Never had to set foot on a dealer lot.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by Moflash

If you trade every 3 years or so a F350 or F250 Turbo diesel cost of ownership is about the same as a 1/2 ton(depreciation and upkeep) There is no diesel smell Oil changes are $89 at the Ford dealership When driving a diesel the new ones are as quiet as a gas engine I drive mine like a car everyday it rides great. I can take things with me without any worry of going over my payload capacity.A 8 foot box with a crew cab is not available in a 1/2 ton. I can take a Harley or a 2up 4wheeler with me (those little 5.5 or 6.5 boxes don't do it for me) With 400 horsepower and 800foot lbs of torque I get 20-22 mpg Hwy and 13-16mpg stop and go city. I have had many 1/2 tons including Toyotas,Fords,Chevys but for what I do when traveling with my Airstream I will never go back to a 1/2 ton. As you say to each his own.

I don't trade- ever-
I buy one and keep it as long as I can.
If you keep one for 15 years or more the diesel is much more expensive to own.
Tundra oil changes are $29 at the dealer-
Fuel is at least 30 cents less per gallon.
I do like the idea of an 8' bed, though.
No need to have an 8' bed on a half ton- you would be overloaded if you used it for a nearly 800# Harley and hitched to an Airstream.
I could, however, (and I might) put a Honda 250 dirt bike or a Vespa in my squatty bed pickup.

[TG Twinkie]

I moved up from a '98 Dodge 2500 to an '08 Tundra just about 9 months ago and have never looked back.
Over all the Tundra gets 5 mpg better mileage and the additional 120HP makes a world of difference.
I lucked out because the Tundra only had 9,000, yes 9,000 miles on it.
I would have liked the 8' box, but for the price and mileage on this Double Cab model, I was willing to sacrifice and get the 6.5' box.
I am amazed at the technological changes that have been made in a 10 year period. The improved handling, increase in both HP and mileage, along with the cab comfort.
I am sure the changes have taken place in the American trucks as well.
I have owned 3 new trucks in my life. A '76 an '85 and even though the Tundra is an '08, I consider it new with only 9K miles. All of the trucks are Toyota. I still have the '85, it is approaching 300K miles and still runs great.
As a daily driver and TV this truck has the best of both worlds for me.
On a trip to Canada this year I found that the mileage improved by a consistent 2 mpg once I was north of the 49th parallel. No ethanol in the gas north of the border.