Towing with a Tundra

JimC · 06-24-2003, 01:11 PM

Towing question come up all the time. Here's my experience with a Toyota Tundra. It pulled our 67 Tradewind (4000 lbs.) over two 10000 foot passes twice each. We went 800 miles round trip in very strong gusty winds. We do have a hitch with leveling bars.

This was our first trip with the Tradewind, or any trailer for that matter. We now have 800 miles experience forward and fourty feet backward. I sometimes found myself drifting up to 75 mph, and even with the wind gusts I never felt any lack of stability. I kept it between 60 and 70 on the highway and was able to do so on 7000 foot passes just by turning off Over Drive.

We haven't calculated the gas milage yet, but it didn't seem out of line.

Down hill was no problem with the four 12 inch brake drums on the TW.

Lug Nut · 06-26-2003, 05:47 PM

I've got a 2001 Toyota Tundra V8 4X4, that has the following ratings: Max trailer weight: 7,100 lbs, Max tongue weight 710 lbs, and GCWR 11,800 lbs. I'm looking at two Airstream trailers, and wondered if anyone with a similar truck has pulled either of these two trailers and could tell me how the truck handled the load? I'm looking at the Safari 25C (sleeps 6). The Airstream brochure gives these stats for the 25C: hitch weight 680, GVWR 6300, UVW 4770, NCC 1530. (I don't even know what NCC stands for.) My wife prefers the Safari 28' with the slide-out dinette. The only information in the brochure about it is a GVWR of 9100 lbs. I suspect the 28' is out of my range. Any experience out there with either of these two trailers and a Tundra? Thanks for your help. -- Jim, the Lug Nut

**jcanavera** · 06-26-2003, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lug Nut
I've got a 2001 Toyota Tundra V8 4X4, that has the following ratings: Max trailer weight: 7,100 lbs, Max tongue weight 710 lbs, and GCWR 11,800 lbs. a Tundra? Thanks for your help. -- Jim, the Lug Nut

Jim the fellow who bought my SOB 28' 5,000 lbs+ towed with the same vehicle as yours. I rode with him to his house towing my old trailer and went camping with him on his first trip. His Tundra did a good job. I would think it would handle the 25C Safari well.

Jack

Lug Nut · 06-26-2003, 08:58 PM

Thanks for the reply, Jack. I'm thinking the 25' Safari might be about my limit with a half ton pickup. I don't want to exceed my towing capabilities and end up with too much trailer.

**jcanavera** · 06-27-2003, 08:06 AM

You are 900 lbs under max. and if you are conservative you will probably be even more under. My 27' Safari has a gross of 7,200 lbs, 5,500 lbs unloaded. My typical towing weight with all gear loaded but no liquids in any of the holding tanks comes in at 6,000 lbs.

Jack

Lug Nut · 06-27-2003, 05:29 PM

Thanks again, Jack. Very helpful. I'm crossing the 28 footer off my list!

**jcanavera** · 06-28-2003, 10:07 AM

That 28' slide out Safari is no lightweight unit. I know it is well out of your class with the Tundra. Too bad A/S eliminated the 27' Safari. It is a nice trailer although it has no dinette like the 25c does. We chose the 27 over the 25 because of the extra full size closet.

Jack

1985air345 · 06-28-2003, 02:20 PM

Jack,

Thanks for helping JR with his trailer selection! He does have a larger problem though. He wife has a serious itchin' for a Classic Airstream motor home!

I love the MH's but since JR's got the tow vehicle, I'm on his side with the trailer. She saw that 1992 250 and fell in love! I fear counseling may be need soon!

What happens when husband and wife get two different strains of the Aluminitus virus?

74Argosy24MH · 06-28-2003, 03:18 PM

Quote:

What happens when husband and wife get two different strains of the Aluminitus virus?

The toad is a trailer. I like these questions, wish they were all this easy.

John

Lug Nut · 06-29-2003, 11:13 AM

Thanks for the good advice, Jack. From what you've told me, I think the Safari 25C is about the limit of what I can tow with my Tundra V8, and that has the basic amenities that my wife requires (full size bed, dinette & regular shower). Fred is right. My wife loves a motorhome, and really wants Dieter's 1992 A/S 250. I'd rather not have another motor to maintain, so I'm trying to steer her in the direction of a trailer that will meet her needs. Now, I'm ready for step 2. We'll be passing through Atlanta over the 4th of July weekend, and plan to stop at an Airstream dealer in the Atlanta area so she can check out the Safari 25C. I hope she likes it! Otherwise, I may have another motorhome in my future. At least it'll be an A/S and not SOB!

Lug Nut · 07-13-2003, 07:54 PM

My wife and I visited the new A/S Dealer in Lithia Springs, Georgia, which is just outside of Atlanta (exit 44 off I-20). The Dealer is Atlanta Auto Brokers, and their main business is selling high-end luxury and sports cars. They've only handled A/S for a month. They had 5 trailers on the lot. They had a Bambi, two Safaris, a 28 foot International CCD and a 25 foot International CCD. I went in thinking I wanted the Safari 25C, which they had in stock. However, my wife preferred the International CCD trailers. My wife has allergies and doesn't like carpet and drapes, which the Safari 25C had. The 25C International CCD had no carpet and had hardwood floors throughout, plus pull down shades. She also liked the windows which open out. The International CCD 25C has a rear corner bed and a rear corner bathroom. It also has a dinette and an L-shaped sofa. It had a large refridgerator, oven and microwave. I has a large stainless steel sink. I don't personally care for the bright orange and lime green covers on the seat cushions and pillows. So, my wife has promised to re-cover them with something a little more subdued. To make a long story short, we pulled the 2004 International CCD 25C to Tallahassee with us behind my Toyota Tundra V8. The dry weight of the trailer was 5240 lbs, and weighs 6300 lbs fully loaded. My Tundra has a 7100 lb towing capacity, and towed it like it wasn't even back there. I was really impressed with how quickly it comes to a complete stop. I pulled it without any sway bars, and confess it did sway a bit in certain situations. I plan to put a Hensley Hitch on it to take care of that little problem. The problem now is that my wife has to work all next weekend, so I've got to wait two weeks before I can take it out for a camping weekend. I can't wait.

silverback · 07-13-2003, 09:35 PM

HI, JR congratulations on the CCD purchase. We're going to pick up our 22' CCD (03) in a couple weeks. I will also be towing with a Tundra, so it's great to hear how smoothly it worked with a longer, heavier trailer. Can you tell me what brake controller and hitch you left the dealer with?
Enjoy,
KL

Dave-O · 07-14-2003, 08:56 AM

I, too, have a Tundra. Mine is a 2001 2wd V8 with tranny cooler and a Voyager brake controller.
I pull a 1972 29' Ambassador, which is #4950 dry and have had very little problem. Have not tried the mountains yet, but am confident it will do well.

JimC:
"I kept it between 60 and 70 on the highway and was able to do so on 7000 foot passes just by turning off Over Drive. "

One point: Make sure you take it out of over drive when pulling a trailer or you will do damage to your transmission. Can I get an "Amen"?

**Chuck** · 07-14-2003, 09:33 AM

just curious, but I'm wondering what the axle ratio is on the Tundras....