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Old 05-31-2008, 11:31 AM   #1
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Toyota Tundra

Need info on towing 31' with Tundra.
Let me know your experience.
Thanks
Bob
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Old 05-31-2008, 11:36 AM   #2
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Gen I or Gen II?

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Old 05-31-2008, 12:46 PM   #3
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O8

08 tundra brand new on dealer lot
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Old 05-31-2008, 01:20 PM   #4
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2008 Tundra as Tow Vehicle

I have a 2008 Tundra with the 5.7L, double cab and tow package 4x4. I am using a hitch with equalizer bars and drop two links, which might be too much, but one link seems to have too little... if you know what I mean. I ride level with two links hanging. The best place I found to mount the brake controller was just above the gas pedal, flat surface for the dash. The oversized brakes and manual automatic shifting (when desired) are excellent. So far after 7100 miles, no complaints. The Ford F250 4x4 has much better suspension, but I did not want a diesel. The Tundra as a half ton seems to do alright for me...

I am pulling a 23 foot AS in the Rockies and it tows up and down the mountain passes with ease and power to spare, fully loaded. I am getting on average 10 to 14 mpg towing. Off road in 4 wheel drive in the mountains, 8 to 10 mpg with regular unleaded. I am 8 feet shorter than you, but with the increase in size over the 2006 and earlier Tundras, this is a wonderful tow vehicle.

The spare tire is a steel with a different tire, so try to work in an exchange for a mag wheel and Goodrich M/S that match. In the event you have a flat, the spare provided will NOT do the job. It is a street tire... I rotated my wheels and tires this morning and these weigh a lot more than the 2006 I had!
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Old 05-31-2008, 01:32 PM   #5
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I tow my 29' 73 model with my 99 Land Criuser w/ the stock 4.7. All the usual stuff brake box, sway bar and equalizer. Not very much trouble at all on flat to rolling ground. Different story when comes to pulling hills they classify in grades. FYI my machine is only rated towing capacity @5500, where as yours is easily 10k. Dont sweat it
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Old 06-26-2008, 10:20 AM   #6
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A 5.7 2WD will do pull the 25' anywhere you want to go. Highway MPG not towing 18: MPG towing 12-14 MPG
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Old 07-26-2008, 11:31 PM   #7
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Nice to hear Ray Eklund's experience with the '08 Tundra. Consumer Reports noted that first year reliability of the '07 V8 4WD models was well below average and therefore they could not recommend it. The '07 2WD got the highest customer satisfaction rating. Sounds like you're really happy with the '08, Ray.
Although I'm pulling 19' Bambi Safari with a '99 Yukon (4x4 350 V8), it's near time to trade and the Tundra is my first choice so far. May want to upgrade to 25' AS. Still sounds like the Tundra will handle it just fine. Also planning to move from the Pacific NW to Fort Collins so performance in the mountains is really important. Agree?
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Old 07-27-2008, 06:18 AM   #8
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Tundra

Stay tuned, I just purchased an 08 yesterday and will take delivery on Monday. After months and months of study and another Chevy breakdown I pulled the plug on the 04 3/4, 8.1 Suburban.

We have 3 Airstreams to pull with it, 59 18', 68 30' and an 88 29'. The 88 is by far the heavy trailer of the group. I was told that it can pull 10,300 and none of these trailers weight any where near that. I was concerned with the pay load of 1580, but crunching some numbers I think I can stay under that even after I put the cap on.

Our first pulling trip is Tuesday, with the 59 from WI to Ohio to see our daughter who works at Cedar Point. Not much of a test but a good way to break it in. I'll post next Sunday night with my results.
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Old 07-27-2008, 08:05 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rochar3 View Post
Need info on towing 31' with Tundra.
Let me know your experience.
Thanks
Bob
Bob, Roger asked the Tundra Gen I or Gen II question. Another issue for the load you propose is what year and model is the 31' in question? This can be a significant part of the equation!
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Old 07-27-2008, 08:23 AM   #10
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Can't comment on the Tundra, but I have an '08 Sequoia with the factory tow package and the same engine as the Tundra (assuming you opt for the larger engine). My Sequoia flavor (SR5 4x4) is rated for 9600 pounds towing. I have an '08 25' Safari SE FB (7300 pounds GVWR, around 5500 - 6000 dry), and it tows well with the Sequoia, and most of my towing is west of Denver, so lots of mountains. My only concern is the cargo capacity of the Sequoia - it is around 500 pounds after subtracting the tounge weight of the trailer. This works for my small family - we just carry all the cargo in the trailer.
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Old 07-27-2008, 08:43 AM   #11
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I would never tow a 31' newer Airstream with a Tundra. Have you seen the frame tests done on these things, it a sheep in wolf's clothing:





As much of a GM fan I am, I was even disappointed with how GM did on these tests.
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Old 07-27-2008, 09:42 AM   #12
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Late model 31' Airstream pulled by a half ton truck is not within my towing comfort zone. A 25' is the biggest Airstream that I would care to pull with a half ton tow vehicle, but to each their own.

As far as the new Tundra goes, it looks really heavy duty, but its wheels are held on by only five lug nuts. This makes it look like a cartoon truck. The five lug nuts just don't go with the super duty persona.

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Old 07-27-2008, 09:55 AM   #13
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Please send pic's of the wreck you are about to have.I hope You and yours are not injuried.That truck is absolutley TOO LIGHT .But ITs your Stream U are gonna do it what ever any one tells ya.
AND THAT TUNDRA SALEMAN is so hungry to sell a truck in todays market he will tell Ya anything to make that sale.
Sorry just my educated opionion THATS 45 yrs of road smarts and towing heavy loads Showing SORRY!
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Old 07-27-2008, 10:07 AM   #14
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You tube is not the most reliable place to get info... the tests are always misleading... when are you gonna pull that much weight straight down...

I tow with an 08 sequoia. I have pulled over 10,000 lbs with it. A mini excavator.. it pulled it better than my old 3/4 ton pickup.. just don't go 85 mph..

A tundra with pull it just fine, just keep the speed to the speed limit.. I also live in colorado and we pull up and down the mountains no problem, plenty of power...

I also pulled that 10,000 lbs without trailer brakes and had no problem stopping.. Pulled it from 5000 ft up to 6800 ft and back down.. did keep the speed at around 50-55 mph but had plenty left, even going up hill.. Plus with a Toyota you are getting the most reliable truck on the market today...
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Old 07-27-2008, 07:30 PM   #15
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You tube is not the most reliable place to get info... the tests are always misleading... when are you gonna pull that much weight straight down...
I think the videos stand for themselves. This was no doctored typical You Tube BS, this was the real thing. I took it from You Tube because it is the only place I could find it again. This was posted on a few websites. I would not be so quick to discount it. Putting about 900lbs on the back of a Tundra (rough hitch weight of a 31' Classic), clearly after seeing the frame flex seems unreasonable to me, but hey, that's just me.

This was a third party that did the testing. I agree with the 25' comments. This truck is a 1/2 ton truck, and yes, it's not just the Nissan dealers who would sell their mothers to sell you a truck, the whole auto industry is that way at $4 or more per gallon right now.

Quote:
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I also pulled that 10,000 lbs without trailer brakes and had no problem stopping.. Pulled it from 5000 ft up to 6800 ft and back down.
..and not to sound like I'm slinging stuff your way or be argumentative, but I am going to call you out on this one. Do you really expect anyone to take you seriously on safety and vehicular ability when you tow 10k lbs without any trailer brakes in the mountains or elevations (which I'm not sure, but perhaps it may be illegal on the Interstate or even local roads)? I could care less what they show in Tundra TV ads. The truck could have 30" disc brakes all around and be able to stop on a dime and give you a nickel as change, towing that much weight without trailer brakes is just a plain unwise thing to do, regardless of what truck you have.
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Old 07-27-2008, 10:12 PM   #16
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Yes, i would agree, I wouldn't do this normally but my truck was in the shop, Just pointing out that it did it ok...

I have towed a lot of stuff over the years not just camping trailers....

In the 60's they towed stuff with cars, Yes trailers didn't weigh as much, and in europe they don't have to many 3/4 tons... and they get by just fine... spent time over there. "seen Volvo's towing 25' trials " I wouldn't do that, but they seem to get by just fine... Just don't exceed the tongue weight... put on a equalizing hitch and it should be fine...

Wheel base length is important, you don't have that, and you will end up upside down on the side of the road... seen a few grand Cherokees that way..

Look at the test again. no wheels no shocks or axels all this helps distribute weight. Its not a perfect test... Do it with a real truck and I bet it would be different ,ford or toyota.

And who is gonna drive their truck, with or without a trailer, over bumps that big at that speed.."well maybe a 16 yr old" but no reasonable person..

Not saying the tundra or ford is the perfect towing machine but not everyone can get a one ton dually... and my Sequoia pulls my 28' just fine for me..

But I do hear you concern, don't exceed the tongue weight.
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Old 07-27-2008, 11:43 PM   #17
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I would love to see the results of an F350 or F550 doing the frame twist/flex tests on You Tube. Or maybe a Dodge 250 Dually! Maybe a Kenworth! Could they do as well as the F150? Would they have the "stuff" to pull a 25' Airstream or would they be dangerous!
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Old 07-28-2008, 05:02 AM   #18
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I Just Don't Get It!

I just don't get how the Toyota fans keep trying to imply that the Toyota products are something special....able to leep tall buildings in a single bound....faster than a speeding bullit....stronger than a locomotive.

People, the fact is the Toyota Tundra is a 1/2 ton pickup, period. Just because it is a Toyota, does not make it any more than a 1/2 ton pickup. It will do what a 1/2 ton pickup will do, in spite of being as ugly as some 18 wheeler tractors. But, the ugly part is just my "opinion".
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Old 07-28-2008, 07:22 AM   #19
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Now I may be wrong on this, and if I am please correct me... (I am always up for learning something) But isn't the 1/2 and 3/4 ton Chev, Fords and Dodge the same frame? My friend was told by the dealer that the only difference between his 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton suburban was axle,suppression, and gear ratio. Could this be true for the rest???????
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Old 07-28-2008, 10:13 AM   #20
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Quote:
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Now I may be wrong on this, and if I am please correct me... (I am always up for learning something) But isn't the 1/2 and 3/4 ton Chev, Fords and Dodge the same frame? My friend was told by the dealer that the only difference between his 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton suburban was axle,suppression, and gear ratio. Could this be true for the rest???????
in terms of pickups 3/4 ton upgrades the following

Frame (HD models)
Axle hubs
Engine
Transmission
Suspension
Don't hold me to this, but brakes as well I believe are slightly upgraded as well.

Could be more, but these are the biggies in my opinion, and why to me, IMHO it starts to make sense when getting into the heavier Airstreams going the true 3/4 ton route

As for cars back in the day towing lighter, yet similarly sized Airstreams, you have to recall that cars back in the 60s and 70s were in essence 1/2 ton trucks with large frames, monster engines, etc. Back in 1996 in an effort to maximize profits, GM dumped all body on frame cars. I have two copies of these. Excellent tow vehicles up to a certain point.

On difference in Euro RVing and domestic RVing is that we Americans pack everything but the kitchen sink. I'm just as guilty. Maybe if we didn't have all the toys to bring we too could tow with better wheelbase smaller vehicles. I know my 25er loaded is pushing over 3 tons.
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