Toyota Tundra as a Tow Vehicle

[TouringDan]

We just returned from a spring break camping trip to Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach, Fl. This is a wonderful campground.
We have an 08 double cab 5.7L 2wd. We got 13.4 mpg towing gently (55-65 mph). Me, wife, 2 dogs and 2 kayaks on top. Loading and unloading kayaks is not so easy.
Love our Tundra.

Dan

[cando]

I ordered my 07 Tundra with tow mirrors, the tow package was included with the 5.7 motor. I traded the 07 for a 2012 that didn't have the tow mirrors. I told the dealer I wouldn't trade without the trailer mirrors. The dealer looked them up and said that they were too much money. He suggested. We bring in both the 07 and the 12 to see if the mirrors could be switched out between the two trucks. They worked perfectly, even the side and turn signal lights. The dealer was great and didn't even charge for the change. Maybe if you are looking for the tow mirrors you could check with a salvage yard. The new F150 and the GM trucks don't. Include trailer mirrors even with their maxim trailer towing packages either.

[Gene]

m.', thanks for the info on the mirror bulbs.

Kelvin, I watched someone remove inside panels to get at something and he used a plastic pry bar. It is less likely to scratch anything. I suppose you could wrap a screwdriver tip in masking tape and solve that problem. Glad to hear you got them off without buying plastic tools.

Gene

[m.hony]

I decided I've never had Morris with running lights before and it really doesn't matter.
Oh no!
Spell check/predictive text got me again!
Morris = mirrors...

[Gene]

Spell checking gets us all eventually. I thought "Morris" was the name of your truck.

Gene

[slowmover]

The name WAS a secret.

[LY007]

I bought a used 07 Tundra Limited five years ago. It's become my DD even with a Porsche and Mercedes sitting in the garage. I open the hood once a year to change the oil. The only work I've done on it is consumables...tires, brakes, shocks. And it makes almost 400hp on regular gas. Maybe the most economical and reliable car I have ever owned.

It tows our AS great, and unlike our previous MH, I never worry about breaking down somewhere. Highly recommended!

[YorkieMama]

Great info! I just purchased a 2011 5.7 L Tundra and a 2014 25Flying Cloud. Glad to hear they pair up nicely! The AS dealer said they would and the numbers all looked right, but you never know.
I will, nevertheless, probably have to watch the Tundra and AS payloads carefully. I am moving and bringing some important stuff with me like video equipment, small printer, small safe, important papers, 4 yorkies and their stuff, and a generator to run AC in Mexico & for boondocking.
Do you think the TUndra can handle this? If I drive slowly?

From NY to Gulf of Mexico to Belize?
Thanks!
Pauline (Yorkiemama)

[YorkieMama]

Similar question!
I just purchased a 2011 5.7 L Tundra and a 2014 25Flying Cloud. Glad to hear they pair up nicely! The AS dealer said they would and the numbers all looked right, but you never know.
I will, nevertheless, probably have to watch the Tundra and AS payloads carefully. I am moving and bringing some important stuff with me like video equipment, small printer, small safe, important papers, 4 yorkies and their stuff, and a generator to run AC in Mexico & for boondocking.
Do you think the TUndra can handle this? If I drive slowly?
From NY to Gulf of Mexico to Belize?
Yeah. It'll take a few days.

Pauline (Yorkiemama)

[timmaah]

Originally Posted by YorkieMama

I will, nevertheless, probably have to watch the Tundra and AS payloads carefully. I am moving and bringing some important stuff with me like video equipment, small printer, small safe, important papers, 4 yorkies and their stuff, and a generator to run AC in Mexico & for boondocking.
Do you think the TUndra can handle this? If I drive slowly?

You will be fine. No need to "drive slow", just drive smart and within your abilities.

[m.hony]

I drive the posted speed limit up to 65.
I never exceed 65 mph max regardless if the posted speed limit is above 65.
It all works out great.
Relax and watch everyone else pass me-
Automatically creates safe following distance because the car in front of me is steadily pulling away at a higher rate of speed increasing my following distance-

[nickclifford]

Originally Posted by YorkieMama

Similar question!
I just purchased a 2011 5.7 L Tundra and a 2014 25Flying Cloud. Glad to hear they pair up nicely! The AS dealer said they would and the numbers all looked right, but you never know.
I will, nevertheless, probably have to watch the Tundra and AS payloads carefully. I am moving and bringing some important stuff with me like video equipment, small printer, small safe, important papers, 4 yorkies and their stuff, and a generator to run AC in Mexico & for boondocking.
Do you think the TUndra can handle this? If I drive slowly?
From NY to Gulf of Mexico to Belize?
Yeah. It'll take a few days.

Pauline (Yorkiemama)

Took my 5,000lb 1972 Sov out for the first time last weekend, my 2010 Tundra pulled effortlessly. Hwy101 to Pismo with a very steep grade on the way back north, no problem whatsoever. Brake controller works like a charm too... just gotta remember to swing wide for those righ hand turns ..

[m.hony]

Go left as much as is possible.
Cheat.
Get all you can get.
Then drive straight past the turn until the last minute and turn the steering wheel all the way.
The movements have to be more exaggerated/extreme with a fifth wheel or goose neck trailer because they turn in quicker.
A bumper pull trailer more closely follows the path of the tow vehicle.


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[Gene]

Pauline, first check the weight numbers on the back of the driver's door frame. That should be the most accurate number for cargo weight. But if something was added aftermarket such as a camper top, tonneau cover, running boards (other than stock ones), subtract that from cargo. To make sure you can check weights as listed in the back of the owner's manual for towing, but they won't include options or something the previous owner added aftermarket.

We weighed what we took—us, tools, extra fuel, hitch head, generator, water hoses, sewer hoses, etc. That's the stuff we take in the truck plus the hitch and other hitch parts (bars, springs, etc.). Added 2/3 tongue weight to that and saw where we were at (some weight shifted to trailer axles, so 2/3). There are significant differences between Tundra cargo weights depending on trim line, how big, 4wd. For most of us the cargo weight runs around 1,400-1,700 lbs. We were at the limit and have had no problems with suspension, engine or drive train.

You will have plenty of power and without a trailer the Tundra will challenge a lot of cars off the line. The cargo weight is always a question with 1/2 ton trucks, but everyone with a 25' (and some longer trailers) and a 1/2 ton truck seems to do fine. We go 65 because faster doesn't feel right. For a pickup, the Tundra handles pretty well and you can drive safely and fast, but it takes longer to stop.

Very good truck, should work fine and remember to downshift to slow down and keep an eye on the brakes—they will wear first.

Gene

[KJRitchie]

Pauline, from NY to Gulf Coast to Belize? Why would you want to tow an Airstream from the US to Belize?

Kelvin

[nickclifford]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Go left as much as is possible.
Cheat.
Get all you can get.
Then drive straight past the turn until the last minute and turn the steering wheel all the way.
The movements have to be more exaggerated/extreme with a fifth wheel or goose neck trailer because they turn in quicker.
A bumper pull trailer more closely follows the path of the tow vehicle.


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thanks, i was a little nervous at first but built up my courage even pulled into the whole foods parking lot in SLO .... got gas at Costco, very easy ...

[m.hony]

Also, adjust your mirrors so that you can see your trailer tires the whole time you are executing a turn.
This gives you a chance to correct before hitting whatever stationary object.
Keep your hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel, using push-pull on the wheel during turns.
Push-pull helps you to slow down and control the movements better.

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by YorkieMama

I will, nevertheless, probably have to watch the Tundra and AS payloads carefully. I am moving and bringing some important stuff with me like video equipment, small printer, small safe, important papers, 4 yorkies and their stuff, and a generator to run AC in Mexico & for boondocking.
Do you think the TUndra can handle this? If I drive slowly?

From NY to Gulf of Mexico to Belize?
Thanks!
Pauline (Yorkiemama)

I would suggest that you replace the stock tires with Michelin A/T2 load range E tires. Having a robust tire will go a long way to mitigate the additional loads, especially for a trip like you are planning. Also consider installing SUMO SPRINGS rear bump stop replacements to help dampen the load.

I go to Belize at least one a quarter on business; it never struck me as a place I would want to take my Airstream.

[m.hony]

My Tundra has 20" wheels.
There are no LT tires in the exact size.
Maybe I can find LT 20" tires 10 mm larger or smaller?


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[dkottum]

Originally Posted by m.hony

My Tundra has 20" wheels.
There are no LT tires in the exact size.
Maybe I can find LT 20" tires 10 mm larger or smaller?


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We just put new Michelin P rated 20" tires on our 2012 Ram a few months before trading it (smart move on my part). We stuck with the original P rated because we wanted to keep the softer ride. My buddy put LT's on his and regrets the ride.

Pulling our Airstream with them, I just inflated them to max sidewall pressure (44 psi I think) and we had plenty of load capacity and no squiggle from the low sidewall profile of the 20" original Wranglers or new Michelins, both P rated.