Towing with a Tundra Crewmax

[jathan]

I towed my 25' Eddie Bauer all summer (oh yeah Happy New Year) last year with my Tundra and a Blue Ox WDH. Overall I had no complaints. This fall I sold the 25' Eddie and I am currently looking to upgrade to a newer 28' RQ. It seems like there are a lot of people out there that tow 27-30 foot trailers with Tundras. Has anyone done any modifications to their Tundra that they thought were worthwhile and had significant towing improvements? I have seen some after market products like helper springs, air bags, etc. Are they necessary, helpful, or just a waste of money.


Thank you for any info Tundra owners.

[Preligen]

Bigger trailer means weight increase. I have a 2017 25 foot International and a 2014 Silverado 1500 with a camper shell and I am completely up to my maximum payload capacity. It's either getting rid of the shell or moving to a 3500. Extra leaf springs may help along with WDH but you have to check your payload capacity in the end. Hope this helps. Happy New Year.

[LY007]

I tow, at various times, a 27' Airstream, a car trailer, and a boat trailer with my 07 Crewmax. I put Bilstein shocks on at 100k, and I am using GreenStuff front brake pads, but otherwise I haven't done anything to the truck for towing. I hope it lasts me another ten years because trucks are ridiculously expensive now.

[DocColorado]

I was pulling with an older model Tundra, 2010, 5.8 V8. I was tired of only being able to get about 200 miles before needing a fillup (26 gal tank), and I installed a Transfer-Flo Fuel Tank in place of the old tank and w/46 Gal could now go 350-380 miles. Was a nice modification, had a lot of Toyota service people interested in that mod when I would take it in for oil change. Now Toyota has larger tanks available. I see lots of arguments of this truck pulling that trailer or that Truck etc, but very little thought put into the MGP and the size of your tank!

[MissingLink5]

I have a 2014 Tundra 1794 Series and pull a 25' Safari SS. Haven't had it in the mountains yet but does fine on hills. I usually leave it in 5th gear while towing with Tow Haul on. Speed control is too sensitive so I don't use it unless on flat surface. MPG NOT GOOD AT 13 when towing; really hate small tank. Glad newer Tundras have much larger tank. Trailer max is 7200 and I max that out when heading to south Texas home!

[malinois38]

2008 Crewmax pulling a 28’ International. Mods have been “E” rated tires, Blistein Shocks, K & N Cold Air Intake & Rear sway bar. The sway bar was added prior to the AS & got rid of the boaty feel on turns etc. Trailer weighs 7000lbs loaded for camping and with 1325lbs of payload & a cap on the Tundra I am within axle ratings. I have been over the Rockies and fared well with plenty of power on passes in the 7-8% grade range. Longer passes over 9% will be avoided in my travels if possible. Towing average is 10 mpg. I manually downshift to save brakes. Overall solid tow vehicle wishing it had more payload, but I’ve dealt with the “payload envy” syndrome so far.
Also, 147,000 miles and nothing but regular maintenance. Why I drive Toyota’s..

[Reynolds]

We did the same as DocColorado: upgraded the fuel tank to 46 gallons. Very glad we did....

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by Reynolds

We did the same as DocColorado: upgraded the fuel tank to 46 gallons. Very glad we did....

Nice upgrade, but it does further reduce the payload capacity. This is the reason I have not done this to my 2010 Tundra CrewMax. My payload is 1290 lbs. With a topper and a few essential items in the bed along with the tongue weight of the trailer, I have used up the available payload, though still within the axle ratings.

[Doc Foster]

Yes, as others have mentioned:
Upgrade the brakes
Install larger fuel tank
Watch your payload

[jonnie3]

My first year I towed my 25’ with a 2015 Tundra Crewmax. Very smooth, no problems. Then I took my rig to my local Cat scale and discovered I had been exceeding both my vehicles payload and rear axle rating (GAWR). That was without my normal loaded gear in the Tundra; cooler, grill, table, chairs, grandkids ... Im sure if I hit a pothole the axle wouldn’t have broken, but that never happened. I ended up replacing my Tundra with a Ram 2500 for the benefit of increased payload and other ratings. Of course payload varies from truck to truck based on options like 4X4, topper, etc. Im sure I just opened up a can of worms.

[m.hony]

Been towing a Classic 30 with a CrewMax for over 5 years.
Towed a Forest River Wildwood 28RLSS for over 2 years before that.
7 1/2 years and over 50,000 miles overall towing a travel trailer with a CrewMax and I'm completely satisfied and happy.
First weight distribution/sway control setup was an EazLift.
Current weight distribution/sway control setup is an Equal-i-zer.
Both hitches performed well, but the Equal-i-zer requires less steps to couple/uncouple.

[Quicksilver6]

We also tow a 28 ‘ Pendleton with 1794 crew max. We have a Propride hitch. Travel out west and Northern Mn. No problems with standard equipment. Only complaint stopping every 200 miles for gas. Next truck will be a Toyota with bigger gas tank. Nothing but regular maintenance on Toyota!

[Rick T]

Upgraded from a 2007 Tundra to a 2017 TRD with the 38 gallon fuel tank. With all the concerns of dragging a big heavy object down the highway the peace of mind the larger tank has given me removes a big concern. Now I can just worry about: tires, weight, hitch, sway, batteries, mileage, campgrounds, and all the other fun things that go with towing.

[m.hony]

The 38 gallon fuel tank is attractive, but I gotta stop more than every 200 miles to pee or eat anyway.
If I ever get another truck it will be a silver Platinum 4x4 with 38 gallon tank, fender flares, and spray in bed liner.
For now my 63,000 mile Limited with the small fuel tank will do just fine.

[kenwadude]

Not a fan. Small tank size and inadequate brakes r huge problems. Tow capacity is the worst. Silverado has been the ticket for me.
Good luck.

[m.hony]

Inadequate brakes?

[Fred L]

Originally Posted by MissingLink5

I have a 2014 Tundra 1794 -.... Trailer max is 7200

Missing Link, curious about this as in doing my reading I am seeing 8800lbs tow capacity for a 2014 Tundra 4x4 (now I am wondering if that was crewmax, but pretty sure it is since that is what I am looking for).
I know it is 7200 for the GVWR.

[Martee]

Originally Posted by Fred L

Missing Link, curious about this as in doing my reading I am seeing 8800lbs tow capacity for a 2014 Tundra 4x4 (now I am wondering if that was crewmax, but pretty sure it is since that is what I am looking for).
I know it is 7200 for the GVWR.

My 2014 Tundra Platinum 4x4 is rated at 9200lbs, and the 2014 Tundra 4x2 is rated 10,000 lbs towing. Reportedly, Toyota has listed all their Tundra towing specifications and payloads at 30% less than what the truck is really capable of doing. This is due to conservative engineers at Toyota.

I exceeded the listed payload by 350 lbs on a recent trip and drove very slowly and carefully without any issues. I will not do that again on any future trip....but gave me confidence my Tundra truck is towing capable for any AS at 28 feet or less.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by Martee

My 2014 Tundra Platinum 4x4 is rated at 9200lbs, and the 2014 Tundra 4x2 is rated 10,000 lbs towing. Reportedly, Toyota has listed all their Tundra towing specifications and payloads at 30% less than what the truck is really capable of doing. This is due to conservative engineers at Toyota.

I exceeded the listed payload by 350 lbs on a recent trip and drove very slowly and carefully without any issues. I will not do that again on any future trip....but gave me confidence my Tundra truck is towing capable for any AS at 28 feet or less.

350 lbs?!?!? You probably wouldn't even feel it.

[Fred L]

Originally Posted by Martee

My 2014 Tundra Platinum 4x4 is rated at 9200lbs, .

Thanks Martee, is yours a double cab or crewmax? not sure if the Platinum comes in a double cab, but that may explain the difference from what I was able to find?

My sense re Toyota is similar to yours, ie under promise and over deliver. Has been my experience for over 20 years, hence my determination to stay with Toyota.

In a similar Tundra TV thread, Ray mentioned flattening his springs on his 25RB/FC, which was concerning to me and trying to understand the cause since I hadn't heard of it before. I know the 25RB has a greater hitch weight, but not sure if that enough would cause this.