Visit our Popular Forums

77domer · 03-09-2023, 12:35 PM

Just got a 2023 Tundra 1794 hybrid. Intend on towing a 23 Globetrotter. The payload is 1400 lbs. Tongue weight, towing capability are all about half of the listed maximums. The truck has air suspension. Do I still need a weight distributing hitch or only sway control?

SlowPokePete · 03-09-2023, 01:30 PM

Yes, you need a WDH.

And be careful, because even though everything comes in within what your truck's capabilities are, you will find that payload is pretty easy to use up.

Driver, passengers, trailer tongue weight, and anything and everything you put in your truck will go against the payload number.

That said, you should be fine as long as your careful to avoid things like...adding a hardshell cap, putting multiple e-bikes in the bed, carrying heavy gear like generators, etc etc).

SPP

Andy543 · 03-09-2023, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77domer

Just got a 2023 Tundra 1794 hybrid. Intend on towing a 23 Globetrotter. The payload is 1400 lbs. Tongue weight, towing capability are all about half of the listed maximums. The truck has air suspension. Do I still need a weight distributing hitch or only sway control?

The definitive guide for your truck's towing capabilities is your owner's manual. Toyota says you need a WD hitch for trailers over 5000 lbs. Do you really physically need one for that size trailer? Probably not. I note that GMC lets you go to 7000 lbs. before requiring a WD hitch on its half ton trucks, and a Toyota half ton is not that much different in size, capability or axle ratings.

hikingcamera · 03-09-2023, 03:07 PM

The problem with Toyota's is they tend to have a lot of rear sag. The community of folks who had our old trailer (3500 GVWR, 19-foot trailer) and a whole range of Toyotas including the Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and in our case, the Highlander, all experienced extreme sag on the rear tires. In our Highlander, we had the Blue Ox Sway Pro that we now use with our F-150 and FC 23 CBB. Now I know the Tundra was completely redesigned in 2022, so maybe that has changed. As others have said, it's not uncommon for 1/2 ton trucks to require WDH over 5000 lbs or 500-lb tongue weight, and the Tundra is no different (same with our F-150). But the sag that Toyota's seem to always suffer from probably makes it even more important. FWIW.

aftermath · 03-09-2023, 03:25 PM

Your 1400 payload will get eaten up quickly. I am towing my 25FB with a 2017 Tundra and I do have to be careful with loading. We have two lightweight bikes that we put on our Fiama carrier in the back of the trailer. It is just the wife and I, no canopy and we usually only carry our generator, some water when boondocking and a few chairs and occasionally some fire wood. I have been to the scales while on the road and remain at or under the limits.

All that said, our Tundra pulls our trailer without problems. I do think it is important to get a good WD setup with built in anti sway. If not for other reasons, it puts our minds at ease.

Please report back and let us know how the new system is working for you. Toyota makes a rock solid truck, has a long history of dependability and performance. With the new hybrid, the weak link of mileage should improve. You are going to like your setup.

zapper · 03-09-2023, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77domer

Just got a 2023 Tundra 1794 hybrid. Intend on towing a 23 Globetrotter. The payload is 1400 lbs. Tongue weight, towing capability are all about half of the listed maximums. The truck has air suspension. Do I still need a weight distributing hitch or only sway control?

Congrads on your new Tundra. Been trying to get close to one to drive before buying. They have completely redesigned the suspension systems on the new models, coil rear springs not leaf and a wider stance. I have a 2010 Tundra and I use a blue-ox WDS. IMO a good quality WDS should be used with all but the very smallest AS's. There are others on this forum who have older model Tundra's and pull 30' classics and like their set up.

77domer · 03-09-2023, 07:01 PM

Thanks for all the input. We are not planning on long trips, probably 4 days at most and I am thinking our payload will be too much of an issue but I hear everyone's concern. I plan on moving the lithium batteries to inside the trailer under the bed and getting lighter propane tanks. Small changes but I'm hoping helpful! The truck is a hybrid with 585 lbs of torque, seemed more responsive than the Ford and GMC.

PB_NB · 03-09-2023, 07:33 PM

The hybrid should be nice to pull the trailer. Our 22 Limited gasser does a great job with our lighter 22fb Sport. We have a WDH and it does work well to take up the rear sag with 500 lbs on the tongue.

New this year is a set of Timbren bump stops which I hope works well with the WDH to improve the ride and stance of our Tundra.

Mollysdad · 03-10-2023, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77domer

Just got a 2023 Tundra 1794 hybrid. Intend on towing a 23 Globetrotter. The payload is 1400 lbs. Tongue weight, towing capability are all about half of the listed maximums. The truck has air suspension. Do I still need a weight distributing hitch or only sway control?

I would.
A basic hitch like the Blue Ox Sway Pro gives you sway control with minimal hassle.
I'm not sure how I'd achieve sway control without a WD hitch.

switz · 03-10-2023, 07:56 AM

We now tow our 2015 23D with a 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser. Originally we used my 2007 Mercedes ML320 diesel for the job until it was worn out at 207,000 miles.

The 23D scales at 6,069 pounds (we replaced the OEM 3,000 pound rated axles with 10" drum brakes with 3,600 pound rated axles with 12" dual puck disc brakes and 3" lift plates) and has a 905 pound tongue weight.

We installed Firestone inside the rear coil spring airbags and run 15 psi when towing. No sag. Note that the airbags add no more payload, they just get rid of the sag.

We replaced the Hensley Arrow we originally used (left over from our 2013 25FB that was traded for the 2014 31' Classic) on the 23D with a new ProPride so we have the same new ProPride model hitch on both the 23D and our 2014 31' Classic.

Our 23D has had 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires and the newer model same tire since new and the 23D tows well with 42 psi in the tires.

Check the sidewall tire pressure on the Tundra and bring up the tire pressure to the max pressure for max payload as shown on the sidewall of the tire when towing.

I suggest keeping the max speed down (55 or lower) during the shakedown time to allow for more time to react if any issues were to crop up as you experiment with placing your stuff in both the trailer and the Tundra.

hikingcamera · 03-10-2023, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by switz

We installed Firestone inside the rear coil spring airbags and run 15 psi when towing. No sag. Note that the airbags add no more payload, they just get rid of the sag.

LOL, forgot to mention the advantage of truck platform is you can upgrade the rear suspension. That wasn't an option in our Highlander, unfortunately. So glad to be in a truck finally! :-P

DMT · 03-12-2023, 08:39 AM

I have the 2022 Tundra 1794 non-hybrid towing my 27 International. This truck replaced my 2015 Tundra. I use a Reese Straightline WDH. To improve the ride and eliminate the bounce while towing I added Timbrens to the 15 Tundra but for the 22 I installed Airlift Airbags and an onboard compressor. So far I am satisfied. With a load in the bed the 22 sags more than the 15 did.

I would never tow the Airstream without a WDH.

PB_NB · 03-12-2023, 10:21 AM

I think the rear sag is a result of the rear coils rather than the leaf springs in the previous generations. You get a nicer ride but more sag when loaded. The airbags should help to level out the truck.

I have the Timbren's SES in my 22 Limited and find them a bit harsh (when the truck is empty) so I reached out Timbren and they are sending me some replacements to soften up the ride. I am looking forward to using them for the upcoming camping season.

Our confidence in towing with a WDH is certainly worth noting. I second that!

Rdavenp3 · 03-13-2023, 03:33 PM

I have a 23CB FC. I just bought a 2023 Tundra Limited with the rear air suspension this winter and haven’t towed with it yet. I have towed it with a Sierra 1500 and a F-150 and I wouldn’t tow without a WDH with sway control, especially when towing in higher crosswinds. Nothing ruins a travel day more than a long white knuckle drive.

77domer · 03-13-2023, 06:33 PM

Headed to Texas to pick up the trailer Thursday. Going to have them install an Equalizer hitch, easier than me having to do it. Will take about 3 days to return. I'll post how it goes.

Glenritas · 03-13-2023, 08:52 PM

We have a 2014 Tundra dbl.cab SR5 2 wheel drive it had a 10,500# tow rating until I added the cap , bed rug , front grill guard , Road Wing and under rear seat storage compartment . Now it has a 9800# tow rating .
The rear axle rating is 4500# . I've weighed our rig fully loaded while traveling many times . Our '69 25' AS Tradewind weighs 5200# with a 900# tongue weight .
I tow on the Ball only with 28psi in the air bags , my rear axel weight is 4400# , each trailer axel is carrying 2150# , that's 4300# on the trailer axels .
The Rig handles perfectly in all conditions even at speeds above 75 mph. No sway even in heavy side gusts .

Recently I transported a 23' Springdale 450 miles from Pismo Beach to Red Bluff over the Pacheco Pass . The trailer was empty my Tundra was mostly unloaded . I can only guess the Tongue weight but it took 45psi in the air bags to get level and of course only on the ball .

Our Son has a 2016 Tundra dbl. cab SR5 4 wheel drive TRD . He doesn't have air bags and his first pull loaded was on the Ball only , while we ordered a WDH with sway bar for him to install . before the next tow .

In the pictures you can see our rig towing on the ball with air bags and his rig towing on the ball and towing with WDH .

Bobbo · 03-17-2023, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77domer

Headed to Texas to pick up the trailer Thursday. Going to have them install an Equalizer hitch, easier than me having to do it. Will take about 3 days to return. I'll post how it goes.

Double check EVERYTHING the dealer does on your install. Here is a photo of the bolts that the dealer SHOULD have used to install mine, and the #8 self tapping screws that he actually used. It took 2 years before it fell off. When it fell off, I was over 1,000 miles from home. The #8 screws had wallowed out the hole, so I had to re-drill the holes for #10 screws and tap them. That got me home. Then I did it right. Below the bolt photo is a photo of the WDH dangling from my trailer frame. About 5 threads on the other screw is all that was holding it on.

GettinAway · 03-17-2023, 07:00 AM

You might also want to join or review information from a Toyota Tundra forum or the towing with Tundra FB group, to see what Tundra owners are actually experiencing. We use a Blue Ox WDH with our Tundra and 25FB. Negligible sway. As others have mentioned above you may want to add air bags to the rear end. I added a Roadmaster Active Suspension to the rear leaf springs in my Tundra, but that won’t be an option for you. It’s possible the air suspension on your new Tundra will compensate for the sag.

Mollysdad · 03-17-2023, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenritas

We have a 2014 Tundra dbl.cab SR5 2 wheel drive it had a 10,500# tow rating until I added the cap , bed rug , front grill guard , Road Wing and under rear seat storage compartment . Now it has a 9800# tow rating .

Just curious, how did you arrive at that conclusion? Did you assume that weight in the bed is subtracted from the tow rating? (BTW I have a 2015 Tundra same as yours and my 26' tows wonderfully.)

Quote:

... his rig towing on the ball and towing with WDH .

He has the same issue as I do. I'll refer to the night picture where the trailer looks level but the Tundra still has a bit of sag. I can't tell what hitch he's using, I have an Equalizer.
IMO, the solution is to LOWER the head one hole on the shank, then INCREASE the tension of the bars. So the trailer will be lowered then BOTH leveled by the increase in bar tension. Make sense? I haven't done this on my Equalizer 1. because it does tow great and 2. I'm going to switch to a Blue Ox Sway Pro I'm rebuilding (bought used) and 3. Adding a washer to the Equalizer would put me at the max (8) and it's (let's face it) a pain to disassemble.

Glenritas · 03-18-2023, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Just curious, how did you arrive at that conclusion? Did you assume that weight in the bed is subtracted from the tow rating? (BTW I have a 2015 Tundra same as yours and my 26' tows wonderfully.)

He has the same issue as I do. I'll refer to the night picture where the trailer looks level but the Tundra still has a bit of sag. I can't tell what hitch he's using, I have an Equalizer.

The Tow rating goes down as the weight of the accessories weight is added . So in my case the weight of the cap , grill guard , road wing etc. is deducted from the tow rating .

This is why the tow rating of higher trim level vehicles is less then the base model , i.e. SR standard cab weighs less than the SR5 double cab which weighs less than the Crew Max which weighs less than the 1794 and the hybrid .

So as one adds accessories to the truck that weight has to be deducted from the tow rating this also reduces the pay load one can carry .

One other thing to consider is the rear axle rating one doesn't want to exceed .

So weighing each axle of the truck and trailer fully loaded for travel on a platform scale one can weigh each axle as you drive over the scale .
Pull the front axle onto the scale ,then the truck , then just the rear axle , hopefully just the tongue is the only thing over the scale if so then one can get just the tongue weight by unloading the WDH and raising the tongue off the ball . But if the trailer is on the scale you won't be able to get just the tongue weight but you can get the total trailer weight by disconnecting .
Weigh each trailer axle as you drive over .
Do the math and you will know the total rigs weight and what each axle is carrying .
This info will help with determining tire pressure you need in each tire .

I hope this long-winded explanation helps . BTW this can't be done on a CAT scale .