Airstream for Tundra?

[RAC]

Hello

I hope you can advise me about the purchase of an Airstream Travel Trailer. I want to purchase an Airstream of either 19' or 22' Length . Prefer the 22' length but am bewildered by the conflicting advice of the RV salesperson. Can a Toyota Tundra with a 4.7 L V8 pull an Airstream?

I am a newbie and am trying to calculate the appropriate weight limits using these statistics. Tundra dry weight 4490 lbs
Camper shell 250 lbs

The GVWR of the Tundra is listed as 6200 lbs. on my door frame
Toyota advises that the combined weight of any trailer and my truck cannot exceed a max of 11,800 lbs.

I am thinking that the trailer I choose would then be limited to no more than 5860 lbs loaded including the hitch. Is this correct?

I took the combined weight limit 11,800
subtracted dry weight of truck (4740)
passengers (350)
dogs (250)
Gear ,Food, Water (600) approx

That leaves 5860 lbs.

Is this correct? Please Advise.
RAC

[Chuck]

yep, I think you've got it right. Which means that you're limited, just a bit. You can probably do up to a 22...maybe a 25 footer, if you're light on the gear.

lots of folks here like to go w/ the "80%" rule for a safety margin, though. that is, only pull 80% of what the truck is rated to do. that would probably limit you to one of the bambi models. However, if you go "vintage", you might be able to get away with something larger. those older trailers are much lighter than the new ones.

fwiw: I do remember people reporting here that their Tundra's did a good job towing. It depends on where you are, and where you're planning on going, too. Towing over flat terrain, vs. crossing the rockies....big difference.

[JimC]

I pull a 67 Tradewind (24ft) with my Tundra in Colorado (10,000ft passes) with no problem. The Tundra has an Eaz-Lift hitch.

[stellablu]

RAC

I've decided I must sell my "new" '66 Safari 22ft. I pulled it with a Toyota Tacoma V6 and didn't even know it was there! Live in Illinois so no big "hills".

If you'd like more info on my Safari, let me know. It's original and has bunks so it will sleep almost 6. Hate to sell, but must.

Stellablu

[ViewRVs]

Do a [Search] with the words Toyota Tundra. There are several threads on this subject. There are several owners that tow with Tundra's. I think the general rule is to keep it 25' or less.

[wingfoot321]

I don't know what year your Tundra is but, I looked pretty seriously at pulling with a 2003 Tundra and I remember 7200 lbs as the number on their literature. I don't know what the salesman told you but, if your doorpost is 6200#, then I think they have gone up 1000# this year?

[silverback]

RAC, I've been towing our CCD with an 03 Tundra (equipped with the towing package). WIth the 4X4 TRD model, it's rated at ~6900 lbs. We've been well over 7000 feet pulling the trailer without any effort. Your MPG will certainly decrease accordingly.
Ken

[RAC]

Thanks one and all for helping out this newbie!! C'ya down the road! RAC

[CanoeStream]

Bob -- Note that the vintage Airstreams are somewhat lighter, didn't have grey water tanks, etc. A current day 25-footer is out of the question in my opinion. As noted above this has been covered in some detail in the past. For instance, see Towing with a Tundra .

Any accessory not standard on the base trailer subtracts from your useful load. Try to carry any spare in your pickup box. I envy you 12-month travelers!