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Mrcrowley · 05-31-2006, 06:29 AM

I have a 31 foot airstream and was wondering if anyone towtrailer that size with one

I own 2000 tundra sr5 extra cab and I think it can tow 7100 lbs with its engine .

enduroryda · 05-31-2006, 06:37 AM

Hi MrCrowley....I have a 04 Tundra D-Cab V8 pulling a 21'. Pulls like a dream on the highway but going up hills on the back roads works a little. I think the dry weight on my AS is about 3800lbs... There is another person in here pulling a bigger unit such as yours with a Tundra under the name BOBTHOMPSON I believe...if you have any ??? you could prob try to contact him. There are also some good threads about Tundras on here...do a search and you'll find plenty of reading material. Good luck!

muddy_hollow · 05-31-2006, 06:46 AM

I have a 65 GT and towed with a 2000 Tundra. I like the truck and it fits perfectly with the GT, but I'm not sure I would tow anything bigger. My impression of towing a 31 ft rig is that it would be slightly under powered and the weight of the trailer would be pushing my comfort zone.

The other issue I could see is suspension. You will need to beef up the rear springs and use a wd hitch. Without the WD hitch the tundra sags a great deal. Another forum member, towed a late 70s 24 ft rig and his rear end sagged a great deal (Tundra that is).

Sad to say this since I'm not a big fan of domestic brand trucks (oh here come the bombs my way), but for a 31 ft rig I would be looking at a Silverado or F250. IMHO.

Muddy

85MH325 · 05-31-2006, 07:01 AM

I have an '02 Tundra Access Cab V6 that I pull my fiberglass RV trailer (a 17' Bigfoot) at 3500 lbs with. The V8 would have more power, but I don't think I'd want to tow anything much larger with my Tundra. I tow my 34' Airstream with a V10 Excursion.

Roger

Silvertwinkie · 05-31-2006, 07:07 AM

I agree fully with whats been said. I would search for a different tow vehicle if you plan to tow a 31' RV.

ZoominC6 · 05-31-2006, 07:25 AM

You would be a lot more comfortable pulling your 31 footer with a 3/4 ton truck. The diesel seems to be the popular choice of power plants on this forum. You'll have difficulty pulling any grades without a substantial TV say nothing about cooling the tranny etc. Good luck with your decision. Happy Trails

Frank S · 05-31-2006, 10:26 AM

Hi Mrcrowley--What you need to satisfactorily tow a 31' A/S is a 3/4 ton truck with at least a 130" wheel base, 6.0 ltr V8 with a 4:10 rear minimum, or a big block V8 or diesel with a 3.73 rear (Chevy talk, or similar Ford or Dodge). You won't be satisfied with anything less.--Frank S

Van · 05-31-2006, 06:55 PM

IMO, a 31' trailer is far too much for a truck of that class to safely handle. You would be better served by a F-250 ford, 2500 chev, or 2500 dodge. I know i wouldnt be comfortable towing something that big with my F150

Bob Thompson · 05-31-2006, 07:11 PM

Hi, I'm the Bob Thompson mentioned above and I pull a '97 Excella 25 with my Tundra. I've towed it near 35,000 miles in the past couple years, and as long as your travel conservatively, it is very much up to the task. I have had no towing related issues with the truck, although I did have to replace a rear axle seal and front brake rotors and pads. The rotors/pads are a common problem on pre-2003 Tundra's as is the axle seal problem. Otherwise, the truck has performed beautifully. On last September's 6,000 plus mile trek, we averaged over 13.5 mpg for the trip. We traveled a lot in mountainous areas from Santa Fe to Reno to Sonoma to Sequoia NP, then to Albuquerque. As for pulling something longer, I wouldn't. The brakes, suspension, power, etc. are just about maxed out for long distance traveling pulling a 25. The 25 is about as large as I would try to pull with a Tundra if you travel extensively.

**azflycaster** · 05-31-2006, 07:33 PM

I agree with Bob. I tow my 1975 25' tradewind with my 2003 Tundra and would not want to go much larger. It handles great and lots of power. I was in the mountains of Arizona (8000 ft +) this weekend and only on the steepest hills did I really slow down (50MPH).

Bob - You are getting better gas mileage then me! My 25' is lighter then yours, what's the deal? I keep my speed between 60 and 65, I tow with OD off and I have the 4x4 Tundra. Maybe it's the 3 dogs in the back seat...

Bob Thompson · 05-31-2006, 07:58 PM

I would say the better gas mileage is a result of several things. I use Michelin LTX M/S tires which have a lower rolling resistance than say the very good Yokohama Geolanders. I run the Tundra tires at the highest pressure shown on the tire. Most times I tow with OD on especially if I'm rolling along on smooth easy conditions! The September trip, was just after Katrina and gas prices were thru the roof, so speed was mostly between 55 and 60 mph. Probably, most important, I plan my towing day carefully. Having sailed and windsurfed for years, I'm really tuned into wind patterns. If I am expecting head winds, I try to get out and get going early before the winds build up. Usually, winds are lighter in morning and build until mid-afternoon and drop off at dusk. If I am expecting tailwinds I put departure off a couple hours so I get the benefit of the wind. Charts like this really help in the planning: http://nwwind.net/

**azflycaster** · 05-31-2006, 08:07 PM

Thanks for the reply. I have the same tires on my Tundra and I really like them. I never tought about the wind factor, but it always seems to be against me. I would bet the OD is a giant factor in the numbers. This last trip we left the house at midnight and got to the lake at 5am. No trafic and no wind. My numbers were around 11 MPG. That includes many ups and downs and 10 miles of dirt road. Started at 1200 ft and ended at 8200 ft. Thanks again...

Mrcrowley · 05-31-2006, 08:51 PM

Well the towing capacity of this model tundra is 7100 lbs but the weight of the trailer alone is 7100 lbs . BUT I have a chevy silverado k3500 dually that will tow it it is just cant have family with me three to four seater have five two need seat belts at least. ? can anyone ride in the trailer as it is being towed my gues is no becasue if they move around in trailer it would make it sway...

SnorkyII · 05-31-2006, 09:10 PM

I tow a 2004 25 Foot Safari with an 03 Tundra V8. We have towed the trailer over 6000 miles in the last two years. It's a little slow going up the grades, is otherwise OK. We live north of San Diego, and have grades in any direction except up the coast. I tow with the overdrive off.

**Action** · 05-31-2006, 10:48 PM

2000 Toyota Tundra 4.7l V-8 has a tow limit of 7200 pounds. For model year 2000 it is the highest tow rated Toyota made. I have no data on axle ratio or tranny type. I am assuming an automatic tranny. Most passenger vehicles need an auto tranny for loads over 3500 #'s.

For 1976 your trailer DRY weight is between 4070 and 5065 depending on model of 31' footer. (There are 4) And depending on how much stuff* is in it concieveabily the truck is up for the job. And I would strongly recommend that you weigh your trailer in towing form. You would be surprised how much weigh a trailer gains with age.

This assumes the vehicle is is very good mechanical condition with original tire size.

*Propane, water, waste, clothes, added furniture or ??????

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

Mrcrowley · 06-01-2006, 12:33 PM

My tundra is a 2000 but it has like 99000 miles no way Ill put it through that kind of towing. I dont think anyone read the second question in that post

Can people ride in the trailer while is is being towed?
My gyes would be no becasue of movement casueing trailer sway.. but curious how most state laws read it.

Bob Thompson · 06-01-2006, 01:11 PM

Legally, yes, some people can ride in the trailer in some states. It depends on the state. I saw a list somewhere and when I find it, I'll post it here.

85MH325 · 06-01-2006, 01:16 PM

As far as I know, it is illegal in all states for passengers to ride in a trailer. Motorhomes are obviously ok, and some states allow for passengers to ride in fifth wheel attached trailers, but I don't know of any that allow it for standard ball-attached trailers.

Roger

**Action** · 06-01-2006, 01:17 PM

At 99,000 miles, I would not automatically rule out the capacity. Mileage is a basis for usage so there may be some worn items. Not usually powertrain items. And based on 99,000 miles on the clock, if it were my tow vehicle, I would be replacing anything on the following list that had not been replaced in the last 12,000 miles.

All shocks
All filters - air, fuel, crankcase, oil and tranny
Spark plugs and crankcase valve
All fluids (except rear axle)
All engine belts and cooling system hoses
Repack wheel bearings if serviceable
Inspect and replace any brake pad or shoe with less than 25% life left - same for tires - spare included
Inspect and replace all non-tight suspension and steering components

I am also inclined to add a tranny cooler no matter what the rig is equipped with for any towed load greater than 3500 #'s. I do not care for the OE tranny coolers. Usually too small. In a previous van I used 3 coolers for the tranny. 1 factory and 2 after market.

My tow rig listed below has 150,000 miles and tows a boat and trailer that are 2000 #'s more than my A/S. It is shorter trips, however it get's the job done.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

markdoane · 06-01-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85MH325

As far as I know, it is illegal in all states for passengers to ride in a trailer. Motorhomes are obviously ok, and some states allow for passengers to ride in fifth wheel attached trailers, but I don't know of any that allow it for standard ball-attached trailers.

Roger

That's incorrect.