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atheness · 02-09-2015, 09:15 PM

I am looking at a Toyota tundra to pull my new 25" FB Flying Cloud. The truck will be my only vehicle. It seems to add more weight and make for a rougher ride. Any experience out there? So many of the used ones have the TRD package....

aftermath · 02-09-2015, 09:39 PM

I have a 2008 Tundra with the TRD package and tow a 25 FB. It is a great combination. I ordered the TRD mainly to get better shocks. It originally came with passenger radials and I never felt that the ride was tough or stiff in any way. When I changed over to LT tires I did notice a difference.

I can't remember what else came with the TRD package but was told it did help with trailer towing. Love my Tundra.

Glenritas · 02-09-2015, 09:43 PM

If you want a bunch of info on Tundras check out TundraTalk.net - Toyota Tundra Discussion Forum

Len n Jeanne · 02-09-2015, 11:18 PM

We got a Tundra a few months ago, having decided we wanted a V8 engine. We got the crew cab, which is so comfortable that we like it a lot. The trailer seems to tow a lot easier, as well, than our first Bambi did with a Toyota Tacoma, even though the 16-footer was 1000 lbs lighter than the 19-footer.

We're a one-vehicle household as well. Out here, a Tundra is considered to be a small truck. We bundle our trips, and our driving is mostly highway driving.
But we use 4wd all the time to get up and down our driveway; and sometimes in remote camping situations with interesting roads to explore.

In terms of camping, the main thing was getting a cap (canopy) for the truck, so that we have a lot of storage space for camping gear.

Glenritas · 02-09-2015, 11:33 PM

Here's our Tundra with the ARE cap.

The Dark gray Tundra (above) hooked to our 25' Tradewind is the one we used on the test drive.

Tao · 02-10-2015, 06:26 AM

I recently purchased a new 2015 Tundra 1794 4x4.
Will pick up a 2012 Airstream 19' tomorrow that I've purchased.
Curious to what I can expect for MPG on the rig.
Majority of our travels will be New England down to FL and over to the Rocky's.

Also, anyone else towing with this combo - I'd like to hear if you went with the Hensley Cub hitch configuration and what your results have been. Chap I'm buying the 19' from says they use nothing other than a straight hook up between their truck and the trailer.

Glenritas · 02-10-2015, 07:38 AM

On a recent trip up to northern Oregon pulling our 13' 2500# Casita the our Tundra 2wd didn't know it was there milage only dropped 1 mpg from 16 mpg when not towing.

I would guess your mpg will drop 2-3 mpg on the coast and 3-5 in the rockies with your 19'.

But your Tundra will hardly notice the 19'.

Be sure to check out http://www.tundratalk.net/forums

KJRitchie · 02-10-2015, 07:53 AM

You would need to attach the trailer with your truck bed loaded with anything you plan to take on trips and see how much the rear end squats and the front end raises. You don't want your headlights blaring out into oncoming traffic and you don't want the steering to feel light. You'll probably have close to 650lbs of hitch weight. If you measure the fenders to the ground through the center line of the wheels before and after attaching the trailer you'll be able to determine if you need a WDH. If the measurement is the same on all four wheels you can probably get away without a WDH. If the front is a little high then something like an Anderson WDH would probably provide enough weight distribution and sway control. If you can tow without a WDH I would get a friction anti-sway bar installed to be on the safe side.

Another solution if the rear sags a little but not too much to warrant a WDH is to add air bags under the rear suspension and a friction sway bar.

I towed a 17' Casita (3500lbs) single axle with a 2005 4Runner 4.7l 2wd and it had 430lbs on the hitch without WDH but used an friction sway bar and never had sway issues. Now with my heavy 25fb Classic I have a 2010 Tundra and Equalizer WDH.

Kelvin

Tao · 02-10-2015, 08:01 AM

Thanks to Glen/Rita and Kelvin for your comments.
The mileage that Glen/Rita suggested would be nice to see. Better than I put into my spreadsheet/trip expense planner.

Jack

ZBoater · 02-10-2015, 08:03 AM

Usually what makes a great off road truck makes for a lousy tow vehicle. Especially a soft suspension. Nothing a leaf spring kit or a bump stop upgrade can't correct. But then off-roading after the upgrade may be unpleasant.

slowmover · 02-10-2015, 08:08 AM

Deduct 30-40% from highway mpg at same speed.

KJRitchie · 02-10-2015, 08:30 AM

I forgot to include my mileage figures for towing my 2008 Classic 25fb with my 2010 Tundra 2wd Double Cab 5.7L. I've seen as low as 10mpg on short weekend trips over hilly terrain and the best leg of a long trip on level interstate I got 12.9mpg. This is hand calculated and trying to average 60mph. I have a useable range of 225 miles to 250 miles with a safe 3 gal reserve.

I've achieved a best 19mpg solo, hand calculated, driving from DFW to Springfield at speed limits.

4x4 will drop your mpg a little. My Tundra is an SR5 which doesn't have all the options of a 1794.

Kelvin

Glenritas · 02-10-2015, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

I forgot to include my mileage figures for towing my 2008 Classic 25fb with my 2010 Tundra 2wd Double Cab 5.7L. I've seen as low as 10mpg on short weekend trips over hilly terrain and the best leg of a long trip on level interstate I got 12.9mpg. This is hand calculated and trying to average 60mph. I have a useable range of 225 miles to 250 miles with a safe 3 gal reserve.

I've achieved a best 19mpg solo, hand calculated, driving from DFW to Springfield at speed limits.

4x4 will drop your mpg a little. My Tundra is an SR5 which doesn't have all the options of a 1794.

Kelvin

That is spot on. We get the same with our 1969 25' Tradewind and our '98 Tahoe 2dr 2wd and 2014 Tundra SR5 double cab 2wd.

macofpei · 02-10-2015, 11:48 AM

I get between 10.5 and 13.6 towing our 30 classic. It depends of how aggressively I drive. If I stick to the 55-60 mph, I get good mileage. I have the Crew Max TR5 and it came with the bigger mirrors, tow haul and all 5 windows are power. I have a tonneau cover on the back but wish I had the cap ($1800.00 locally). Love my truck and love that it tows Belle with ease.

Tao · 02-10-2015, 12:12 PM

This is great info. I should do very well considering the size of the rigs some of you are towing with the Tundra. It's only a 19 Intl. Sig.

Just got off the phone with the seller and we will be picking it up on Friday. Does not have a weight distribution hitch of any type, so we'll tow it home nice and easy.

Seller states they hauled it with a VW Tourag and never felt they needed a WDHitch.

Next quest will be to get a Hensley Swift Cub or like unit.

Thoughts?

macofpei · 02-10-2015, 12:25 PM

I started to haul my unit home w/o sway bars and after only a few miles realized what an idiot I was. I stopped at the first Campers world I came to and bought bars and installed them so I could get home. Got the (you know what) scared out of me a couple of times, especially having a Tractor Trailer flying past me on I-95. I ordered my Hensley Arrow before we set out to go to Cape Cod in the fall and have put too many miles on both truck and Belle to count and haven't regretted the cost of the Hensley. I Hitch up, no drop on the trailer front and none on the truck's back end or any change on the front end. Both units, hitched up, are plumb level.
This is just my experience and others may have had different experiences. I can only give you mine.

Tao · 02-10-2015, 12:29 PM

Dang, I'm hoping a 19 will be a bit more forgiving that your Luxury Liner!
But my travels will all be in 95 the 85 back to Chapel Hill, NC, so the same
route that scared you --- I'll look for the "brown spots" on the pavement to
note where the truck passed you.

macofpei · 02-10-2015, 12:37 PM

We had a passenger with my wife and me and both ladies were kinda napping and when Belle slid over towards the big rig, and the bells and alarms started sounding in the truck, both women jumped and I white knuckled for a mile or so afterwards. In the defense to what happened, it was in a blizzard and the road speeds flashing lights were on to max 45, which I was traveling and the TT was doing at least 65 so it was a combo of my slower speed, icy road conditions and a loaded Big rig blowing past.

m.hony · 02-10-2015, 01:37 PM

I have a 2-wheel-drive Tundra and absolutely love it (see avatar and signature). It does a great job towing our Classic 30 and I love the limousine-sized back seat.
If I ever get another truck, I want the same truck all over again, but 4x4- not necessarily TRD- but I doubt I will ever get another truck. My Tundra is a 2007 with 45,000 miles.
The Tundra was my first Toyota. I always thought I wanted a Toyota and that Toyotas were top quality. The Tundra convinced me. I am now hard-core, true-blue, dyed-in-the-wool Toyota till I die- We bought a silver with black interior 2014 Toyota Avalon XLE last Monday. I really enjoy that car as much as I enjoy the Tundra.

russingr · 02-10-2015, 04:16 PM

I had a 2010 Tundra (2 wheel drive and crew cab) with TRD and towing package, and towed a 2010 International 27' with no problems. I loved the truck, and the only reason I traded it for a Ford F250 was that I wanted a 3/4 ton to pull the 30' International that we moved up to. Recently I got a ProPride hitch and have been very happy with it.