Let's talk about HOW we tow and with what truck.....

[tRICKster]

The Tundra is a great truck but half ton trucks are not the best truck to tow close to 10,000 lb's with, I have towed with my 2008 ram 1500 Hemi for years, it always got the job done but I always wished I had more torque especially in B.C. where you can't drive more than 10km without hitting a big hill, my biggest pet peeve was watching my tank empty as my truck searched for power in the high rpm's , I traded up to a 2015 f350 and the difference is night and day, I now have effortless towing up any hill, my rpm's are always low, the truck never struggles and my fuel usage is less than half of my hemi add to that my ford weighs probably 2000lb's more than my dodge and my trailer doesn't try and pull it around, like I said your truck is nice and will get the job done but running any vehicle close to its limits is never fun.

[hopkins44]

no problem that i know of... never owned a toyota.. but it sounds like your truck and trailer are a good fit. my brother had that same truck when he owned a keystone outback. ( no problems ). i don't remember what the tag-a-long outback weighed, but i do think he was at the trucks limit. he has switched to a crew cab dodge cummins, with a 6spd manual, and a 40' keystone raptor, 365.
his new truck weighs about 6,800 lbs and the camper GVW'S at 18,000

my truck is a cab chassis and curb weight is 10,200lbs. camper GVW at 20,000

[Jackthe3rd]

Originally Posted by MikeF

Before I made the last post I had only read abotu half way through. Now I read it all the way through and NOBODY tows with a Toyota Tundra but me. I am really wondering why. I'm actually a bit concerned with what I am missing. I'm leaving on the 4th for a trip to Ohio from California and hoping I will not have problems. Towed it for 3 hours to get it with zero problems.

My truck has the 5.7L in it. It is rated for 1,500 Bed weight and 10,500 GVW. My TT is 8,000 lbs and is 34' long. Hitch weight is 825 lbs. I have a tow package with extra coolers in the Tundra. I figure after loading the trailer up, I will be about 9,000 lbs, and 930 hitch weight. I know the trailer is heavier then the truck, and that makes me nervous.

Without towing, I get 21mpg on the freeway at 70mph. Towing at 60mph, I get 14mpg. My Tundra is paid for and only has 40k miles on it. It's fully loaded and in great shape. I really don't want a new truck, but I don't want to have problems either.

So why does nobody use Toyota's?

There are others with Tundras. For what I'm towing - I would not drive anything else, but my trailer GVW is 6600lbs. Like most folks on here will tell you the limitation on any 1/2 ton is the payload. And if I go up a trailer size - I'll move on from Toyota....it is a great, bombproof, reliable truck, but has the limits of any 1/2 ton.

Not sure what cab config you've got and what else you'll have in the truck - so can't comment on how close you are to your actual limits. Best thing to do is just load up and head to the scales.

For my setup - at the scale, I'm right at GVWR of my Tundra (7200) with the family, leer bedcap, and a little less than 700lbs on the tongue, nothing else in the truck.

[MikeF]

Originally Posted by Jackthe3rd

There are others with Tundras. For what I'm towing - I would not drive anything else, but my trailer GVW is 6600lbs. Like most folks on here will tell you the limitation on any 1/2 ton is the payload. And if I go up a trailer size - I'll move on from Toyota....it is a great, bombproof, reliable truck, but has the limits of any 1/2 ton.

Not sure what cab config you've got and what else you'll have in the truck - so can't comment on how close you are to your actual limits. Best thing to do is just load up and head to the scales.

For my setup - at the scale, I'm right at GVWR of my Tundra (7200) with the family, leer bedcap, and a little less than 700lbs on the tongue, nothing else in the truck.

I have the extended cab Limited version. Full bed size. It's a 2 wheel drive, not a 4x4 which actually lets you carry a bunch more. It also has the tow package.

It's funny my family was pissed I didn't buy an American truck. Until I showed them my Tundra was built in the USA but the Ford I was looking at was not.

[Jackthe3rd]

I got the same thing from my family - but they can't argue with the dependability. Enjoy that trailer - she is pretty one.

[hopkins44]

Originally Posted by dougs2

looks good tom!

thanx !

[WanderingWades]

Just recently picked up a 1995 F250 7.3L Turbo 5 speed with 74K (barn find) pulling 2005 31ft Colorado 5'r 8,500# dry. B&W Companion hitch. First voyage set for April 4th. Purchased both for about $20k. This will be our first RV experience after years of tent camping. So far this adventure has been a little daunting but I think it will get easier as we learn more from you all and of course the hard way.

[Denaligirl]

Hi,
Recently upgraded to F-250 from F-150. Loved the Ecoboost but the sways from wind, and semis and lousy Florida roads were a white-knuckle deal. Wish I was taller for getting in and out of the 250 LOL. The F-150 was 2016 and the dealer was willing to take it back in exchange. My experience with half ton truck and 3/4 ton truck was really an eye opener.

Denali 2611BH. 7000 lbs
Ford F250 Gas

Have equalizer hitch, don't love the noise but maybe something different down the line maybe blue ox, maybe pro-pride. Not sure yet. The truck feels a whole lot better than the 150.

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by Denaligirl

Hi,
Wish I was taller for getting in and out of the 250 LOL.

Have you through about having running boards installed. Sure are nice to get in & out of my 4X4 F-350 Not that I'm getting older or anything like that.

[MikeF]

On an interesting note. It looks like Toyota may be adding a diesel Tundra variant next year. It is oriented towards gas milage, but I wonder what effect it will have on towing.

I know a few years ago, they showed a Tundra HD dually. Would be great if they start to get into bigger trucks.

[DesertRat]

Introducing the 2016 Titan XD | Nissan USA With Cummins Diesel
Has more HP & torque then my son's 2002 F-250 7.3l Ford diesel make that (International diesel).
I have the real Ford diesel engine.

[MikeF]

I get adding a bigger engine will help, but due to the trucks weight wont there still be many of the problems with a half ton?

[Denaligirl]

Mike, my dh wanted thst Nissan too and after towing our Denali w the F150 ecoboost he decided the half ton wasn't the way to go. I liked the specs of that Nissan too. The 250 seems sooooo big. But for pulling a 33ft trailer behind us safely I am ok w it. I hope thay Nissan is a dream tuck because it sure seemed like it on paper. Let us know.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

Introducing the 2016 Titan XD | Nissan USA With Cummins Diesel
Has more HP & torque then my son's 2002 F-250 7.3l Ford diesel make that (International diesel).
I have the real Ford diesel engine.

There is a pretty long thread on this truck over on the Lance Forums. It may have the power, but from what I recall reading it has a miniscule fuel tank, not to mention the issues associated towing with too light a truck.

Aaron

[EricNSTL]

I'm obviously a Titan fan, but this Titan XD was a big disappointment to me. It is rated a 12500 towing, but from what I'm reading people are getting less the 18 MPG highway with no load. Why not for the same price, just bring home a F350 that can handle almost anything.

[tRICKster]

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Here is a pic of my setup

[J&HinMT]

03 Duramax that's packing lots of aftermarket goodies, pulling a Denali 280lbs.
Love my old truck, it's paid for and outruns all the new trucks unless they're built pretty strong.

[nitro943]

Originally Posted by MikeF

Before I made the last post I had only read abotu half way through. Now I read it all the way through and NOBODY tows with a Toyota Tundra but me. I am really wondering why. I'm actually a bit concerned with what I am missing. I'm leaving on the 4th for a trip to Ohio from California and hoping I will not have problems. Towed it for 3 hours to get it with zero problems.

My truck has the 5.7L in it. It is rated for 1,500 Bed weight and 10,500 GVW. My TT is 8,000 lbs and is 34' long. Hitch weight is 825 lbs. I have a tow package with extra coolers in the Tundra. I figure after loading the trailer up, I will be about 9,000 lbs, and 930 hitch weight. I know the trailer is heavier then the truck, and that makes me nervous.

Without towing, I get 21mpg on the freeway at 70mph. Towing at 60mph, I get 14mpg. My Tundra is paid for and only has 40k miles on it. It's fully loaded and in great shape. I really don't want a new truck, but I don't want to have problems either.

So why does nobody use Toyota's?

tundratalk and tundras and trailers on FB show plenty of people using them. I too have a 2008 5.7 DC limited and love the truck. My truck is bagged, controller, and WDH ready. It pulls fine and some don't realize this truck has 380 HP with 4.30 rear end(tow package). Remember the monster 8.1 gm motor...that is 340 HP.
It is the most capable 1/2 ton truck by a mile. Anyway the truck is completely capable minus the payload. Be aware of that, use proper driving techniques, and all is good. Would a 1 ton do better? absolutely

[nitro943]

Originally Posted by MikeF

I get adding a bigger engine will help, but due to the trucks weight wont there still be many of the problems with a half ton?

No it won't. You have a much better rated vehicle. Drive your Tundra buddy!

[J&HinMT]

Originally Posted by nitro943

tundratalk and tundras and trailers on FB show plenty of people using them. I too have a 2008 5.7 DC limited and love the truck. My truck is bagged, controller, and WDH ready. It pulls fine and some don't realize this truck has 380 HP with 4.30 rear end(tow package). Remember the monster 8.1 gm motor...that is 340 HP.
It is the most capable 1/2 ton truck by a mile. Anyway the truck is completely capable minus the payload. Be aware of that, use proper driving techniques, and all is good. Would a 1 ton do better? absolutely

It's not the HP rating that matters, it's the Torque. In stock form my Duramax only makes about 300hp. But it makes over 600lbft of torque.
If your gasser makes 340hp it probably makes around the same torque number.
That's where a diesel gains it's advantage. My truck's tuned 525-ish HP isn't that impressive, but the 1,000lbft of torque is where I spank any gas truck. Even most sports cars if I'm unloaded can't beat me up to about 60mph.