Verifying Towing #'s

Hello All,

My wife and I love Toyota's. I have personally had almost every brand of truck and worked for several over the years.

We are trying to get a New (to us) truck, capper, and Travel Trailer. Our current vehicle is a Sprinter 2500 we've lived in full time for almost 5 years. We will be full timing in the new rig, moving once every 3-4 months.

Here's the #'s

TRUCK: 2016 Tundra SR5 5.7 6.6” bed 4x2 (4x4)


Curb Weight: 5,185 (4x4: 5,480)

GVWR: 6,900 (4x4: 7,100)

GAWR F/R: 3,900 / 4,100 (4x4: 4,000 / 4,150)

GCVWR: 16,000

Payload: 1715 (4x4: 1,620)

Towing Capacity: 10,300 (4x4: 10,000)


Estimated Payload:

Passengers: 350

Cargo: 150

Topper: Contractor high roof, barn doors: 200-225

Total (Minus hitch weight): 725


Hitched

Available Payload: 195 (4x4: 100)

New GVW: 5,910 (4X4: 6,205)

New GCVW: 14,905 (4X4: 15,200)

Towing Capacity: 10,300 (4X4: 10,000)



TRAILER: Grand Designs Imagine 2970RL (33'-34')


UVW: 7324 (propane / batteries?)

GVWR: 8995

Hitch Weight: 795

This is a big trailer for this truck but "IF" I've crunched all the numbers right we should be ok. I also haven't deducted the weight of removing the tailgate so would pick up a few more pounds in payload to offset propane if it's not figured in.

Of course I would do exact #'s on exact truck and trailer if we get to that point but wanted to make sure I was on the right track before moving on.


Thanks,
Lee

 

That payload of 1715 (4x2) has to be a reg cab 4x2 if it is a '16. My '14 2wd dc had payload of 1520 (iirc) and my '18 2wd has 1420 (iirc) due to the 38 gal tank.

 

so 1520 would put it right at the payload max, then a few under for removing tailgate. Gotta love the internet, it's full of accurate information.

Still looking for any feedback from anyone on the above #'s and lets say I'm at payload or 50-100 lbs under. I can move the bikes from truck to camper to free up some weight while traveling

 

Check your payload on the yellow door sticker if you haven't already. My 2019 SR5 is 1320lb. My 2011 V6 Tacoma was 1208lb and my 2002 4cyl Tacoma was 1480lb. Incredible that these trucks are rated so low. I carry a slide in truck camper and don't even notice the camper on the truck.

 

I don't have a truck yet, I'm looking to buy a new truck and trying to verify everything.

 

I would be wary of the listed tongue weight on that trailer. 795 is the unloaded weight. With a GVWR of 8995 the tongue weight would be at least 10-15% or 850-900 lbs. We all say we are going to load light but somehow all that "stuff" adds up. I tow a Jayco 26P with a GVWR of 6,750 at 29 feet and my tongue weight is around 800 lbs. I used to tow it with a 2007 crew max, now a 2019 crew max with no cover, nothing in the box and only the wife and I, We are right at a payload of 1200lbs of the 1320 available. Tows very well but I know it's there. I have been trailering for some time and it is my belief most people underestimate their trailer tongue weight. I manage operations at a large landfill and as I tell a lot of our customers, the scales don't lie. Good luck and happy camping.

 

So after calling around to verify all those Toyota Model #'s it appears the Crew Max 4x2 gives the best Payload for a 2970 RL and the Crew max 4x4 gives the next best.

Do I remove the WDH hitch weight from the payload? I have seen arugements online both ways. and it appeards they weight 100 bs, correct?

Thanks

 

General rule for towing: if you have to math this hard to make it "work" then you either need a smaller trailer or a bigger truck. Even if you're within the numbers by 500lbs its gonna be a miserable experience.

 

I would go with a silverado 2500 or an F250. Their gas engines are solid and they are built for exactly what you want to do. Make sure you get the appropriate gear ratio (4.10) and I am sure you will be happy you went with a bigger truck. The last thing you want to do is get in a scenario where you dont feel safe driving.

 

The math isn’t hard it’s finding the actual #s to do the math. The Internet is full of wrong information that you have to sift through.

 

I need a reliable truck for a daily vehicle that will tow a trailer once every 3 months or so.

 

I have 3 in our fleet with over 100,000 miles and no issues. They are very reliable trucks.

 

That's why I think a Silverado 2500HD with the 6.0 gasser and 4.10 gears would be perfect. You will get the same gas mileage as the tundra. But more stability when towing. Throw a topper on that 6.5' bed and cruise. Don't get me wrong I love my tundra and think its one of the best trucks on the market. That's why I bought one. But when it comes to pulling 80%+ of max trailer or tongue weight I personally think its time to move up to a heavy duty.

I am not saying a tundra couldn't do what you are asking it to do.

 

If you get a lower trim gas HD they are quite reliable. Most powertrain, chassis, and suspension are made for the heavier and more powerful diesel options so they're overbuilt for the gasser application and if you go lower trim you stay away from most electric gizmos that are more likely to fail. A Tundra won't be head and shoulders better reliability wise than a HD gasser if you're ok with going to a lower trim. I've seen dozens of gas work trucks that are beat to crap and not maintained at all just keep on chugging on work sites.

 

Toyota is conservative with the numbers. The truck is more than capable and safe at the "limits".

If you are towing 4 times a year and your numbers are close, YOU WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM with a Tundra. AND, you will enjoy it the other 300 days a year without issue. You are obviously responsible when it come to towing, so use your head, buy a Tundra, and have no regrets!!!

 

I would double check the bold. The crew max numbers will be the worse. My CM 4x4 payload is like ~1300.

The WDH will count towards payload. If it is weight on the truck or trailer it will affect payload. I don't know the exact weight but I wouldn't be surprised if my wdh plus trunion bars are close to 100#s.