Tow/Haul questions

Purchased a 2007 Tundra this week with 92K miles on it. It's an SR5 with the tow package. I pull an old 1974 tandem axle Prowler when I go hunting each fall. Question is: Do I need to install an electronic brake controller since I do have the tow package with the tow/haul switch? If so, where is the connector under the dash. I stuck my old bald head under there and couldn't see one. Figured it would be close to the brake switch. A pic of the location would be great if I need to install a controller.

 

The maximum un braked trailer weight for most models is 1000 lbs. so I’d say yes install it.

 

Found it! Thanks for the help!!

 

If your truck didn't come with it you should get the factory harness that plugs into that connector. It can't be very expensive. That will allow you to put the correct connector onto the the harness that matches your controller. I'm not sure about 1000 lbs being the max load without brakes (the wife's Rav4 is 1500 lbs) but I wouldn't go above 3500 lbs.

 

It’s 1000 lbs. like you said. You don’t know. I would educate yourself before giving dangerous advice against manufacturer ratings.
https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM34463U/pdf/OM34463U.pdf
link to 2007 Tundra Manual

Page 485 clearly states in bold highlighted letter that 1000 pounds is the unbraked limit.

 

FYI @Dr_Al a page from 2020 rav 4 manual...

 

How often do single axle trailers have brakes? My 3000# capacity utility trailer doesn’t have them and it’s only a few years old. When I was shopping for the them they all seemed to be without brakes in the 3k capacity.

 

Great question. Couldn’t tell you, but that doesn’t change the answer to OP. There are plenty of trucks out there that have much higher ratings than our Tundra’s.(in fact most trucks in 1/2 ton or more) All I can tell you is what the engineers at Toyota specify.

 

Not to mention If you cause an accident the insurance companies and authorities can use the fact you are exceeding manufacturer operating limits against you.

 

You can do what ever you like but the manual is total fantasy. If you read it for the Tundra it says over 1000lbs need brakes and over 2000 needs to have sway control. Go look at all those trailers at Home Depot, Lowes, and Tractor Supply. Do they have brakes? Not if they are rated for under 3000lbs. The manual was written so people couldn't sue Toyota because they didn't know how to tow.

 

Actually that's incorrect. The Tundra can tow about the same amount as every other 1/2 ton sold today. The engineers said a Tundra could pull the space shuttle and were correct. The lawyers, if asked, would have said very differently.

 

I won’t get caught up in arguing your conjecture. I provided the OP the specifications for his truck. After that, you can speculate all you’d like. Have a great day!

 

https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2012/10/tundra-tugs-space-shuttle-without-a-hitch.html
some fun facts about the space shuttle pull.
1. The shuttle trailer was designed to place 0 lbs of weight on the back of the truck. They actually had to add weight in the bed for more friction.
2. It only traveled 300 yards in 4lo/1st gear.
3. They retired the truck afterwards!
4. It was driven by a professional stunt driver on a closed portion of road.
5. They aired down the tires to give the most contact patch available.

 

https://www.tfltruck.com/2018/07/2019-half-ton-trucks-most-payload-towing-chevy-ford-ram/
the raw numbers on towing capacity for 1/2 tons. The tundra comes in dead last for payload and second to last for towing capacity.

 

I really hope @Dr_Al isnt a real doctor. Doesn’t seem like reading is his strongest attribute. Lol

 

Yeah I was wondering that but after referencing it seems the drive train doesn’t really affect payload since the rest of the components are the same. It more so affects towing capacity. In fact I think since the 5.7 adds more weight to the chassis I would think it would have a lower payload rating.

 

@NewImprovedRon so the manual doesn’t seem to state payload but it seems it’s a calculation of gvwr minus curb weight. Even though the 5.7 can have higher gvwr it also has a higher curb weight. As does the crew max or 4x4 in comparison. Not sure if this explains it totally but just my educated guess.

 

https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-brakes/
@A-A-Ron some insight to your question. It seems the trailer manufacturers are following state law on wether their trailers have brakes on single axle. It doesn’t seem they take individual truck capacities into account. They leave it up to the consumer to insure they have a tow vehicle capable to haul whatever trailer has been purchased.

 

If you believe that a Tundra with it's vastly superior brakes, suspension, and weight has the same towing capacity of a trailer without brakes as a Rav4 then you should follow your heart. However, in the real world you would never be able to tow a small boat, a 2 place snow machine trailer, or a UTV as all of those weigh more than 1000 lbs yet the trailers to tow them don't have brakes. Once you go over 2000 lbs it starts to be optional until you cross the 3000 lb mark where it's required by most states. I gave my personal opinion based on the real world but you be happy watching a mom pass you in her minivan towing a jon boat wishing to yourself that if it only had brakes I could pull it with my Tundra.

As for that chart, read it with a grain of salt. It's incomplete and just lists one model from each brand with the maximum tow capacity. For example most Dodge 1500s range from just over 7200 to 11,500 for max towing capacity. Both Ford and Chevy are about the same. All three brands made a specific version that can tow more just to brag they can tow the most. The Tundra can tow from 8,800 to 10,200.

I would never tell anyone to tow something they don't feel comfortable towing. That includes a trailer that meets all of Toyota's requirements but isn't properly loaded. So, again, if you feel the number Toyota put in it's manual (1000 lbs) is the most you can tow without brakes then that's what you should stick to. However there are hundreds of thousands of Tundra owners who exceed that very conservative number because the truck is more than capable.